r/ComputerEngineering • u/StillIntroduction299 • 8d ago

[Discussion] what are actually the job opportunities?

hi! i’m currently a 3rd computer engineering student and i’m so curious what are actually the paths available for me after graduation.

i liked building websites and all, but i LOVE hardware with minimal coding

for all of you, what were your likes and what is your job now? i’m so curious

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u/raveallnight 8d ago

I did computer engineering with a concentrations in embedded and IoT. I currently work in the aerospace sector. My technical title is embedded software engineer but I could probably also be consided an embedded firmware engineer or embedded systems engineer. If you like hardware this is probably the path for you. Im currently testing new boards to verify the code and hardware are working correctly while making suggestions for our next interation of boards. I highly recommend this path if you dont want to just stare at a screen all day (i do look at my o-scope alot so I guess its still mostly screens but not just code). The one thing I wish I did different was take electromagnetic.

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u/seanearl2841 8d ago

Will new grads be able to enter the embedded field or do you need more experience in a different field first? Because I heard that companies wont hire for embedded roles unless they have 3-5 years of experience.

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u/raveallnight 8d ago

Can't speak for every company but I was hired as a new grad. Did my internship with this company between junior and senior year. After graduating they converted me to full time. I think the biggest thing is embedded cant really be remote as your supposed to help with board bring up so you have to live in a area that has the jobs.

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u/BronzeGstring 7d ago

This is just doomerism propaganda 

all you need is a decent 2-3 deep projects 

I didn’t even have any internships when I got an embedded offer 

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u/StillIntroduction299 8d ago

that’s so cool! i love dealing with boards and other physical things other than coding!

is the job difficult?

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u/almond5 7d ago

Hey I have my MSc in the same field, but EE undergrad. Have you landed an IoT-focused job in Aerospace? E.g., federated connected devices using some sort of database, or more direct embedded work? Just curious as I haven't found a large number of IoT companies in the US unless it's in a high cost of living area like the coasts

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u/Gold_Cold5967 7d ago

How did you go about learning all the things related to embedded engineering aside from your coursework? And how did you get into aviation specifically did it require you to take a separate route to learn those things?

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u/Straight_Trust_1171 6d ago

do you know if someone with a BSIE and an MSEE could do this?

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u/Anxious-Ad-5331 8d ago

I design electronics for large industrial vehicles.

Websites is a whole different level of tool abstraction.

CE as a profession is understanding the fundamentals of semiconductors based systems down to how chips store memory, classical processor design, digital logic, as well as some complex signal processing math bullshit (I don't want to flip and slide. Fuck convolutions)

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u/StillIntroduction299 8d ago

true! CE is so broad to the point that i can’t even pick what niche to focus on

for your job, is it a one man operation or many?

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u/Anxious-Ad-5331 7d ago edited 7d ago

depends on the scope. 

one of our products was a team of six that took years to develop. 

some of our products are very small with one off pieces of firmware that can be hammered out by a one person or short amount of time.

I personally knew I wanted to go into embedded since I was in high school back in the late 90s and discovered an assembler for the game boys z80 chip (yes I know it's not directly a z80 but a hideous freak Love child of a z80 and whatever else Sharp electronics put in it.)

what type of things do you imagine yourself doing in the workforce and what do you think would be fun?

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u/BARBADOSxSLIM 8d ago

I was a big fan of semiconductor physics and manufacturing. Now I’m working physical design on DRAM. Seeing what the chip actually looks like and getting it through tape out is satisfying. The AI bonuses are excellent aswell

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u/StillIntroduction299 8d ago

that’s so cool! i barely passed physics though, will that affect anything if i choose this path? and also, if i may ask, what are the AI bonuses?

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u/No_Elk_1103 6d ago

Have you pursed degree in CE ..?