What does a hardware engineer do?
Hardware engineers or computer hardware engineers are responsible for developing, designing, and examining computer hardware. They help speed up new computer technology by creating enhancements in computer hardware. The hardware engineers oversee the installation of parts, manufacturing, and production. Also, they examine intricate equipment to identify an effective way to improve it as well as design devices used in manufactured products. Another responsibility is to ensure computer hardware units work with the newest software, which often requires collaboration with other software engineers.
Hardware engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real hardware engineer resumes:
- Manage multiple consultants designing Altera FPGAs for CMD.
- Develop both JAVA and PythonQT GUI for managing searches.
- Modify python scripts using SCPI commands to automate test equipment via GPIB interface.
- Install, manage and maintain servers and workstations, both remotely and on-site.
- Develop Perl scripts to automate measurements.
- Generate synthesis reports and automate simulation using Perl scripts.
- Board FPGA'S are code in VHDL or VERILOG.
- Run various Unix OS commands and low level commands as well as, view logs as required to troubleshoot system failures.
- Perform debugging task on PCB prototype and interface with manufacturing testing procedures.
- Mentor: Calibre, DFT.
- Size of the largest IP is 600K gates.
- Code packet and framing functions for Xilinx Virtex.
- Used UVM in SystemVerilog to create testbenches for FPGA verification.
- Design the entire FPGA base DSP system from algorithms to implementation.
- Plan board for unman aerial vehicle, and validate FPGA modules.
Hardware engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Hardware Engineers are proficient in Python, RF, and PCB. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Problem-solving skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Hardware Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Python, 8%
Developed scripts in Python, utilizing databases and test servers for testing on hard drives adhering to qualification procedures.
- RF, 7%
Implemented RF Cable/Connector selection and assembly drawings for the Frequency Synthesizer Distribution Unit Test fixture.
- PCB, 6%
Performed debugging task on PCB prototype and interfaced with manufacturing testing procedures.
- CAD, 5%
Performed 3D mechanical CAD designs using SolidWorks to generate prototype parts and present customers with 3D model previews of the designs.
- Analog, 5%
Recommended and implemented corrective actions for analog and digital systems and subsystems to include component conditions and/or problems.
- Cadence, 4%
Designed two printed circuit boards, using Cadence, which were used to test a proprietary Voltage to Frequency Converter ASIC.
"python," "rf," and "pcb" are among the most common skills that hardware engineers use at work. You can find even more hardware engineer responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a hardware engineer to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what hardware engineers do because "computer hardware engineers use computer programming tools to analyze the digital circuits in hardware to determine the best design." Additionally, a hardware engineer resume shows how hardware engineers use analytical skills: "analyzed signal integrity to verify the correct signals were properly transmitted. "
Problem-solving skills. Another essential skill to perform hardware engineer duties is problem-solving skills. Hardware engineers responsibilities require that "computer hardware engineers identify complex problems in computer hardware, develop and evaluate possible solutions, and figure out the best way to implement them." Hardware engineers also use problem-solving skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "analyzed signal integrity issues, identified solutions, and provided feedback to customers. "
Communication skills. hardware engineers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to hardware engineer responsibilities, because "engineers often work on teams and must be able to communicate with other types of engineers, software developers and programmers, as well as with nontechnical team members." A hardware engineer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "integrated communication between micro-controller (arduino) and pc with pure data (pd) programming software by usb protocol. "
The three companies that hire the most hardware engineers are:
- Apple37 hardware engineers jobs
- Honeywell30 hardware engineers jobs
- Google21 hardware engineers jobs
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Compare different hardware engineers
Hardware engineer vs. Design verification engineer
A design verification engineer is responsible for running diagnostic tests on project outputs and adjusting methodologies as needed to achieve high-quality deliverables according to clients' specifications and business requirements. Design verification engineers create efficient techniques to improve products and services by utilizing various system tools and applications. They also design engineering protocols by analyzing previous test designs and calibrating them with the team. A design verification engineer must have excellent technical skills, as well as highly-communicative and organizational, especially on meeting deadlines and working under minimal supervision.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, hardware engineer responsibilities require skills like "cad," "analog," "verilog," and "circuit design." Meanwhile a typical design verification engineer has skills in areas such as "uvm," "architecture," "debug," and "ip." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Design verification engineers tend to make the most money working in the start-up industry, where they earn an average salary of $162,166. In contrast, hardware engineers make the biggest average salary, $106,285, in the automotive industry.On average, design verification engineers reach higher levels of education than hardware engineers. Design verification engineers are 7.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Hardware engineer vs. Senior staff engineer
A senior staff engineer is responsible for supervising a team of engineers, chemists, software developers, or molecular biologists. His/Her or her responsibilities include generating Structured Query Language (SQL) performance audit checklist template, creating SQL data query routines and functions for data extraction, and working directly with stakeholders. The job requires strong mechanical, listening, and mathematical skills and proficiency in Python programming language and computer architecture and hardware. The education requirements for the job include a bachelor's or master's degree in electrical engineering, business, mechanical engineering, or a related field.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that hardware engineer responsibilities requires skills like "analog," "cadence," "labview," and "circuit design." But a senior staff engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "c #," "architecture," "software development," and "sql."
Senior staff engineers earn a higher average salary than hardware engineers. But senior staff engineers earn the highest pay in the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $136,458. Additionally, hardware engineers earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $106,285 annually.In general, senior staff engineers achieve similar levels of education than hardware engineers. They're 2.9% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for hardware engineers in the next 3-5 years?
Michael Rudisill
Department Head and Professor of Engineering Technology, Northern Michigan University
Hardware engineer vs. Verification engineer
A verification engineer is responsible for running quality tests to the production processes to ensure high-quality outputs according to business requirements and client specifications. Verification engineers develop testing methodologies, inspect tools and equipment, and creating instructional manuals. They also resolve inconsistencies within the process, calibrating technical mechanisms, and identifying areas of improvement to enhance efficiency and build accurate deliverables. A verification engineer must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in monitoring progress and coordinating with clients for necessary plan adjustments.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, hardware engineers are more likely to have skills like "pcb," "cad," "verilog," and "labview." But a verification engineer is more likely to have skills like "uvm," "architecture," "object oriented programming," and "fpga."
Verification engineers earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $109,698. Hardware engineers earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $106,285.When it comes to education, verification engineers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to hardware engineers. In fact, they're 4.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Hardware engineer vs. Senior computer engineer
A senior computer engineer's main goal is to conduct research and design different types of computer hardware and software systems. They must know to manage servers and create automation in projects. They should also know how to resolve network issues and troubleshoot problems.
Types of hardware engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
