Manager, hardware engineering vs computer hardware developer

The differences between managers, hardware engineering and computer hardware developers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a manager, hardware engineering and a computer hardware developer. Additionally, a manager, hardware engineering has an average salary of $148,792, which is higher than the $99,546 average annual salary of a computer hardware developer.

The top three skills for a manager, hardware engineering include RF, hardware engineering and hardware development. The most important skills for a computer hardware developer are firmware, hardware development, and python.

Manager, hardware engineering vs computer hardware developer overview

	Manager, Hardware Engineering	Computer Hardware Developer
Yearly salary	$148,792	$99,546
Hourly rate	$71.53	$47.86
Growth rate	5%	5%
Number of jobs	63,636	116,915
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	2	2

What does a manager, hardware engineering do?

Managerial experience is a must if you want to be a hardware engineering manager. Mainly, they are tasked to oversee and monitor everything that is happening in an engineering department. They need to ensure that all the hardware equipment and products are being utilized properly and orderly. Engineering managers coordinate with the suppliers, contractors, manufacturers as well as clients to provide them a quality of service.

What does a computer hardware developer do?

Computer hardware developers handle the physical aspect of computers. The developers research, design, and manufacture test computer systems and components. They make sure that they function to their full capacity with the software they are being used with. Their duties include designing new computer hardware, manufacturing computer equipment schematics, analyzing the test results, and modifying the design of the new hardware as needed. They update the already existing computer equipment so it works with new software and oversee every step of the manufacturing process.

Manager, hardware engineering vs computer hardware developer salary

Managers, hardware engineering and computer hardware developers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Manager, Hardware Engineering	Computer Hardware Developer
Average salary	$148,792	$99,546
Salary range	Between $111,000 And $198,000	Between $74,000 And $133,000
Highest paying City	Everett, WA	Redmond, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	Meta	Apple
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between manager, hardware engineering and computer hardware developer education

There are a few differences between a manager, hardware engineering and a computer hardware developer in terms of educational background:

	Manager, Hardware Engineering	Computer Hardware Developer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 68%	Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common major	Electrical Engineering	Electrical Engineering
Most common college	Northeastern University	Harvard University

Manager, hardware engineering vs computer hardware developer demographics

Here are the differences between managers, hardware engineering' and computer hardware developers' demographics:

	Manager, Hardware Engineering	Computer Hardware Developer
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 76.4% Female, 23.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.3% Asian, 29.8% White, 50.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 8.2% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 29.6% White, 50.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between manager, hardware engineering and computer hardware developer duties and responsibilities

Manager, hardware engineering example responsibilities.

Manage the development of a LabVIEW driver for the multi-axis motion controller.
Manage outside consulting firms and engineers for circuit design, PCB design, software drivers, and prototype production.
Lead the hardware engineering department consisting of system design, FPGA design, and diagnostics, mechanical and manufacturing engineers.
Participate in the negotiation of a new ATM vendor contract and subsequently manage the project to convert to a new platform.
Develop a LabVIEW application to automate the data acquisition of the qualification performance data.
Provide architecture and hw program resources and management.

Computer hardware developer example responsibilities.

Work in LabView to control instruments and automate tests.
Analyze and manage the project throughout SDLC, written/review specification documents.
Experience in optimizing high-speed real-time ASIC design.
Modify firmware DSP algorithms to optimize power consumption.
Perform signal quality on the L4 cache signals.
Design a test system using Java for the traffic-sign detection algorithm.

Manager, hardware engineering vs computer hardware developer skills

Common manager, hardware engineering skills

RF, 12%
Hardware Engineering, 8%
Hardware Development, 6%
Project Management, 5%
Firmware, 5%
PCB, 4%

Common computer hardware developer skills

Firmware, 37%
Hardware Development, 24%
Python, 13%
Design Verification, 8%
C++, 6%
Java, 2%

Manager, Hardware Engineering vs. similar jobs

Manager, Hardware Engineering related careers

Manager, Hardware Engineering related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Architecture and Engineering Industry
Manager, Hardware Engineering
Manager, Hardware Engineering vs Computer Hardware Developer

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse architecture and engineering jobs