What does a biomedical engineer do?
Biomedical engineering (BME) combines elements of engineering, design and medicine and their real-world applications in researching and developing biomedical devices. As a biomedical engineer, your work involves researching, designing and developing medical devices.
As a biomedical engineer, you can work with any type of medical equipment, from surgical tools, joint replacement materials and rehabilitation equipment to complex equipment like medical imaging or anaesthetic machines. Many biomedical engineers nowadays also work with artificial intelligence (AI) or robotic equipment, e.g. surgical robots.
Training in bioengineering will include studying topics like physics, maths, biology and elements of engineering such as electrical engineering, all with the aim of applying this to biomedical equipment.
Biomedical engineering is a varied field with several areas you can choose to specialise in, including (but not limited to):
- Biomechanics: Applying mechanical principles to cells and tissues
- Biomaterials: Design and development of materials that can be used as implants, artificial organs or grafts
- Surgical/clinical engineering: Development of surgical/clinical equipment
- Tissue engineering: Replacement or regeneration of biological tissues to restore normal function
Many biomedical engineers dedicate time to research, which is the basis for the advancements in biomedical technology. They use this research to create new designs and prototypes of new devices.
How to become a biomedical engineer
The first step towards starting a career in biomedical engineering is obtaining the relevant qualifications, starting with GCSEs and A levels (or equivalent). The life sciences, e.g. maths, physics and particularly biology, are useful for further training in biomedical engineering.
After high school qualifications, you will need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject. Many universities offer degrees in biomedical engineering specifically, but you can also enter the field with a degree from a relevant subject, such as mathematics, physics, other types of engineering (e.g., mechanical), computer science or biomedical science.
You can also work to get an accredited degree, though this may need to be done through an organisation such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
Accredited courses are mostly bachelor’s degree or master’s degree courses that have been evaluated by one or more relevant professional bodies and judged to meet the educational standards for chartered engineers (CEng) or incorporated engineers (Ieng), set by the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).
There are some differences between Ieng and Ceng. A Ceng-registered engineer solves engineering issues using new or existing technologies by innovation and implementation of change. They are responsible and accountable for working with complex systems, with significant associated risks.
On the other hand, Ieng-registered engineers work to maintain and manage existing technologies. They may also undertake other roles, such as design, manufacture and operations, but usually with a lower risk and accountability than CEng engineers.
Most university degrees will specify whether they are IEng or CEng accredited, but not many university degrees will have these accreditations.
You will most commonly gain an IEng or CEng registration in your graduate job, and the job you choose will often determine which of these you will obtain, as firms will have their own systems in place to support graduate training and their own requirements for their graduate employees’ qualifications.
You can also apply to become IEng or CEng-accredited independently and go through an interview process to obtain the qualification. There is plenty of information on this on relevant websites, such as the IMechE website.
Additionally, if you wish to work for the National Health Service, you may need to complete the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). This is a graduate entry programme designed to build on your existing skills and apply them in a clinical setting, with the aim of taking on more senior roles.
How long does it take to become an engineer?
Depending on whether you choose to do a bachelor’s degree only, an integrated master’s degree or a postgraduate master’s degree, the time taken to complete your higher education may vary.
A bachelor’s degree in engineering will take four years to complete if done full time. On the other hand, you can also choose to do an integrated master’s degree, which is a course that incorporates your master’s studies within the undergraduate degree. This will take five years to complete and it means you don’t have to apply for a master’s separately.
You can also choose to do your bachelor’s degree and apply for postgraduate study afterwards. However, many engineering graduate schemes offer training within the role, and they may fund relevant postgraduate qualifications. This may take one to two years to complete, or longer depending on your employer.
There is also scope to do a part-time postgraduate degree if your graduate employer doesn’t offer integrated training, but this will take longer and can be time-consuming.
If you choose to undertake the NHS STP to train for more senior roles in the clinical sector, this will take three years to complete when done full time. The STP is a work-based programme, meaning you will learn through working in a clinical environment and build your clinical portfolio.
Engineers undertaking the NHS STP will also complete a commissioned master’s degree during their STP training.
Additionally, if you would like to build a career as a biomedical engineer in academia, you may need to complete a PhD in biomedical engineering. This can take three or more years after your undergraduate education, and it is usually a paid position.
A day in the life of a biomedical engineer
Most biomedical engineers work roughly 40 hours a week, usually on weekdays, but they may have some antisocial hours especially if working in a healthcare setting. The work of biomedical scientists is varied and often depends on the sector you work in and your employer.
Your working environment will differ based on the field of biomedical engineering you go to. Biomedical engineers can work in an office, a lab or a workshop, which could be in an academic institution or a clinical setting. Many biomedical engineers even split their time between multiple work settings.
