How to Become a Hardware Engineer?
Are you thinking of becoming a Hardware Engineer or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Hardware Engineer, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Hardware Engineer job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.
Steps to Become a Hardware Engineer
If you're considering starting your Hardware Engineer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Hardware Engineer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Hardware Engineer career.Contents
1
Earn a Degree
To begin your Hardware Engineer career path, a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Hardware Engineer internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.2
Choose a Specialty in Your Field
As an Hardware Engineer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Hardware Engineer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Hardware Engineer specialty.3
Get an Entry-Level Position as a Hardware Engineer
Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Hardware Engineer. In general, you can become a Hardware Engineer after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Hardware Engineer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in certified principle engineer.4
Advance in Your Hardware Engineer Career
Following entry-level, there are several Hardware Engineer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Hardware Engineer to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Hardware Engineer position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Hardware Engineer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Hardware Engineer career path.5
Continued Education for Your Hardware Engineer Career Path
Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Hardware Engineer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in Electrical Engineering can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $155,147 compared to $83,000 for those without that type of degree.We don't have enough career path data for Hardware Engineer jobs. Below are job titles that share similar skill sets.
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Hardware Engineer Career Path
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