What Can You Do With a Biomedical Engineering Degree?

Does designing the latest high-tech medical wearable sound like an exciting job? How about experimenting with new devices or engineering tissues to build organs? If you’re enthusiastic about multidisciplinary work that combines mathematics, design and biology, biomedical engineering may be the field for you. A degree in biomedical engineering prepares you for academic, medical and industry careers in medical device design, biomedical research and tissue engineering.

Read on to explore diverse career paths open to biomedical engineering graduates—from designing life-saving medical devices to engineering tissues that rebuild organs—and consider how the right graduate program can position you for leadership in this rapidly evolving field.

Biomedical Engineering Job Outlook

Biomedical engineering is a strong and fast-growing field, with a global annual growth rate of 15%.¹ The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that domestic opportunities in bioengineering and biomedical engineering will grow by 5% between 2024 and 2034. This is nearly double the growth rate for all other professions.²

As our population ages and medical needs increase, biomedical engineers are in demand to develop solutions for age-related health concerns, including cognitive decline and limited mobility.³

In-Demand Biomedical Engineering Careers

What jobs can you get with a biomedical engineering degree? The options span multiple sectors and specializations.

Medical Device Design Engineer

Medical device design engineers help develop new medical technologies, such as prosthetics, surgical tools and diagnostic equipment. They primarily work in medical equipment manufacturing, as well as in clinical settings and research organizations.⁴ Some job titles you might see include design engineer or manufacturing engineer.

Clinical Engineer

Clinical engineers work in multiple sectors of biomedical engineering, including the research, development and use of medical technology. They may conduct research on new devices at a university, assist manufacturers with design or assist hospitals and clinics with device installation and maintenance.⁵ Job titles may include clinical engineer or healthcare engineer.

Biomedical Research Scientist

Biomedical scientists may design and conduct experiments on new devices and therapies, analyze data or manage lab facilities. They work in public, hospital and university labs, as well as for private organizations and pharmaceutical companies.⁶ Job titles include postdoctoral fellow, research scientist or principal scientist.

Rehabilitation Engineer

Rehabilitation engineers develop assistive technologies that improve mobility, accessibility and quality of life for people with disabilities. They may design or develop new technologies, identify or modify devices to help with individual needs or ensure that devices meet regulatory standards. They may work in the public or private sector at hospitals, universities or manufacturers.⁷

Regulatory Affairs Engineer

Regulatory affairs engineers ensure that medical products meet all safety and compliance standards. They frequently work in the private sector, collaborating across multiple departments to ensure that a manufacturer's products meet all government regulations.⁸ This role is critical in bringing medical innovations to market, as it requires both technical knowledge and understanding of FDA processes and international compliance standards. Job titles may include regulatory engineer or regulatory specialist.

Tissue Engineering Specialist

Tissue engineering specialists work in both public and private labs, developing engineered tissues, scaffolds and advanced biomaterials. In careers as research scientists, laboratory technicians or biomedical engineers, they conduct experiments and collaborate with cross-functional teams to advance regenerative medicine.⁹

What Industries Hire Biomedical Engineering Graduates?

According to the BLS, the industries employing the most biomedical engineers in this country are:¹⁰

• Scientific research
• Medical equipment manufacturing
• Professional equipment sales
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing
• General medical and surgical hospitals

Technology is opening up new fields for biomedical engineers. Some engineers are helping design wearable technology, such as smartwatches, electrocardiogram monitors and defibrillators. Others are using AI in diagnostics and predictive analytics.¹¹

Biomedical engineers are also making a big impact in regenerative medicine, engineering tissues to recreate cells and build organs.¹²

How Does a Biomedical Engineering Degree Prepare You for Success?

Advancing your career in biomedical engineering requires multiple skills, but a master's degree prepares you well for success in the field. During your graduate studies, you'll collaborate with clinicians and scientists while gaining direct experience with engineering principles, the latest technical innovations and valuable internship opportunities.

At Case Western Reserve University, the online MS in Biomedical Engineering program combines technical depth with practical skills. The curriculum covers instrumentation and analysis fundamentals, physiology, imaging, neural engineering and biomaterials. You'll also develop translational skills through coursework in regulatory aspects of health technology, biodesign and engineering management. Through team projects and simulation software, you'll strengthen your problem-solving abilities and presentation skills, which are essential competencies for engineering leadership.

Some careers in biomedical engineering may require additional certifications. Device auditors may need a Certified Biomedical Auditor credential, while certain jobs in bioelectronics may require a Master Certified Electronics Technician certificate.

Position Yourself for Leadership in Biomedical Engineering

In a rapidly growing field, a master's degree in biomedical engineering is a stepping stone to a variety of careers—in academia, industry and clinical medicine. What can you do with a biomedical engineering degree? Quite a bit.

The right graduate program makes all the difference in preparing you for these diverse opportunities. With a nearly 150-year history, Case School of Engineering is renowned and well-equipped to prepare you for career success. Led by a faculty of experts, the rigorous coursework in the online MS in Biomedical Engineering program immerses you in this dynamic field. You’ll have opportunities to conduct research and guidance to develop essential professional skills. The program gives you access to cutting-edge research programs, over $60 million in grant funding for new research endeavors and training programs to integrate into the industry. You'll develop the expertise you need to be part of the emerging healthcare transformation.

You can complete the coursework in as few as 18 months, with three annual start dates providing flexibility to begin when it works for your schedule. Explore tuition and financial aid options, including the $28,440 tuition reduction offer for all new online students.

Take the next step today. Schedule a call with an admissions outreach advisor.