What is Computer Engineering | Salary, Jobs and Programs in 2023

What is Computer Engineering?

Computer engineering is electrical engineering divided into other parts, like electronic engineering and computer science. These degrees are required to develop computer software and hardware besides electrical engineering and computer science courses.

It also covers advanced techniques:

1. Robotics
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
3. Operating System
4. Computer Networks
5. Computer Architecture

The whole system is involved in many computing software and hardware aspects. From designing supercomputers to personal computers and circuit designs. And also microcontrollers. The list goes on. Computer engineering demands a bigger picture. And one of the applications is robots for computer engineering.

Computer engineering also deals with designing VLSI chips and firmware, writing software for embedded microcontrollers, creating an operating system, and a mixed-signal circuiting board.

Computer engineers are also well-matched for robots that rely highly on a digital approach to help you control and monitor electrical systems.

What is Computer Engineers’ Work?

When we talk about the work, that depends on their chosen field. However, the basicity of their job is to meet the technology needs. And when we talk in-depth about computer engineering, then it specifically:

• Hardware engineers work with physical parts.
• Software engineers work with software development, computer, programming, and phone applications.
• Network engineers work with networking and maintaining systems.

Since computer engineering is so vast, we cannot specifically discuss a single thing. However, many new launches are coming up. These launches include thermodynamics, security, processor interfacing, software design, computer architecture, digital logic design, and power management. In addition, computer engineers should have good communication skills since they have to work closely with other team members.

The other computer engineers’ work is in business from different industries. Therefore, it is their choice to work remotely, on a small scale, on a project, etc.

Remote work is the most convenient and advanced since you can also work for international companies.

Software Development

Software development is creating, designing, deploying and supporting software applications. These are the set of computer science. Software is basically a set of programs that will command things on a computer. It makes computer programmable. Now software development is crucial.

Software development is not limited to coders. Other professionals like hardware makers or scientists can also develop a code though they are not software developers. It is also not limited to traditional information technology.

Computer Engineering Professionals

You will find different computer engineering professional careers. Some of them are listed below:

1. Software Engineer
2. Database Developer
3. Computer Security Analyst
4. Hardware System Designer
5. Network Security Specialist
6. Project Management
7. Robotics Specialist
8. Software Security Engineer
9. Technical Writer
10. Web Designer

Operating System

The operating system is the program that is installed in the computer to run different applications. Every other device runs on a different operating system. Therefore, it can be hard to integrate and make devices communicate with other devices to complete a particular task.

There are different types of operating systems:

• Mobile Operating System
• Embedded Operating System
• Real-Time Operating System
• Network Operating System

A computer engineer should have excellent knowledge of operating systems like windows, macOS, Linux etc. It brings powerful benefits to computer software and software development, for example, windows in the operating system for Microsoft. However, every application will need a UI (User Interface) without an operating system. In addition, comprehensive code is required to handle low-level functionality such as network interfaces, disk storage and more.

Electrical Engineering

Electrical engineering is based on the study, development, design, and application of systems, devices and types of equipment of electronics, electricity and electromagnetism.

There are different categories of electrical engineering, for example:

1.  System Engineering
2. Computer Engineering
3. Electronics
4. Telecommunications
5. Radio Frequency Engineering
6. Instrumentation
7. Photovoltaic Cells

Work with Computer

Some of the work related to the computer are:

• Technical Support Specialist
• Forensic Computer Analysis
• Multimedia Programming
• Computer System Analyst
• Mechanical Engineering
• Information Security Analysis
• Firmware Engineering

Work with Software

There are tons of options in the software. Some of the opportunities to work with the software are:

• Software Engineer
• Game Development
• Web Developer
• Web Design
• IT Consulting
• Applications Development
• Multimedia Programming

There are other options, too, such as:

• Software Tester
• Sound Designer
• IT Technical Support Officer
• Forensic Computer Analyst
• Database Administrator
• Application Analyst
• System Analyst

Labour Statistics BLS

According to US labour statistics, the demand for computer engineers is expected to grow by 2%. As a result, both students with bachelor’s and master’s degrees will be able to find jobs. And it will be easier if they keep their knowledge up to date for new technologies.

