Biomedical Engineers

Career summary

By combining their knowledge of engineering, biology, and medical science, biomedical engineers build tools to help doctors detect and treat illness and disease.

Biomedical engineers design products such as:

• Artificial organs
• Artificial devices that replace body parts
• Machines that diagnose medical problems
• Drug therapies

Biomedical engineers use computers to simulate how organs and internal systems work together. This allows them to see how the body will function with, or react to, a medical device or treatment. They test new equipment to see what might go wrong and how to prevent problems. They estimate costs and materials required to produce each product. Biomedical engineers do research, write reports, and keep detailed records.

Some biomedical engineers specialize in one area such as:

• Genetic engineering
• Medical imaging
• Biomechanics and sports medicine
• Orthopedic surgery

They often work as part of a team, with other scientists, doctors, and engineers.

Biomedical engineers do similar work as bioengineers. The field of bioengineering is more diverse and includes work in areas outside of medicine such as genetics or food modification.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Bioengineers
• Biologists
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Energy Engineers
• Materials Engineers
• Mechanical Engineers
• Medical Scientists
• Photonics Engineers
• Robotics Engineers
• Validation Engineers

Military careers

• Environmental Health and Safety Officers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to biomedical engineers.

• Evaluate the safety and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
• Install, maintain, and repair biomedical equipment.
• Use computers to simulate how organs and systems work.
• Research new materials that can be used for biomedical equipment, such as artificial organs.
• Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science purposes.
• Advise hospital administrators on the best ways to obtain and use medical equipment.
• Design and develop new procedures and equipment that diagnose diseases and conditions.
• Develop new ways to use energy to power devices, such as biomedical implants.
• Study the safety and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
• Work with other scientists, including chemists and doctors, to research the biology of humans and animals.
• May teach biomedical engineering at colleges and universities.

Common work activities

Biomedical engineers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Analyze data or information
• Get information needed to do the job
• Use computers
• Process information
• Think creatively
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Evaluate information against standards
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Develop goals and strategies
• Document and record information
• Develop and build teams
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Schedule work and activities
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Teach others
• Coach others
• Monitor and control resources

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, biomedical engineers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have high level of interaction with others. They constantly interact with other engineers and scientists.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone, e-mail, and face-to-face discussions. They also write letters and memos, but less frequently.
• Often work as part of a team.
• Are responsible for the work done by others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of others.

Physical work conditions

• Always work indoors, usually in labs and offices. They may share this space with other engineers.
• Are exposed to diseases and infections on a weekly basis. They protect themselves by wearing masks and gloves.

Work performance

• Must be exact and extremely accurate in their work. Errors have serious consequences for the public.
• Make decisions on a regular basis that greatly impact their company and coworkers.
• Rarely consult a supervisor before making decisions or setting tasks and goals.
• Work in a somewhat competitive atmosphere in which weekly and monthly deadlines must be met.
• Often repeat the same mental tasks.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a standard 40-hour week.
• Generally work an established schedule. May work overtime to complete important projects.

Physical demands

Biomedical engineers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for biomedical engineers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for biomedical engineers to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.

Skills and abilities

Biomedical engineers need to:

Communicate

• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Understand written information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand spoken information.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.

Work with people

• Teach others how to do something.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.

Work with things

• Analyze needs and requirements when designing products.
• Design equipment and technology to meet user needs.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.
• Write computer programs.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Biomedical Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Biomedical Sciences, General
• Biomedical Technology
• Engineering, General
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Therapies
• Pre-Engineering

Training

To work as a biomedical engineer, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering; and
• have a license.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. Over 100, four-year colleges and universities offer this program of study. You may need between four and five years to complete this program.

Some jobs require a master's or doctoral degree (PhD). For instance, if you are interested in teaching biomedical engineering you need a PhD. Also, many biomedical engineers go to graduate school to specialize in one area of this field.

Work experience

You should consider participating in an internship with a biomedical engineering firm while in college. An internship is usually part of a four-year degree program. It offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. An internship also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

New graduates work under the guidance of experienced engineers. In large companies, you may also receive formal classroom training. You receive greater independence and more difficult tasks as you gain knowledge and experience. This phase of training typically lasts around six months up to a year.

