Why does a hardware company need Software Engineers?

That’s the big question candidates asked me over the past few years I spent recruiting at Graphics conferences. Traditionally, we are known for hiring engineers to design, validate and test chips as well as teams that figure out how to manufacture the newly designed chips and ultimately produce the end product. What we are less known for are all the software skills that we hire. (Yes, we hire for software!) Often times as many as half of our openings are Software related. They include positions like 3D Tool Software Engineer, Software Performance Engineer, Media Software Engineer, and Senior BIOS Engineer.

So now you know Intel does software, you might be wondering “What kind of work would I be doing?” The software engineering work we do at Intel enables every microprocessor and platform product we produce. The work involved in these positions includes everything from writing device drivers to BIOS code for the next platform. What we pride ourselves on is that the hardware, OS and software that make up the platform all work well together and give users the experience and performance they expect. The role of many of our software positions is to ensure that experience meets expectations and all the features, functionality and performance users expect are included, from whatever brand of computer they have in front of them. Our software engineers take that a step further by creating tools and solving problems so that it will be easier for your favorite software company to develop future software products to run on Intel Architecture.

The skills required for these positions are typically a BS or MS in Computer Science or Computer Engineering and range from entry level to 10+ years experience in the particular area of expertise like Graphics, Wireless, Media, Linux, etc. Most positions require experience in C and C++ in various Operating System environments.

To be successful, you also need strong communication and leadership skills. I think Intel is a great place to work and part of it being a great is the value we place on employees being open and direct in their communication. At Intel, you will be asked to take the lead on a project or challenged to raise concerns with a problem you see.

We have high expectations of our products and of our employees. Are you up for the challenge? If you are, then I encourage you to take a look at some of our current openings and complete your profile at Jobs at Intel so you can be considered for some of these interesting opportunities to contribute your skills to tomorrow’s computers and technology.