Medical device engineer

About this occupation

Medical device engineers design and develop medical-technical systems, installations, and equipment such as pacemakers, MRI scanners, and X-ray machines. They monitor the whole manufacturing process from concept design to product implementation. activities undertaken include, among others, designing product improvements, developing methods and techniques to evaluate design suitability, coordinating initial production, developing test procedures, and designing manufacturing diagrams.

A specialisation of electronics engineer.

• Test or calibrate components or equipment, following manufacturers' manuals and troubleshooting techniques, using hand tools, power tools, or measuring devices.
• Perform preventive maintenance or service, such as cleaning, lubricating, or adjusting equipment.
• Inspect, test, or troubleshoot malfunctioning medical or related equipment, following manufacturers' specifications and using test and analysis instruments.
• Keep records of maintenance, repair, and required updates of equipment.
• Disassemble malfunctioning equipment and remove, repair, or replace defective parts, such as motors, clutches, or transformers.
• Examine medical equipment or facility's structural environment and check for proper use of equipment to protect patients and staff from electrical or mechanical hazards and to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Typical education (US)

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

Preparation

Job Zone 3 of 5

Interests

Realistic, Conventional, Investigative

Top skills: Repairing, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Reading Comprehension

US median pay: US$61,660 a year (2025), 65,990 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (4.2)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.9)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.6)
• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.0)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.