Immigrate to Canada as a Computer Engineer – Complete Guide

Canada is surely a great and beneficial country to foreign nationals in various fields of engineering, which is a justifiable reason to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer.

Indeed, computer engineers in Canada work for several sectors, institutions, and establishments, including IT consulting companies, manufacturing, telecommunications, and engineering companies.

All things considered, this article covers wide-ranging areas on how to immigrate to Canada as a Computer Engineer.

These include NOC code, pathways, steps, and requirements to work and immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer.

What do computer engineers do?

Indeed, computer engineers are specialists who research, plan, design, create, amend, assess, as well as integrate computer and telecommunications hardware, information, and communication system networks, among others.

These include wireless communication networks, WAN, LAN, mainframe systems, fiber-optic networks, intranets, etc.

Computer engineers also work on microprocessors, Integrated Circuits (ICs), fiber optics, analog and digital signal processing, microwave, and lasers.

Furthermore, Computer engineers are hired in Canada’s public and private sectors. They work for computer & telecommunication hardware manufacturers, engineering, manufacturing & telecommunications companies, IT consulting establishments, and research, educational and governmental institutions.

If you want to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer, you need to note its NOC code, which is 2147.

However, the National Occupational Classification (NOC) code certainly helps to identify the grouping of each job in Canada.

Computer engineer’s job duties under NOC 2147

Without a doubt, the most common job duties of computer engineers in Canada include the following.

Computer and telecommunications hardware engineers

• Firstly, computer and telecommunications hardware engineers analyze the preference of users. They design and develop system architecture based on requirements.
• Secondly, they research, design, develop, as well as integrate computer and telecommunications hardware, including Integrated Circuit (IC) boards, semiconductor lasers, and microprocessors.
• Thirdly, they also develop and execute design verification simulations and prototype testing of components.
• Fourthly, they supervise, scrutinize, and avail design support when computer and telecommunications hardware undergoes manufacturing, installation, and implementation.
• Fifthly, they create and manage relationships with vendors and clients.
• Above all, they direct and coordinate several teams in order to design and develop computer and telecommunications hardware. The team includes technologists, engineers, technicians, as well as drafters.

Network system and data communication engineers

• Generally speaking, network systems and data communication engineers research, design, and develop the network architecture of information and communication systems.
• They also research, assess, as well as integrate the hardware and software of network systems and data communication.
• Moreover, they evaluate and keep a record and enhance the ability and performance of information and communication system networks.
• Besides, they probably guide and organize design specialist teams so as to develop and integrate information and communication system architecture, software, and hardware.

Examples of computer engineering jobs in Canada under NOC 2147

Of course, many occupations are listed under the NOC code for computer engineers in Canada.

With exemption to software engineers and designers, the following are examples of computer engineering occupations in Canada under NOC 2147.

• Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) design engineer
• Capacity planning analyst
• Computer engineer (except software engineers)
• Computer (hardware engineer, systems engineer, as well as computer telecommunications specialist)
• Data communications specialist
• Fiber-optic network designer
• Hardware (circuit board designer, engineer, design engineer, development engineer, as well as hardware technical architect)
• Infrastructure Architect (Information Technology)
• Microprocessor designer and application engineer
• Microwave (systems engineer, as well as microwave transmission systems engineer)
• Network (capacity planner, systems engineer, test engineer, architect – computer systems, designer – computer systems, engineer – communication hardware, as well as network specialist – computer systems)
• Optical (communications engineer, communications hardware engineer, as well as optical systems engineer – telecommunications)
• Radio systems engineer
• Satellite data transmission engineer
• Spacecraft electronics engineer – hardware
• Systems designer – hardware
• Technical architect – hardware
• Telecommunications (hardware specialist, engineer, hardware engineer, specialist – computer systems, as well as telecommunications systems specialist)
• Wireless communications network engineer

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Requirements to work in Canada as a computer engineer

Indeed, here are the requirements to work as a computer engineer in Canada.

