What Is Hardware Engineering?

Hardware engineering plays a vital role in developing computers and devices. It primarily focuses on physical components such as circuit boards, processors, and routers. 

Although primary duties revolve around these physical components, you also need an understanding of software development to fully understand how the hardware interacts with the software it supports. Hardware engineers tend to be highly educated and rely on a specialized skill set, combining knowledge in multiple areas, including engineering, information technology (IT) , and electronics. 

If you are interested in working in an evolving field, hardware engineering could be a great fit for you. You could design, develop, and test products in industries where products are constantly improving. Delve deeper into hardware engineering, the job’s everyday responsibilities, and the skills you’ll need to begin in the industry. 

Read more: Information Technology (IT) Terms: A to Z Glossary

Overview of hardware engineering

Several specializations exist for hardware engineers. Each presents slightly different responsibilities regarding the type of systems, hardware, and stage of the development process you can work with. 

For example, some hardware engineers work as test engineers, ensuring various hardware components work properly. In addition, hardware design engineers perform tasks such as prototype testing during the design phase when developing hardware components. 

Hardware engineers may work in different settings, including research laboratories or offices for computer hardware manufacturers. They can also work in organizations, like government agencies and health care providers.

Tasks and responsibilities

Hardware engineers can have many responsibilities since roles include researching, designing, developing, and testing hardware components. Your tasks and responsibilities can include the following:

• Building and testing prototypes, including making different models using computer simulations.

• Making modifications to existing equipment and monitoring functions to ensure the equipment works as designed.

• Documenting the hardware development process, detailing the various specifications.

• Collecting, storing, and analyzing data relating to system capabilities and analyzing the specific needs of users. 

• Developing computer hardware components such as hard drives, circuit boards, and central processing units.

• Assisting with the integration of software and applications with hardware.

• Troubleshooting and providing technical support to team members.

• Providing supervision during the manufacturing process of hardware components.

• Performing research to stay up to date on industry advancements and new technology.

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Hardware engineer skills

To succeed in hardware engineering, you need a skill set that includes technical and workplace skills, as you will likely work collaboratively as part of a team. 

You can build valuable hardware engineering skills by focusing on areas such as:

• Problem-solving

• Written and oral communication

• Analytical thinking

• Computer programming languages and software development

• System and engineering design

• Product development

• Circuit design

• Computer-aided design (CAD) platforms

Education requirements

Employers typically require you to obtain at least a bachelor’s degree to qualify for a hardware engineering position. When choosing a course of study for your degree, your options may include information technology, computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a similarly related field. 

Sometimes, employers may prefer to hire candidates who have graduated from an ABET-accredited program. In other cases, employers may require you to have earned a master’s degree. According to employment data from Zippia, 17 percent of hardware engineers have gone on to earn a master’s degree, and 69.3 percent have a bachelor's [1]. 

Hardware engineer salary and job outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average yearly salary of computer hardware engineers is $138,080. The job outlook for this field is projected at 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, equating to approximately 4,600 openings each year [2]. 

Factors that can influence your earning potential in hardware engineering include location and your education level.  The industry you work in can also impact your salary, with the automotive, technology, and telecommunications industries being amongst the highest-paying industries for hardware engineers. 

Hardware engineering jobs

Hardware engineering positions can have several different job titles depending on the area of specialization. These titles include:

• Hardware design engineer

• Server hardware engineer

• Electrical hardware engineer

• Design verification engineer

• Electronics engineer

• Principal engineer

• Contracting engineer

Hardware engineering vs. software engineering

Although hardware and software engineers both work with computers, the main difference between the two is that hardware engineers design and build a computer's physical components. In contrast, software engineers build software programs and applications. 

Essentially, the software provides instructions to a computer's hardware, enabling it to execute specific functions. Software and hardware depend on one another, as devices wouldn’t work without the proper operation of both. 

The education requirements for hardware and software engineers are similar, with both positions typically requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. Overlap also exists in terms of the skills possessed. Although hardware engineers mainly work on physical components, it's beneficial to cultivate your software development skills since hardware components work in conjunction with software. Doing so can allow you to ensure hardware components are compatible with software tools and applications.

Read more: Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering: How the Jobs Differ

How to get started in hardware engineering

If you want to become a hardware engineer, earning a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is a great place to start. You can also demonstrate your abilities to employers by earning a certification such as the following:

• Engineer in Training Certification

• IEEE Professional Software Engineering Master Certification

• Certified LabView Developer

In addition to earning a certification, completing an internship can help you gain relevant experience while also providing an opportunity to network with professionals in the field. Entry-level positions also help you gain experience, including jobs such as an electrical engineer apprentice or hardware design assistant.

Get started in hardware engineering with Coursera

Hardware engineers are responsible for the design and development of physical computer components. They play an essential role in the manufacturing of computer systems. By understanding the end user's needs, hardware engineers can build the physical components for computers in industries such as technology, manufacturing, and telecommunications.

Continue your learning journey. On Coursera, you can find highly rated courses to learn more about hardware engineering and take the next step in your career. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems, offered by IBM, is an excellent course for beginners interested in learning more about different hardware components and the fundamentals of operating systems. 

For more advanced learners, the course Computer Architecture from Princeton University is an excellent opportunity to learn about modern microprocessors and how to design computer architecture.