Hardware Technician / Computer Engineer

What do they do?

Computer Engineers are involved in the design, installation, repair and service of computers and associated equipment. Senior engineers are responsible for total system performance, which can require the use of project control techniques and the supervision of other staff. Senior engineers can be required to design the more complex hardware equipment required to operate systems.

Depending on the level of responsibility and the particular job role involved, duties may include:

• Conducting unit testing and participating in general systems testing.
• Assisting in the construction of equipment and monitoring its development according to design.
• Supervising the activities of a team of assigned hardware engineers in order to provide effective analysis, design, programming and testing skills in the production of hardware systems.
• Carrying out patent searches for possible design infringements and identifying areas of design that have potential to be patented.
• Assisting in the preparation of project proposals.
• Carrying out repairs and testing of computer equipment and peripherals.

Career Paths

With so much computing equipment being used in the industrial, commercial, entertainment, research, consumer and manufacturing fields, employment opportunities can be found in a wide range of occupations.

Companies who sell and service computer hardware equipment employ a number of computer service technicians. There are many specialist network consultancies that employ technical staff.

The Engineer normally has a standard 37.5-hour week with shift work being the exception. However, most suppliers work on a rostered on-call basis as service of systems outside normal office hours is frequently required to support 24 hour computer operations.

Choose the following qualifications to get you there: