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Computer Hardware Engineers
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CheckoutCareers.com
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Computer Hardware Engineers
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Research, design, develop, and test computer or computer-related equipment for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. May supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components.
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Degrees
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Abilities
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Oral Comprehension| | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
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Deductive Reasoning| | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
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Oral Expression| | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
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Written Comprehension| | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
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Inductive Reasoning| | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
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Problem Sensitivity| | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
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Written Expression| | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
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Information Ordering| | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
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Category Flexibility| | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
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Fluency of Ideas| | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
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Near Vision| | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
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Originality| | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
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Visualization| | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
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Speech Recognition| | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
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Selective Attention| | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
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Speech Clarity| | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
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Mathematical Reasoning| | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. |
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Flexibility of Closure| | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
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Finger Dexterity| | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
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Visual Color Discrimination| | The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. |
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Far Vision| | The ability to see details at a distance. |
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Memorization| | The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures. |
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Number Facility| | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. |
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Time Sharing| | The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources). |
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Perceptual Speed| | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
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Arm-Hand Steadiness| | The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
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Auditory Attention| | The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds. |
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Manual Dexterity| | The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
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Hearing Sensitivity| | The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness. |
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Speed of Closure| | The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns. |
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Depth Perception| | The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. |
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Control Precision| | The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
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Multilimb Coordination| | The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. |
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Wrist-Finger Speed| | The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists. |
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Spatial Orientation| | The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you. |
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Trunk Strength| | The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing. |
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Sound Localization| | The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated. |
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Interests
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Investigative| | Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. |
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Realistic| | Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. |
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Third Interest High-Point| | Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness |
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Conventional| | Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. |
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Enterprising| | Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business. |
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Artistic| | Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules. |
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First Interest High-Point| | Primary-Rank Descriptiveness |
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Social| | Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. |
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Second Interest High-Point| | Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness |
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Knowledge
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Computers and Electronics| | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
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Engineering and Technology| | Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
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Education and Training| | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
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Mathematics| | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
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Design| | Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
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English Language| | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
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Telecommunications| | Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. |
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Administration and Management| | Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
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Customer and Personal Service| | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
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Communications and Media| | Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
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Physics| | Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes. |
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Geography| | Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. |
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Mechanical| | Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
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Production and Processing| | Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
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Building and Construction| | Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. |
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Clerical| | Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology. |
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Psychology| | Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. |
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Personnel and Human Resources| | Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems. |
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Sales and Marketing| | Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. |
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Public Safety and Security| | Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
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Law and Government| | Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
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Therapy and Counseling| | Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance. |
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Philosophy and Theology| | Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture. |
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Foreign Language| | Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation. |
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Transportation| | Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. |
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Chemistry| | Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
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Sociology and Anthropology| | Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins. |
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Biology| | Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. |
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Medicine and Dentistry| | Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. |
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Economics and Accounting| | Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data. |
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Fine Arts| | Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture. |
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History and Archeology| | Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures. |
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Food Production| | Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques. |
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Wages
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| District of Columbia | $84,300.00 |
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| North Carolina | $79,250.00 |
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| South Carolina | $57,880.00 |
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Related Careers
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Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technicians| | Operate, install, calibrate, and maintain integrated computer/communications systems consoles, simulators, and other data acquisition, test, and measurement instruments and equipment to launch, track, position, and evaluate air and space vehicles. May record and interpret test data. |
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Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary| | Teach courses in computer science. May specialize in a field of computer science, such as the design and function of computers or operations and research analysis. |