Regardless of what specialty within biomedical engineering you work in, you will utilise skills such as problem solving, analytical thinking and team working. Depending on your specialty and role, you might work with medical professionals, technicians, manufacturers, laboratory staff or business and marketing staff.
Biomedical engineers can work in a clinical setting. This involves working with other healthcare professionals to help oversee patient diagnosis and treatment, and improve human health. They might also help train medical professionals to use specific products and help them deal with technical difficulties.
When working in an industry setting, you might help design and develop new products using different mathematical and design software. You could also be working in the manufacture and testing of different products, and you might be involved in marketing and sales, when approaching other industries and companies to sell the product.
If you choose a research-focused career path, you will study the mechanics of the human body to apply to the development of biomedical tools. You are likely to also have a teaching role and lecture to students in your area of expertise.
Biomedical engineer: Career options
A career in biomedical engineering can take you in many directions, depending on the sector you would like to work in. Some of the areas you can specialise in include rehabilitation and regenerative medicine, genetic engineering, biomechanics, biomaterials, bioinformatics or medical instrumentation, alongside several others.
If you wish to work in a clinical setting, you will complete the NHS STP and a master’s degree alongside it. The completion of your studies will make you a qualified clinical engineer and enable you to work confidently in a clinical setting.
Biomedical engineers who wish to work for the private sector are usually the ones who benefit most from obtaining a CEng, although this is useful for NHS engineers too. Many engineers wishing to work in the private sector will look for graduate scheme jobs that offer help with CEng accreditation.
CEng can be obtained through professional bodies like the IET, the IMechE or the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine.
Those who choose a career in research will follow a more academic route, usually through obtaining a PhD and getting a job post at a higher education institution.
Whichever career route you choose, continuing professional development (CPD) will be an important part of your career. As a part of your CPD, it is helpful to become a member of a professional body and to attend courses, lectures and conferences to keep up to date with the newest advances in your field.
As you progress in your role in any of these career pathways and become more experienced, you might take on more managerial and leadership roles. For example, you might be in charge of managing departments.
Salary: How much does a biomedical engineer earn in the UK and the US?
Biomedical engineers in the UK may earn different wages depending on their employer and seniority.
NHS-based biomedical engineers can earn between £27,055 to £32,934 at entry level, and this salary will increase with experience to around £48,000 per annum. This can increase further if you work at a consultant level or as a head of a department.
The private sector salaries for biomedical engineers are largely similar to those in the NHS, starting at about £21,000 per year as a newly qualified engineer and going up to around £45,000 a year.
In the US, biomedical engineers usually earn between $78,500 and $129,230 a year. The average salary for a biomedical engineer in the US is $89,615 per year.
The salary depends on their experience, as well as their employer and the region where they work. Much like in the UK, you can increase your salary by taking on leadership and management roles.
References
- Indeed. How to become a biomedical engineer: a step-by-step guide. Published Sept 2023. Available from: https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-biomedical-engineer
- Clemens, J. Hyper Recruitment Solutions. How to become a biomedical engineer. Published Apr 2023. Available from: https://news.hyperec.com/post/how-to-become-a-biomedical-engineer
- Prospects. Biomedical engineer. Available from: https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/biomedical-engineer#salary
- City, University of London. How to become a biomedical engineer. Available from: https://www.city.ac.uk/prospective-students/career-development/pathways/how-to-become-a-biomedical-engineer
- University of Strathclyde. What’s biomedical engineering. Available from: https://www.strath.ac.uk/engineering/biomedicalengineering/whatsbiomedicalengineering/
- Engineering Council. Accredited courses. Available from: https://www.engc.org.uk/informationfor/students-apprentices-and-graduates/higher-education-he-students/accredited-courses/
- Engineering Council. Course search. Available from: https://www.engc.org.uk/education-skills/course-search/accredited-course-search/
- Engineering Council. Incorporated Engineer. Available from: https://www.engc.org.uk/IEng
- Engineering Council. Chartered Engineer. Available from: https://www.engc.org.uk/ceng
- Engineering Council. Comparison table for EngTech, IEng and CEng standards. Available from: https://www.engc.org.uk/media/3419/comparison-table-for-engtech-ieng-and-ceng-standards-with-examples-of-evidence.pdf
- Targetjobs. Becoming a chartered or incorporated engineer after starting a graduate job. Published Jan 2023. Available from: https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/engineering/becoming-chartered-or-incorporated-engineer-after-starting-graduate-job
- NHS England. Scientific Training Programme. Available from: https://nshcs.hee.nhs.uk/programmes/stp/
