Occupation

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Human Advantage 70%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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.

Also Known As: Analytical Biochemical Engineer, Biochemical Development Engineer, Biochemical Engineer, Biochemistry Chemical Engineering Analyst, Bioengineer, Bioinformatics Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, Biomechanical Engineer +35 more

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Core Tasks

  1. Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
  2. Prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications.
  3. Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
  4. Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
  5. Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
  6. Maintain databases of experiment characteristics or results.
  7. Develop statistical models or simulations, using statistical or modeling software.
  8. Read current scientific or trade literature to stay abreast of scientific, industrial, or technological advances.
  9. Manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating or using budgets, or overseeing contract obligations or deadlines.
  10. Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
  11. Design or conduct follow-up experimentation, based on generated data, to meet established process objectives.
  12. Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.
  13. Communicate with bioregulatory authorities regarding licensing or compliance responsibilities.
  14. Develop methodologies for transferring procedures or biological processes from laboratories to commercial-scale manufacturing production.
  15. Collaborate with manufacturing or quality assurance staff to prepare product specification or safety sheets, standard operating procedures, user manuals, or qualification and validation reports.
  16. Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
  17. Prepare project plans for equipment or facility improvements, including time lines, budgetary estimates, or capital spending requests.
  18. Consult with chemists or biologists to develop or evaluate novel technologies.
  19. Confer with research and biomanufacturing personnel to ensure the compatibility of design and production.
  20. Recommend process formulas, instrumentation, or equipment specifications, based on results of bench or pilot experimentation.
  21. Communicate with suppliers regarding the design or specifications of bioproduction equipment, instrumentation, or materials.
  22. Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment.
  23. Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment.

Supplemental Tasks (7)

  1. Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes.
  2. Design and deliver technology, such as prosthetic devices, to assist people with disabilities.
  3. Advise manufacturing staff regarding problems with fermentation, filtration, or other bioproduction processes.
  4. Review existing manufacturing processes to identify opportunities for yield improvement or reduced process variation.
  5. Develop bioremediation processes to reduce pollution, protect the environment, or treat waste products.
  6. Lead studies to examine or recommend changes in process sequences or operation protocols.
  7. Design or direct bench or pilot production experiments to determine the scale of production methods that optimize product yield and minimize production costs.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: 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.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
43%
Master's Degree
26%
Doctoral Degree
13%
Post-Doctoral Training
13%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
4%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • C
  • C++
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Azure software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Database
  • Oracle Java
  • Python
  • R
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • SAP software
  • SAS
  • Splunk Enterprise
  • Structured query language SQL
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX

Software (139)

