According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology. | 86% |
| Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives. | 83% |
| Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system. | 82% |
| Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation. | 81% |
| Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction. | 80% |
| Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data. | 78% |
| Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed. | 74% |
| Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process. | 74% |
| Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements. | 73% |
| Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements. | 73% |
| Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware. | 72% |
| Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration. | 71% |
| Provide training and support to system designers and users. | 70% |
| Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications. | 67% |
| Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications. | 65% |
| Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs. | 57% |
| Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications. | 56% |
| Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation. | 53% |
