Understanding Computer Engineering Roles

Relying on principles from computer science and electrical engineering, computer engineers combine their knowledge of both hardware and software to design, create, and maintain computer systems. These skills are vital in various areas, presenting you with opportunities to work in industries such as finance, technology, health care, aerospace, automotive, and more. Learn more about computer engineering and the various roles within this field.

Job descriptions and responsibilities

A computer engineer's job description and responsibilities vary depending on the role. For example, some computer engineering roles focus on coding, while others spend more time designing hardware. Although this range of responsibilities exists, computer engineers are special in their ability to understand and work on the different aspects of a computer system.

Core responsibilities

Your core computer engineer responsibilities will likely revolve around software, hardware, networks, and systems. Consider these common job responsibilities you may come across when exploring computer engineering roles:

• Researching emerging technologies to learn about how you can use them 

• Working with team members such as project managers, other computer engineers, software designers, developers, and those in more senior roles to establish and execute plans

• Developing and designing hardware and software

• Updating current systems with more modern hardware and software features

• Performing regular testing and troubleshooting to maintain systems and correct any defects

• Overseeing the building and installation of computer components

• Documenting technical information for team members and stakeholders 

Required skills and qualifications

To become a computer engineer, you first need to make sure you equip yourself with the necessary skills to do the job. Computer engineering requires a mix of both technical and workplace skills. Focus on developing the following skills to help you qualify for computer engineering roles.

• Computer programming: You’ll need a working knowledge of several programming languages, including popular languages for computer engineers, such as Python, Java, and C ++.

• Software development: Besides knowing how to develop software programs, it’s important to understand their overall structure and how the software will ultimately integrate with hardware components.

• Operating systems: Operating systems depend on hardware and software components working together. Common operating systems you should know include MacOS, Windows, and Linux.

• Hardware design: As a computer engineer, you should have knowledge of hardware components and tools used to design computing systems, such as electronic design automation (EDA) software. 

• Communication: You’ll likely work as a team, making solid communication skills critical. It’s also important to convey technical information in a way that shareholders and others who may not have a technical background can understand.

• Problem-solving: Your problem-solving skills will be useful when seeking the optimal solution for complex problems and troubleshooting.

Educational background

Becoming a computer engineer typically requires a bachelor’s degree. Popular areas of study include information technology, computer engineering, computer science, and related fields. Earning a master’s degree in computer engineering can be a worthwhile investment to qualify for more advanced roles. 

That said, if a degree program isn’t in your plans, you can cultivate the skills and knowledge you need in various ways. For example, earning a certification is another way you can improve your qualifications. Industry-recognized certifications include CompTIA A+ and AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Types of computer engineering roles

Within computer engineering, you can find many different roles. Explore some of them and what each position entails. 

Hardware engineer

As a hardware engineer, you will design, create, and test components such as circuit boards, microprocessors, and routers. You often collaborate with software engineers to make sure all the hardware components you design are compatible with the software. 

Systems engineer

Working as a systems engineer means looking for ways to develop or improve new systems to address your organization's specific needs. This position can also include installing computer systems and their components and implementing strategies to keep systems secure.

Software engineer

Your primary responsibility as a software engineer is to develop software systems and applications. This task includes the design, testing, and maintenance of software applications. Your expertise in engineering principles and computer programming will be helpful as you develop software.

Test engineer

As a test engineer, you will create testing methods and implement them on electrical systems or software to highlight any issues in the software and identify the cause. You will then document and report these problems to developers.

Network engineer

As a network engineer, you will focus on designing various types of computer networks and implementing them once they’re ready. To do so effectively, you must consider the organization’s current and future needs and evaluate network security.

Career path and advancement

As a computer engineer, you have the opportunity to follow one of many career paths since you can find computer engineering roles in almost any industry, with specialized jobs in areas such as software, hardware, data, networks, blockchain, information security, and machine learning. Early in your career, you can expect to work in a position relating to the type of computer engineering you pursue. However, as you progress in your career, you may advance to IT management, project management, or director roles.

Salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary for a computer engineer is $91,969 [1]. The industry you work in can also impact your salary, with financial services, information technology, and aerospace and defense reporting the highest incomes for computer engineers [1]. 

The job outlook for computer engineering roles is positive. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects computer hardware engineering positions to grow 7 percent between 2023 and 2033 [2], while the computer and IT industry as a whole projects 356,700 job openings annually within this same period [3].

Prepare for computer engineering roles on Coursera

Computer engineers design and develop computer systems and their components, such as hardware, software, operating systems, and networks. Whether you have a degree or are looking for another path forward, you’ll find highly-rated educational options on Coursera. You can learn about developing system architecture and optimizing the design process in Systems Engineering from MathWorks. 

If you’re interested in the programming side of computer engineering, consider Introduction to Software Engineering, where you’ll learn how to use different programming languages and discover career options.