Scribd
Upload
1 views

LO Career Guide

Computer hardware engineers design, develop, and test computer systems and components, requiring skills in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. The career involves tasks such as research and development, designing prototypes, system integration, and collaboration with software engineers. A National Senior Certificate is needed for entry, with a course duration of four to seven years and an annual cost of R40,600, reflecting high demand for skilled professionals in the field.

Uploaded by

mshini37yt
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1 views

LO Career Guide

Computer hardware engineers design, develop, and test computer systems and components, requiring skills in analytical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. The career involves tasks such as research and development, designing prototypes, system integration, and collaboration with software engineers. A National Senior Certificate is needed for entry, with a course duration of four to seven years and an annual cost of R40,600, reflecting high demand for skilled professionals in the field.

Uploaded by

mshini37yt
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

1.

A description of what your career involves

-Computer hardware engineers research,design,develop and test


computer systems and components such as circuit
boards,memory devices,networks and routers.

2.What are the interests,abilities and skills expected from


someone in this career?

~Analytical skills.Computer hardware engineers use computer


programming tools to analyze the digital circuits in hardware to
determine the best design

~Critical thinking skills

~Communication skills

~Problem solving skills

3.The different kinds of work that someone in this career does.

~As a computer hardware engineer,you can perform various


tasks related to the design,development and testing of computer
hardware components and systems.Some of the different kinds of
work that you may engage in as a computer hardware engineer
include the following:

 Research and Development:you may be involved in


researching new technologies,materials and manufacturing
processes to improve computer hardware
performance,efficiency and reliability.This could involve
staying up to date with the latest advancements in the field
and exploring innovative solutions.
 Designing and Prototyping: you would be responsible for
designing computer hardware components,such as circuit
boards,processors,memory systems and peripherals.This
involves creating detailed specs,schematics and blueprints
using computer-aided design(CAD) tools.you may also be
involved in prototyping and testing these designs.
 Component Selection: selecting appropriate components for
computer systems is crucial.You would elevate different
options for processors,memory,modules,storage devices and
other hardware components based on
performance,compatibility,cost and power consumption.This
requires a good understanding of the available technologies
and industry trends.
 System integration:As a hardware engineer,you need to
ensure that all the hardware components work together
seamlessly.This involves integrating various
subsystems,connecting different components and ensuring
compatibility&proper communication between them.You
may also be responsible for system-level testing and
debugging.
 Testing and Validation:You would conduct rigorous testing
and validation of computer hardware components and
systems to ensure they meet the required specifications and
performance standards.This includes designing and
implementing test plans,executing test cases,analyzing test
results and identifying&resolving any issues or defects.

 Collaboration with Software Engineers: Computer hardware


engineers often collaborate closely with software engineers
to ensure seamless integration between hardware and
software components.This involves working together to
optimize performance,troubleshoot compatibility issues and
develop efficient algorithms that leverage the hardware
capabilities.
 Manufacturing and Production Support: you may be involved
in working with manufacturing teams to ensure that
computer hardware is produced according to design
specifications and quality standards.This may include
providing technical support,addressing manufacturing
challenges and optimizing production processes.
 Documentation and Reporting:Computer hardware engineers
are responsible for creating and maintaining documentation
related to hardware design,specifications,testing procedures
and troubleshooting guidelines.Clear and concise
documentation is essential for effective communication and
future reference.

4.Which NQF level is required to study for your career?

~NQF Level 8

5.Does your career require an NCV course at an FET College or


NSC to study at the University?

~NSC

6.Mention the nearest institution where you can study for your
career.

~Be Competent Training institute(pty)ltd college

7.What is the duration of the course leading to your career?

~Four to Seven years

8.What are the entry requirements of the course leading to your


career?

 A National Senior Certificate(NSC) with admission for degree


purposes.
 A minimum of Admission Point Score(APS) of 30 in the final
Grade 12 examinations.
 Compliance with the NSC minimum requirements.
 At least level 6 (70-79%) in mathematics.
 English at level 4(50-59%)
9.What are current costs of the course leading to your career?

~The cost of Bachelor of Computer Engineering courses in South


Africa is R40,600 per annum.

10.What are the current employment opportunities in this career


field

 Computer Hardware Engineer


 Software Developer
 Data Scientist
 Web Developer
 Database Administrator
 Data Analyst
 Systems Analyst
 Video game developer
 Game Designer
 Computer forensics
 Computer repair technician
 Network Engineer

11.Is that course high in demand?

~High Demand for Skilled Professionals,Computer science


graduates can work as software developers,engineers,or
architects in software development.They can also specialize in
mobile app development,game development or web
development.

You might also like