A DSP engineer works equally with computers and a pencil and paper, since the discipline requires many skills from the disciplines of computer science and mathematics.

Computer science skills:

• Computer architecture. Many DSPs use architectures which do not follow the standard Von Neumann architecture. It is worth knowing some alternatives.
• Optimization. In order to get the most from a system, the code should be highly optimized.
• Assembly Language. Many DSP tasks can only be adequately performed in hand-optimized assembly.
• Low-level hardware control. Reading data sheets to directly control chips.
• Real time systems.
• Fixed point or Floating point mathematics.

Mathematical skills:

• Advanced algebra.
• Trigonometry.
• Complex numbers.
• Estimation.

Typical fields that a DSP engineer can work in, are audio, telecommunications, test and measurement.