Computer Engineer job description.
A Computer Engineer designs, develops, and tests hardware and software systems, bridging electrical engineering and computer science. They work on tasks ranging from circuit and chip design to embedded systems and firmware, ensuring systems meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
The Computer Engineer job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Computer Engineer Reports to: Engineering Manager or Director of Engineering
A Computer Engineer designs, develops, and tests hardware and software systems, bridging electrical engineering and computer science. They work on tasks ranging from circuit and chip design to embedded systems and firmware, ensuring systems meet performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
- Design and develop computer hardware components and embedded systems
- Write and test firmware and low-level software for devices
- Collaborate with software and electrical engineering teams on system integration
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
6 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Engineering Manager or Director of Engineering
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Design and develop computer hardware components and embedded systems
- Write and test firmware and low-level software for devices
- Collaborate with software and electrical engineering teams on system integration
- Troubleshoot and resolve hardware and firmware issues
- Create and maintain technical documentation and design specifications
- Conduct testing to validate system performance and reliability
- Research emerging technologies to inform product development
- Support product lifecycle from prototyping through production
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical engineering, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in hardware or embedded systems design
- Proficiency in C/C++ or other relevant programming languages
- Understanding of digital logic and circuit design principles
- Master's degree in computer or electrical engineering
- Experience with FPGA or ASIC design
- Familiarity with RTOS and embedded Linux
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Computer Engineer job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Computer Engineer job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The mid band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Engineering Manager or Director of Engineering) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- How does Computer Engineering differ from Software Engineering?
- Computer Engineers typically work across both hardware and software, including circuit design and embedded systems, while Software Engineers focus primarily on application and systems software.
- What programming languages are most relevant for this role?
- C and C++ are most common for hardware-level and embedded work, though Python and other languages are used for tooling and testing.
Other documents in this neighbourhood.
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer designs, builds, and maintains software systems.
Electrical Engineer
An Electrical Engineer designs, develops, and tests electrical systems and components for products, equipment, or infrastructure.
Network Engineer
A network engineer designs, implements, and maintains an organization's data communication networks, including LANs, WANs, and cloud connectivity.
This Computer Engineer job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.