1. Computer Hardware Engineers

2. Description
Research, design, develop, and test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.

3. Tasks
Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.
Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process.
Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, analyzing and recording test data.
Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications.
Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications.
Build, test and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed using computer simulation.
Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware.
Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.
Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.
Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements.
Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.
Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.
Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications.
Provide training and support to system designers and users.
Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs.
Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration.
Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.
Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation.

4. Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

5. Education
Education - Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training - Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Experience - A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

6. Knowledge
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

7. Skills
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

8. Other Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technicians
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Computer Support Specialists
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
Electronic Drafters
Mathematical Technicians
Numerical Tool and Process Control Programmers

9. Nature of Work
Computer hardware engineers research, design, develop, and test computer systems and components such as processors, circuit boards, memory devices, networks, and routers. By creating new directions in computer hardware, these engineers create rapid advances in computer technology.

10. Working Conditions
Computer hardware engineers usually work in research laboratories that build and test various types of computer models. Most work in high-tech manufacturing firms.

11. Job Outlook
Employment of computer hardware engineers is projected to grow 7 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. A limited number of engineers will be needed to meet the demand for new computer hardware because more of the technology innovation takes place with software than with hardware.

12. Earnings
The median annual wage for computer hardware engineers was $100,920 in May 2012.

13. Electrical Engineers

14. Career Description
Design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.

15. Tasks
Confer with engineers, customers, and others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects and products.
Design, implement, maintain, and improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, and systems for commercial, industrial, and domestic purposes.
Operate computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
Direct and coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, and testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and customer requirements.
Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications.
Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational and safety standards.
Plan and implement research methodology and procedures to apply principles of electrical theory to engineering projects.
Prepare specifications for purchase of materials and equipment.
Supervise and train project team members as necessary.
Investigate and test vendors' and competitors' products.
Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time and within budget.
Prepare and study technical drawings, specifications of electrical systems, and topographical maps to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
Investigate customer or public complaints, determine nature and extent of problem, and recommend remedial measures.
Plan layout of electric power generating plants and distribution lines and stations.
Assist in developing capital project programs for new equipment and major repairs.
Develop budgets, estimating labor, material, and construction costs.
Compile data and write reports regarding existing and potential engineering studies and projects.
Collect data relating to commercial and residential development, population, and power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.
Conduct field surveys and study maps, graphs, diagrams, and other data to identify and correct power system problems.

16. Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

17. Education
Education - Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training - Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Experience - A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified

18. Knowledge
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

19. Skills
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

20. Other Aerospace Engineers Electricians
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Engineering Managers
Marine Architects
Mechanical Engineers
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Nuclear Engineers

21. Nature of Work
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPS).

22. Working Conditions
Electrical and electronics engineers work primarily in research and development industries, engineering services firms, manufacturing, and the federal government. Electrical and electronics engineers generally work indoors in offices. However, they may have to visit sites to observe a problem or a piece of complex equipment.

23. Job Outlook
Employment of electrical and electronics engineers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. Job growth is expected because of electrical and electronics engineers’ versatility in developing and applying emerging technologies.

24. Earnings
The median annual wage for electrical engineers was $87,920 in May The median annual wage for electronics engineers was $91,820 in May 2012.

25. Industrial Production Managers

26. Career Description
Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

27. Tasks
Direct and coordinate production, processing, distribution, and marketing activities of industrial organization.
Develop budgets and approve expenditures for supplies, materials, and human resources, ensuring that materials, labor and equipment are used efficiently to meet production targets.
Review processing schedules and production orders to make decisions concerning inventory requirements, staffing requirements, work procedures, and duty assignments, considering budgetary limitations and time constraints.
Review operations and confer with technical or administrative staff to resolve production or processing problems.
Hire, train, evaluate, and discharge staff, and resolve personnel grievances.
Initiate and coordinate inventory and cost control programs.
Prepare and maintain production reports and personnel records.
Negotiate materials prices with suppliers.
Set and monitor product standards, examining samples of raw products or directing testing during processing, to ensure finished products are of prescribed quality.
Develop and implement production tracking and quality control systems, analyzing production, quality control, maintenance, and other operational reports, to detect production problems.
Review plans and confer with research and support staff to develop new products and processes.
Institute employee suggestion or involvement programs.
Coordinate and recommend procedures for facility and equipment maintenance or modification, including the replacement of machines.
Maintain current knowledge of the quality control field, relying on current literature pertaining to materials use, technological advances, and statistical studies.

28. Interests
Enterprising - Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

29. Education
Education - Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training - Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Experience - Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

30. Knowledge
Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Chemistry - Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

31. Skills
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

32. Other Chief Executives Crop and Livestock Managers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Logging Workers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production and Operating Workers
Industrial Engineering Technicians
Purchasing Agents and Buyers, Farm Products
Storage and Distribution Managers

33. Nature of Work
Industrial production managers oversee the daily operations of manufacturing and related plants. They coordinate, plan, and direct the activities used to create a wide range of goods, such as cars, computer equipment, or paper products.

34. Working Conditions
Industrial production managers held about 172,700 jobs in Most industrial production managers work full time and almost half worked more than 40 hours per week in 2012.

35. Job Outlook
Employment of industrial production managers is projected to show little or no change from 2012 to Most of these managers are employed in various manufacturing industries, and will experience growth or decline along with the industries in which they are employed.

36. Earnings
The median annual wage for industrial production managers was $89,190 in May 2012.

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