Hardware Engineers

What started as a specialty of electrical engineering has developed into a career field of its own. Today, many individuals interested in a career in one of the computer industry's most promising sectors turn to computer engineering. Computer engineers improve, repair, and implement changes needed to keep up with the demand for faster and stronger computers and complex software programs. Some specialize in the design of the hardware: computer or peripheral parts such as memory chips, motherboards, or microprocessors. Others specialize in creating and organizing information systems for businesses and the government.

Many businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies rely on computers for information networking, accessing the Internet, and data processing for their daily activities. Also, computers are now affordable, allowing many families to purchase systems. Peripherals, such as printers, scanners, and disk drives, are popular accessories available to complete a variety of tasks. Computer engineers are also needed to develop and improve technology needed for consumer products, such as cellular phones, microwave ovens, MP3 players, gaming devices, virtual and augmented reality technology, compact disc players, digital video disc players, and high-definition televisions. Engineers turn to program tools, such as computer-aided design (CAD), to help them create new products. CAD programs are often used with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs to produce three-dimensional drawings that can easily be altered or manipulated, and direct the actual production of hardware components.