  • ADInstruments LabChart
  • ANSYS simulation software
  • Ab Initio
  • Ada
  • Advanced computer simulation language ACSL
  • ApE A Plasmid Editor
  • AspenTech HYSYS
  • Biomechanical modeling software
  • Bioreactor Design
  • Cadence Allegro Design Entry Capture and Capture CIS
  • Cadence Encounter Test
  • Calculating optimum maintenance parameters COMPARE
  • Calibration software
  • Charting software
  • Circuit simulation software
  • Common cause failure assessment software
  • Computational fluid dynamics CFD software
  • Computational modeling software
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Computer aided manufacturing CAM software
  • Criticality analysis software
  • Defect tracking software
  • Diagramming software
  • Dyadem FMEA Pro-6
  • ERP software
  • Electromechanical testing analysis software
  • Electromyograph analysis software
  • Electronic design automation EDA software
  • Embedded systems testing software
  • Equipment compliance testing software
  • Failure mode and effects analysis FMEA software
  • Failure rate data in perspective FARADIP software
  • Failure rate database software
  • Fault modeling software
  • Fault tree analysis FTA software
  • Finite element analysis FEA software
  • Finite element method FEM software
  • Force platform software
  • Force sensitive applications FSA software
  • Fourier transform infrared FTIR software
  • Functional modeling software
  • Gait analysis software
  • Hardware description language HDL
  • Hierarchical simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis HSPICE
  • Human modeling software
  • Hypertext preprocessor PHP
  • IBM Rational ClearCase
  • IBM Rational ClearQuest
  • IBM Rational RequisitePro
  • Image analysis software
  • ImageJ
  • Instrument control software
  • Instrument validation software
  • Integrated development environment IDE software
  • Intelligen SuperPro Designer
  • Laboratory information management system LIMS
  • Lucidchart
  • Maplesoft Maple
  • Materials testing software
  • MathWorks Simulink
  • Mathsoft Mathcad
  • Mean time between failures MBTF software
  • Medical imaging software
  • Medical information software
  • Mentor Graphics software
  • Microsoft operating system
  • Minitab
  • Molecular simulation software
  • Motion analysis software
  • National Instruments LabVIEW
  • Neural network modeling software
  • NeuroSolutions for MatLab
  • Numerical analysis software
  • OrCAD Capture
  • PTC Creo Elements/Pro
  • PTC Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire
  • Polymath Software POLYMATH
  • Preventive maintenance software
  • Project estimation software
  • Rapid application development RAD software
  • Rapid prototyping software
  • Reliability centered maintenance RCM software
  • Requirements management software
  • Root cause analysis software
  • SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
  • SAS JMP
  • SNOINO RCM Pro
  • SNOINO Ttree
  • Schematic design entry software
  • Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE
  • Software development tools
  • Stochastic modeling software
  • Stratasys FDM MedModeler
  • System testing software
  • Systems analysis programs for hands on integrated reliability evaluation software SAPHIRE
  • Technis BETAPLUS
  • Test automation software
  • Thomson Reuters EndNote
  • Three-dimensional motion capture software
  • Unified modeling language UML
  • User interface design software
  • Verilog
  • Virtual instrument software
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
  • Word processing software
  • Zuken electrical design software

Tools & Equipment (211)