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Computer Support Specialists| | Provide technical assistance to computer system users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone or from remote location. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems. |
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Computer, Automated Teller, & Office Machine Repairers| | Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines. |
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Electrical & Electronics Repairers, Commercial & Industrial Equipment| | Repair, test, adjust, or install electronic equipment, such as industrial controls, transmitters, and antennas. |
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Electronic Drafters| | Draw wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams, schematics, and layout drawings used for manufacture, installation, and repair of electronic equipment. |
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Numerical Tool & Process Control Programmers| | Develop programs to control machining or processing of parts by automatic machine tools, equipment, or systems. |
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Skills
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Reading Comprehension| | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
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Judgment and Decision Making| | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
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Active Learning| | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
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Critical Thinking| | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
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Equipment Selection| | Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. |
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Troubleshooting| | Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. |
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Monitoring| | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
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Learning Strategies| | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
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Operations Analysis| | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
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Complex Problem Solving| | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
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Active Listening| | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
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Writing| | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
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Mathematics| | Using mathematics to solve problems. |
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Systems Evaluation| | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
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Coordination| | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
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Quality Control Analysis| | Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. |
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Systems Analysis| | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
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Instructing| | Teaching others how to do something. |
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Time Management| | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
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Technology Design| | Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs. |
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Speaking| | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
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Persuasion| | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
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Science| | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
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Operation Monitoring| | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
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Social Perceptiveness| | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
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Programming| | Writing computer programs for various purposes. |
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Negotiation| | Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. |
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Installation| | Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications. |
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Management of Financial Resources| | Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures. |
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Operation and Control| | Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
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Equipment Maintenance| | Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. |
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Management of Personnel Resources| | Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. |
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Management of Material Resources| | Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work. |
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Repairing| | Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. |
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Service Orientation| | Actively looking for ways to help people. |
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Tasks
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| Update knowledge and skills to keep up with rapid advancements in computer technology. |
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| Provide technical support to designers, marketing and sales departments, suppliers, engineers and other team members throughout the product development and implementation process. |
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| Test and verify hardware and support peripherals to ensure that they meet specifications and requirements, analyzing and recording test data. |
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| Monitor functioning of equipment and make necessary modifications to ensure system operates in conformance with specifications. |
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| Analyze information to determine, recommend, and plan layout, including type of computers and peripheral equipment modifications. |
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| Build, test and modify product prototypes, using working models or theoretical models constructed using computer simulation. |
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| Analyze user needs and recommend appropriate hardware. |
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| Direct technicians, engineering designers or other technical support personnel as needed. |
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| Confer with engineering staff and consult specifications to evaluate interface between hardware and software and operational and performance requirements of overall system. |
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| Select hardware and material, assuring compliance with specifications and product requirements. |
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| Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements. |
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| Write detailed functional specifications that document the hardware development process and support hardware introduction. |
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| Design and develop computer hardware and support peripherals, including central processing units (CPUs), support logic, microprocessors, custom integrated circuits, and printers and disk drives. |
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| Specify power supply requirements and configuration, drawing on system performance expectations and design specifications. |
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| Provide training and support to system designers and users. |
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| Assemble and modify existing pieces of equipment to meet special needs. |
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| Evaluate factors such as reporting formats required, cost constraints, and need for security restrictions to determine hardware configuration. |
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| Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, and humidity in area of system installation. |
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Tools
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| Calibrated resistance measuring equipment |
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| Resistance meters |
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| Circuit tester |
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| Circuit memory testers |
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| Circuit testers |
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| Desktop computers |
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| Digital testers |
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| Bit error ratio testers BERT |
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| Electrical inductance sensors |
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| Inductance capacitance resistance LCR meters |
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| Electronic measuring probes |
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| Probe card devices |
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| Probe stations |
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| Feeler gauges |
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| Frequency calibrator or simulator |
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| Dynamic signal analyzers |
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| Signal source analyzers |
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| Frequency counters or timer or dividers |
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| Frequency counters |
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| Heated walk in environmental or growth chambers |
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| Thermal chambers |
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| Impedance meters |
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| Impedance analyzers |
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| Integrated circuit testers |
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| Digital analysis systems DAS |
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| Logic analyzers |
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| Logic probes |
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| Interferometers |
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| Spectrum analyzers |
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| Isolators |
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| Level generators |
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| Pulse generators |
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| Low voltage alternating and direct current AC DC panelboards |
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| Alternating current AC power sources |
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| Direct current DC power supplies |
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| Magnifiers |
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| Inspection scopes |
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| Mainframe computers |
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| Multimeters |
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| Network analyzers |
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| Communications analyzers |
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| Traffic generators |
