DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
17-2061 Computer Hardware Engineers
Occupational 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. Excludes "Software Developers" (15-1252) and "Web Developers" (15-1254).| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA | 530 | 104 | $56.16/hr | $2.36/hr | $35.95/hr | $42.46/hr | $52.28/hr | $69.91/hr | $84.39/hr |
| Minnesota | 610 | 107 | $54.79/hr | $2.03/hr | $34.77/hr | $41.81/hr | $51.80/hr | $67.10/hr | $82.48/hr |
| U S | 67,880 | 2,579 | $59.76/hr | $1.02/hr | $33.25/hr | $43.13/hr | $56.94/hr | $73.27/hr | $89.98/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers | 1,740 | $19.28/hr | N/A |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | 770 | $31.78/hr | N/A |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 280 | $88,032/yr | N/A |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | 220 | $34.20/hr | N/A |
| Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tasks for Computer Hardware Engineers
- Analyzes software requirements to determine feasibility of design within time and cost constraints.
- Evaluates factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.
- Formulates and designs software system, using scientific analysis and mathematical models to predict and measure outcome and consequences of design.
- Develops and directs software system testing procedures, programming, and documentation.
- Monitors functioning of equipment to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
- Specifies power supply requirements and configuration.
- Recommends purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.
- Trains users to use new or modified equipment.
- Enters data into computer terminal to store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
- Consults with customer concerning maintenance of software system.
- Coordinates installation of software system.
- Confers with data processing and project managers to obtain information on limitations and capabilities for data processing projects.
- Analyzes information to determine, recommend, and plan layout for type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications to existing systems.
- Consults with engineering staff to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
