Salvador
What does it take to become a Hardware Engineer at Intel?
I want to know what it takes to become a Computer Engineer at Intel because I really
like tinkering with computers and I have always loved building things so why not design
them?
#computer-science #computer-software #computer-hardware
3 answers
Phil Drain
Phil’s Answer
Hello Salvador! You didn't tell us what school grade and skill level you're at? Also, you mention Hardware engineer in your question title but say "Computer Engineer" in the body of your question, which is a little confusing since there are many, many aspects to "Computer Engineering", one of which is "Hardware". For now, I'll assume that you're at a lower grade level and did, in fact, mean Hardware engineering.
First, there is no discipline in "Computer Engineering", including Hardware, that doesn't require programming of some type so start with programming. If you haven't programmed a computer before, start by using a common spreadsheet app - successfully creating a spreadsheet uses all the same fundamental principals as actual programming with far less frustrations than learning a programming language. Once you're able to create a few spreadsheets, learn the "C" programming language. This will give you a good foundation for more advanced programming languages and for the common hardware description languages such as Verilog - if you want to go into Hardware, you'll almost certainly be using a hardware description language at some point. There are many free "C" development environments out there for programming a Windows computer.
Next, to be a hardware engineer you'll need to know digital electronics, and quite possibly analog electronics, so get some basic electronics training - circuits (voltage, current, resistors, capacitors, inductors), semiconductors (transistors & diodes), integrated circuits (for digital - logic gates, registers, flop-flops, etc., and for analog - Op-amps).
Then, generally, you'll need to have good reading, writing and math skills, and learning some physics would be helpful.
Feel free to post more questions.
Good Luck!
Akihiko Takahashi
Akihiko’s Answer
"computing" is a quite broad subject and never consists of single area of engineering. Assuming you are interested in hardware part of computing, specifically microprocessors which is one of essential factor of computing. If you want to deal with microprocessor on your job, then can you specify what area of engineering job you want to step-in? My simple suggestion is that learning echo-system of computing engineering, not limited just for hardware though, to obtain your options with the best interest. Don't think it as difficult. There are various engineering functions from development to market sustaining in profit company, simply try to understand what is mission and objectives of a computing company, and what kind of engineering roles play there. Then you may be able to have better thought what area you really want to pursue.
Finally, it is true that fundamental engineering background must be required at any job function in engineering company.
Hope this helps, and wish you a good luck.
Daniel Moy
Daniel’s Answer
If you're talking about designing the CPU stuff, you're looking at a PhD focusing in computer architecture (degree itself may be computer engineering or electrical engineering). This is what I too wanted to do, but I bailed cus it was too hard. If you're talking about another part of the computer, I don't know for sure... Good luck!