What Do Computer Engineers Do?

Computer engineering is a discipline that combines principles of electrical engineering and computer science. It focuses on developing and maintaining hardware and computer systems.

Computer engineers design, build, and test computer components and operating systems. They work on a wide variety of technologies, including microprocessors, circuit boards, software applications, input/output devices, robotics, and memory chips.

“My typical day as a computer engineer involves a mix of coding, testing, and brainstorming,” said Volodymyr Yarymovych, lead data engineer at Reenbit.com. “Sometimes, I’m deep in lines of code; other times, I collaborate with teammates to find solutions to tricky problems. It’s fast-paced and keeps me on my toes, but it’s incredibly rewarding.”

“A typical day for me might include writing, testing, and debugging software or developing new hardware and networking systems,” said Taimur Iljlal, computer engineer and information security leader at Netify.com. “It’s very satisfying to see products and systems come to life from the design phase.”

Computer engineers work in research labs; for local, state, and federal government agencies; and all across the private sector.

“It’s been a very rewarding career path for me,” said Iljal. “I’ve had the privilege of working in some fascinating sectors, like fintech and cybersecurity.”

Industries that rely heavily on the expertise of computer engineers include:

The median annual wage for computer hardware engineers was $132,360 in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Additionally, software engineers and developers earned $127,260 a year. However, the top 10% of earners in these roles made over $208,000 and $198,000 a year, respectively.

A computer engineer’s industry, employer, and job title can all impact their salary and job outlook, as illustrated in the tables below.

Jobs for computer engineers are projected to see average or above average growth in the coming years. Although many hardware engineering roles are projected to grow as fast as average, positions that focus more on research or software engineering may see significantly faster growth.

You probably already know that without computer engineers, we wouldn’t have smartphones or laptops. But the field goes well beyond the development of popular consumer electronics. Here are three wild things computer engineers have dreamed up recently.

“Being a computer engineer is all about using your creativity and problem-solving skills to impact the world. There are challenges along the way — like tight deadlines and technical glitches — but the feeling you get when you see your ideas come to life makes it all worth it,” said Yarymovych.

“If you’re passionate about technology and love a good challenge, this could be your perfect career path.”