Computer Hardware Engineers: Building and Testing Computer Components for a Living

Computer and video game hardware engineers design, build, and test computer hardware (such as computer chips and circuit boards) and computer systems used in making the various platforms for video games. They also work with peripheral devices, such as joysticks and game paddles. Computer and video game hardware engineers are typically employed by the manufacturers of the various game platforms/systems.

Most hardware engineers have a degree in computer science or engineering or equivalent computer background. There are approximately 74,000 computer hardware engineers employed in many industries in the United States.

Computer and video game hardware engineers work with the physical components of game platforms. Platforms come in many shapes and sizes: coin-operated arcade games; computers, which also use different operating systems and come in many different technical configurations; video game consoles, such as the Xbox, GameCube, and PlayStation 2; and handheld devices, such as Game Boy.

The physical components of a platform include CPUs (computer processing units), motherboards, chipsets, video cards, cooling units, disk drives, storage devices, network cards, and all the components that connect them, down to wires, nuts, and bolts. Computer and video game hardware engineers also work on peripherals, such as keyboards, monitors or other visual displays, mice, track balls, joysticks, game paddles, and audio systems.

Computer and video game hardware engineers design components and create prototypes of platforms to test. They use program tools, such as computer-aided design (CAD), to help them create new products. CAD programs are often used with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs to produce three-dimensional drawings that can easily be altered or manipulated, and direct the actual production of hardware components. They assemble the parts using fine hand tools, soldering irons, and microscopes. Parts are reworked and developed through multiple testing procedures.

Once a final design is completed, hardware engineers oversee the manufacture and installation of parts. When a working model of a platform is completed, a typical game may be played on it to determine if there are any incompatibility issues that need to be addressed with the hardware.

Hardware engineers in the computer and video game industry typically work for the manufacturers of the various game platforms. They may work as part of a team of specialists who use elements of science, math, and electronics to improve existing technology or implement solutions.

They may also work with additional industry personnel, such as game designers, programmers, and technical support team members to ensure that the platform supports the intended games, and that any incompatibility issues or bugs brought to the attention of technical support are addressed.