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Work

There are two major specialties in computer engineering: software and hardware.

Computer Software Engineering

Computer software engineers design, develop, and test software. Some software engineers design, construct and maintain computer programs for companies. Some set up networks such as "intranets" for companies. Others make or install new software or upgrade computer systems. Computer software engineers can also work in application design. This involves designing or coding new programs and applications to meet the needs of a business or individual. ^[1]

Computer Hardware Engineering

Most computer hardware engineers research, develop, design, and test various computer equipment. This can range from circuit boards and microprocessors to routers. Some update existing computer equipment to be more efficient and work with newer software. Most computer hardware engineers work in research laboratories and high-tech manufacturing firms. Some also work for the federal government. According to BLS, 95% of computer hardware engineers work in metropolitan areas. They generally work full time. Approximately 25% of their work requires more than 40 hours a week. The median starting salary for computer hardware engineers (2010) was $98,810 per year or $47.50 per hour. Computer hardware engineers held 70,000 jobs in 2010. ^[2]

Specialty Areas

There are many specialty areas in the field of computer engineering.

Coding, Cryptography, and Information Protection

According to the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, Computer engineers working in this area develop new methods for protecting various information, such as digital images and music, fragmentation, copyright infringement and other forms of tampering. Examples include work on wireless communications, multi-antenna systems, optical transmission, and digital watermarking. ^[3]

Communications and Wireless Networks

Those focusing on communications and wireless networks work on advancements in communications systems and networks (especially wireless networks), modulation and error-control coding, and information theory. High-speed network design, interference suppression and modulation, design and analysis of fault-tolerant system, and storage and transmission schemes are all a part of this specialty. ^[3]

Compilers and Operating Systems

This specialty focuses on compilers and operating systems design and development. Engineers in this field develop new operating system architecture, program analysis techniques, and new techniques to assure quality. Examples of work in this field includes post-link-time code transformation algorithm development and new operating system development. ^[3]

Computational Science and Engineering

Computational Science and Engineering is relatively new discipline. According to Sloan Career Cornerstone Center, individuals working in this area, "computational methods are applied to formulate and solve complex mathematical problems in engineering and the physical and the social sciences. Examples include aircraft design, the plasma processing of nanometer features on semiconductor wafers, VLSI circuit design, radar detection systems, ion transport through biological channels, and much more". ^[3]

Computer Networks, Mobile Computing, and Distributed Systems

In this specialty, engineers build integrated environments for computing, communications, and information access. Examples include shared-channel wireless networks, adaptive resource management in various systems, and improving the quality of service in mobile and ATM environments. Some other examples include work on wireless network systems and fast Ethernet cluster wired systems. ^[3]

Computer Systems: Architecture, Parallel Processing, and Dependability

Engineers working in computer systems work on research projects that allow for reliable, secure, and high-performance computer systems. Projects such as designing processors for multi-threading and parallel processing are included in this field. Other examples of work in this field include development of new theories, algorithms, an other tools that add performance to computer systems. ^[3]

Computer Vision and Robotics

In this specialty, computer engineers focus on developing visual sensing technology to sense an environment, representation of an environment, and manipulation of the environment. The gathered three-dimensional information is then implemented to perform a variety of tasks. These include, improved human modeling, image communication, and human-computer interfaces, as well as devices such as special-purpose cameras with versatile vision sensors. ^[3]

Embedded Systems

Examples of devices that use embedded systems.

Individuals working in this area design technology for enhancing the speed, reliability, and performance of systems. Embedded systems are found in many devices from a small FM radio to the space shuttle. According to the Sloan Cornerstone Career Center, on going developments in embedded systems include "automated vehicles and equipment to conduct search and rescue, automated transportation systems, and human-robot coordination to repair equipment in space." ^[3]

Integrated Circuits, VLSI Design, Testing, and CAD

This specialty of computer engineering requires adequate knowledge of electronics and electrical systems. Engineers working in this area work on enhancing the speed, reliability, and energy efficiency of next-generation Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) circuits and microsystems. An example of this specialty is work done on reducing the power consumption of VLSI algorithms and architecture. ^[3]

Signal, Image, and Speech Processing

Computer engineers in this area develop improvements in human-computer interaction, including speech recognition and synthesis, medical and scientific imaging, or communications systems. Other work in this area includes computer vision development such as recognition of human facial features. ^[3]

Education

Most entry-level computer engineering jobs have require at least a bachelor's degree in computer engineering. Sometimes a degree in electrical engineering is accepted, due to the similarity of the two fields. According to BLS, "a computer engineering major is similar to electrical engineering but with some computer science courses added to the curriculum" ^[2]. Some large firms or specialized jobs require a master's degree. It is also important for Computer Engineers to keep up with rapid advances in technology. Therefore, many continue learning throughout their careers. To work in one of the specialty field, a master or even a p.h.d may be required.

Job Outlook

Computer Software Engineering

According to BLS, "computer applications software engineers and computer systems software engineers are projected to be among the fastest growing occupations from 2008 to 2018" ^[1]. BLS reports an expected growth of 30% for software developers from 2010 to 2020 ^[4].In addition, growing concerns over cyber security add up to put computer software engineering high above the average rate of increase for all fields. However, some of the work will be outsourced in foreign countries. Due to this, job growth will not be as fast as during the last decade ^[1].

Computer Hardware Engineering

According to the BLS, "employment of computer hardware engineers is expected to increase 9 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations." BLS reports that most of the innovation in computers currently takes place with software than with hardware, therefore only a limited number of computer hardware engineers will be needed. ^[2]

Similar Occupations and Fields

References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Computer Software Engineer." Published by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 20 July 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers04.htm>
^ ^a ^b ^c Computer Hardware Engineers." Published by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 20 July 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/computer-hardware-engineers.htm>
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "Computer Engineering Overview." Published by Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. Retrieved 20 July 2012. <http://www.careercornerstone.org/pdf/compeng/compeng.pdf>
^ "Software Developers." Published by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 21 July 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm>

[CSE-1] "Computer Software Engineer." Published by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 20 July 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/k12/computers04.htm>

[CHE-2] Computer Hardware Engineers." Published by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 20 July 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/computer-hardware-engineers.htm>

[SCCC-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "Computer Engineering Overview." Published by Sloan Career Cornerstone Center. Retrieved 20 July 2012. <http://www.careercornerstone.org/pdf/compeng/compeng.pdf>

[CSE2-4] "Software Developers." Published by Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved 21 July 2012. <http://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm>

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