4 answers
Andree' Katherine
Student
Iligan City, Northern Mindanao, Philippines
1
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What jobs are usually inclined with computer engineering?
Like when it comes to hardware or embedded systems what career path are there?
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4 answers
Bryan Kalkhoff
Engineer
7
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Bryan’s Answer
Hello!
I had this exact question when I entered college and this is what I kind of found out.
Computer engineering is a VERY broad title. It combines software, hardware, and to an extent network engineering. As a computer engineer you generally give up deep expertise on hardware or software for a broader understanding on the two and how to make them interact with each other.
Gaining a deeper understanding depends on you (electives) and the school you go to. For example, for me I went to Iowa State. At Iowa State, Computer Engineers (CPrE) are treated more as software/network engineers. By that I mean more of the required classes were software base. HOWEVER I made my focus on computer architecture. Meaning my electives were more hardware/firmware oriented. Confusing I know :)
For jobs, you generally don't see any that ONLY ask for computer engineers. You'll see "A degree in hardware/computer engineering" or "A degree in software/computer engineering or Computer Science".
I've had friends in CPrE go into both hardware and software positions. Some of these positions include:
Firmware engineer for consumer electronics
Quantum Firmware Engineer
FPGA Designer
VLSI Engineer
Circuit Board Designer
Test Engineer
The TLDR is Computer Engineer is extremely broad but gives you a lot of possibilities. You won't have trouble finding jobs if you pursue this path, you will just be forced to take a combination of software and hardware classes in school (which to some is a downside and often leads them to switch majors).
Hope this helps a little!
I had this exact question when I entered college and this is what I kind of found out.
Computer engineering is a VERY broad title. It combines software, hardware, and to an extent network engineering. As a computer engineer you generally give up deep expertise on hardware or software for a broader understanding on the two and how to make them interact with each other.
Gaining a deeper understanding depends on you (electives) and the school you go to. For example, for me I went to Iowa State. At Iowa State, Computer Engineers (CPrE) are treated more as software/network engineers. By that I mean more of the required classes were software base. HOWEVER I made my focus on computer architecture. Meaning my electives were more hardware/firmware oriented. Confusing I know :)
For jobs, you generally don't see any that ONLY ask for computer engineers. You'll see "A degree in hardware/computer engineering" or "A degree in software/computer engineering or Computer Science".
I've had friends in CPrE go into both hardware and software positions. Some of these positions include:
Firmware engineer for consumer electronics
Quantum Firmware Engineer
FPGA Designer
VLSI Engineer
Circuit Board Designer
Test Engineer
The TLDR is Computer Engineer is extremely broad but gives you a lot of possibilities. You won't have trouble finding jobs if you pursue this path, you will just be forced to take a combination of software and hardware classes in school (which to some is a downside and often leads them to switch majors).
Hope this helps a little!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
4194
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Andree' Katherine,
Computer Engineering Career Paths:
Computer engineering is a broad field that offers various career paths, especially in hardware and embedded systems. Here are some common job roles associated with computer engineering:
Hardware Engineer: Hardware engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware components such as processors, memory devices, circuit boards, and networking equipment. They work on creating efficient and reliable hardware systems.
Embedded Systems Engineer: Embedded systems engineers focus on designing and developing embedded systems, which are specialized computing systems integrated into larger devices or machinery. These professionals work on programming microcontrollers, sensors, and other components to perform specific functions.
Firmware Engineer: Firmware engineers work on developing software that is embedded into hardware devices to control their operation. They write code that interacts directly with the hardware components to ensure proper functionality.
VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) Engineer: VLSI engineers design complex integrated circuits (ICs) by combining thousands or millions of transistors onto a single chip. They work on optimizing the performance and power efficiency of these ICs.
Network Engineer: Network engineers design and maintain computer networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and wireless networks. They ensure the smooth operation of network infrastructure and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Systems Architect: Systems architects design and oversee the implementation of complex computer systems. They analyze requirements, choose appropriate technologies, and create system architecture designs that meet the needs of organizations.
Robotics Engineer: Robotics engineers specialize in designing and building robotic systems for various applications such as manufacturing, healthcare, and exploration. They integrate hardware components with software algorithms to create functional robots.
Signal Processing Engineer: Signal processing engineers work on analyzing and manipulating signals such as audio, video, or sensor data using digital signal processing techniques. They develop algorithms to extract useful information from signals.
Control Systems Engineer: Control systems engineers design systems that regulate the behavior of dynamic systems such as industrial processes, aircraft autopilots, or robotic arms. They develop control algorithms to achieve desired system performance.
Test Engineer: Test engineers are responsible for verifying the functionality and performance of hardware or software products through testing procedures. They identify defects, analyze test results, and provide feedback to improve product quality.
