Computer Hardware Engineers

17-2061.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

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

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 🔥; 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; Very high speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL simulation 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 software; 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; Field programmable gate array FPGA design 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 🔥; PCI Express PCIe; Structured query language SQL 🔥
• Desktop communications software - Eko
• Development environment software - Boundary scan description language BSDL; C ; Cadence Opus; Freescale CodeWarrior Tools; Hardware description and verification language; Hardware description language HDL; Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; National Instruments LabVIEW; Register transfer language RTL; SystemVerilog; Tool command language Tcl; Verilog; Very high-speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL
• File versioning software - Apache Subversion SVN 🔥
• Information retrieval or search software - Internet search engine software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ ; Microsoft Visual C# .NET; Oracle Java 🔥; Perl ; Python ; SKILL FMEA software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software 🔥
• Operating system software - Cisco IOS; Linux ; Magellan Firmware; Operating system software; Shell script 🔥; UNIX 🔥
• Pattern design software - Block diagram software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Program testing software - Windows kernel debuggers
• Project management software - Project management software
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel 🔥; Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software - Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Update technical knowledge.
• Design electronic or computer equipment or instrumentation.
• Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
• Test performance of electrical, electronic, mechanical, or integrated systems or equipment.
• Create physical models or prototypes.
• Prepare procedural documents.
• Conduct validation tests of equipment or processes.
• Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
• Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
• Select project materials.
• Analyze design requirements for computer or electronics systems.
• Advise customers on the use of products or services.
• Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
• Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Monitor processes for compliance with standards.
• Determine operational criteria or specifications.
• Assemble equipment or components.