What Can I Do as a Computer Engineer?

It’s no wonder that computer engineering jobs are currently among the fastest-growing occupations, promising to bring us a bright future.

The strong demand for this field leads to an increased number of students that enroll in computer engineering courses. Yet, many of them still wonder: What can they do as a computer engineer?

Computer engineers are in charge of designing, testing, developing, and maintaining software and hardware systems. 

They ensure that their clients’ systems’ physical hardware and software programming components are in good operating order.

For a more detailed explanation, let’s refer to our article below!

What Can a Computer Engineer Do?

Computer engineering is a combination of computer science and electrical engineering.

When working in this field, your job involves designing systems, software, and network as well as implementing algorithms to maintain security. 

This job entails a wide range of actions aimed at improving system performance. Everything falls under the scope of computer engineers’ knowledge, including system design and maintenance, software installation and upgrade, or network and system adjustments and modifications.

Computer engineers may focus on their specific skill sets, like operating systems, information systems, computer networks/architecture/design and engineering, and software.

For example, hardware engineers are in charge of maintaining physical products while software computers perform their tasks related to programming and app development.

On a different scale, network engineers design, build and implement network configurations, handle performance issues, monitor networks, and establish security systems like firewalls.

working as a software engineer

In brief, it’s all about meeting the needs of technology and administrators in the business you operate in. The duties include:

  • Research the hardware and software
  • Design and test physical components, like processors, memory devices, circuit boards, and routers
  • Write and test software products for computers and devices
  • Design, build, and test networks
  • Manage operating systems
  • Design and test robots
  • Develop software to support a wide range of products, such as airplane components or surgical technology

Other Aspects of Computer Engineering

It’s crucial to understand that a bachelor’s degree is only a prerequisite for working as a computer engineer. You’ll have to pay attention to a few more details.

Communication is perhaps the most challenging aspect of the job. When working in this field, the engineers are frequently required to provide support to colleagues who are less technically savvy.

Not to mention that you have to deal directly with clients and vendors at large companies, a position that necessitates active listening techniques.

communication in the office

Another significant aspect of this job is conducting operation analyses. Decisiveness is really a prerequisite. Also, you will have to communicate information to supervisors and assist them in making the best decision possible in any given situation.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that engineers’ ideas are invaluable, as no successful project development phase has ever been completed without their input.

A competent engineer is defined by more than just their skill set for those reasons. In fact, what makes a professional truly exceptional is a fine blend of interpersonal skills, technical knowledge, characters, and psychology.

What Industries do Computer Engineers Work in?

As a computer engineer, you can find work in different industries, depending on your capability and interest. Below are a few examples of businesses where you can refer to:

  • Hardware and software corporations
  • Aeronautical companies
  • The federal government
  • Defense contractors
  • Gaming and entertainment companies
  • Healthcare industry
  • Financial industry
  • Educational institutions
  • Research institutions
computer hardware

Of course, you can expect high pay regardless of your chosen business. We are living in an era where the information technology sector is continually evolving and developing, with new fields of study forming on a regular basis.

Almost all industries hire hardware and software professionals, so you have the option of working for a small, large, local, or worldwide company or even going online.

It’s also worth noting that remote software engineering jobs appear to be more convenient than ever before when we’re coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. In most situations, their working hours and responsibilities are quite similar to working from the office.

Their key advantage is that they provide improved career opportunities, foreign work experience, and the flexibility to work remotely.

The Bottom Line

Knowing what to do when working in computer engineering will surely benefit your career. Hopefully, this post has given you a clearer idea of what you will be in the future.

Make sure that you cultivate more knowledge while also improving other soft skills, which would be useful in the near term. Good luck!