Computer Engineers
Job description
These individuals design computers and computer networks for information and communication. They work on local, wide area, and fibre-optic networks. They also work on intranets, the Internet, and wireless communication. They work for:
- Computer and telecommunications equipment manufacturers
- Engineering, manufacturing, and telecommunications companies
- Computer consulting firms
- Government agencies
- Educational and research institutions
- Computer services of private and public companies
Environment
- Controlled ambient temperature
Main tasks
Computer and Telecommunications Equipment Engineers
- Analyze user needs.
- Develop an architecture of communication systems and networks.
- Design and experiment with computer and telecommunications equipment.
- Lead, coordinate, and support teams during the manufacture and development of hardware and the integration of systems architecture, hardware, and software.
- Write detailed specifications that document the material development process.
- Maintain relationships with suppliers and customers.
Network Systems and Data Communication Engineers
- Integrate networks with data communication hardware and software.
- Write detailed specifications that document the hardware development process.
- Lead, coordinate, and support teams during the manufacturing and development of hardware and the integration of systems architecture, hardware, and software.
- Evaluate and optimize network capacity and performance.
Advancement and mobility
- These individuals may specialize in various fields (integrated circuits, optical fibres, lasers, etc.).
- Experience leads to senior or supervisory positions.
- These individuals may work in related fields (science, engineering, sales, marketing, management, etc.).
Hourly wage
The hourly wage is calculated by averaging wages from 2022 to 2024.- Minimum
- $32.32
- Median
- $51.92
- Maximum
- $74.00
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects for 2024-2028
Job prospects
All of Québec
All of Québec
Total jobs for 2023
All of Québec
All of Québec
Gender distribution
All of Québec
- 11.9% Female
- 88.1% Male
- 11.9% Female
- 88.1% Male
Job types
All of Québec
- Full time
- Part time
- Full time
- Part time
Yearly wage on 2020
All of Québec
All of Québec
Other characteristics
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
All of Québec
- Non traditional for women
- None
Sectors of activity
All of Québec
-
NAICS 541525% of jobs
-
NAICS 5117% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54178% of jobs
-
NAICS 918% of jobs
-
NAICS 5413, 54146% of jobs
-
Others36% of jobs
All of Québec
-
NAICS 541525% of jobs
-
NAICS 5117% of jobs
-
NAICS 5416, 54178% of jobs
-
NAICS 918% of jobs
-
NAICS 5413, 54146% of jobs
-
Others36% of jobs
Training and requirements
Formation
Most training programs are offered in French only.
University
Computer science
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 88.4%
7.2% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 82.3%
13.5% of graduates pursue further studies
- École de technologie supérieure
- École polytechnique de Montréal
- Bishop's University
- Concordia University
- Université de Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- TÉLUQ
Electrical, electronic or communications engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 81.4%
14.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 72.3%
18.5% of graduates pursue further studies
- École de technologie supérieure
- École polytechnique de Montréal
- Concordia University
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Université Laval
- McGill University
- Institut national de recherche scientifique
Project engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 75%
25% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 79.2%
11.1% of graduates pursue further studies
Software, computer or computer construction engineering
Bachelor’s degree
Placement rate: 82.1%
16.3% of graduates pursue further studies
Master’s degree
Placement rate: 83.9%
12.9% of graduates pursue further studies
Also required
- Membership in the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (OIQ [Quebec Order of Engineers]) to practise as an Engineer and carry out activities that are reserved for them.
Sometimes required
- Programming experience is an asset.
Main skills and characteristics
Skills
- Data collection
- Information processing
- Reading comprehension
- Critical thought
- Active listening
- Oral expression
- Active learning
- Written expression
- Solving complex problems
- Judgment and decision-making
- Science
- System analysis
- Operation analysis
- Result evaluation
- Systems evaluation
- Coordination
- Time management
Abilities
- Awareness of issues
- Written comprehension
- Oral comprehension
- Deductive reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Verbal skills
- Information organization
- Near vision
- Written expression
- Speech clarity
- Speech recognition
- Classification
- Originality
- Idea generation
- Selective attention
- Mathematical reasoning
- Processing flexibility
- Visualization
Knowledge and attributes
- Focussed on results
- Capacity to adapt
- Spoken and written bilingualism (French and English)
- Capacity to work in a team
- Rigour
- Sense of initiative
- Knowledge of computer science, digital and electronics
- Creativity
- Capacity for synthesis
- Knowledge of engineering and technology
Interests
- Direct, organize, and manage
- Draft, communicate, and inform
- Work with numbers
- Create, design
- Work in computer science or information and communication technologies (ICT)
- Carry out research
- Conduct tests and trials, control processes
Personality profiles (RIASEC)
- Investigative
- People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
- Realistic
- People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
- Conventional
- People with this profile prefer specific, well-defined tasks. They like to respect the order of things and follow established rules.
Official name of the NOC 21311
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
Job titles
- Network Systems Engineers
- Telecommunications hardware engineer
- Computer hardware engineer
- Network engineer - communication hardware
- Computer systems engineer
- Capacity planning analyst
- Infrastructure architect - information technology (it)
- Hardware technical architect
- Network architect - computer systems
- Hardware development engineer
- Computer engineering project manager
- Data communications specialist
- Network designer - computer systems
- Systems designer - hardware
- Network systems engineer
- Spacecraft electronics engineer - hardware
- Network test engineer
- Wireless communications network engineer
- Information technology (it) solutions engineer
- Microwave systems engineer
- Microwave transmission systems engineer
- Optical systems engineer - telecommunications
- Radio systems engineer
- Optical communications engineer
- Application specific integrated circuit (asic) design engineer
- Hardware design engineer
- Microprocessor designer and application engineer
- Network infrastructure engineer
- Network support engineer
- Telecommunications engineer
- Satellite data transmission engineer
- Computer telecommunications specialist
- Network specialist - computer systems
Skill type
Natural and applied sciences and related occupations
Last update: January 29, 2026