Biomedical engineers drive advancements in medical technology, crafting solutions from biomaterials to medical devices. This post explores career paths, salaries and opportunities made accessible by earning a Master of Engineering or an MS in Biomedical Engineering. From research and consultancies to leadership roles developing medical technologies and beyond, consider how careers in biomedical engineering align with your interests and ambitions.
Design and Build Your Ideal Future
If you want to combine your love for engineering with the ability to design life-saving medical products, a career in biomedical engineering may be your calling. Advances in technology and the need to care for an aging population make biomedical engineers one of the most in-demand positions in the country.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates that there are nearly 20,000 biomedical engineering positions in the country as of 2018, and that they will grow at a rate of 4 percent by 2028.1 Biomedical engineers work in medical institutions, manufacturing and research facilities, universities and more. They design surgical robotics tools, implantable medical devices, 3-D printing for organs and other life-saving innovations.
Obtaining a Master of Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering or a Master of Science (MS) in Biomedical Engineering degree can help position graduates to thrive in a variety of rewarding careers. Employees with a master's degree make an average of at least $11,600 more per year compared to those with a bachelor's degree.2 A Master of Engineering or MS in Biomedical Engineering can help give grads:
- An opportunity for upward mobility in your current company
- The ability to apply for leadership roles
- The opportunity for higher pay
- The ability to take on more responsibilities
- Increased knowledge, leading to expanded job satisfaction and duties
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Biomedical Engineering Careers
Are you wondering exactly what you can do with a biomedical engineering degree? Here, we cover some of the most exciting types of jobs in biomedical engineering.
1. Biomaterials Developer
Biomedical engineers may develop biomaterials, which can be either natural living tissue or artificial materials, for the human body to use. Tissue engineering, biomedical implant development, drug delivery and nano implants are all areas that a biomaterials developer may work in. Biomaterials can be used to either repair or replace lost function to the body, or to detect and image disease.
2. Manufacturing Engineer
Manufacturing engineers are involved with the design and production of products, striving to create goods that are low-cost and high-quality. In the biomedical field, these products are typically developed for use in the healthcare industry.
They can include laboratory or hospital equipment, prosthetic limbs, imaging tools and more. Manufacturing engineers with biomedical engineering backgrounds can take leadership positions in the design of these products, or manage teams who are creating them.
3. Independent Consultant
Independent consultants in the biomedical engineering field work with medical organizations and research institutions to provide guidance and recommendations. Their input can affect how processes are executed, what type of equipment to use, how to organize a workforce and other crucial decisions.
Independent biomedical consultants may work with a variety of businesses, and they sometimes consult with organizations for long periods of time. Consultants can grow relationships while also reaping the benefits of diverse experiences with a variety of stakeholders.
4. Doctor
Some biomedical engineering professionals go on to pursue a medical degree in order to become a physician or surgeon. Doctor and surgeon positions are expected to grow 13 percent from 2018 to 2028 (faster than average), according to the BLS.3 Doctors and surgeons can work in small offices or large hospitals, working on tasks ranging from major surgeries to diagnosing and treating diseases.
5. Biomedical Scientist/Researcher
Biomedical scientists and researchers use clinical trials to conduct research for improving human health, carrying out scientific laboratory tests to find solutions to medical problems. They research information that aids in the development of biomedical technology and test products so that they are safe for consumers.
Biomedical researchers may also work in the field of biomechanics, which involves simulating medical problems and body systems to aid in the creation of biomedical devices. The BLS projects the job growth rate for medical scientists to be 8 percent from 2018 to 2028, which is faster than average.4
6. Rehabilitation Engineer
Biomedical engineers who work in a field dedicated to rehabilitation may work on diverse projects. These can range from mechanical equipment that helps patients regain the ability to walk to virtual reality systems that aid in limb mobility. Rehabilitation engineers may also create custom solutions based on unique needs or research improvements that can be made in rehabilitation technology.
7. Medical Technology Developer
Medical technology can refer to the hardware and software that help manufacture medical devices, as well as to the technology that is an integral part of those devices. Medical technology professionals with biomedical engineering backgrounds may specialize in bioinstrumentation, or the use of bioelectronic instruments to record or transmit physiological information. This type of equipment includes pacemakers, blood pressure monitors and electrocardiographs.
Interested in Biomedical Engineering Careers Like These?
There is so much potential when you study biomedical engineering, in terms of both career growth and the impact you can make on the world. Learn more about the curriculum for the online MS in Biomedical Engineering and the online Master of Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve, which is ranked in the top 20 in the nation for graduate biomedical engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report.5
Sources
- Retrieved on September 4, 2019, from bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm
- Retrieved on September 4, 2019, from bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/should-i-get-a-masters-degree.htm
- Retrieved on September 4, 2019, from bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm
- Retrieved on September 4, 2019, from bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/medical-scientists.htm
- Retrieved on September 4, 2019, from usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/case-western-reserve-university-201645/overall-rankings