A computer hardware engineer is an expert in computer hardware and is primarily concerned with the development, testing and maintenance of the computer hardware. If you are interested in becoming one, this article should be of help to you.
Computers are a necessity these days, even kids are familiar with using computers and the Internet. Majority of businesses are dependent on computers and even slight failure in the computer system can hamper the smooth functioning of the business. A computer hardware engineer is the person who develops various computer hardware, and also maintains the same, to ensure smooth functioning of the system. If he is associated with the hardware research department, he researches on the development of computer hardware. To become a one you should have a strong command over both software and hardware concepts of computer. This includes knowledge of programming languages and networking concepts. An undying zeal to research on various intricacies of computer parts is also must for success. A computer hardware engineer generally works in organizations or research units. If you have it in you to become one, we are here to provide guidance on becoming one.
Educational Requirements
Computer skills are not enough for a candidate, and he should also have a strong command over mathematics and electronics. This is because the work tasks involve working on scientific procedures. The educational requirements to become a computer hardware are not fixed and vary greatly. Top and established companies generally demand a four-year graduate degree in engineering for the post of a computer hardware engineer. A degree in computer engineering will surely be considered a plus point. The degree should be ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) recognized.
These days even graduates with degrees in computer science, mathematics, information technology or electronics are getting hired for entry-level positions. But if you intend to get into hardware research, a postgraduate degree in advanced computing will be required. Thus, for long term success, an engineering degree in computers serves the best bet. To hone their skills, the graduates can also take exams conducted by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP).
Hone your Skills
To survive the competition you should keep your skills upgraded. For this you can take some certificate courses or join computer classes to keep yourself up-to-date with the changing trends of technology. Apart from the job skills one should also have good communication skills and should also be ready to work in a team. These engineers need to be inquisitive and zealous enough to improve their skills continuously.
Job Hunt
Once you have fulfilled the necessary educational criteria, the next step is hunt for the job. Most of engineers these days get placed through their graduation schools. But if you haven’t been placed through your college, you need to the job search yourself. Refer to job websites or mail your resume to various companies. This will definitely help you in bagging the right job. Newspapers also serve a means to job search. The significance of an effective resume cannot be ignored in the job hunt. For this you will have to design an effective resume. Enlist all your skills in the resume and make sure it is neatly formatted and written.
These were the steps to become a computer hardware engineer. These are highly skilled individuals with high knowledge of computer hardware. These engineers also need to be creative with designing, testing and troubleshooting. They are also involved with testing the working of developed hardware. Considering the hard work they do the engineers are quite well paid, and the average salary of the engineer is around $70,000 per year. This is an exiting career for those interested in computer hardware research and development. All the best!