As a biomedical engineer you'll apply engineering principles and materials technology to improve health and human wellbeing
Using your expertise in physical and materials science, you'll work with medical professionals and patients, researching, designing and developing medical equipment and procedures.
This could be in a variety of areas. For example, you could be working on joint replacements or robotic surgical instruments, be designing or modifying equipment for clients with special needs in a rehabilitation setting or managing the use of clinical equipment in hospitals and the community.
You could be employed by health services, medical equipment manufacturers, government regulatory agencies or research departments and institutes.
Job titles vary depending on the nature of the work. As well as biomedical engineer, you could be known as a:
- bioengineer
- clinical engineer or scientist (in a hospital setting/clinical situation)
- design engineer
- medical engineer.
What does a biomedical engineer do?
Tasks vary depending on the setting you're working in and your level of responsibility. However, you may need to:
- use computer software and mathematical models to design, develop and test new materials, devices and equipment. This can involve programming electronics, building and evaluating prototypes, troubleshooting problems, and rethinking the design until it works correctly
- liaise with technicians and manufacturers to ensure the feasibility of a product in terms of design and economic viability
- conduct research to solve clinical problems using a variety of means to collate the necessary information, including questionnaires, interviews and group conferences
- work closely with other medical professionals, such as doctors and therapists as well as with end-users (patients and their carers) to make sure needs are being met
- discuss and solve problems with manufacturing, quality, purchasing and marketing departments
- assess the potential wider market for products or modifications suggested by health professionals or others
- arrange clinical trials of medical products
- approach marketing and other industry companies to sell the product
- write reports and attend conferences and exhibitions to present your work and latest designs to a range of technical and non-technical audiences
- meet with senior health service staff or other managers to exchange findings
- deal with technical queries from hospitals and GPs and give advice on new equipment
- train technical or clinical staff
- investigate safety-related incidents and ensure equipment is compliant with industry standards.
How much does a biomedical engineer earn?
- If you work in medical engineering within the NHS your salary will be covered by the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates. Entry level salaries range from £32,073 to £39,043 (Band 5). You can then progress on to Band 6 where salaries are between £39,959 and £48,117.
- With significant experience salaries can range from £49,387 to £56,515 (Band 7). Salaries may be higher than this if head of department or consultant level is reached.
- Salaries for biomedical engineers in the private sector are wider-ranging than those in the NHS and depend on experience and level of responsibility.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
How many hours does a biomedical engineer work?
Working hours vary depending on who you work for and the scope of your work. Hours are generally around 37 to 40 hours per week. If you're involved in research you may work in a flexible environment, and longer hours may be necessary at certain stages of a project. On practical grounds, safety and maintenance work on hospital equipment is likely to be performed out of hours.
Part-time work is available and career breaks are possible. Self-employment is unlikely, although there may be scope to work as a consulting engineer or a contractor to a hospital once you have significant experience.
How do I become a biomedical engineer?
You need a degree to become a biomedical engineer. Relevant subjects include:
- biomedical science or engineering
- electrical or electronic engineering
- mechanical engineering
- physics.
Many employers require at least a 2:1. If you'd like to work towards chartered status it is useful if your degree is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
Having an accredited degree can also help with securing a job or getting onto specific training courses. Details of accredited courses are available from Engineering Council - Accredited Course Search.
Once you've completed a degree you'll be able to apply for work in the private sector, at research units or medical equipment manufacturers.
If you wish to work in the NHS you'll need to enter through the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). This is a graduate-entry programme that leads to more senior roles in the NHS. You will need a first or 2:1 in a relevant subject, or a 2:2 with a related Masters or PhD.
During the STP you will be employed by an NHS Trust on a salaried three-year training programme, which includes study for a Masters degree in clinical engineering. You'll also complete approved and accredited workplace-based training within this specialism. There is an annual intake for the STP - check Health Careers regularly for further details.
Successful completion of the STP means you're eligible to apply to the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) for a Certificate of Attainment, which allows you to register as a clinical scientist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC).
