Computer Engineer Careers

Computer Engineers develop and improve the software programs and hardware that make computers
run. Computer Engineers may specialize in either software or hardware.

From operating system software, such as Windows and Linux, to individual computer programs, such as
Photoshop and Microsoft Office, Software Engineers turn piles of hardware into fully functional
computers. Hardware Engineers develop the hardware of computers, including the motherboards,
graphics and audio cards and drives that are later programmed by Software Engineers.

Job Opportunities
1. Microprocessor Designer

Being a microprocessor designer is one of the most challenging and interesting jobs in the tech
industry. As you might expect, these engineers work for companies like Intel, Nvidia and AMD to design
the next generation of silicon semiconductors, and it takes hundreds of engineers several years of
working together to complete a design. They usually have advanced degrees in electrical or computer
engineering, and they spend their days solving logic problems that can be reduced to a series of symbols
with a pen and paper.

2. University Engineering Professor

At the university level, engineering faculties are typically comprised of several separate departments or
programs, which may or may not include programs in biochemical engineering, civil engineering,
environmental engineering, computer engineering or mechanical engineering.

University engineering professors must hold a PhD in engineering, which means that they have
completed several years of graduate coursework in engineering, written one or more field exams in
their area of specialization, and have written and defended a dissertation on a topic related to
engineering.

Experience working as an engineer is also typically desired or required to assume a position at a

university. Like all university professors, engineering professors are expected to divide their time
between research, teaching and service. This means that in addition to teaching about three to four
courses per term at the undergraduate or graduate levels, they are also often engaged in:

Recruiting, training, and supervising graduate students as thesis or doctorate advisors

Carrying out research, and working with engineering students as research assistants

Publishing their work in recognized journals in the field (such as the Engineering Journal)

Contributing to the governance of their program and the broader university

Serving as a consultant for businesses

As with many university professor positions, obtaining a permanent position at a school is not a
guarantee. Many graduates enter the teaching field as an assistant or associate professor, sometimes
teaching courses at more than one learning institution. Full-time professors aspire to reach tenure
status, which means they are guaranteed employment at a university, and benefit from a position that
grants a higher level of job security. It can take more than seven years to qualify for tenure.

3. Product Engineer
Product engineering refers to the process of designing and developing a device, assembly, or system
such that it be produced as an item for sale through some production manufacturing process.
Product engineering usually entails activity dealing with issues of cost, producibility, quality,
performance, reliability, serviceability, intended lifespan and user features. These product
characteristics are generally all sought in the attempt to make the resulting product attractive to its
intended market and a successful contributor to the business of the organization that intends to offer
the product to that market. It includes design, development and transitioning to manufacturing of the
product. The term encompasses developing the concept of the product and the design and development
of its mechanical, electronics and software components. After the initial design and development is
done, transitioning the product to manufacture it in volumes is considered part of product engineering.

For example, the engineering of a digital camera would include defining the feature set, design of the
optics, the mechanical and ergonomic design of the packaging, developing the electronics that control
the various component and developing the software that allows the user to see the pictures, store them
in memory and download them to a computer.

Product engineering is an engineering discipline that deals with both design and manufacturing aspects
of a product.

4. Product Designer

As a product designer, you'll create a range of items, from everyday products, such as mobile phones,
household appliances and cars; to larger items, such as industrial tools, equipment and machinery.

You might work on new products or improve existing ones, and use your understanding of technology,
materials and manufacturing methods to improve the design and usability of an item. The work involves:

 designing
 modelling
 producing prototypes
 testing

Working alongside engineers and model-makers, you will conduct research and devise a design proposal
for projects. You may need to work on the budget of the designed item to make sure it's cost effective.

5. Software Developers

Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications
that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying
systems that run the devices or that control networks.

Software developers typically do the following:

 Analyze users' needs and then design, test, and develop software to meet those needs
 Recommend software upgrades for customers' existing programs and systems
  Design each piece of an application or system and plan how the pieces will work together
 Create a variety of models and diagrams (such as flowcharts) that show programmers the
software code needed for an application
 Ensure that a program continues to function normally through software maintenance and
testing
 Document every aspect of an application or system as a reference for future maintenance and
upgrades
 Collaborate with other computer specialists to create optimum software

Software developers are in charge of the entire development process for a software program. They may
begin by asking how the customer plans to use the software. They must identify the core functionality
that users need from software programs. Software developers must also determine user requirements
that are unrelated to the functions of the software, such as the level of security and performance needs.
They design the program and then give instructions to programmers, who write computer code and test
it.

If the program does not work as expected or if testers find it too difficult to use, software developers go
back to the design process to fix the problems or improve the program. After the program is released to
the customer, a developer may perform upgrades and maintenance.

Developers usually work closely with computer programmers. However, in some companies, developers
write code themselves instead of giving instructions to programmers.

Developers who supervise a software project from the planning stages through implementation
sometimes are called information technology (IT) project managers. These workers monitor the
project's progress to ensure that it meets deadlines, standards, and cost targets. IT project managers
who plan and direct an organization's IT department or IT policies are included in the profile
on computer and information systems managers.

The following are examples of types of software developers:

Applications software developers design computer applications, such as word processors and games, for
consumers. They may create custom software for a specific customer or commercial software to be sold
to the general public. Some applications software developers create complex databases for
organizations. They also create programs that people use over the Internet and within a company's
intranet.

Systems software developers create the systems that keep computers functioning properly. These could
be operating systems for computers that the general public buys or systems built specifically for an
organization. Often, systems software developers also build the system's interface, which is what allows
users to interact with the computer. Systems software developers create the operating systems that
control most of the consumer electronics in use today, including those used by cell phones and cars.