In your household alone, you probably have at least one computer, two or three smartphones, and possibly a telephone and a printer, right?

If you don't know what a computer engineer does, believe me: all of these components are part of this professional's work environment., responsible for hardware development.

But that's not all: the computer engineer also can develop software, games and applications, projects related to Artificial intelligence, among other performances.

To learn more about this vast field of work and to see what the market is like for this professional, keep reading.

What does a computer engineer do?

As the name itself indicates, The engineer works in the field of computing, which is very fertile ground these days.. Although the focus of the training is on hardware — the physical part of the equipment — the demands of this profession interface with software, that is, systems, programs, and networks.

But what exactly does a computer engineer do in their day-to-day work? Everything. It depends on the professional's field of work, the position held, and their specializations. throughout the training.

However, in general, the following are functions commonly performed in this career:

• To design and build peripheral equipment, such as keyboards, monitors, sound cards, and printers;
• Develop and improve computer programs;
• create mobile applications and systems;
• To develop and execute network projects;
• Participate in projects for the installation of telephone systems;
• to create data processing and handling systems;
• Automating machines with computerized systems based on Artificial Intelligence;
• Coordinate the implementation of robotics projects, and much more.

Finally, the professional trained in computer engineering faculty has in-depth knowledge of how computerized systems work.. This knowledge allows for a wide range of professional applications.

What is the profile of a computer engineer?

Do you enjoy everything related to technology and innovation, such as programs, code, and applications? Then you probably fit the profile of a computer engineer.

The area sparks the interest of many young people, it is in constant expansion e provides good job opportunities for professionals in the sector. 

Therefore, it is important to know the skills that this engineer should develop to succeed in the field.

Below, you can find the profile of a computer engineer.

Enjoy working with numbers

A Faculty of Computer Engineering It is part of the Exact Sciences.. Thus, graduation involves subjects such as Physics, Mathematical Calculus and Statistics in the curriculum. To do well in the subjects, it's essential to enjoy numbers.

Having good logical reasoning skills

Logical reasoning is a very important characteristic for people who work as computer engineers. This is because Professionals work directly with complex systems. and which require problem-solving skills.

In many cases, the work consists of Analyze data and search for the best options within the defined timeframe.. Therefore, solutions need to be precise and streamline processes, meeting the demands of both customers and businesses.

During the degree in computer engineering, It is possible to develop this skill, because Several disciplines stimulate logical reasoning.. Thus, they increase the ability to think coherently, quickly, and calmly.

Keeping up-to-date with technology

The computer engineer should also like to always stay up-to-date. Ultimately, technology is constantly changing, in terms of languages, platforms, programs, and the market in general.

To maintain your employability and provide the best service to your clients, It is essential to use cutting-edge technology to present the best solutions.. This way, you can ensure the security of the processes.

What is the job market like for this profession?

The job market for computer engineers continues to be... accelerated growth, driven by technological innovations and digital transformation in virtually all sectors of the economy.

This is a promising career, with high demand for qualified professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, automation, and systems development.

To give you an idea, up-to-date industry data shows:

• According to a survey by Firjan (2025), Computer Engineering leads the ranking of careers with the highest starting salaries in Brazil, with an average of R$13,794.
• A recent study of Robert Half (2024) indicates that technology professionals, especially computer engineers, are among the most valued in the market, with salaries ranging from R$12 thousand to R$24 thousand, depending on specialization.
• Reports from Glassdoor They indicate that the average remuneration can exceed R$18 thousand, with high employability in national and multinational companies.

Growing Demand for Computer Engineers

In addition to competitive salaries, Computer engineers are among the most sought-after professionals. in strategic areas such as:

• Mobile development and embedded systems;
• Data engineering and artificial intelligence;
• Cloud computing and IT infrastructure;
• Industrial automation and Industry 4.0;
• Information security and systems analysis.

There is also a large presence of this professional in sectors such as:

• Telecommunications companies;
• Automotive and embedded technology industry;
• Fintechs, digital banks, and other financial sectors;
• High-tech companies and startups;
• Providers of specialized IT services.

