Description

Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) 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.

Included Job 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.

Job 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.

Related Occupations

Included Cities in this region

Kingston, Belleville, Pembroke, Arnprior, Deep River, Deseronto, Petawawa, Renfrew, Trenton, Frankford

Service Canada Offices

View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.