Hardware engineers support employees or customers with technical hardware and software problems by providing instructions on how to use different programs and devices. This involves installing and upgrading desktops or laptops, ensuring that the software runs efficiently, and solving all IT problems within the company. Hardware technicians work for a variety of organizations that use computers. It is usually a full-time role that is typically played in an office setting. Hardware technicians must be analytical, have an aptitude for working with technical teams, and have strong interpersonal skills, including exceptional written and verbal communication skills, to listen to computer problems and explain solutions to others.
Hardware Technician Duties and Responsibilities
Hardware technicians work for many different organizations, which affects the exact duties and responsibilities they assume. Based on the job lists we've reviewed, the tasks of a hardware technician typically include:
Assess computer problems
Hardware technicians listen to customer or colleague descriptions of computer problems. Through this, they can ask questions to diagnose the problem and find a solution to fix it.
Provide troubleshooting steps
Once a solution for the computer problem has been found, the hardware technicians provide detailed instructions to help the customer solve the problem easily and efficiently. They may need to use plain language to explain the solution if the customer is not technical.
Computer equipment repair
Hardware technicians repair computer equipment and related devices when damage occurs. Afterwards, they also test the equipment to make sure it is working properly before returning it to the user.
Train new users
A key part of this job is training users to manage new computer hardware or software, such as printers, email systems, and word processing applications.
Create documentation
Hardware engineers create documentation and guidelines on how to use different types of hardware and software, providing team members with information on what gives customers the most problems, their concerns, and the solutions to these common problems.
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