Computer Hardware Engineers
Research, design, develop, or test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
How AI Impacts Each Task
18 tasks analyzed
Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
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.
Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications.
Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data.
Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.
Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications.
Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs.
Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.
Provide training and support to system designers and users.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology. | 35Estimated | 41.0% | 5% | |
| Build, test, and modify product prototypes using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 10% | |
| Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction. | 60.17Observed | 73.3% | 8% | |
| Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system. | 62.75Observed | 40.1% | 8% | |
| Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives. | 60.82Observed | 51.3% | 12% | |
| Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 5% | |
| Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 6% | |
| Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 8% | |
| Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 5% | |
| Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process. | 63.9Observed | 40.6% | 5% | |
| Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements. | 41.77Observed | 65.9% | 4% | |
| Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration. | 64.78Observed | 52.9% | 4% | |
| Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware. | 58.5Observed | 50.4% | 4% | |
| Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications. | 60.12Observed | 51.1% | 4% | |
| Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs. | 10Estimated | 13.0% | 3% | |
| Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 2% | |
| Provide training and support to system designers and users. | 66.67Observed | 41.7% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Persuasion is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Computer Hardware Engineers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Creative Writing Specialization
by Wesleyan University
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Design Patterns in C# and .NET
by Pluralsight
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We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
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Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
Related News
Recent articles about AI affecting this occupation
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South Korean semiconductor workers are seeing unprecedented windfalls as global demand for AI hardware skyrockets. This massive wealth concentration is sparking fears of a deeply divided workforce where only AI-adjacent hardware roles thrive.
Anthropic Backs AI Tool That Lets Non-Engineers Design Hardware
Schematik is bringing natural language programming to physical device design, allowing workers without traditional engineering backgrounds to build hardware. Anthropic is backing the initiative to expand AI's reach.
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Developers are successfully using AI agents to automate complex hardware simulation and verification workflows. This demonstrates that AI coding assistants are moving beyond software into specialized electrical engineering tasks.
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Startups are deploying AI to optimize software and design semiconductors, tasks that traditionally required highly specialized engineers. This automation threatens to commoditize elite hardware roles while opening the field to novices.
Meta Reorganizes Reality Labs, Signaling Potential Workforce Shifts
Meta is restructuring its Reality Labs division to accelerate execution, a move that typically precedes role eliminations or shifting priorities. Employees in the AR/VR space should brace for internal realignments as the company optimizes its hardware and metaverse teams.
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis