National Occupation Code (NOC): 2147

Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) research, plan, design, develop, modify, evaluate and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware and related equipment, and information and communication system networks including mainframe systems, local and wide area networks, fibre-optic networks, wireless communication networks, intranets, the Internet and other data communications systems. They are employed by computer and telecommunication hardware manufacturers, by engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications firms, in information technology consulting firms, by governmental, educational and research institutions and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.

Job Duties for Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

Computer and telecommunications hardware engineers

• Analyze user requirements, and design and develop system architecture and specifications
• Research, design, develop and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware such as microprocessors, integrated circuit boards and semiconductor lasers
• Develop and conduct design verification simulations and prototype bench tests of components
• Supervise, inspect and provide design support during the manufacturing, installation and implementation of computer and telecommunications hardware
• Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and clients
• May lead and co-ordinate teams of engineers, technologists, technicians and drafters in the design and development of computer and telecommunications hardware.

Network system and data communication engineers

• Research, design and develop information and communication system network architecture
• Research, evaluate and integrate network system and data communication hardware and software
• Assess, document and optimize the capacity and performance of information and communication system networks
• May lead and co-ordinate teams of design professionals in the development and integration of information and communication system architecture, hardware and software.

Computer engineers may specialize in a number of areas including analog and digital signal processing, fibre optics, integrated circuits, lasers, microprocessors, microwaves and radio astronomy.

Working Conditions for Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)

Work takes place in information technology (IT) offices and laboratories. While some in this field may install, build or fix computer of telecommunications hardware, most workers perform sitting down for extended periods of time.

Alternate Job Titles

• Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) Design Engineer
• Capacity Planning Analyst
• Computer Engineer
• Computer Engineer (except Software)
• Computer Hardware Engineer
• Computer Systems Engineer
• Computer Telecommunications Specialist
• Data Communications Specialist
• Fibre-optic Network Designer
• Hardware Circuit Board Designer
• Hardware Design Engineer
• Hardware Development Engineer
• Hardware Engineer
• Hardware Technical Architect
• Infrastructure Architect - Information Technology (IT)
• Microprocessor Designer And Application Engineer
• Microwave Systems Engineer
• Microwave Transmission Systems Engineer
• Network Architect - Computer Systems
• Network Capacity Planner
• Network Designer - Computer Systems
• Network Engineer - Communication Hardware
• Network Specialist - Computer Systems
• Network Systems Engineer
• Network Test Engineer
• Optical Communications Engineer
• Optical Communications Hardware Engineer
• Optical Systems Engineer - Telecommunications
• Radio Systems Engineer
• Satellite Data Transmission Engineer
• Spacecraft Electronics Engineer - Hardware
• Systems Designer - Hardware
• Technical Architect - Hardware
• Telecommunications Engineer
• Telecommunications Hardware Engineer
• Telecommunications Hardware Specialist
• Telecommunications Specialist - Computer Systems
• Telecommunications Systems Specialist
• Wireless Communications Network Engineer