Military training

The military hires biomedical engineers as environmental health and safety officers. However, the military does not provide training.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements. Biomedical engineers need a strong background in math and science. If possible, take science courses through Physics and math courses through Calculus.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Computer Applications
• Computer Science

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

For entry-level jobs, most employers prefer to hire applicants who have a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering. Because this field is so specialized, it is common for employers to require a master's degree or higher. Graduate degrees are essential for teaching or administration.

Employers prefer to hire biomedical engineers who are creative and curious. They also look for people who are detail-oriented and analytical. Oral and written communication skills are also important. Employers look for people who can work on a team.

Costs to workers

Some workers join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Licensing/certification

Engineers employed in responsible positions in government or in firms offering services to the public, or who stamp their work as being done by an engineer, must be licensed by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Getting a license as an engineer-in-training requires:

• an engineering degree from a school approved by the Accrediting Board for Engineering Technology (ABET), or four years of practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer, or a combination of education and work experience; and
• passing a written exam.

Professional engineer licensing requirements include:

• completion of the engineer-in-training requirements;
• four additional years of active practice in engineering working under a licensed engineer or a combination of work experience and education; and
• passing a written exam.

Engineers who want to be licensed must pay an exam fee to the National Council of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors and a $65 fee for the initial state exam application. After licensing, a renewal fee of $116 is due every two years. Not all engineers in Washington must be licensed.

For information on testing, contact:

National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying 
PO Box 1686
Clemson, SC 29633-1686
800.250.3196

For licensing information, contact:

Washington State Department of Licensing
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and
Land Surveyors Licensing Program 
PO Box 9025
Olympia, WA 98507-9025
360.664.1575

#Ok, 1/23/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Biomedical Engineers 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Pay varies by the amount of education biomedical engineers hold. Those with doctoral (PhD) degrees earn more than those with a master's or bachelor's degree.

Most full-time biomedical engineers receive benefits. Benefits usually include health insurance, paid vacation, and a retirement plan. Some companies pay for additional training.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Medical equipment and supplies manufacturers
• Research and development companies
• Medicine manufacturers
• Colleges and universities
• Private hospitals

National outlook

Advances in technology will create new areas of research for biomedical engineers. This will lead strong growth in demand for this occupation. However, this is a very small occupation and few jobs will be created.

The demand for improved medical equipment will contribute to growth in this occupation. The aging population is creating need for new medical devices such as knee replacements. Companies will continue to look for ways to improve treatments and medical devices.

Other resources

American Association of Anatomists 
6120 Executive Boulevard, Suite 725
Rockville, MD 20852
301.634.7910

American Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) 
(This website provides a list of engineering-related programs accredited by ABET)
415 North Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410.347.7700

American Institute for Medical & Biological Engineering 
1400 I Street NW
Suite 235
Washington, DC 20006
202.496.9660

American Medical Informatics Association 

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation 
901 N. Glebe Road, Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22203
703.525.4890

Biomedical Engineering Society 
8201 Corporate Drive, Suite 1125
Landover, MD 20785
877.871.2637
301.459.1999

Biophysical Society 
5515 Security Lane, Suite 1110
Rockville, MD 20852
240.290.5600

Careers in Biotechnology 

Discover Engineering 

eGFI - Dream Up the Future 

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

Engineering Your Future 

Institute of Biological Engineering 
446 East High Street, Suite 10
Lexington, KY 40507
859.977.7450

Life Science Washington 
188 East Blaine Street
Suite 150
Seattle, WA 98102
206.456.9567

MCMA: Motion Control and Motor Association 
900 Victors Way, Suite 140
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734.494.6088

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

Society for Neuroscience 
1121 14th Street NW, Suite 1010
Washington, DC 20005

Society of Women Engineers 
130 East Randolph Street, Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60601
877.793.4636

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

The American Physiological Society 
9650 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20814
301.634.7164

Washington State Biomedical Association 

Washington State Science & Engineering Fair 

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Investigative (Science)

O*Net  occupation

• Biomedical Engineers (17-2031.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Biomedical Engineer (019.061-010) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Engineer

Holland occupational cluster

• Investigative/Realistic/Conventional

COPSystem

• Science Professional
• Technology Professional