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Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

$100,730 Median Wage (2023)

1,400 Projected job openings (2023-2033)

7.40% Projected growth (2023-2033)

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: N.A.

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months

Detailed Work Activities

Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
Prepare procedural documents.
Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
Confer with technical personnel to prepare designs or operational plans.
Communicate technical information to suppliers, contractors, or regulatory agencies.
Design medical devices or appliances.
Research engineering aspects of biological or chemical processes.
Devise research or testing protocols.
Develop operational methods or processes that use green materials or emphasize sustainability.
Develop technical methods or processes.
Create models of engineering designs or methods.
Maintain operational records or records systems.
Supervise engineering or other technical personnel.
Estimate operational costs.
Estimate time requirements for development or production projects.
Prepare detailed work plans.
Prepare technical reports for internal use.
Prepare contracts, disclosures, or applications.
Update technical knowledge.
Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
Advise customers on the use of products or services.
Develop software or computer applications.
Analyze operational data to evaluate operations, processes or products.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
Prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications.
Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
Maintain databases of experiment characteristics or results.
Develop statistical models or simulations, using statistical or modeling software.
Read current scientific or trade literature to stay abreast of scientific, industrial, or technological advances.
Manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating or using budgets, or overseeing contract obligations or deadlines.
Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
Design or conduct follow-up experimentation, based on generated data, to meet established process objectives.
Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.
Communicate with bioregulatory authorities regarding licensing or compliance responsibilities.
Develop methodologies for transferring procedures or biological processes from laboratories to commercial-scale manufacturing production.
Collaborate with manufacturing or quality assurance staff to prepare product specification or safety sheets, standard operating procedures, user manuals, or qualification and validation reports.
Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
Prepare project plans for equipment or facility improvements, including time lines, budgetary estimates, or capital spending requests.
Consult with chemists or biologists to develop or evaluate novel technologies.
Confer with research and biomanufacturing personnel to ensure the compatibility of design and production.
Recommend process formulas, instrumentation, or equipment specifications, based on results of bench or pilot experimentation.
Communicate with suppliers regarding the design or specifications of bioproduction equipment, instrumentation, or materials.
Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment.
Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment.
Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes.
Design and deliver technology, such as prosthetic devices, to assist people with disabilities.
Advise manufacturing staff regarding problems with fermentation, filtration, or other bioproduction processes.
Review existing manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for yield improvement or reduced process variation.
Develop bioremediation processes to reduce pollution, protect the environment, or treat waste products.
Lead studies to examine or recommend changes in process sequences or operation protocols.
Design or direct bench or pilot production experiments to determine the scale of production methods that optimize product yield and minimize production costs.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 28.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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