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Computer Hardware Engineers

The short answer

This job is expected to meaningfully change. AI can already assist with or automate many of its tasks. In New York State, the number of these jobs is expected to hold steady over the next decade, with about 142 openings expected each year.

Step 1

Where your job stands

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth for how much AI could touch it. That doesn't mean the job goes away—it means more of its tasks are the kind AI can help with.

How much AI could touch this job

Most exposedband 5 of 5
least exposedmost exposed

Looking at the job itself, AI could help with about a third of this job's tasks.

What this means

Compared with other New York jobs, this one is in the most exposed fifth, out of 656 jobs we could rank. Read more in the methodology.

Step 2

What AI can and can’t help with in this job

The score comes from the real, day-to-day tasks of this job—not a guess about the job as a whole. Below are the tasks that matter most in this job, split by whether AI can help with them.

AI can help with or automate about 89% of the tasks in this job.

Tasks AI can help with or automate

  1. Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  2. Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  3. Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system.

    AI could do much of this on its own

  4. Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation.

    AI could help, but needs extra software

  5. Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction.

    AI could do much of this on its own

Tasks AI can't do much of

  1. Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

  2. Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs.

    AI is unlikely to speed this up

Step 3

Jobs you could switch to

If you're thinking about a change, these are jobs your experience already fits—related work you could move into. Pick your area to see local options.

See related jobs in

The closest matches by the skills they use—each has projected openings in New York State, pays within reach of your job now, and is no more exposed to AI than your job. Each card shows what the move would take.

  • Software Developers

    Similar work
    +2% pay6,726 openings/yrAbout as exposed as your job now

    Pays about 2% more—$170,831 vs your $168,042 here.

    What the move takes

    Usually requires a bachelor's degree.

    Getting ready typically takes two to four years.

    Skills you already have

    • Computers and Electronics
    • Written Comprehension
    • Mathematics
    • Critical Thinking
    • Oral Comprehension

    New skills to build

    • Programming
    • Customer and Personal Service
    • Technology Design