Computer Hardware Engineers
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
Sample of reported job titles:
Design Engineer, Engineer, Field Service Engineer, Hardware Design Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Physical Design Engineer, Project Engineer, Staff Engineer, Systems Integration Engineer
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
- Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
- Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
- Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software:Application-specific integrated circuit ASIC logic synthesis software,ASSET JTAG ScanWorks,Automatic test program generation ATPG,Boundary scan insertion software,Built-in self-test BIST debugging software,Cadence Dracula,Cadence PSpice,Cadence Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator,Computer diagnostic software,Computer simulation software,Data acquisition systems,Design-for-testability DFT insertion software,Discrete Fourier transform DFT analysis software,Failure analysis software,Fast Fourier transform FFT analysis software,Field programmable gate array FPGA logic synthesis software,Integrated circuit simulation software,Logic synthesis software,LogicVision icBIST,M-Sim,MAGIC software,Magma Design Automation Blast Create,Magma Design Automation Blast FPGA,MathWorks Simulink,MathWorks Simulink DSP Blockset,MathWorks Simulink Fixed-Point Blockset,Mentor Graphics BSDArchitect,Mentor Graphics Calibre,Mentor Graphics LeonardoSpectrum,Mentor Graphics Precision RTL,Microarchitecture simulation software,Monte Carlo simulation software,SAS statistical software,Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE,SoftICE,Synopsys Design Compiler,Synopsys Hercules,Synopsys HSIM,Synopsys HSPICE,Synopsys TetraMax ATPG,Synplicity Synplify,The Mathworks Control System Toolbox,The Mathworks Data Acquisition Toolbox,The Mathworks Embedded Coder,The MathWorks MATLAB,The MathWorks Real-Time Workshop,The MathWorks Signal Processing Toolbox,The MathWorks Symbolic Math Toolbox,The MathWorks Wavelet Toolbox,Timing analysis software,Verification software,Xilinx Synthesis Technology XST
- Compiler and decompiler software:Cadence Encounter RTL Compiler
- Computer aided design CAD software:Autodesk AutoCAD,Cadence Allegro PCB Designer,Cadence Concept,Cadence OrCAD,Cadence Schematic Composer,Cadence Virtuoso Layout Suite,Complementary-symmetry/metal-oxide semiconductor CMOS layout software,Computer aided design CAD software,Dassault Systemes CATIA,Electronic design automation EDA software,Mathsoft Mathcad,Mentor Graphics Xpedition xDX Designer,PARTHENON,Place-and-route software,PTC Creo Parametric,Schematic editors,State diagram software,Xilinx ISE Foundation,Xilinx ModelSim
- Data base user interface and query software:Database software,Microsoft Access,Structured query language SQL
- Desktop communications software:Eko
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Analyzing Data or Information:Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Detailed Work Activities
- Advise customers on the use of products or services.
- Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.
- Assemble equipment or components.
- Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
- Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:93% responded"Every day"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:79% responded"Every day"
- Freedom to Make Decisions:66% responded"Some freedom"
- Structured versus Unstructured Work:66% responded"Some freedom"
- Spend Time Sitting:61% responded"Continually or almost continually"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Complex Problem Solving:Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics:Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Engineering and Technology:Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Design:Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 48%Bachelor's Degree
- 34%Master's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Information Ordering:The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
- Oral Comprehension:The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Interests
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Innovation:Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
- Initiative:Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
- Cooperation:Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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