Computer Hardware Engineers

Description

Not THAT long ago, someone asked why on earth anyone would want or need a personal computer in their home. In the not too distant future, people will probably carry around a personal computer in their purse or pocket. The lightning-fast advances in computer technology are largely a result of the research, development, and design efforts of computer hardware engineers.

Just as some engineers build bridges or highways or mines, computer engineers build computers. They're involved in the design, construction and operation of computer hardware and related equipment, and information and communication system networks--mainframe systems, local and wide area networks, fibre-optic networks, wireless communication networks, intranets, the internet and other data communications systems.

Specific duties

Computer and telecommunications hardware engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

• analyze user’s requirements, and design and develop system architecture and specifications
  
• research, design, develop and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware such as microprocessors, integrated circuit boards and semiconductor lasers
  
• develop and conduct design verification simulations and prototype bench tests of components
  
• supervise, inspect and provide design support during the manufacturing, installation and implementation of computer and telecommunications hardware
  
• establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and clients
  
• may lead and co-ordinate teams of engineers, technologists, technicians and drafters in the design and development of computer and telecommunications hardware.
  

Network system and data communication engineers perform some or all of the following duties:

• research, design and develop information and communication system network architecture
  
• research, evaluate and integrate network system and data communication hardware and software
  
• assess, document and optimize the capacity and performance of information and communication system networks
  
• may lead and co-ordinate teams of design professionals in the development and integration of information and communication system architecture, hardware and software.
  

Computer engineers may specialize in a number of areas including analog and digital signal processing, fibre optics, integrated circuits, lasers, microprocessors, microwaves and radio astronomy.

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Computer & Network Operators & Web Technicians
• Computer Programmers & Developers
• Computer Programmers & Web Designers
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Engineering Inspectors & Regulatory Officers
• Engineering Managers
• Engineers, Aerospace
• Engineers, Chemical
• Engineers, Civil
• Engineers, Electrical & Electronics
• Engineers, Geological
• Engineers, Industrial & Manufacturing
• Engineers, Mechanical
• Engineers, Metallurgical & Materials
• Engineers, Professional
• Engineers, Stationary
• Information Systems Analysts & Consultants
• Information Systems Managers
• Physicists & Astronomers
• Software Engineers
• Systems Testing Technicians
• User Support Technicians
• Web Designers & Developers

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3U English, Grade 11, University Preparation	ENG4U English, Grade 12, University Preparation or EWC4U The Writer's Craft, Grade 12, University Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MCF3M Functions and Applications, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or MCR3U Functions, Grade 11, University Preparation	MDM4U Mathematics of Data Management, Grade 12, University Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SBI3U Biology, Grade 11, University Preparation or SCH3U Chemistry, Grade 11, University Preparation or SNC3M Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or SPH3U Physics, Grade 11, University Preparation	SBI4U Biology, Grade 12, University Preparation or SCH4U Chemistry, Grade 12, University Preparation or SES4U Earth and Space Science, Grade 12, University Preparation or SNC4M Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or SPH4U Physics, Grade 12, University Preparation
Optional
TTI1O Integrated Technologies, Grade 9, Open	TDJ2O Technological Design, Grade 10, Open or TEE2O Computer Engineering Technology, Grade 10, Open or TGJ2O Communications Technology, Grade 10, Open or TIK2O Computer and Information Science, Grade 10, Open	ICE3M Computer Engineering, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or ICS3M Computer and Information Science, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TDJ3M Technological Design, Grade 11, University/College Preparation or TGJ3M Communications Technology, Grade 11, University/College Preparation	ICE4M Computer Engineering, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or ICS4M Computer and Information Science, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TDJ4M Technological Design, Grade 12, University/College Preparation or TGJ4M Communications Technology, Grade 12, University/College Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

* students should consider options from Business and Technology

* students should consult their counsellors as to appropriate science courses in Grades 11 and 12 for university and college admission

* students should consider options from Social Sciences, The Arts, History etc.

* three maths highly recommended as this career is math oriented

Post-secondary options

• Computer engineers require a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical or electronics engineering, engineering physics or computer science.
  
• A master's or doctoral degree in a related engineering discipline may be required.
  
• Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
  
• Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
  
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
University
Carleton University	Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Eng) Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.) Electronics (M.A.Sc.) Electronics (M.Eng.) Engineering: Aerospace Engineering (B.Eng.) Information and Systems Science: Systems and Computer Engineering (M.Sc.) Telecommunications Technology Management (M.Eng.)
Lakehead University	Electrical Engineering Engineering (College Transfer Program) - 2 Year
Laurentian University	Engineering (B.Eng.) Natural Resource Engineering (Ph.D.)
McMaster University	Business Informatics (B.A.Sc.) Computer Engineering (B.Eng.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (Doctorate) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.A.Sc., M.Eng.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Eng.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.) Engineering and Management (B.Eng.Mgt.) Mechatronics Engineering (B.Eng.) Mechatronics Engineering and Management (B.Eng.Mgt.) Mechatronics Engineering and Society (B.Eng.Society)
Queen's University	Computer Engineering (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.) Computer Engineering (M.Sc., M.Eng., M.Sc.Eng.) Electrical Engineering (B.Sc., Honours B.Sc.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Sc., M.Eng., M.Sc.Eng.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.) Engineering
Ryerson University	Computer Engineering (B.Eng.) Electrical Engineering (B.Eng.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.A.Sc.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Eng.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.)
University of Guelph	Engineering (M.Eng.) Engineering Systems & Computing (B.Eng.)
University of Ontario Institute of Technology	Automotive Engineering/Automotive Engineering & Management (Honours B.Eng./Honours B.Eng. and Mgmt.) Energy Systems Engineering (Honours B.Eng.) Manufacturing Engineering/Manufacturing Engineering and Management (Honours B.Eng./Honours B.Eng. and Mgmt.) Nuclear Engineering/Nuclear Engineering and Management (Honours B.Eng./Honours B.Eng. and Mgmt.) Nuclear Technology (Graduate Diploma) Radiation Science (Honours B.Sc.)
University of Ottawa	Computer Engineering (B.A.Sc.) Electrical Engineering & Computing Technology (B.Sc., B.A.Sc.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.A.Sc., M.Eng) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Sc.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.) Mechanical Engineering & Computing Technology (B.A.Sc., B.Sc.)
University of Toronto	Computer Engineering (B.A.Sc.) Computer Engineering (M.A.Sc., M.Eng., M.Eng.Tel.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.A.Sc., M.Eng., M.Eng.Tel.) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Eng) Electrical and Computer Engineering (M.Eng.Tel) Electrical and Computer Engineering (Ph.D.) Electronics (M.A.Sc., M.Eng., M.Eng.Tel.) Electronics (Ph.D.) Engineering Science (B.A.Sc.)

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

Computer hardware engineers are employed by computer and telecommunication hardware manufacturers,engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications firms, information technology consulting firms, governmental, educational and research institutions, and information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.

Work environment

The work environment will most likely be an office setting, which should be comfortable, well-lit, air-conditioned, etc.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design engineer
computer engineer
computer hardware engineer
engineer, computer hardware
engineer, telecommunications hardware
fibre-optic network designer
hardware circuit board designer
hardware design engineer
hardware development engineer
hardware engineer
network systems engineer
network test engineer
systems designer – hardware
technical architect – hardware
wireless communications network engineer

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• DiscoverIT
  Information for students interested in a career in the Information Technology (IT) industry. Sponsored by the Software Human Resource Council.