What Biomedical Engineers Do
Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical
and biological sciences to design and create equipment, devices,
computer systems, and software used in healthcare.Duties of Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineers typically do the following:- Design biomedical equipment and devices, such as artificial internal organs, replacements for body parts, and machines for diagnosing medical problems
- Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment
- Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment
- Train clinicians and other personnel on the proper use of biomedical equipment
- Research the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists
- Prepare procedures, write technical reports, publish research papers, and make recommendations based on their research findings
- Present research findings to scientists, nonscientist executives, clinicians, hospital management, engineers, other colleagues, and the public
Biomedical engineers design electrical circuits, software to run medical equipment, or computer simulations to test new drug therapies. In addition, they design and build artificial body parts, such as hip and knee joints. In some cases, they develop the materials needed to make the replacement body parts. They also design rehabilitative exercise equipment.
The work of these engineers spans many professional fields. For example, although their expertise is based in engineering and biology, they often design computer software to run complicated instruments, such as three-dimensional x-ray machines. Alternatively, many of these engineers use their knowledge of chemistry and biology to develop new drug therapies. Others draw heavily on math and statistics to build models to understand the signals transmitted by the brain or heart. Some may be involved in sales.
The following are examples of specialty areas within the field of biomedical engineering:
Bioinstrumentation uses electronics, computer science, and measurement principles to develop instruments used in the diagnosis and treatment of medical problems.
Biomaterials is the study of naturally occurring or laboratory-designed materials that are used in medical devices or as implantation materials.
Biomechanics involves the study of mechanics, such as thermodynamics, to solve biological or medical problems.
Clinical engineering applies medical technology to optimize healthcare delivery.
Rehabilitation engineering is the study of engineering and computer science to develop devices that assist individuals recovering from or adapting to physical and cognitive impairments.
Systems physiology uses engineering tools to understand how systems within living organisms, from bacteria to humans, function and respond to changes in their environment.
Some people with training in biomedical engineering become postsecondary teachers.
Work Environment for Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineers hold about 21,300 jobs. The largest employers of biomedical engineers are as follows:| Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing | 22% |
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 17 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 11 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 11 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 10 |
Biomedical Engineer Work Schedules
Biomedical engineers usually work full time on a normal schedule. However, as with employees in almost any engineering occupation, biomedical engineers occasionally may have to work additional hours to meet the needs of patients, managers, colleagues, and clients. About 1 in 5 biomedical engineers work more than 40 hours per week.
How to Become a Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor's degree in
biomedical engineering or bioengineering, or in a related engineering
field. Some positions may require a graduate degree.Education for Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineering and traditional engineering programs, such as mechanical and electrical, are typically good preparation for entering biomedical engineering jobs. Students who pursue traditional engineering programs at the bachelor's level may benefit from taking biological science courses.Students interested in becoming biomedical engineers should take high school science courses, such as chemistry, physics, and biology. They should also take math courses, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. Courses in drafting or mechanical drawing and in computer programming are also useful.
Bachelor's degree programs in biomedical engineering and bioengineering focus on engineering and biological sciences. Programs include laboratory- and classroom-based courses, in subjects such as fluid and solid mechanics, computer programming, circuit design, and biomaterials. Other required courses may include biological sciences, such as physiology.
Accredited programs also include substantial training in engineering design. Many programs include co-ops or internships, often with hospitals and medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, to provide students with practical applications as part of their study. Biomedical engineering and bioengineering programs are accredited by ABET.
Important Qualities for Biomedical Engineers
Analytical skills. Biomedical engineers must analyze the needs of patients and customers to design appropriate solutions.Communication skills. Because biomedical engineers sometimes work with patients and frequently work on teams, they must express themselves clearly. They must seek others' ideas and incorporate those ideas into the problem-solving process.
Creativity. Biomedical engineers must be creative to come up with innovative and integrative advances in healthcare equipment and devices.
Math skills. Biomedical engineers use the principles of calculus and other advanced topics in math and statistics, for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
Problem-solving skills. Biomedical engineers typically deal with and solve problems in complex biological systems.
Advancement for Biomedical Engineers
Biomedical engineers typically receive greater responsibility through experience and more education. To lead a research team, a biomedical engineer generally needs a graduate degree. Biomedical engineers who are interested in basic research may become medical scientists.Some biomedical engineers attend medical or dental school to specialize in various techniques or topical areas, such as using electric impulses in new ways to get muscles moving again. Some earn law degrees and work as patent attorneys. Others pursue a master's degree in business administration (MBA) and move into managerial positions. For more information, see the profiles on lawyers and architectural and engineering managers.
The median annual wage for biomedical
engineers is $85,620. The median wage is the wage at which half the
workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned
less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $51,050, and the highest 10
percent earned more than $134,620.
The median annual wages for biomedical engineers in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
Biomedical engineers usually work full time on a normal schedule.
However, as with employees in almost any engineering occupation,
biomedical engineers occasionally may have to work additional hours to
meet the needs of patients, managers, colleagues, and clients. About 1
in 5 biomedical engineers work more than 40 hours per week.
The median annual wages for biomedical engineers in the top industries in which they work are as follows:
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | $94,800 |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 90,180 |
| Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing | 86,860 |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 75,080 |
| Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private | 58,020 |
Job Outlook for Biomedical Engineers
Employment of biomedical engineers is projected to grow 7 percent
over the next ten years, about as fast as the average for all
occupations.Biomedical engineers likely will see employment growth because of increasing possibilities brought by new technologies and increasing applications to medical equipment and devices. Smartphone technology and three-dimensional printing are examples of technology being applied to biomedical advances.
As the aging baby-boom generation lives longer and stays active, the demand for biomedical devices and procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, is expected to increase. In addition, as the public continues to become more aware of medical advances, increasing numbers of people will seek biomedical solutions to their health problems from their physicians.
Biomedical engineers work with scientists, other medical researchers, and manufacturers to address a wide range of injuries and physical disabilities. Their ability to work in different activities with workers from other fields is enlarging the range of applications for biomedical engineering products and services.
| Occupational Title | Employment, 2016 | Projected Employment, 2026 | Change, 2016-26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | |||
| Biomedical engineers | 21,300 | 22,800 | 7 | 1,500 |
*Some content used by permission of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor.
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