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Biomedical Engineer
Industry: Healthcare
Area: Engineering
By combining biology and medicine with engineering, biomedical engineers develop devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems. Many do research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, to develop and evaluate systems and products for use in the fields of biology and health, such as artificial organs, prostheses (artificial devices that replace missing body parts), instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Biomedical engineers design devices used in various medical procedures, such as the computers used to analyze blood or the laser systems used in corrective eye surgery. They develop artificial organs, imaging systems such as magnetic resonance, ultrasound, and X-ray, and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions. Most engineers in this specialty require a sound background in one of the basic engineering specialties, such as mechanical or electronics engineering, in addition to specialized biomedical training. Some specialties within biomedical engineering include biomaterials, biomechanics, medical imaging, rehabilitation engineering, and orthopedic engineering.
Work Settings
Lab Setting.
Education
Unlike many other engineering specialties, a graduate degree is recommended or required for many entry-level jobs.
Job Outlook
Biomedical engineers held about 7,600 jobs in 2002 and openings are expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012.
Salary
Median annual earnings of biomedical engineers were $60,410 in 2002.
Work Schedule
Regular 40 hour week.