1. Firstly, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree program in computer engineering, computer science, engineering physics, electrical or electronics engineering.
2. Secondly, you may be required to have completed a master’s or Ph.D. degree in a field relevant to engineering.
3. Thirdly, a professional engineers’ association (provincial or territorial) must license you before you can work in Canada. The licensing also helps to endorse engineering sketches and reports.
4. Fourthly, you need to have prior work experience in computer engineering before you can take supervisory and higher-level job positions in Canada.
5. Above all, you cannot register as an engineer in Canada without;

• Taking and passing a professional practice examination
• Completing an approved program of study
• Possesses 3 to 4 years of supervised engineering work experience.

Exclusions for computer engineers under NOC 2147

The following are exempted occupations under Canada’s NOC classification of computer engineers.

• 0211 – Engineering managers
• 0213 – Computer and information systems managers
• 2133 – Electrical and electronics engineers
• 2171 – Information systems analysts and consultants
• 2173 – Software engineers and designers
• 2174 – Computer programmers and interactive media developers
• 2175 – Web designers and developers
• 2241 – Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians

Requirements to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer

It would help if you acted in accordance with IRCC requirements to qualify for any of Canada’s immigration pathways.

General requirements

Of course, computer engineering serves as an occupation in demand throughout most Canadian provinces and territories, which illustrates why they easily get employment in Canada.

Undoubtedly, you must attain high scores on the express entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) before you can be eligible to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer.

Indeed, this is attainable through your educational qualification, present age, work experience, language abilities, and availability of arranged employment or job offer.

However, the following are the general requirements to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer.

1. Valid passport or traveling document
2. Minimum age of 18 and not exceeding 35
3. Post-sedentary education certificate with Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
4. Proof of English or French language abilities test result (For example, IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL, CAEL, Duolingo English Test, CanTEST, PTE, TCF Canada or TEF Canada)
5. Any approved proof of fund document(s), such as a recent bank statement
6. Arranged employment or written job offer (only provide if available)
7. Work experience in a relevant engineering field
8. Provincial nomination certificate (if already nominated for PR by a Canadian province or territory).

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Pathways to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer

Computer engineers are indeed able to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, as well as by nominations by provinces and territories, i.e., PNP.

Canada Express Entry program

computer engineers are NOC Skill Level A under National Occupational Classification (NOC) in Canada.

For this reason, you can implement Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under express entry programs to accomplish your desire to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer.

As an occupation in demand, you can immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer whether you have a written job offer from a Canadian establishment.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Of course, Provincial Nominee Programs are another pathway for computer engineers to immigrate to Canada.

Through PNP, you will become a Canadian immigrant and permanent resident bound to a certain province or territory in Canada.

As a result, you are expected to live and work in your nominated province or territory.

Here are examples of Canada’s Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

• Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
• British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
• Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
• New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP)
• Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)
• Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
• Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NSPNP)
• Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
• Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
• Saskatchewan Immigration Nominee Program (SINP)
• Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)

Steps to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer

Generally speaking, this segment answers your query if you seek how to immigrate to Canada as an engineer.

Below is an ideal course of action helpful to immigrate to Canada from any part of the world.

• Firstly, all express entry requirements need to be considered. Hence, you need to check your eligibility.
• Secondly, create and submit an express entry profile using an internet-enabled laptop or desktop computer.
• Thirdly, apply for permanent residency within 60 days following an Invitation to Apply (ITA) receipt.
• Lastly, give time for IRCC to decide on your application. If approved, you can proceed to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a high demand for computer engineers in Canada?

Yes, of course. Computer engineers are in demand in various Canadian provinces and territories. Their services are necessary for the effective operations of many sectors.

How much does a computer hardware engineer make in Canada?

Of course, the average salary of a computer hardware engineer in Canada ranges from CAD 30 to CAD 70 per hour.

How much does a computer engineer make a year in Canada?  

Undoubtedly, the average computer engineer’s salary in Canada ranges from CAD 60,000 to CAD 140,000 yearly.

Conclusion

To conclude, permanent residents of Canada get vast advantages such as freedom of movement, universal healthcare, free education up to high school graduation for their children, etc. Indeed, you can also earn these benefits by applying to immigrate to Canada as a computer engineer via express entry or PNP.