Hiring Computer Hardware Engineers

What do computer hardware engineers do?

• Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
• Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
• Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
• Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.
• Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
• Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.

Core tasks, O*NET OnLine, 17-2061.00.

What does it take to become one?

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

O*NET Job Zone 4, SVP (7.0 to < 8.0). O*NET OnLine.

Employers commonly list experience with C, C++, Hardware description language HDL, Linux, Magellan Firmware, PCI Express PCIe for this role.

What do computer hardware engineers get paid?

BLS OEWS, May 2025 publishes a wage for computer hardware engineers in 59 of the metro areas in this build. The median ranges from $82,200 to $209,860 a year depending on the metro, with a midpoint of $131,570. This is what employers pay, place of work, not a single national figure and not what any one person takes home.

BLS OEWS, BLS OEWS, May 2025, SOC 17-2061.

What does hiring one cost?

The same as any role: tier, not location or salary, sets the fee. Across all six tiers the published range is $6,240 to $54,340 per search. For scale, the highest published median for computer hardware engineers in this build is $209,860. A contingency firm hiring at that level would bill roughly $41,972 to $62,958 on the first year salary alone, 20 to 30%.

Frequently asked

How fast can a computer hardware engineers search fill?

23 to 35 days, 2 to 3x faster than a typical contingency search, per the recruiting provider's published figures.

What if the hire does not work out?

A 45-day replacement guarantee, at 50% off a repeat search for the same role.