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Director, hardware engineering education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a director, hardware engineering. Directors, hardware engineering usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or business. 71% of directors, hardware engineering hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 179 real director, hardware engineering resumes to see exactly what director, hardware engineering education sections show.

The most common colleges for directors, hardware engineering are the Northeastern University and the Northeastern University.

There are also many online director, hardware engineering courses to help get the education required to be a director, hardware engineering.

What education do you need to become a director, hardware engineering?

What degree do you need to be a director, hardware engineering?

The most common degree for directors, hardware engineering is bachelor's degree, with 71% of directors, hardware engineering earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 21% and master's degree degree at 4%.
  • Bachelor's, 71%
  • Master's, 21%
  • Associate, 4%
  • Doctorate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a director, hardware engineering?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a director, hardware engineering. 52% of directors, hardware engineering major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a director, hardware engineering include mechanical engineering and business.

Most common colleges for directors, hardware engineering

Directors, hardware engineering often get their degrees at Northeastern University, Stanford University, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Here are the most common colleges for directors, hardware engineering in the US based on their resumes.
Director, hardware engineering common collegePercentages
Northeastern University9.43%
Stanford University7.55%
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute7.55%
Rochester Institute of Technology7.55%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology5.66%

Best majors for directors, hardware engineering

RankMajorPercentages
1Electrical Engineering52.0%
2Mechanical Engineering10.4%
3Business5.6%
4Physics4.0%
5Management3.2%

Best colleges for directors, hardware engineering

The best colleges for directors, hardware engineering are Columbia University in the City of New York, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.

A director, hardware engineering with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors, hardware engineering. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become directors, hardware engineering.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

2. Georgia Institute of Technology

Atlanta, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$12,424

Enrollment

15,201

3. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

9. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

10. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

20 best online courses for directors, hardware engineering

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1. Hardware Security

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In this course, we will study security and trust from the hardware perspective. Upon completing the course, students will understand the vulnerabilities in current digital system design flow and the physical attacks to these systems. They will learn that security starts from hardware design and be familiar with the tools and skills to build secure and trusted hardware...

2. FPGA Design for Embedded Systems

coursera

The objective of this course is to acquire proficiency with Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA)s for the purpose of creating prototypes or products for a variety of applications. Although FPGA design can be a complex topic, we will introduce it so that, with a little bit of effort, the basic concepts will be easily learned, while also providing a challenge for the more experienced designer. We will explore complexities, capabilities and trends of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) and...

3. Computer Hardware, Operating System and Networking

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4.1
(314)

For Any Graduates/Engineering/Diploma/Arts & Science/Freshers/Home Users/Individuals/Desktop Support/FM/Service Engineer...

4. Mechanical design and Product development process

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4.2
(604)

Learn the basic ideas and concepts behind developing mechanical products related to mechanical engineering...

5. Introduction to FPGA Design for Embedded Systems

coursera

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5360, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. Programmable Logic has become more and more common as a core technology used to build electronic systems. By integrating soft-core or hardcore processors, these devices have become complete systems on a chip, steadily displacing general purpose processors and ASICs. In particular, high performance systems are now almost always implemented with FPGAs. This...

6. Embedded Hardware and Operating Systems

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This course is intended for the Bachelor and Master's students, who like practical programming and making IoTs applications! In this course, we will talk about two components of a cyber-physical system, namely hardware and operating systems. After completing this course, you will have knowledge of both hardware components and operating systems. You are able to plan and use embedded operating systems in resource-constraint devices for Internet-of-Things (cyber-physical system) applications. In...

7. Product Development & Systems Engineering

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4.6
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The complete Product Development & Systems Engineering course! Earn 25 contact hours AND prepare to take the INCOSE Exam...

8. Electrical, Electronics and PCB Design Safety & Compliance

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4
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Learn the most important aspects and methods for designing safe electrical and electronics products and applications...

