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Computer Hardware Engineers - 17-2061.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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

SOC Occupation Groups

17-0000 Architecture and Engineering Occupations
17-2000 Engineers
17-2060 Computer Hardware Engineers
17-2061.00 Computer Hardware Engineers

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications.
  • Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
  • Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs.
  • Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
  • Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
  • Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
  • Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
  • Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.
  • Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
  • Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
  • Provide training and support to system designers and users.
  • Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.
  • Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
  • Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications.
  • Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
  • Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
  • Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
  • Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.

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.
  • Create physical models or prototypes.
  • Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
  • Determine operational criteria or specifications.
  • Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
  • Prepare procedural documents.
  • Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
  • Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
  • Select project materials.
  • Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
  • Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
  • Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
  • Update technical knowledge.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • ADP Production Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • ADP Systems Maintenance Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Aircraft Electronics Director (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Computer Network Capability Development (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Cyber Capabilities Development Officer (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer (Space Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, ABM (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Aeronautical (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Airlift (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Astronautical (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Bomber (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, C2ISREW (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Computer Systems (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Computer Systems (Space Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Electrical/Electronic (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Fighter (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Flight Test (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, General (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Helicopter or EWO (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Mechanical (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Project (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, RPA (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Special Operations (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Systems/Industrial/Human Factors (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Tanker (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Developmental Engineer, Trainer (Air Force - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Electronic Engineering Plans and Policies Director (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Electronic Equipment Military Characteristics Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Electronic Equipment Research Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Electronic Inspection and Survey Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Electronic Installation and Maintenance Planning Officer (Aviation) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Electronic Installation and Maintenance Planning Officer (General) (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Electronic Systems Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Electronics Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Electronics Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Fire Control Inspection and Repair Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Fire Controlman (AEGIS) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Fire Controlman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Health Services Maintenance Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Information Systems Management (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Information Systems Manager (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Management, Data Systems Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Management, Data Systems Officer (Marine Corps - Warrant Officer only)
  • Missile And Space Systems Maintenance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Systems Maintenance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Systems Maintenance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Systems Maintenance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Systems Maintenance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Ordnance Systems Engineer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • RL - Special Duty Officer - Cyber Warfare Engineer (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Senior Electronics Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Systems Automation Acquisition and Engineering (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Training Device Program Coordinator (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Hardware Engineer

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Electronics Engineer