COMPUTER ENGINEERS (EXCEPT SOFTWARE ENGINEERS)
Computer engineers (except software engineers)
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.
Example Titles
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design engineer
computer engineer
computer hardware engineer
engineer, computer hardware
engineer, telecommunications hardware
fibre-optic network designer
hardware circuit board designer
hardware design engineer
hardware development engineer
hardware engineer
network systems engineer
network test engineer
systems designer – hardware
technical architect – hardware
wireless communications network engineer
>>View all titles 
Main duties
Computer and telecommunications hardware engineers perform some or all of the
following duties:
- Analyze user’s 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 perform some or all of the following
duties:
- 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.
Employment requirements
- Computer engineers require a bachelor’s degree in
computer engineering, electrical or electronics engineering, engineering
physics or computer science.
- A master’s or doctoral degree in a related engineering
discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of
professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and
reports and to practise as a Professional
Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following
graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of
supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional
practice examination.
- Supervisory and senior positions in this unit group
require experience.
Classified elsewhere
- Computer and Information Systems Managers (0213)
- Computer Programmers and Interactive Media Developers (2174)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technologists
and Technician (2241)
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers (2133)
- Engineering Managers (0211)
- Information Systems Analysts and Consultants (2171)
- Software Engineers (2173)
- Web Designers and Developers (2175)
