Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
Occupation · NOC 2021 21311 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 21311
- TEER
- 1
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 733
- Median wage, Canada
- C$52.50 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 477
OC<CANCOMPUTER<ENGINEERS<EXCEPT<SOFTWARE<ENG 213110<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<0
About this occupation
Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers) research, plan, design, develop, modify, evaluate and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware and related equipment, and information and communication system networks including mainframe systems, local and wide area networks, fibre-optic networks, wireless communication networks, intranets, the Internet and other data communications systems. They are employed by computer and telecommunication hardware manufacturers, by engineering, manufacturing and telecommunications firms, in information technology consulting firms, by governmental, educational and research institutions and in information technology units throughout the private and public sectors.
Example job titles
- computer hardware engineer
- fibre-optic network designer
- hardware circuit board designer
- hardware development engineer
- hardware technical architect
- network test engineer
- systems designer - hardware
- telecommunications hardware engineer
- wireless communications network engineer
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Computer and telecommunications hardware engineers
- Analyze user requirements, and design and develop system architecture and specifications
- Research, design, develop and integrate computer and telecommunications hardware such as microprocessors, integrated circuit boards and semiconductor lasers
- Develop and conduct design verification simulations and prototype bench tests of components
- Supervise, inspect and provide design support during the manufacturing, installation and implementation of computer and telecommunications hardware
- Establish and maintain relationships with suppliers and clients
- May lead and coordinate teams of engineers, technologists, technicians and drafters in the design and development of computer and telecommunications hardware.
- Network system and data communication engineers
- Research, design and develop information and communication system network architecture
Employment requirements
- Computer engineers require a bachelor's degree in computer engineering, electrical or electronics engineering, engineering physics or computer science.
- A master's or doctoral degree in a related engineering discipline may be required.
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association of professional engineers is required to approve engineering drawings and reports and to practise as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.).
- Engineers are eligible for registration following graduation from an accredited educational program, three or four years of supervised work experience in engineering and passing a professional practice examination.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 75 |
| 2020 | 56 |
| 2021 | 76 |
| 2022 | 142 |
| 2023 | 150 |
| 2024 | 82 |
| 2025 | 73 |
| 2026 | 21 |
- ATI Technologies ULC115
- Photonic Inc.28
- Syntronic Research and Development Canada Inc.23
- Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc23
- Agence du revenu du Québec21
- Huawei Technologies Canada Co., Ltd.17
- Nokia16
- HuMetis Technologies Inc14
- Société Conseil Groupe LGS14
- BTA Design Services Inc.14
- InterDigital Canada Ltee12
- ASTERA LABS CANADA INC.10
- TSMC Design Technology Canada Inc.9
- Skellig Ltd.9
- Shopify Inc.8
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 55 | 165 |
| 2025 | 20 | 130 |
| 2024 | 45 | 140 |
| 2023 | 100 | 195 |
| 2022 | 40 | 225 |
| 2021 | 15 | 160 |
| 2020 | 10 | 125 |
| 2019 | 20 | 255 |
| 2018 | 5 | 245 |
| 2017 | 0 | 190 |
| 2016 | 0 | 185 |
| 2015 | 0 | 235 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 235 |
| 2016 | 185 |
| 2017 | 190 |
| 2018 | 250 |
| 2019 | 275 |
| 2020 | 135 |
| 2021 | 175 |
| 2022 | 265 |
| 2023 | 295 |
| 2024 | 185 |
| 2025 | 150 |
| 2026 | 220 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 530 |
| 2016 | 495 |
| 2017 | 475 |
| 2018 | 730 |
| 2019 | 660 |
| 2020 | 320 |
| 2021 | 390 |
| 2022 | 555 |
| 2023 | 460 |
| 2024 | 530 |
| 2025 | 270 |
| 2026 | 120 |
- Federal Skilled Worker2,190
- Canadian Experience Class1,335
- Provincial Nominee Program1,085
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$32.05 | C$52.50 | C$78.85 |
| Alberta | C$27.52 | C$45.68 | C$68.06 |
| British Columbia | C$36.34 | C$54.27 | C$81.57 |
| Manitoba | C$31.49 | C$46.29 | C$68.08 |
| New Brunswick | C$40.02 | C$51.44 | C$71.79 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$30.00 | C$44.86 | C$68.75 |
| Nova Scotia | C$30.00 | C$47.12 | C$73.08 |
| Ontario | C$33.65 | C$52.88 | C$86.54 |
| Quebec | C$32.00 | C$54.95 | C$74.00 |
| Saskatchewan | C$26.11 | C$46.17 | C$69.57 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 477
- Vacancies advertised
- 502
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$32.00
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