In summary, A career in Computer Engineering remains one of the most promising in the country., both for the breadth of areas of operation and for the potential for growth and appreciation in the market.

Read also: What is the difference between Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and IT?

What are the main areas of computing?

Below is a brief description of what a computer engineer does in each of their main roles.

Check out the main ones below. areas of computing!

Mobile development

One of the areas that absorbs the most graduates is that of app creation, especially because Companies have been investing heavily in apps as business tools.. Furthermore, mobile device systems are constantly being updated, which makes the mobile developer to have ongoing demands.

Game developer

With the programming knowledge that a computer engineer has, he also can act as game developer, both in companies and on a self-employed basis. In this area, This professional designs and creates games for consoles and computers..

Hardware manufacturing

The most traditional approach, which is design and build computer equipment and peripherals, It doesn't lose its relevance. Especially because the market updates itself at an accelerated pace — just look at smartphones, which get new versions every year, making the previous ones obsolete.

To that end, the engineer knows not only how to design these components, but also, How to connect them to the data processing units.

Technical support

As the creation of new equipment increases, The number of requests related to technical support is also growing., ...another classic role of a computer engineer. After all, nobody is better suited than a hardware design specialist for... to provide maintenance and technical consulting services.

Industrial automation and robotics

In industry, the role of the computer engineer is gaining importance with advancements related to autonomous machines and collaborative robots. In this case, it is the engineer, in partnership with other areas, who... designs equipment compatible with automation systems and suitable for hardware-software integration..

Data science

The computer engineer You can specialize in Data Science., one of the most promising markets today. With the Big Data boom in recent years, Companies are looking for professionals capable of coordinating and implementing analytical techniques. and massive data processing for decision-making.

Entrepreneurship

The computer engineer also can start a business in the field of information technology. For example, start your own business to sell high-tech equipment, software and applications, or else, to To provide specialized consulting or technical support services.

What are the main tools that aid in Computer Engineering?

In a course such as Computer Engineering, In a world where technology is present at all times, there are... various tools that help both undergraduates and professionals in their projects.. The main ones include:

• Astah Professional: This tool performs UML modeling combined with mind mapping, DFD, ERD, CRUD, flowcharts, requirements diagrams, and more. It allows the creation of any illustration, chart, or diagram;
• MySQL Workbench: It is a visual database design tool. It integrates maintenance, creation, database design, administration, and SQL development into a single integrated development location for the MySQL database system.;
• StarUML: this tool can modeling various types of diagrams. One example is the use of flowcharts so that students can visualize all the processes that occur in a sequence of tasks;
• Bizagi: it is a Software that offers tools for designing business processes using the BPMN standard.. It allows you to learn about best practices and common mistakes in process modeling.

How to become a computer engineer?

To begin working as a computer engineer, there are two prerequisites:

• to have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering;
• to be registered with the Regional Council of Engineering, Architecture and Agronomy (Crea), which is only possible after completing the training.

O computer engineering course It lasts five years. To cover such a wide range of roles, the resume is quite comprehensive, including subjects of Mathematics, Programming, Web Design and Management. Here are some of the components of the curriculum:

• Computer architecture and organization;
• computational logic;
• data structure;
• programming languages;
• computer security;
• electrical and electronic circuits;
• computer graphics;
• Artificial intelligence;
• video games;
• telecommunications;
• entrepreneurship;
• People management;
• IT services.

To complement the training, Many colleges also require an internship. Essentially, the student gains experience working in a company, putting the concepts studied into practice and enriching their resume for definitive entry into the job market.

Now that you know what a computer engineer does and what the main demands are for this professional, you can see that it's a promising career, right? Therefore, if you identify with the course, It's worth deepening your curiosity and seeking out a good one. degree in computer engineering, since this is the gateway to the professional market.

O ESEG Entrance Exam This is the ideal opportunity for anyone who wants to start a successful career in technology. 

With the ENEM 2025 score, You can secure your place in ESEG's undergraduate courses quickly and easily. Start your journey now at an institution of excellence.

Visit our website and also get to know the extension courses that ESEG offers to boost your professional career.