For the separate scientist training schemes in Scotland and Northern Ireland, see:
If you intend to work outside of the NHS you may want to consider completing a postgraduate qualification in biomedical engineering. This is particularly useful for research and development roles or if your first degree is in an unrelated subject. Many MSc courses have opportunities for work experience in the field, which could be valuable.
Search postgraduate courses in biomedical engineering.
If you choose to go into research, your career path will typically involve a PhD in biomedical engineering, followed by a role at a university or academic institute as a lecturer or researcher.
What skills does a biomedical engineer need?
You'll need to have:
- a strong interest in the integration of engineering and medicine
- excellent communication skills in order to liaise with a variety of people and manage product development
- spatial awareness, three-dimensional conceptual ability and computer literacy (particularly for design engineers)
- good interpersonal skills and the ability to empathise with patients who will be using your products
- the capacity to combine a high degree of technical knowledge with creativity
- the ability to design products that are efficient and practical, as well as cost effective and aesthetically pleasing
- commercial awareness, in order to appreciate a product's marketability.
Biomedical engineering work experience
Prior practical experience isn't essential, but relevant work experience, for example in an engineering, design or research area is helpful for making contacts and getting a first job.
You may be able to secure this experience through a placement year or project as part of your degree. Alternatively, you can look for internships or hospital placements and can make speculative applications to identify opportunities.
Work experience with children or adults with disabilities is also helpful as it can make you aware of the need for products, such as specially adapted wheelchairs or prosthetic limbs. Look for local charities that may be able to provide some volunteering roles.
You could also consider volunteering for an organisation like Remap, designing and making customised equipment for people with a disability.
You could also consider getting student membership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) or affiliate membership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). This will help you to keep up to date with developments in the sector as well as providing opportunities for networking.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Who employs biomedical engineers?
You could find work within:
- defence and government agencies
- hospital trusts
- medical equipment manufacturers
- pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- rehabilitation or health charities
- university research departments.
Hospitals employ engineers to oversee the deployment, maintenance and safety of high-tech equipment of all kinds, some of which may be used in GP surgeries and patients' homes.
Rehabilitation units exist in larger hospitals where engineers work on prosthetic devices, wheelchairs and a range of assistive technology for patients.
Government regulatory departments and the armed forces employ biomedical engineers to ensure the safety of medical equipment and devices.
In the private sector, there is a need for engineers in companies that research and manufacture medical products, such as artificial heart valves, replacement joints and monitoring equipment. Some private sector manufacturers also operate internationally and may offer scope to work in Europe and beyond.
Hospital trusts generally advertise on their own websites, and you can also look for job vacancies at:
Where can a career in biomedical engineering lead?
If you work within the NHS, your training will be structured through the STP. This includes three years in workplace-based training where you'll spend time in general settings, as well as your specialist area.
Alongside this you will also complete a specifically commissioned and accredited Masters degree in clinical engineering.
Many employers (within the NHS and the private sector) support you to work towards gaining incorporated (IEng) or chartered (CEng) engineer status. These are internationally-recognised qualifications that are awarded by the Engineering Council. Achieving professional recognition can improve your career prospects and earning potential as it shows you’re working at a certain level of skill and knowledge.
While you'll have a structured career path in the NHS in the early years. A willingness to relocate later in your career may be needed to progress to more senior roles.
Movement between hospital-based jobs and those in private industry is possible in either direction. However, if you're moving into the NHS you must obtain registration with the HCPC.
In terms of progression to more senior roles, you could expect to manage a department with responsibility for medical equipment and technical staff across a regional area.
There are also opportunities to specialise in areas such as biomechanics, biomaterials, medical instrumentation or rehabilitation. Or you could pursue a PhD or work to obtain a fellowship with your professional body.
You'll be expected to carry out continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career. If you're a professionally active member of one of the professional bodies, you may be required to complete a certain amount of CPD hours each year and will need to keep a record of your activity.
Many activities can count towards your CPD including training, events and seminars, academic study, volunteering and self-study (e.g. reading industry press).
The IET, IPEM and IMechE all run seminars, workshops, conferences and courses that are relevant and encourage networking.