9. Introduction to Hardware and Operating Systems

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Get ready to enter the thriving field of Information Technology (IT), with job ready skills! This beginner friendly course provides the core hardware and operating system knowledge needed by anyone new to IT and computer hardware who wants to start a new career in technology, including IT Support, Networking, Cybersecurity, and Software Development. You will first be introduced to computing fundamentals, the four functions of computing, and the benefits of computing. You will become...

10. Computer Hardware and Software

coursera

This course provides foundational understanding of how computers process information through hardware and software. You will investigate the world of Information Technology (IT) and survey hardware components, mobile devices, operating systems, programs and apps, network fundamentals, the Internet, and touch on security and ethics...

11. Basics of Sheet metal design for Mechanical design engineers

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4.3
(793)

Learn Sheet metal design, processes and practical design considerations along with Design projects...

12. Hardware Asset Management in ServiceNow

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4.5
(1,635)

The perfect course for managing Hardware Assets in Service Now! Unlock the full benefits of IT Asset Management (ITAM)!...

13. Introduction to Systems Engineering

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Introduction to Systems Engineering introduces you to the holistic and interdisciplinary systems engineering approach to designing, realizing, and managing complex systems. In this three-course specialization, you will learn how to evolve a project from idea to fielded hardware customized to meet customer requirements while effectively managing costs, timescales, and limiting risks. You will identify and define a system and its components, model a system life cycle, and apply systems...

14. Engineering and Product Design Processes

coursera

Welcome to “Engineering and Product Design Processes!” In this short course, you will learn how engineering design processes and product design processes are carried out. After the course, you will be familiar with the steps in both design processes. You will also be familiar with the main goal of each design process, as well as their similarities and differences...

15. Complete Eagle CAD PCB Design: Theory and Practical approach

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4.4
(270)

Complete PCB Design Course for Freshers & Professionals...

16. Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers

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4.4
(542)

Learn about the fundamentals of materials and their selection for mechanical engineering design for design engineers...

17. Verilog HDL: VLSI Hardware Design Comprehensive Masterclass

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4.3
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From an expert with 15+ years experience. Core Design principles for VLSI, Soc, Processor and FPGA. VHDL alternative...

18. Verilog for an FPGA Engineer with Xilinx Vivado Design Suite

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4.5
(937)

Using Xilinx FPGA's...

19. The Complete Electronics Course 2022: Analog Hardware Design

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4.5
(2,580)

Over 30.000+ enrolled! Learn Electronics from Zero To An Advanced Understanding of How Circuits Work !...

20. Introduction to Automotive Product Design & development

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4.4
(648)

Learn about the process, milestones and activities from idea to complete design of cars for Automotive engineers...

Top 10 most affordable universities for directors, hardware engineering

The most affordable schools for directors, hardware engineering are United States Merchant Marine Academy, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for directors, hardware engineering are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for directors, hardware engineering.

1. United States Merchant Marine Academy

Kings Point, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$1,080

Cost of attendance

6,646

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. City College of New York of the City University of New York, The

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,140

Cost of attendance

14,430

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

7. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors, hardware engineering

The hardest universities for directors, hardware engineering to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Carnegie Mellon University, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for directors, hardware engineering are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for directors, hardware engineering based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

2. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,545

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

8. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors, hardware engineering

The easiest schools for directors, hardware engineering to get into are Texas A&M; University - Kingsville, the university of texas permian basin, and the university of texas at el paso.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director, hardware engineering without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for directors, hardware engineering.

1. Texas A&M University - Kingsville

Kingsville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

89%

SAT average

1,035

2. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

3. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

4. Pennsylvania State University - Fayette (The Eberly Campus)

Lemont Furnace, PA • Private

Admissions rate

80%

SAT average

1,067

5. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois

DuBois, PA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,079

6. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

7. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

8. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

9. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

10. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

Average director, hardware engineering salary by education level

Directors, hardware engineering with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $216,624 annually. With a Master's degree, directors, hardware engineering earn a median annual income of $200,099 compared to $186,243 for directors, hardware engineering with an Bachelor's degree.
Director, hardware engineering education levelDirector, hardware engineering salary
Master's Degree$200,099
Bachelor's Degree$186,243
Doctorate Degree$216,624

Director, hardware engineering education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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