  • 3T scanners
  • Accelerometers
  • Acoustic measurement systems
  • Acousto-optic modulators
  • Activity monitoring devices
  • Aerosol analyzers
  • Aerosol generators
  • Analytical balances
  • Anthropometers
  • Arbitrary waveform generators
  • Autoclaves
  • Automated particle counters
  • Automatic titrators
  • Autosamplers
  • Axial-torsional testing systems
  • Bacteria-based biosensors
  • Basic stamp microcontrollers
  • Bio-sensors
  • Bio-signal amplifiers
  • Bio-signal simulators
  • Biomagnetic imaging scanners
  • Biomedical device electrical safety testers
  • Biomimetic robots
  • Bioreactors
  • Biosafety cabinets
  • Bomb calorimeters
  • Camcorders
  • Capillary electrophoresis systems
  • Carbon dioxide CO2 incubators
  • Cardiovascular prosthetic device testers
  • Cell culture bioreactors
  • Centrifuges
  • Chemiluminescence analyzers
  • Circuit analyzers
  • Condensation nuclei counters CNC
  • Cone-plate viscometers
  • Confocal laser scanning microscopes
  • Contact angle goniometers
  • Defibrillator testing devices
  • Deflectors
  • Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA synthesizers
  • Desktop computers
  • Differential scanning calorimeters
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital luxmeters
  • Digital sonomicrometers
  • Dissolved oxygen polarographic measurement devices
  • Dissolved oxygen probes
  • Dynamometers
  • Electrical particle detectors
  • Electroblotting apparatus
  • Electrode bevelers
  • Electrode pullers
  • Electroencephalography EEG equipment
  • Electromyographs EMG
  • Electroplating apparatus
  • Electrosurgery testing devices
  • Ellipsometers
  • Endovascular stent-graft testing instruments
  • Environmental conditions measurement devices
  • Environmental growth chambers
  • Enzymatic membrane reactors
  • Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA plate readers
  • Extruders
  • Eye tracking devices
  • Fast protein liquid chromatographs FPLC
  • Finger joint flexure testers
  • Flame ionization detectors FID
  • Flash point detectors
  • Flow control devices
  • Flow cytometers
  • Fluorescence microscopes
  • Fluorospectrometers
  • Footswitch sensors
  • Force platforms
  • Fourier transform infrared FTIR spectrometers
  • Freeze dryers
  • Frequency shifters
  • Functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI scanners
  • Gas chromatographs GC
  • Gas flow control systems
  • Gel documentation systems
  • Glass micromolds
  • Grass stimulators
  • Grip dynamometers
  • Hardness testing devices
  • High pressure liquid chromatographs HPLC
  • High-speed digital cameras
  • Immuno-sensors
  • Impact testers
  • Incubator performance analyzers
  • Incubators
  • Insole sensors
  • Intravenous IV pump analyzers
  • Inverted light microscopes
  • Ion chromatographs
  • Ion exchange purification systems
  • Ion trap mass spectrometers
  • Isolators
  • Laminar flow hoods
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser ablation machines
  • Liquid handling robots
  • Load sensors
  • Low-pressure impactors
  • Magnetic resonance imaging MRI systems
  • Maskless photolithography equipment
  • Material fatigue and dynamics characterization devices
  • Material tension/compression testing devices
  • Medical radiation dosimeters
  • Microbial fermenters
  • Microcontrollers
  • Microelectrodes
  • Microfluidic networks
  • Micromanipulation microrheology microscopes
  • Micromolding lithography equipment
  • Microplate readers
  • Microplate spectrophotometers
  • Microplate washers
  • Microplating equipment
  • Micropumps
  • Microvalves
  • Milling machines
  • Molecular cytosensors
  • Molecular vacuum pumps
  • Motion actuators
  • Multi-axis kinematic knee simulators
  • Multi-photon microscopes
  • Multimeters
  • Non-invasive blood pressure monitor analyzers
  • Nuclear magnetic resonance NMR spectroscopes
  • Optical coherence tomography OCT scanners
  • Optical particle counters
  • Optical particle detectors
  • Optical tomographic imaging scanners
  • Optical traps
  • Opto-electronic electrogoniometers
  • Orbital shakers
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Oxygen meters
  • Pacemaker analyzers
  • Pacemaker testing devices
  • Particle size classifiers
  • Patient monitoring testing devices
  • Personal computers
  • Physical conditioning treadmill exercisers
  • Piezoelectric ceramic transducers
  • Piezoelectric sensors
  • Pinch gauges
  • Plant photosynthesis meters
  • Plasma excitation chambers
  • Plastic injection molding machines
  • Polygraph recorders
  • Polymer matrices
  • Polymer scaffolds
  • Polymerase chain reaction PCR equipment
  • Positron emission tomography PET scanners
  • Posturographic measurement systems
  • Pressure and temperature measurement devices
  • Pressure sensors
  • Pressure transducers
  • Prosthetic limb testers
  • Protein gel electrophoresis
  • Pulsating bubble surfactometers PBS
  • Pulse oximeters
  • Quadrupole mass spectrometers
  • Quantum-based switching applications Q-switch electron waveguides
  • Radiation compliance testing devices
  • Radio frequency amplifiers
  • Rapid toxicity testing systems
  • Real-time polymerase chain reaction PCR equipment
  • Refractive index detectors
  • Rheometers
  • Scanning electron microscopes SEM
  • Scanning probe microscopes SPM
  • Servopneumatic actuators
  • Servopneumatic axial test instruments
  • Single photon emission computed tomography SPECT scanners
  • Skinfold calipers
  • Soft materials in-vitro simulation system
  • Spectrofluorimeters
  • Spinal disk implant wear testers
  • Spine simulators
  • Spirometers
  • Sterilization-in-place equipment
  • Strain gauge conditioners
  • Strain gauges
  • Sublimation printers
  • Sugar analyzers
  • Superconducting quantum interference devices SQUID
  • Surface area analyzers
  • Tensionmeters
  • Thermal cyclers
  • Torsiometers
  • Total organic carbon TOC analyzers
  • Toxic gas detectors
  • Two-point discriminators
  • Ultra high speed magnetic resonance imaging MRI scanner machines
  • Ultrasonic testing apparatus
  • Ultrasound imaging scanners
  • Ultrasound indention probes
  • Ultrasound transducers
  • Ultrasound wattmeters
  • Ultraviolet spectrometers
  • Ultraviolet spectrophotometers
  • Ventilator performance analyzers
  • Viscometers
  • X ray diffractometers
  • X ray lithography equipment
  • X ray machines
  • pH meters

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Engineering Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers You are here

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