Entry Level Computer Engineer Job Description, Certification and Salary
Entry level computer engineers work across a wide range of businesses and help to manage their computer hardware. If you want to work as a computer engineer, you will first need to get qualified by taking a computer engineering degree and then you can start looking for entry level positions.
Entry Level Computer Engineer Job Description
An entry level computer engineer undertakes a wide range of different tasks, depending on the company that they are working for. In some cases, your main responsibility will be to monitor and maintain hardware and fix any issues as and when they come up, so the business can continue running smoothly without any tech issues. Entry level computer engineers may also be tasked with implementing new hardware and ensuring that it is compatible with existing systems.
Some entry level computer engineering positions are more software focused. In these positions, you will be tasked with designing, writing and implementing new software for businesses to improve productivity. It will then be your job to manage all of the applications that are used in the business and fix any potential issues. In a lot of cases, entry level computer engineers will assist with both hardware and software engineering tasks.
A good entry level computer engineer needs extensive knowledge of the hardware and software that they will be designing and managing, but there are also a number of related skills that are desirable. Creative thinking and problem solving skills are very important in entry level computer engineering jobs because you are working in an environment that is constantly adapting and changing and you need to come up with fast solutions to problems.
Roles and Responsibilities
The specific roles and responsibilities that an entry level computer engineer undertakes vary depending on the job and the requirements of the business. These are some of the most common responsibilities of any entry level computer engineer.
- Performing routine analysis of hardware and software to identify potential issues and suggest improvements.
- Deal with any technical support issues that employees of the business may have.
- Keep all existing computer equipment up to date.
- Research new computer technology and draw up suggested plans for new hardware and software implementation.
- Oversee and manage the implementation of new hardware and software to ensure that it integrates well with existing systems.
- Manage physical storage systems and deal with any maintenance issues.
- Manage cloud storage systems and ensure that they are safe.
- Keep all business software updated.
Entry Level Computer Engineer Certifications
Finding entry level engineering jobs can be difficult and although you can find plenty of job listings on the field engineer website, getting more certifications will help you to boost your chances of getting hired. There are a number of different certifications available that will give you more expertise in specific areas of computer engineering.
A Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification teaches you about finding vulnerabilities in security systems. Cybersecurity is a big concern for all businesses these days so entry level computer engineers that know how to protect systems are in high demand.
The CompTIA Security+ is another common security certification that is perfectly suited to entry level computer engineers. As well as teaching you how to manage vulnerabilities, it will teach you how to implement new systems with security as a main concern.
So many businesses use Microsoft software so getting a Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification is a great idea for entry level computer engineers. It teaches you all of the basics of infrastructure and hardware management, software and database creation, and security concerns.
Entry Level Computer Engineer Salary
Your salary will vary depending on the company that you work for and the sector that you work in. For example, entry level computer engineers tend to earn more in the finance industry than they would in other industries.
In general, you can expect your salary to be anywhere between $60,000 and $100,000 per annum.
FAQs
What Qualifications Do You Need For Entry Level Computer Engineering Positions?
In order to qualify for an entry level computer engineer position, you will need a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering or computer science. You can also improve your chances of getting hired by taking further qualifications.
What Skills Do Entry Level Computer Engineers Need?
All computer engineers need a range of hardware and software skills. Alongside the technical skills that you need, soft skills like creative thinking and problem solving are important.
How Much Do Entry Level Computer Engineers Get Paid?
Salaries vary depending on the industry and the company, but entry level positions pay somewhere between $60,000 and $100,000.
