How to Become a Computer Hardware Engineer

The U.S. is investing billions into manufacturing semiconductors, the materials that make up computer components. Colleges and universities across the country are introducing and expanding semiconductor programs to train computer hardware engineers to meet this demand.

And that's just one industry seeking computer hardware engineers.

Computer hardware engineers design, build, and maintain computer hardware like processors, circuitry, memory devices, networks, and internet routers. They can work in all sorts of industries, like government, healthcare, gaming, and even the automotive industry. Your location and specific role impact your salary and career growth opportunities.

Read on to learn more about the intricacies of becoming a computer hardware engineer.

How Much Does a Computer Hardware Engineer Make?

Computer hardware engineers often earn six-figure salaries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earned a median annual wage of $138,080 in May 2023. The BLS projects jobs for computer hardware engineers to grow 5% — faster than the average market growth rate — through 2032.

The amount you could make also depends on your specific role. Per the BLS, computer hardware engineers in physical, engineering, and life sciences research and development earned the highest median salary in May 2023: $169,260. Jobs within the federal government paid the least, with a median annual salary of $122,680.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are more difficult for women to break into. Women in STEM make up less than one-third of the STEM workforce and are more likely to be discriminated against in the college classroom. Salary discrimination is also common, and computer hardware engineering is no exception. The Society of Women Engineers found that women make 92% of men's salaries (about $110,000) as computer hardware engineers.

How Can I Become a Computer Hardware Engineer?

Your journey to become a computer hardware engineer can begin as early as high school and as late as you want. A great starting point is playing with an open-source circuit board and then building experience through apprenticeships, internships, and postsecondary education.

Acquire the Skills

You can start building computer hardware engineering skills before even graduating high school. If you're in high school or middle school, check if your school offers a robotics class or if a teacher can let you tinker with an open-source circuit board like an Arduino or Raspberry Pi. These boards allow you to upload code, add on computer hardware, and adjust electrical power to create computer hardware engineering projects.

If you don't have access to a physical system you can always use free online simulators like Tinkercad to accurately simulate hardware engineering. Learning circuitry, power wattage and flow, and coding are a few skills you can develop early and strengthen over time through teachers, professors, friends, and tutorials.

Get the Right Education

The most common path toward becoming a computer hardware engineer is with a bachelor's degree. Some of the most common majors you can pursue include engineering and computer and information sciences and support services.

Check at your college or university to see if any engineering programs are accredited by engineering organizations like the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a nonprofit organization that accredits individual programs within colleges and universities to ensure these programs meet industry standards. You can consult The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc. to find accredited online and in-person programs.

You'll need at least a bachelor's degree to enter the field, but you may be able to find positions that require applicants to have some college experience or an associate degree.

Gain Real-World Experience Through Internships and Apprenticeships

A bachelor's degree doesn't have to be your only path to becoming a computer hardware engineer. You can also gain experience by teaching yourself how to build a gaming computer and watching YouTube tutorials to gain basic skills.

You can also gain experience and skills through apprenticeships. You can find apprenticeships through job posting websites or by reaching out to a college career advisor if you attend college.

Internships can also help you learn if the field is right for you through real-world experience while you're in school. Employers like Amazon host internships across multiple seasons for at least two months at a time. Most internships take place during long breaks in the summer.

Employers also value your passion projects. Working outside the classroom on individual computer engineering projects can set you apart from other candidates and can prove your skill and dedication to computer hardware engineering.

Join Professional Organizations

Engineering organizations are designed to help you network, learn, and find jobs as a computer hardware engineer. Many offer members exclusive content, networks, events, and support.

• American Society for Engineering Education: ASEE is a nonprofit organization that publishes research, provides fellowships and internships, holds meetings and workshops, and hosts events and conferences with engineering professionals and experts. As a member, you receive access to discounts to conferences, participate in workshops and networking events, and members-only resources.
• Association for Computing Machinery: ACM is a scientific and educational organization dedicated to advancing art, science, engineering, and computing. ACM offers professional and student memberships, including benefits like ACM publications, networking opportunities, the ability to join one or more special interest groups, and volunteer opportunities for hands-on experience.
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers: IEEE is a technical organization with over 460,000 members and 3,635 student branches at colleges and universities in over 100 countries. IEEE offers members networking opportunities with technology professionals, a professional profile, sharing and collaborating on projects, and events and activities worldwide.
• Society of Women Engineers: SWE's mission is to empower women to achieve their full potential as engineers and leaders, expand the image of engineering and its impact on society, and demonstrate the value of diversity and inclusion. It was founded in 1950 and currently has over 40,000 members. SWE membership is open to all genders and offers networking opportunities, professional development and career services, and conferences.

Apply for a Job

Networking with professionals can help you know where to look for jobs and help you get insight into the hiring world. If you're a college or university student, you can also reach out to your advisor and ask about internships and local or online networking events. You can also search professional social media sites for events and connect with industry professionals to see their advice and ask questions.

You can also apply for jobs online through job posting sites and technical job posting sites like Dice. Some applications may require a resume, cover letter, or portfolio of your work.

If you're curious about what employers may ask you in an interview, hardware hacker Monty Choy has a resource of hundreds of potential questions and knowledge you may need to know for an interview. Some areas employers may ask about are:

• Basic circuitry
• Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Power supply
• Signals
• Coding
• Debugging

Frequently Asked Questions About Being a Computer Hardware Engineer

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed April 8, 2024.