So the estimated payment could be around 119,560$. And also, for a software developer, the expected growth is approximately 22% between 2020-2030.

Computer Engineering Requires Job Outlet

The employment of computer engineers tends to grow by approximately around  5% from 2020-2030. As a result, about 5,300 openings are available for projects every year.

Many of these openings are predicted to result from the need to trade workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labour force.

Degree in Computer Engineering

A Bachelor of Engineering or BE is the degree you need to be an engineer. It is a four-year undergraduate degree program. BE computer engineering offers students knowledge of computer software and hardware necessary to build computer-based systems.

To work as a computer engineer, you require a bachelor’s degree in computer science or engineering. Either in software or hardware development. Nowadays, you can have additional certifications or advanced courses. This will help you get better in your field.

It also teaches the student about computer components’ design, manufacture, development and maintenance. The syllabus is similar for all engineers in the first year of the course. But in later years, it specializes in computer engineering.

Test Computer Systems and Components such as Processor Circuit Boards, Memory Devices and Routers

Developing and testing are practically testing each component separately without integrating it with other components. It is also referred to as unit testing, program testing or module testing. These components are either software or hardware.

Processor Circuit Boards: An electronics and electrical engineering base to connect different parts or components. It is like a sandwich structure of conducting and insulating layers. Each layer is designed with artwork patterns of traces.

Memory Devices: All the hardware devices that will store data. Memory devices are CDs, DVDs, Pendrive and more. These are also called External or auxiliary devices. At the same time, principal memory devices are internal or central storage devices that are inbuilt into a computer, like RAM and ROM.

Routers: It is a device connecting multiple packet-switched networks or subnetworks.

It provides two primary functions:

• It will manage the traffic between these networks by forwarding data packets to intended IP addresses
• It allows various network devices to use the same internet connection.

Software Engineering

Software engineering is part of computer science that deals with designing, developing, maintaining and testing software applications. They have excellent knowledge of programming language, platforms and architecture to build everything from the network control system to computer gaming.

Some of the tasks of a software engineer are:

• Evaluating and testing new software applications
• Designing and maintaining software systems
• Testing codes
• They present new features to customers and stakeholders.
• Improving software for scalability and speed

Programming Language

Programming language is the language used by computer engineers to communicate with the computer. It consists of rules that help convert string values into various ways to generate machine codes and visual programming languages. Or even graphical elements.

The instructions are given to the computer in different programming languages. They are Java, JavaScript, C and C++, Python, Ruby, HTML, CSS, Matlab, R, Perl, Rust, Scala, and PHP. The two most popular among these are JavaScript and Python.

Computer Hardware Engineering

Computer hardware engineering is the process of designing, developing, and testing the computer system and various physical components of the computer. The scope of hardware engineering has increased due to technological advancements and R&D. And also because of hardware devices enabling embedded software engineering in non-computer devices.

The work of hardware engineering is not restricted to designing and developing computers. But also various devices for the functioning of the entire business system.

Computer Engineering Jobs

Some of the jobs that are available for computer engineering are:

1. Software Engineer
2. Database Developer
3. Computer Security Analyst
4. Hardware System Designer
5. Network Security Specialist
6. Project Management
7. Robotics Specialist
8. Software Security Engineer
9. Technical Writer
10. Web Designer
11. Software Tester
12. Sound Designer
13. IT Technical Support Officer
14. Forensic Computer Analyst
15. Database Administrator
16. Application Analyst
17. System Analyst

Apart from this, students should also be trained in technical writing, oral presentation, and using modern media communication. And also work with a team etc.

Communication Skills

Apart from technical knowledge, engineers need to have good communication skills. It will help you position yourself for leadership roles. And also efficiently using these skills to motivate and accomplish teams and train new workers in new software programs or development processes.

Communication skills in engineering require active listening, clarity, and negotiation, which are vital in the engineering stages. It will also help with problem-solving, help the engaging team in research work and the development of products.