Computer Engineer Job Description Template for Recruiters

For recruiters aiming to fill positions with exceptional talent, crafting a precise and compelling job description is crucial. It acts as the first introduction to the role and company, shaping a candidate’s perception and interest. An effective computer engineer job description goes beyond technical jargon; it highlights the core responsibilities, desired skills, and growth opportunities. To simplify your recruitment process and ensure you tap into the brightest minds, we’ve created a comprehensive job description template tailored specifically for computer engineering roles. Discover how to refine your recruitment strategy with this essential guide.

What Is a Computer Engineer?

A computer engineer is a professional who leverages principles from both computer science and electrical engineering to design, develop, and optimize computer systems and components. This field encompasses a wide array of responsibilities, including the creation of hardware components like processors, circuit boards, and memory devices, as well as the development of software systems that ensure these components function harmoniously. Computer engineers work on various types of technology, from microprocessors and personal computers to complex networks and embedded systems. Their expertise allows them to address performance, reliability, and scalability issues, ensuring that computer systems meet the evolving needs of users and industries. With the ever-increasing reliance on technology, computer engineers play a critical role in driving innovation and solving complex computational problems.

Where to Find a Computer Engineer?

• Online job boards & tech platforms: Use platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, StackOverflow Jobs, and specialized engineering/hardware forums. Tag listings with keywords like “embedded systems”, “hardware engineer”, “firmware engineer”, “computer architecture” to capture hybrid profiles.
• University recruiting / campus hiring: Identify institutions with strong Computer Engineering or Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) programmes. Graduates often have the dual skill set of hardware + software.
• Professional networks and associations: Attend or tap into events by associations such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), ACM (Association for Computing Machinery), and hardware/firmware conferences. Candidates may be active in hardware design communities.
• Recruiting agencies and head-hunters specialised in hardware/embedded engineering: Because the combined skill set is rarer than pure software, using niche recruiters can help target passive candidates or those working in hardware firms.
• Online communities, open-source hardware and firmware projects: Candidates may contribute to FPGA/SoC design, open-source hardware, embedded Linux, etc. These give signals of high skill. LinkedIn groups, GitHub/Bitbucket, and hardware hackathon platforms may help source.
• Employee referrals: Engineers often know other engineers with similar systems/hardware backgrounds. Incentivising referrals can increase the quality of hire and reduce time to fill.
• Global/remote hiring: If location is flexible, consider global talent pools in regions with strong hardware/firmware talent. Ensure you account for time zones, language/culture fit, and legal/employment compliance.

Computer Engineer Job Description Template

We are seeking a Computer Engineer to play a vital role in our IT department, designing, testing, and inspecting software and hardware systems. Candidates must have excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Computer Engineer Responsibilities

• Perform periodic assessments of hardware and software systems for the company.
• Respond to all computer-related issues within the company.
• Monitor the company’s cloud storage systems and ensure their security.
• Test company's mainframes and motherboards for validation.
• Keep computer hardware up to date.
• Stay up to date with the latest technologies and merge new technology into existing systems.
• Draw up computer equipment blueprints for presentations with senior management.
• Develop and install software systems.
• Manage Linux license servers.
• Automate repetitive tasks and implement custom solutions using programming languages such as Python.
• Troubleshoot servers.
• Keep up to date on industry trends and technologies to guarantee that the company is using the most up-to-date technology.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s (or Master’s) in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent.
• Experience (X years) designing hardware systems (PCBs, FPGAs, microcontrollers) and embedded software/firmware.
• Proficiency in languages/tools: C/C++, Verilog/VHDL or SystemVerilog, hardware description languages, embedded OS.
• Strong understanding of computer architecture, digital/analog electronics, signal integrity, and power domains.
• Experience with debugging tools: oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, JTAG, etc.

Required Skills:

• Strong knowledge of data analytics, algorithms, and data measuring tools
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

Challenges in Hiring a Computer Engineer

• According to a 2025 survey by Robert Half, 89% of technology leaders admit difficulty finding professionals with the right mix of tech skills.
• The dual nature of a computer engineer (hardware and software) means the talent pool is smaller than for software-only roles.
• Hiring market commentary from 2025 shows that compensation for engineers, especially in AI, product engineering, and hardware/software cross-over roles, is rising sharply.
• Employers must offer competitive packages (salary, equity, perks) to attract senior computer-engineer candidates.
• Entry-level or purely coding roles are impacted by generative AI automation (though hardware/firmware remains more resilient). This may shift candidate expectations and widen the skill gap.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire?

• For software/hardware roles: In the U.S., in 2025, the cost to hire a full-time software developer/hardware role can range from US $105K-US $130K annually (plus benefits) for an in-house full-time.
• The average cost per hire in the U.S. in 2025: approx. US $4,800 per hire.
• Agency recruitment fees often range from 15 to 25% of the first-year salary.
• Additional direct costs: job board postings (US $100-500), HR software license portion (US $300-1,000).
• Global outsourcing/remote rates: hourly rates in Asia/Eastern Europe can be US $20-50/hr for qualified engineers.

Conclusion

Recruiting a computer engineer in 2025 is both rewarding and challenging. A well-crafted Computer Engineer job description will clearly articulate the dual hardware & software nature of the role, require system-level thinking, and set expectations around cross-functional collaboration. You’ll need to tap the right talent channels, highlight your employer value proposition, and move efficiently, given the narrow talent pool and intense competition. Be prepared for higher recruiting costs, longer ramp-up time, and the necessity to stand out in compensation, culture, and growth opportunities. By accounting for the full cost of hire, including salary, recruitment fees, onboarding, and tools, you’ll set realistic budgeting and manage expectations. With clear processes and a compelling offering, you’ll improve your chances of securing the right computer engineer who will make a strong impact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a “Computer Engineer job description” and how does it differ from a Software Engineer or a Hardware Engineer?

A: A Computer Engineer job description combines elements of both software and hardware engineering: it often demands designing hardware (e.g., PCBs, microcontrollers, FPGAs) and writing or integrating the firmware/embedded software. In contrast, a Software Engineer focuses only on software stacks, and a Hardware Engineer might focus purely on hardware/board design or ASICs without firmware.

Q: What educational background should we list in the Computer Engineer job description?

A: Typically a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science (with hardware/firmware emphasis), or equivalent experience. Also important: coursework or proven experience in hardware design, embedded systems, firmware, digital/analog electronics.

Q: Which skills are most important in a Computer Engineer job description?

A: Skills you should highlight include: digital & analog electronics, microcontrollers, FPGA/SoC design, embedded C/C++, hardware description languages (Verilog/VHDL), low-level drivers/firmware, debugging tools (logic analyzer, oscilloscope), system architecture, signal integrity, collaboration with software teams, version control, and ideally scripting (Python) and CI/CD for embedded.

Q: How should the Computer Engineer job description reflect growth or future opportunities?

A: To attract quality candidates, specify opportunities such as: leading hardware/firmware platform design, working on next-generation IoT or AI-edge devices, exposure to emerging technologies (e.g., FPGA, AI accelerator, autonomous systems), mentoring junior engineers, and advancing to lead engineer/systems architect. This signals a long-term career path rather than just day-to-day tasks.