Computer Hardware Engineers
Machines can already do 39% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 71%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Computer Hardware Engineers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 39% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 15% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2030, and 71% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 76,660 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $161,740 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 61% for contact with people.
- Also called: Design Engineer, Engineer, Field Service Engineer, Hardware Design Engineer.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives | 20% | 50% to 85% | |
| Build, test, and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed with computer simulation | 13% | 20% to 60% | |
| Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system | 11% | 30% to 60% | |
| Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, by recording and analyzing test data | 11% | 20% to 60% | |
| Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction | 8% | 77% to 97% | |
| Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process | 6% | 35% to 65% | |
| Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology | 5% | 45% to 80% | |
| Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed | 4% | 10% to 30% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills computer hardware engineers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Electrical Engineers64% of tasks by 2035 · US median $120,630
- Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $130,220
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $78,190
- Hydrologic Technicians69% of tasks by 2035 · US median $64,790
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Computer Hardware Engineers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2030. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of computer hardware engineers?
Machines can do 39% of the tasks of computer hardware engineers today and 71% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 17-2061.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Computer Hardware Engineers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/computer-hardware-engineers/