Computer Hardware Engineers

<ul><li>Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.</li><li>Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.</li><li>Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.</li><li>Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.</li><li>Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications.</li><li>Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.</li><li>Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.</li><li>Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.</li><li>Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.</li><li>Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.</li><li>Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.</li><li>Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.</li><li>Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.</li><li>Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.</li><li>Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications.</li><li>Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs.</li></ul>