Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Biomedical Engineer
What biomedical engineers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a biomedical engineer?
Review test data. From there, the day usually includes design medical devices, test prototypes, and analyze data. Full-time business hours.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a biomedical engineer working full time.
- Review test data.
- Meet surgeons about a device.
- Update CAD.
- Run bench tests.
- Write design history file.
- Review a complaint.
- Plan verification tests.
Where biomedical engineers work
Biomedical engineers work in labs, offices, hospitals and manufacturing.
Hours and schedule
Full-time business hours.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Design medical devices
- Test prototypes
- Analyze data
- Work with clinicians
- Document for FDA
- Support manufacturing
- Investigate failures
Tools you’ll use every day
- SolidWorks
- MATLAB
- LabVIEW
- Test equipment
- Statistical software
- 3D printers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Help patients
- High pay
- Mix of biology and engineering
What’s hard
- Heavy regulation
- Long development cycles
- Documentation load
- Competitive entry
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like biology and engineering
- I want to help patients
- I like testing
- I don’t mind documentation
- I want growing work
- I like teamwork
Not sure? Take the free Biomedical Engineer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow lab safety
- Follow biosafety rules
- Protect patient data
- Design for patient safety