Computer engineer career

Kaipūhanga pūnaha rorohiko

Computer engineers design, develop, test and programme computer equipment like servers and circuit boards.

Computer engineers design, develop, test and programme computer equipment like servers and circuit boards.

What would you do as a Computer engineer?

Computer engineers

  • usually work regular business hours but may work weekends or evenings
  • usually work in offices, and may travel locally
  • need to be methodical, accurate and logical

Tasks

  • design electronic and computer equipment
  • develop computer systems
  • write computer programming code
  • build physical models
  • use software to create 3D models
  • test electrical, electronic and mechanical systems
  • make processes more efficient
  • create technical plans
  • write procedural documents
  • work with others on computing projects

How can you become a Computer engineer?

You usually need experience to become a computer engineer and a qualification may be useful.

You may need

  • experience in similar work
  • a bachelor's degree in software engineering and computer science
  • a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or similar area

If you're in school

You usually need University Entrance to do the study or training for this job.

Qualifications

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Choose the path that matches the work you want to do. Our Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Electrical and Electronic Engineering suits hardware-focused work and includes 800 hours of work experience. Our Bachelor of Computer Science builds strong foundations in software and computing theory. If you're studying in Tauranga, our Bachelor of Applied Computing was designed with the local tech industry.

Like all our undergraduate degrees, these include work-integrated learning. To specialise further, you can continue with our Master of Engineering.

View all Qualifications

Computer engineer FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

Find a scholarship

QS rankings

QS World University Rankings 2027

Waikato is ranked equal 293rd globally, placing us in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide, and 2nd in New Zealand by citations per faculty.

QS Sustainability Ranking 2026

Waikato is ranked 116th globally for sustainability, including 34th worldwide and 1st in NZ for Environmental Sustainability.

Contact us

International Enquiries

Monday – Friday NZT 1pm – 2am

School of Engineering

School of Engineering, The University of Waikato, Gate 8, Hillcrest Road, Hamilton, New Zealand