What Is Computer Engineering? Career Guide + FAQ

Key takeaways

Computer engineering is a branch of computer science and electrical engineering. A few things to know:

• Computer engineering combines several disciplines to design and develop both software and hardware systems.

• The demand for computer engineers is particularly high in industries like aerospace, telecommunications, and health care.

• You can prepare for a computer engineering role by pursuing a degree, earning credentials through certification programs, and gaining experience in roles like computer systems analyst or software engineer.

Learn more about computer engineering and how you can become a computer engineer in the following article. If you're ready to start working toward your next role, consider enrolling in the University of Colorado Boulder's Introduction to Systems Engineering Specialization. In as little as 3 months, you could master key skills like test engineering, systems thinking, and failure analysis.

What is computer engineering?

Computer engineers design the computer systems that power a wide range of everyday devices. These systems, often embedded within products, perform essential functions but remain invisible to the end user. They work with all aspects of computer operating systems, from software to robotics. In this role, you’ll work closely with other engineers and programmers to design computer systems and test their functionality. You’ll remain current with the latest technology and update software and hardware to keep systems running smoothly.

Computer engineering salary

Glassdoor reports $105,000 per year is the median total pay for computer engineers in the US as of October 2025 [1].

Read more: Computer Engineer Salary: Your 2025 Guide

Computer engineering vs. computer science

Although computer science and computer engineering are closely related, they have a few key differences. Both require critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills, and technical expertise. However, computer scientists focus more on theorizing and developing ways to use software to solve real-world problems. They must be able to work with programming languages such as Python and Java.

Computer engineering professionals typically work more closely with hardware and computer systems as a whole. Computer engineering students gain programming skills to assist with software design but generally focus their studies on disciplines like electrical engineering and physics.

Computer engineering roles

If you're interested in the field of computer engineering, there are different specializations to consider. Three common specializations are hardware, software, and network engineering. Here’s a further breakdown of each:

• Hardware engineers: Hardware engineers design and build the physical, technological components of a computer, such as the memory storage or processor. They also perform important testing to see how the different components work together.

• Software engineers: Software engineers rely on computer programming skills and engineering principles to design, create, test, and maintain software systems or applications. Software engineers differ from software developers because engineers contribute throughout the process, from initial design to implementation, whereas developers focus primarily on designing systems and applications.

• Network engineers: Network engineers create and maintain computer network systems and communication systems. This involves designing network hardware and establishing protocols that allow local area networks and wide area networks to transmit data in a secure and efficient manner. 

Related career paths

Computer engineering careers come with numerous job titles and potential specializations. Beyond hardware, software, and network engineering, here are other job titles you may come across or choose to pursue during your career:

• Data engineer

• Test engineer

• Systems engineer

• Machine learning engineer

• Computer systems analyst

• Information security analyst

• Computer forensics analyst

Read more: Top 5 Entry-Level Computer Science Jobs + How to Get One 

How to get into computer engineering

To break into the field of computer engineering, consider pursuing the specialization or focus area that interests you most. You can start researching engineering jobs by browsing job posts. This exercise can help you understand the differences in responsibilities and pay across industries as you plan your next career move.  

A specialization shows prospective employers you have expertise in that field and can give you an advantage against non-specialized computer engineers vying for the same job. Focus areas to consider include computer communications and networking, software, architecture, and cybersecurity. For example, you can specialize in the Internet of Things (IoT)

Gain engineering experience

The more experience you have as a computer engineer, the more employment prospects you’ll likely have. Internships and work-study programs can give you early career experience to list on your resume. You can find employment and internship opportunities for your computer engineering resume via various job boards, including general employment boards like ZipRecruiter and sites specializing in technical jobs like Dice.

Read more: Is Computer Engineering Hard?

Join professional organizations

Professional organizations can provide you with networking opportunities and keep you up to date on current industry events and news. Some organizations include the Association for Information Science and Technology and the Association for Computing Machinery.

Stay current with computer science and engineering trends

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