Learn How to Become a Computer Engineer
Updated July 25, 2024
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The computer engineering field merges electrical engineering with computer science. Computer engineers work in software, hardware, and niche areas like robotics. The versatility of computer engineering allows these professionals to pursue work in various fields, including web development and networking.
Getting started in hardware or software engineering requires at least a bachelor's in computer science or computer engineering. Computer engineers design and test computer systems and hardware. They create and write code for circuits and other computer components.
Learn more about computer engineering jobs using this career resource. We explore experience, education, and certification requirements relevant to these roles.
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How Hard Is Computer Engineering?
Computer engineering can be challenging because it requires mastery of mathematical, scientific, and technology-related skills like programming languages.
Computer engineers focus on software or hardware. Hardware engineers complete tasks like designing application-specific integrated circuits through hardware-descriptive language. Software engineers have duties like developing code that interacts with hardware. These professionals must understand how hardware and software components interact together and how to make improvements to these systems.
Top-employing industries for computer engineers include the federal government, research laboratories, and semiconductor and electronic component manufacturers. In these settings, computer engineers collaborate with computer systems analysts, designers, and security professionals.
What Education Do Computer Engineers Need?
Most entry-level computer engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering. Some employers may hire professionals who completed bootcamps, hold other degrees, or have relevant experience.
Bachelor's degrees usually take four years of full-time study. In addition to generalized curricula, some computer science and computer engineering programs offer concentration tracks in subfields like mobile cloud computing, network security, and robotics. These specializations can help qualify graduates for niche careers.
Employers may prefer workers with a master's degree for senior positions. These graduate programs usually take 1-2 years of full-time study.
How Much Experience Do Computer Engineers Need?
Entry-level computer engineering roles usually do not require previous experience, but a strong college portfolio and gaining internship experience can make applicants more competitive during the job search.
Typically, employers expect computer engineers to possess programming expertise, as well as knowledge of computer hardware, software, and advanced math concepts. Additionally, computer engineers should be proficient in algorithms, data structures, and architecture. These professionals also need strong communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
Which Certifications Do Computer Engineers Need?
Continuing your education by earning certifications keeps your professional knowledge current. Though most computer engineering jobs don't require these credentials, earning computer engineering and computer science certifications can make you stand out in the job market and qualify for higher wages. Computer engineering certifications, especially for recent college graduates or those with career gaps, can also boost credibility.
Typically, these credentials require you to pass an exam, pay fees, and periodically renew your certification through continuing education. Some certifications require applicants to hold specific degrees or several years of work experience. Professional organizations such as CompTIA and the IEEE Computer Society offer online computer engineering certification such as:
CompTIA Network+: If you want to pursue a career as a network engineer, the CompTIA Network+ certification can help you stand out. This credential verifies your ability to secure and troubleshoot networks. Applicants must pass a multiple-choice and performance-based exam.
CompTIA Cloud+: This certification verifies cloud operations expertise. Domains include cloud architecture, DevOps fundamentals and security measures for cloud networks. Applicants must pass a multiple-choice and performance-based exam.
Professional Software Engineering Master Certification: To apply for this certification from IEEE, you need four years of work experience and four years of college-level education. This credential verifies software engineering knowledge in 11 areas, including testing, maintenance, and configuration management.
CompTIA Security+: Computer engineers must understand how to safeguard systems and networks from threats and security vulnerabilities. This certification verifies your ability to secure infrastructures and data. Applicants must pass a multiple-choice and performance-based exam.
How Do You Become a Computer Engineer?
The traditional path to become a computer engineer starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science or computer engineering. Some employers may prefer applicants who earned degrees with programmatic accreditation from agencies like ABET.
Bachelor's degrees usually take four years of full-time study. Completing an undergraduate program can help workers qualify for entry-level jobs in computer engineering. An alternative to a bachelor's degree is completing a computer engineering bootcamp, which builds fundamental skills in a condensed time frame.
We explore career paths in more depth below.
Steps to Becoming a Computer Engineer
Bachelor's Degree Path
- Earn a Bachelor's Degree: Aspiring computer engineers can pursue a bachelor's in computer engineering degree or a related field. These programs emphasize skills like coding and programming languages. Specializations give enrollees comprehensive training in niche subfields.
