Description
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
Interests
- Realistic
- Investigative
- Conventional
Work Values
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Independence
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Analytical Thinking
- Innovation
- Initiative
- Cooperation
Tasks
- Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
- Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
- Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
- Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
- Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
Work Activities
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Analyzing Data or Information
- Getting Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Technology Skills
- Analytical or scientific software
- Desktop communications software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Development environment software
- Object or component oriented development software
Abilities
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Mathematics
- English Language
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Installation and ConfigurationCertifying Organization
Microsoft Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
Certified TestStand ArchitectCertifying Organization
National Instruments Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certifying Organization
IBM Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Certificate name
TS: Windows InternalsCertifying Organization
Microsoft Corporation
Type
Product/Equipment
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $95,611 |
| Median (50%) | $131,202 |
| High (90%) | $181,802 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $103,965 |
| Mid Level | $127,803 |
| Senior Level | $134,907 |
| Expert Level | $168,860 |
Employability
There are currently 84,100 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 90,200 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 7%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 7%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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