5 answers
Joan
Student
Waterbury, Connecticut
5
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Is working as a hardware engineer a stable job? What is your monthly income?
#hardwareengineer #hardware #computers #computer-hardware #engineer #engineering
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5 answers
Lennel Tupas IV
Systems Analyst
1
Answer
Japan
Updated
Lennel’s Answer
I've worked as a hardware engineer pretty much my entire (professional) existence here in Tokyo, moved here since I graduated college, worked on professions including as a Hardware Design Engineer, Hardware Systems Analyst, IT Technician, and a Data Center Hardware Engineer.
And to answer your question really quick, it is still a very stable, very much in demand, and it continues to be a high paying job.
I understand one of the answers here says that a lot has shifted to software. But note though that all these software technologies run on a piece or pieces of interconnected hardware which Hardware Engineers maintain. The requirements for hardware just keeps growing and the demand has been a lot more than ever before. So the hardware engineering realm will continue to dominate IT and I don't see it going away any time soon especially if you choose to be in a Data Center profession. I'm sure you've heard about Amazon, Google, Visa, and the likes - this dominant organizations have the DC's and their hardware engineering team to thank for for their huge contributions to their success, the hardware is just as important as the software, they compliment each other.
Servers, Networks, and different types of Data Center equipment is my cup of tea, but the Data Center is not just about hardware or hardware engineering, it will open up a lot of other opportunities for you once you get the hang of it - that includes understanding the facilities that builds up the data center, the software that helps run the hardware and the facility itself, up to collaborating with different teams and understanding what they do that is completely unrelated to hardware engineering. But if for some impossible reason hardware becomes unnecessary, by then, you should have already gained skills way beyond it that could get you into different realms and different professions.
Lastly, can't tell you my monthly income, it will depend anyway on a lot of factors including your experience, the way you negotiate the salary, the type of hardware you will be supporting, the company you will be working for, and the country you will be working at. In the end, do not worry about jumping to the hardware engineering wagon, it will bring you places if you have passion and commitment to it.
And to answer your question really quick, it is still a very stable, very much in demand, and it continues to be a high paying job.
I understand one of the answers here says that a lot has shifted to software. But note though that all these software technologies run on a piece or pieces of interconnected hardware which Hardware Engineers maintain. The requirements for hardware just keeps growing and the demand has been a lot more than ever before. So the hardware engineering realm will continue to dominate IT and I don't see it going away any time soon especially if you choose to be in a Data Center profession. I'm sure you've heard about Amazon, Google, Visa, and the likes - this dominant organizations have the DC's and their hardware engineering team to thank for for their huge contributions to their success, the hardware is just as important as the software, they compliment each other.
Servers, Networks, and different types of Data Center equipment is my cup of tea, but the Data Center is not just about hardware or hardware engineering, it will open up a lot of other opportunities for you once you get the hang of it - that includes understanding the facilities that builds up the data center, the software that helps run the hardware and the facility itself, up to collaborating with different teams and understanding what they do that is completely unrelated to hardware engineering. But if for some impossible reason hardware becomes unnecessary, by then, you should have already gained skills way beyond it that could get you into different realms and different professions.
Lastly, can't tell you my monthly income, it will depend anyway on a lot of factors including your experience, the way you negotiate the salary, the type of hardware you will be supporting, the company you will be working for, and the country you will be working at. In the end, do not worry about jumping to the hardware engineering wagon, it will bring you places if you have passion and commitment to it.
Rudy Bauer
Cyber Security, Hardware Engineering, Systems Engineering
27
Answers
Franklin, Massachusetts
Updated
Rudy’s Answer
I have been a computer engineer since 1998. Yep, I know I am dating myself.
Also been on the same company since graduation.
My career has and is very rewarding and I expect to be in the Hardware Engineering until I retire in a few decades.
So, yes it is an stable "profession" - although at any point in time you may have to switch employers depending on the economy and industry.
A key for stability is that as an engineer you need to be always learning, updating your skills and seeking new areas of value.
As an example, I have designed ASIC/Silicon chips, FPGA/CPLD logic, architected motherboards, architected systems, created HW reliability teams and competencies, started a systems engineering competency and now I run a hardware engineering cybersecurity organization.
All these are within the Hardware Engineering umbrella, but are all different and complementary skills and knowledge.
Also been on the same company since graduation.
My career has and is very rewarding and I expect to be in the Hardware Engineering until I retire in a few decades.
So, yes it is an stable "profession" - although at any point in time you may have to switch employers depending on the economy and industry.
A key for stability is that as an engineer you need to be always learning, updating your skills and seeking new areas of value.
As an example, I have designed ASIC/Silicon chips, FPGA/CPLD logic, architected motherboards, architected systems, created HW reliability teams and competencies, started a systems engineering competency and now I run a hardware engineering cybersecurity organization.
All these are within the Hardware Engineering umbrella, but are all different and complementary skills and knowledge.
Akinori Furuta
Renewal Manager
1
Answer
Japan
Updated
Akinori’s Answer
The times are shifting to software.
With the spread of the cloud, users will be able to operate the system without IT infrastructure technology.
However, on the contrary, the importance of hardware engineers may be reaffirmed from now on. However, this requires a fairly high level of technology.
With the spread of the cloud, users will be able to operate the system without IT infrastructure technology.
However, on the contrary, the importance of hardware engineers may be reaffirmed from now on. However, this requires a fairly high level of technology.
Greg Turnipseed
Systems Engineer
4
Answers
Leonard, Texas
Updated
Greg’s Answer
It depends on the industry. My experience in medical device design has been very stable—no layoffs or anything like that, and when I did change jobs, it was because I wanted to. That said, there are industries that are more prone to layoffs. I've known coworkers who worked in telecom and defense, and some of them had been laid off at one time or another. Pay-wise, I started off making around $4700 a month and am now making a fair bit more a little over 10 years later. The location, industry, and role you play (digital vs. analog vs. mixed-signal vs. RF vs. systems vs. software) all affect your salary, as well.
Try querying salary.com, payscale.com, and/or glassdoor.com with various job types to get a reasonable idea of the salary range in your area.
Greg recommends the following next steps:
Johan Gabriel Arrieta Solorzano
Verification Engineer
4
Answers
Santa Bárbara de Heredia, Heredia Province
Updated
Johan Gabriel’s Answer
Well it depends of the country, I'm from Costa Rica and I started with nearly $3000 per month and I would say it is a very stable job. By the way I work as a hardware verification engineer.