- Pursue an Internship: Computer engineering majors often pursue internships in their third and fourth years of college. Internships offer hands-on work experience and can help students connect to employers after graduation. Some schools offer academic credit for internships.
- Complete Capstone: Graduating students work in groups or on their own to complete a computer engineering final project. The project progresses under the guidance of a mentor. Capstones can be a valuable addition to a student's portfolio.
- Earn Professional Certification: Professional certifications help computer engineers stand out to recruiters and help workers advance professionally.
Master's Degree Path
- Get a Master's Degree: Computer engineers can pursue a master's degree to help them qualify for upper-level roles. Master's programs offer advanced training in a variety of computer science areas, including cybersecurity, data science, engineering, and robotics.
- Complete a Thesis or Capstone: Some master's programs require enrollees to complete a thesis, which requires original research. Other degrees require a capstone project where learners synthesize their skills and knowledge to demonstrate their expertise.
- Pursue a Senior Position: Computer engineers with master's degrees can qualify for promotions or use their specialized training to change jobs.
- Get Credentialed: Taking tests like the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying's fundamentals of engineering exam or principles and practice of engineering exam confirms your competency in the field.
Bootcamp Path
- Complete a Bootcamp: Intensive computer engineering bootcamps are faster and cheaper than a college degree. These practical training opportunities can also help place students in junior computer engineering positions.
- Secure an Entry-Level Position: Without a college degree, it can be difficult to start your computer engineering degree, but bootcamps often include career development modules to help learners build portfolios and succeed in interviews.
- Pursue Certifications
Should You Become a Computer Engineer?
Demand for computer engineers remains consistent as the world becomes more reliant on technology, including medical devices, household appliances, and cars. From 2022 to 2032, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 5% increase in hardware engineering jobs and a 25% increase in software development jobs.
Computer engineering jobs offer higher-than-average wages: The BLS reports that hardware engineers made a median annual wage of $138,080 in 2023, while software developers made a median salary of $130,160.
Computer engineers can apply their knowledge to roles focusing on software, hardware, or both. For example, these professionals can work as electrical test engineers or software engineers that build firmware embedded into hardware devices. However, without internship experience, aspiring computer engineers may need to start their careers in software design.
Is Getting a Job in Computer Engineering Hard?
Some students land jobs through internship connections. Other graduates secure careers through job fairs at their college. Joining professional organizations, such as the IEEE Computer Society, can offer additional networking opportunities. Professional job boards also support aspiring computer engineers with free listings. We explore several career resources below.
Indeed: Indeed.com allows job seekers to filter available positions by career type, location, pay, experience, and educational requirements.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn job postings use your current profile information to find open positions that match your skill set. Many jobs on LinkedIn feature "easy apply" options that allow users to upload a resume and apply with one click.
National Society of Professional Engineers: Jobseekers can use the National Society of Professional Engineers' site to post their resume and reach out to employers.
Engineering Central: The Engineering Central job portal features careers across the engineering spectrum. The website also features career articles to help jobseekers.
Resources for Future Computer Engineers
What Is a Computer Engineer?
This resource explores a computer engineer's job description, typical duties, and work environments.
Salary and Career Outlook for Computer Engineers
The job outlook for technology professionals is positive. On this page, you can explore computer engineering career trends and earning potential.
Computer Engineering Degrees
Finding an accredited computer engineering program marks the first step in your career journey. Explore your options here.
More Questions About Becoming a Computer Engineer
How hard is computer engineering?
Computer engineering straddles multiple disciplines, which can make it challenging to master. The difficulty level may depend on your aptitude and interests. For instance, if you are interested in coding, circuits, and transistors, you may thrive in this field.
Do I need to learn coding to be a computer engineer?
Computer engineers use coding in their work, though not as much as other professionals in computer science. Nonetheless, coding is a fundamental skill for computer engineers. In college, students typically learn languages like C, C++, and MATLAB.
How long does it take to become a computer engineer?
An entry-level career in computer engineering typically requires completing a bachelor's degree, which takes four years of full-time study. Depending on your background and portfolio, it may also take you several years to accrue relevant experience in other jobs before pursuing a computer engineering role.
Can I become a computer engineer without going to college?
Most computer engineers hold a degree, reducing the likelihood of landing a position without going to college. However, enrolling in a software engineering bootcamp and building a strong portfolio can boost your job prospects.
Page last reviewed July 15, 2024.
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