Computer Hardware Engineer
Snapshot
Computer hardware engineers design and develop computer hardware systems and components, such as circuit boards, modems, and printers. They draught blueprints and assembly drawings, develop and test the prototypes, and supervise the production process.
Computer hardware engineers are responsible for the design, development, and testing of computer hardware systems and components. This includes everything from circuit boards and memory chips to printers and storage devices. Your work involves translating abstract design concepts into tangible, functional hardware, ensuring performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. You'll often work with multidisciplinary teams, collaborating with software engineers and other specialists.
- • Designing and developing computer hardware systems and components, including circuit boards and peripherals.
- • Creating detailed blueprints and assembly drawings to guide manufacturing processes.
- • Developing and testing prototypes to ensure functionality and performance.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus and 7 more.
Longest-running shortage: Netherlands, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person's chances. It describes a market.
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Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could computer hardware engineer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Innovation?
Future Outlook for computer hardware engineer
The outlook for computer hardware engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could computer hardware engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- abide by regulations on banned materials
- interact professionally in research and professional environments
- evaluate research activities
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- analyse test data
- use technical drawing software
- manage open publications
Tasks most exposed to automation
- synthesise information
- record test data
- apply for research funding
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a computer hardware engineer
09 09:00 · Morning model hardware
10 10:30 · Mid-morning abide by regulations on banned materials
12 12:00 · Midday design hardware
14 14:00 · Afternoon manage intellectual property rights
15 15:30 · Late afternoon operate open source software
17 17:00 · Wrap-up adjust engineering designs
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
What you need to do this work
The skills, knowledge and tools this role calls for — and the traits and rewards that come with it.
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conduct literature research
Conduct a comprehensive and systematic research of information and publications on a specific literature topic. Present a comparative evaluative literature summary.
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manage findable accessible interoperable and reusable data
Produce, describe, store, preserve and (re) use scientific data based on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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apply research ethics and scientific integrity principles in research activities
Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to scientific research, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.
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promote open innovation in research
Apply techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation through collaboration with people and organizations outside the organisation.
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integrate gender dimension in research
Take into account in the whole research process the biological characteristics and the evolving social and cultural features of women and men (gender).
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conduct research across disciplines
Work and use research findings and data across disciplinary and/or functional boundaries.
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promote the participation of citizens in scientific and research activities
Engage citizens in scientific and research activities and promote their contribution in terms of knowledge, time or resources invested.
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draft scientific or academic papers and technical documentation
Draft and edit scientific, academic or technical texts on different subjects.
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disseminate results to the scientific community
Publicly disclose scientific results by any appropriate means, including conferences, workshops, colloquia and scientific publications.
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publish academic research
Conduct academic research, in universities and research institutions, or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
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write scientific publications
Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
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design prototypes
Design prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.
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approve engineering design
Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.
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manage research data
Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.
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interact professionally in research and professional environments
Show consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.
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operate open source software
Operate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.
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perform data analysis
Collect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.
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speak different languages
Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
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record test data
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
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evaluate research activities
Review proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers, including through open peer review.
environmental threats
The threats for the environment which are related to biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological, and physical hazards.
hardware architectures
The designs laying out the physical hardware components and their interconnections.
hardware materials
The characteristics, applications and environmental effects of materials used to develop hardware.
hardware platforms
The characteristics of the hardware configuration required to process the applications software product.
network standards
Regulated standards that provide the technical guidelines, specifications, and requirements to ensure safe and efficient interoperability between devices, software, equipment, and organisations. Networking standards govern the software and hardware which uses them.
- computer engineering
- computer technology
- design drawings
- electricity
- electricity principles
- electronics
- engineering principles
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Scan to continue on mobilePath to become a computer hardware engineer
What it typically takes to qualify: education level, where it is a regulated profession, and where to study.
Bachelor's or equivalent level
Real programmes leading to this occupation, by country.
Graduate Certificate in Electronic and Computer Engineering
BEng Hons in Computer Eng L8
Master of Engineering in Electronic Engineering in Electronic System Design
Higher Certificate in Engineering in Computer Engineering
Computer Science and Engineering (Digitalisation, Computing and Electronics), Bachelor and Master of Science (Technology) (3 years + 2 years)
Computer and Embedded-Systems Engineering
Growth Pathways & Similar Roles
Explore typical career progression paths, adjacent skills, and similar roles to plan your next transition.
Where does computer hardware engineer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of education is typically required to become a computer hardware engineer?
- A bachelor’s degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field is generally required. Advanced degrees can be beneficial for specialized roles or research-focused positions.
- How does this role differ from a software engineer?
- While both roles are crucial in the tech industry, computer hardware engineers focus on the physical components of computer systems, while software engineers concentrate on the programs and applications that run on them. Hardware engineers deal with the 'nuts and bolts,' while software engineers create the instructions.
- What are the key skills needed to succeed as a computer hardware engineer?
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are essential, as is a deep understanding of electronics, circuit design, and digital logic. Proficiency with CAD software and testing equipment is also highly valuable. Attention to detail and the ability to work effectively in a team are also important.
- How much does Computer Hardware Engineer pay in the United States?
- $155,020 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $78,320 to $185,180. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.
Sources: ESCO O*NET ELA/EURES Cedefop BLS Data updated September 20, 2026 About our data