Computer Hardware Engineers

Computer Hardware Engineers typically perform the following 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.