As the healthcare industry continues its rapid digital transformation, many job opportunities abound for hardware and software engineers. This is especially the case in the area of medical device engineering.
Companies need experienced engineering talent, with some willing to train the right professionals from other parts of the IT world. Tech pros looking to move into a med device role need to understand all aspects of the position. With a better informed career decision in mind, let’s profile the role of the medical device engineer. Perhaps it’s the right technology job to take your career to a higher level?
The Typical Job Duties of a Med Device Engineer
Simply put, medical device engineers share responsibility for the research, design, development, and testing of a wide range of equipment used in hospitals and medical offices. Hardware engineers work on device design, circuit board schematics, determining the bill of materials, and more. Software engineers develop the embedded programming for the device, typically using a mix of C and assembly language.
In both cases, engineers conduct extensive testing of the device in different usage scenarios, including stress testing. They also need to understand the latest regulatory requirements from the FDA and European standards bodies. Interaction with clients from healthcare companies and even component vendors is also possible.
Medical Device Engineers Enjoy Lucrative Salaries
Like most other engineering roles, experienced medical device engineers typically earn a lucrative salary – both software and hardware. According to Salary.com, expect an average annual salary around $76,000, with the high-end closer to $90,000 per year. Some organizations report average salaries around $91,000 per year for this job role.
Obviously, experience and the cost of living index where the employer is located influences salary. Needless to say, the top med device engineers in the field earn a six-figure salary. Other benefits, like annual bonuses and tuition reimbursement also influence the overall compensation.
Job Requirements for a Medical Device Engineer Position
Medical device engineer positions generally require a Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline, usually electronic or mechanical. In some cases, a Masters degree is preferred. As noted earlier, experience in medical device design and production is also typically required, but some companies are willing to train the right candidate. These might be a recent graduate or someone with experience in embedded systems outside of medtech.
Most open positions require at least 1-5 years of relevant experience, with some senior engineering roles requiring more than 10 years. Software engineering candidates need to understand embedded systems programming using C and assembly.
Looking for a great career in the medical device field?
If you are interested in taking your med device engineering career to the stratosphere, speak with the knowledgeable recruiters at The CERES Group. As one of the top technical staffing agencies in the Northeast, we know the companies looking for the best. Connect with us soon!
