What Does a Hardware Engineer Do? Your 2026 Guide

Key takeaways

• A hardware engineer develops and troubleshoots computer hardware, overseeing component installation, manufacturing, and equipment updates.

• As a computer hardware engineer, you may also perform tasks like analyzing blueprints and technical drawings, reviewing system tests, performing updates, and implementing the latest systems and processes.

• Computer hardware engineer salary data from Glassdoor shows a median total pay of $156,000 [1].

Hardware engineer jobs typically require a bachelor’s degree in computer, electrical, or mechanical engineering. Learn more about this in-demand role, including common job responsibilities, tools you’ll use, required skills, and what you need to land a job in this article.

If you’re ready to develop your hardware skills, consider enrolling in the IBM IT Support Professional Certificate, which can help you learn fundamentals. This nine-course series includes one dedicated to hardware and operating systems, which can help you become familiar with ports, connectors, storage devices, GPU architectures, and secure IoT integration strategies. You'll also have an opportunity to learn more about software, programming, and databases, as well as cybersecurity, cloud computing, and networking.

What does a computer hardware engineer do?

Hardware engineers, also known as computer hardware engineers, develop and troubleshoot computer hardware. As a hardware engineer, you’ll also oversee component installation and the manufacturing process, find ways to improve upon existing equipment, and recommend equipment or updates based on user needs.

While you’ll focus primarily on hardware, software still plays a part in hardware engineering, as you’ll ensure the hardware is compatible with the latest software. This responsibility requires frequent collaboration with others within the information technology (IT) department, such as software engineers or developers. And because hardware and software development often coincide, you’ll need to remain adaptable and ready to make changes according to the software development process.

Read more: Computer Science vs. Computer Engineering: How the Jobs Differ

Hardware engineer jobs: Tasks and responsibilities

As a hardware engineer, some duties you can expect to handle include:

• Analyzing blueprints and technical drawings

• Reviewing system tests and performing updates as needed

• Implementing the latest systems and processes and ensuring everyone follows the

• Monitoring the manufacturing and assembly of hardware equipment

• Acting as the technical leader in product development

What tools do computer hardware engineers use?

Hardware engineers require physical and software tools to handle computer design. Some physical tools a hardware engineer may need include:

• Tweezers

• Calipers

• Power supplies

• Soldering station with flux and flux remover

• Multimeter

• Other electronic assembly tools

On the software side, some useful tools may include:

• PCB design software

• Altium Designer

• Autodesk Fusion

• GitLab

• Microsoft Excel

• KiCad

Computer hardware engineer salary and job outlook

According to Glassdoor, the median total pay for hardware engineers in the US is $156,000 per year [1]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

The demand for computer hardware engineers is higher than average compared to other careers in the US. Between 2025 and 2035, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts 9 percent growth and an average of 4,100 job openings per year [2].

What skills do you need to become a hardware engineer?

To be a successful hardware engineer, you’ll need diverse programming and product development skills. Some typical skills to hone on your pathway to becoming a hardware engineer include:

• Python

• Radio frequency (RF)

• C and C++ programming

• Circuit and system design

• Communication and collaboration

• Problem-solving

• Critical and analytical thinking

• Knowledge of analog systems

Is it hard to become a hardware engineer?

Becoming a hardware engineer is achievable with the right dedication and interest level. You’ll likely want to earn a bachelor’s degree in a computer engineering or information technology field. You’ll also want to learn programming languages. Equipped with this educational background and knowledge, you can enjoy a rewarding career as a hardware engineer that challenges your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Required qualifications, education, and certifications

You may choose from several paths to become a computer hardware engineer, but having an outline can help. With the proper education, qualifications, experience, and certifications, you may be on the fast track to landing this role. Explore the path that you might take to enter this field below.

Education

To land a computer hardware engineer job, you’ll usually need at least a bachelor’s degree in fields like computer, electrical, or mechanical engineering. It’s also helpful if the engineering program you graduate from has professional accreditation like ABET, a quality assurance organization supporting various STEM professions. Here is a breakdown of the percentage of types of degrees that hardware engineers hold [3]:

• Associate: 9 percent

• Bachelor’s: 69 percent

• Master’s: 17 percent

Certifications

Certifications, while generally optional for hardware engineers, can showcase your abilities and desire to continue learning. They can also make you more marketable as you look for a job, and could help you obtain a higher salary. The following are some certifications to consider:

• Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)

• CompTIA Tech+

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification

• Certified LabVIEW Developer (CLD)

Experience

After graduating from school, your path to becoming a hardware engineer starts with gaining experience. You can do so as a volunteer, in an internship, or even in an entry-level role involving computer hardware, such as a hardware design assistant. You may also participate in engineering clubs or hackathons to get more hands-on projects and skill development opportunities. You can generally expect to spend six to 12 months in an entry-level role before you’re ready to start on-the-job training to become a hardware engineer.

Where you can work as a hardware engineer

Technology is constantly changing, so hardware engineers are needed across various industries and companies. That said, some are more likely to seek these professionals than others. To discover which industries and companies hire the most computer hardware engineers, continue reading.

Companies that hire hardware engineers

Generally, automotive and technology companies hire the largest number of hardware engineers. The top five hiring companies, along with the average base salary they offer, include the following [4]:

• Meta: $153,814

• Apple: $144,233

• X (formerly Twitter): $143,204

• Google: $139,374

• Cloudflare: $138,477

Common industries for hardware engineers

Some industries have a higher demand for hardware engineers than others. According to the BLS, five industries employing the highest percentage of hardware engineers include [5]:

• Computer systems design and related services (15 percent)

• Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences (18 percent)

• Semiconductor and other electronic component manufacturing (24 percent)

• Information (7 percent)

• Federal government (6 percent)

Hardware engineer career advancement

A hardware engineer role may be a good first step if you plan to advance your engineering career. Some higher positions you can land after gaining experience in hardware engineering jobs include:

• Senior hardware engineer

• Engineering manager

• IT operations manager

• VP of engineering

• Director of hardware engineering

Find resources to prepare for a hardware engineering career

Stay on top of industry trends and gain career insight by subscribing to Career Chat, our LinkedIn newsletter. Then, check out these additional resources to broaden your knowledge:

• Expand your skills: How to Use Range in Python

• Take a quiz: Career Test: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Watch on YouTube: Is Tech Worth It? The TRUTH About Technology Careers

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