These are just a few examples of the diverse career paths available in computer engineering, particularly in areas related to hardware and embedded systems.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
IEEE Xplore Digital Library: IEEE Xplore is a trusted source for research articles, conference papers, and technical standards related to computer engineering disciplines.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): ACM is a leading professional organization for computing professionals, providing valuable insights into various aspects of computer science and engineering careers.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS offers comprehensive data on occupational outlooks, job descriptions, salaries, and educational requirements for various engineering occupations including computer engineering careers.
GOD BLESS YOU, RICHLY!
JC.
Computer Engineering Career Paths:
Computer engineering is a broad field that offers various career paths, especially in hardware and embedded systems. Here are some common job roles associated with computer engineering:
Hardware Engineer: Hardware engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware components such as processors, memory devices, circuit boards, and networking equipment. They work on creating efficient and reliable hardware systems.
Embedded Systems Engineer: Embedded systems engineers focus on designing and developing embedded systems, which are specialized computing systems integrated into larger devices or machinery. These professionals work on programming microcontrollers, sensors, and other components to perform specific functions.
Firmware Engineer: Firmware engineers work on developing software that is embedded into hardware devices to control their operation. They write code that interacts directly with the hardware components to ensure proper functionality.
VLSI (Very Large Scale Integration) Engineer: VLSI engineers design complex integrated circuits (ICs) by combining thousands or millions of transistors onto a single chip. They work on optimizing the performance and power efficiency of these ICs.
Network Engineer: Network engineers design and maintain computer networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and wireless networks. They ensure the smooth operation of network infrastructure and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Systems Architect: Systems architects design and oversee the implementation of complex computer systems. They analyze requirements, choose appropriate technologies, and create system architecture designs that meet the needs of organizations.
Robotics Engineer: Robotics engineers specialize in designing and building robotic systems for various applications such as manufacturing, healthcare, and exploration. They integrate hardware components with software algorithms to create functional robots.
Signal Processing Engineer: Signal processing engineers work on analyzing and manipulating signals such as audio, video, or sensor data using digital signal processing techniques. They develop algorithms to extract useful information from signals.
Control Systems Engineer: Control systems engineers design systems that regulate the behavior of dynamic systems such as industrial processes, aircraft autopilots, or robotic arms. They develop control algorithms to achieve desired system performance.
Test Engineer: Test engineers are responsible for verifying the functionality and performance of hardware or software products through testing procedures. They identify defects, analyze test results, and provide feedback to improve product quality.
These are just a few examples of the diverse career paths available in computer engineering, particularly in areas related to hardware and embedded systems.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
IEEE Xplore Digital Library: IEEE Xplore is a trusted source for research articles, conference papers, and technical standards related to computer engineering disciplines.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM): ACM is a leading professional organization for computing professionals, providing valuable insights into various aspects of computer science and engineering careers.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS offers comprehensive data on occupational outlooks, job descriptions, salaries, and educational requirements for various engineering occupations including computer engineering careers.
GOD BLESS YOU, RICHLY!
JC.
Mike Vance
Software Developer
3
Answers
Rochester, Minnesota
Updated
Mike’s Answer
Bryan Kalkhoff's answer is excellent. I will add -- there are many software jobs which are suitable for either a computer scientist or computer engineer, and there are many hardware jobs which are suitable for either an electrical engineer or computer engineer.
Computer engineering degrees are most desired when writing the lowest layers of a software stack interacting with hardware. Firmware and embedded systems programming is a sweet spot.
Hope this helps!
Computer engineering degrees are most desired when writing the lowest layers of a software stack interacting with hardware. Firmware and embedded systems programming is a sweet spot.
Hope this helps!
Emilio Zegarra
Senior Software Engineer
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Emilio’s Answer
Building upon the excellent suggestions previously provided, the ideal career trajectory would be to first gain a solid understanding of how embedded systems function. A great starting point would be securing an internship at a company that specializes in embedded systems, such as those that manufacture smart home devices. Your role during the internship could range from a junior engineer to a QA or Support Engineer. This experience will supplement your theoretical knowledge with practical skills.
As you establish a solid foundation, your next goal should be to secure an engineering role that primarily deals with the creation and integration of embedded systems. Throughout this journey, it's crucial to stay updated with technological advancements and emerging applications. This continuous learning will equip you with the expertise needed to progress in your career, enabling you not only to implement systems but also to suggest new ones, complete with their business justifications.
As you establish a solid foundation, your next goal should be to secure an engineering role that primarily deals with the creation and integration of embedded systems. Throughout this journey, it's crucial to stay updated with technological advancements and emerging applications. This continuous learning will equip you with the expertise needed to progress in your career, enabling you not only to implement systems but also to suggest new ones, complete with their business justifications.