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| Notebook computers |
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| Laptop computers |
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| Oscilloscopes |
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| Communications signal analyzers |
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| Sampling oscilloscopes |
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| Personal computers |
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| Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers |
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| Personal digital assistants PDAs |
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| Plotter printers |
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| Color plotting printers |
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| Power meters |
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| Alternating current AC power analyzers |
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| Power sensors |
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| Protocol analyzers |
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| Protocol exercisers |
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| Scanners |
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| Computer scanners |
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| Signal generators |
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| Function generators |
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| Pattern generators |
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| Universal source generators |
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| Voltage or current meters |
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| Voltage sensors |
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| Wave generators |
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| Waveform generators |
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Technology
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| Analytical or scientific software |
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| Application-specific integrated circuit ASIC logic synthesis software |
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| ASSET JTAG ScanWorks |
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| Automatic test program generation ATPG software |
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| Boundary scan insertion software |
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| Built-in self-test BIST debugging software |
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| Cadence Dracula |
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| Cadence Virtuoso Spectre Circuit Simulator |
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| Computer simulation software |
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| Data acquisition systems |
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| Design-for-testability DFT insertion software |
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| Discrete Fourier transform DFT analysis software |
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| Failure analysis software |
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| Fast Fourier transform FFT analysis software |
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| Field programmable gate array FPGA logic synthesis software |
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| Integrated circuit simulation software |
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| Joint test action group JTAG software |
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| Logic synthesis software |
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| LogicVision icBIST |
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| M-Sim |
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| Magma Design Automation Blast Create |
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| Magma Design Automation Blast FPGA |
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| Mathworks Control System Toolbox |
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| Mathworks Data Acquisition Toolbox |
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| Mathworks Embedded Target software |
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| Mathworks MATLAB |
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| Mathworks Real-Time Workshop |
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| Mathworks Signal Processing Toolbox |
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| Mathworks Simulink |
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| Mathworks Simulink DSP Blockset |
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| Mathworks Simulink Fixed-Point Blockset |
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| Mathworks Symbolic Math Toolbox |
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| Mathworks Wavelet Toolbox |
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| Mentor Graphics BSDArchitect |
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| Mentor Graphics Calibre |
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| Mentor Graphics LeonardoSpectrum |
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| Mentor Graphics Precision RTL |
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| Microarchitecture simulation software |
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| Monte Carlo software |
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| SAS software |
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| Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE |
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| SoftICE |
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| Synopsys Design Compiler |
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| Synopsys Hercules |
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| Synopsys HSIM |
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| Synopsys HSPICE |
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| Synopsys TetraMax ATPG |
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| Synplicity Synplify |
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| Timing analysis software |
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| Verification software |
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| Xilinx Synthesis Technology XST |
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| Compiler and decompiler software |
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| Cadence Encounter RTL Compiler |
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| Computer aided design CAD software |
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| Allegro software |
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| Cadence Concept |
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| Cadence OrCAD |
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| Cadence PSpice |
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| Cadence Schematic Composer |
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| Cadence Virtuoso |
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| Complementary-symmetry/metal-oxide semiconductor CMOS layout software |
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| Computer-aided design CAD software |
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| Electronic design automation EDA software |
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| Magic |
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| MathSoft MathCAD |
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| PARTHENON |
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| Place-and-route software |
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| Schematic editors |
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| State diagram software |
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| Xilinx ISE Foundation |
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| Xilinx ModelSim |
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| Data base user interface and query software |
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| Database software |
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| Microsoft Access |
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| Structured query language SQL |
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| Development environment software |
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| Boundary scan description language BSDL |
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| C |
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| Cadence Opus |
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| Freescale CodeWarrior Tools |
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| Hardware description and verification language |
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| Hardware description language HDL |
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| Microsoft C#.NET |
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| Microsoft Visual Basic |
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| National Instruments LabVIEW |
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| Register transfer language RTL |
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| SystemVerilog |
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| Tool command language Tcl |
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| Verilog |
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| Very high-speed integrated circuit VHSIC hardware description language VHDL |
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| Information retrieval or search software |
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| Internet search engine software |
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| Internet browser software |
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| Web browser software |
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| Object or component oriented development software |
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| C++ |
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| Practical extraction and reporting language Perl |
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| Python |
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| SKILL |
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| Office suite software |
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| Microsoft Office |
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| Operating system software |
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| Computer diagnostic software |
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| Linux |
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| Shell script |
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| Unix |
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| Pattern design software |
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| Block diagram software |
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| Program testing software |
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| Windows kernel debuggers |
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| Project management software |
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| Spreadsheet software |
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| Word processing software |
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Career Activities
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| Interacting With Computers |
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| develop or maintain databases |
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| test computer programs or systems |
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| use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks |
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| use computer graphics design software |
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