High-Demand Careers in Ohio: Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineering is the fastest growing occupation in Ohio through 2018. This job requires at least a Bachelor’s degree to reach the average salary of $79,206, which (like all engineering professions) is among the highest of all college graduates. Research positions sometimes require a graduate degree.

While not the largest field in engineering, it is the fastest growing nationwide, due to the aging of the population and a related focus on health issues. The demand for better medical devices and equipment, and more sophisticated medical equipment and procedures, will correspond with an increased need for cost-effectiveness, particularly in pharmaceutical manufacturing and related industries.

Annually, 29 new jobs will be added in this field in Ohio, though 2018. Engineers in biomedicine apply a knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products. Science and mathematics principles are applied to scientific discoveries, in order to develop commercial services and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems.

Many biomedical engineers collaborate with medical scientists, to research, develop and evaluate:

• Devices (for medical procedures, automating insulin injections or controlling body functions),
• Imaging systems (such as magnetic resonance imaging),
• Products such as artificial organs, prostheses, and instruments or
• Medical information, health management and care delivery systems.

The work focuses on the specification, design and testing of a product and its components, including the final design, effectiveness, cost, reliability, and safety. Companies producing artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and heath management and care delivery systems are typical employers.

How to Find the Best College for Biomedical Engineering

Common college majors for biomedical engineers are biology, mathematics, engineering and technology. Courses in general engineering, mathematics and the physical/life sciences will be accompanied by a design course, computer and/or laboratory class. Often, general courses in social sciences or humanities, are required.

Most biomedical engineers also need to have a background in another engineering specialty, like mechanical or electronics engineering. Many engineers specialize with the biomedical field, in biomaterials, biomechanics, medical imaging, rehabilitation engineering, or orthopedic engineering.

Twenty-three colleges in Northeast Ohio offer specialized majors in biomedical engineering, biomedical technology or biotechnology. They are: Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Case Western Reserve University, Chancellor University, Cleveland State University, The College of Wooster, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kent State University, Lake Erie College, The Laura and Alvin Siegal College of Judaic Studies, Malone College, Oberlin College, Notre Dame College, The Rabbinical College of Telshe, The University of Akron, The University of Mount Union, Alliance College and Walsh University.

I recommend that you look closely at the course listing, and talk directly to the professors who teach them about where their recent students are working and what internship support they can provide.

Top-ranked graduate programs nationally, according to U.S. News and World Report, are: Johns Hopkins University (Whiting), George Institute of Technology, University of San Diego (Jacobs), Duke University, University of Washington (Seattle), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, Rice University and Stanford University.

Tips for Getting Hired

Common job titles in biomedical engineering include Bio-Mechanical Engineer, Dialysis Engineer, or Biomaterials Engineer. Experienced engineers obtain graduate degrees in engineering or business administration to learn new technology and broaden their education.
The engineering technology professional track is centered on practical design and production work, rather than theoretical and scientific development. Engineering technology careers requires focused coursework current issues in the application of engineering principles. Graduates of 4-year technology programs may get jobs similar to those obtained by graduates with a bachelor's degree in engineering, but can not register as professional engineers.
In order to keep up with technology improvements, continuing education is critical.
As always, What’s Your Major? strongly recommends joining a professional association and attending local or national meetings to get a better understanding of the field and to kick off your job networking campaign.

Engineers who offer their services directly to the public must be licensed. Licensed engineers are called professional engineers (PEs). Licensure usually requires a degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program, 4 years of relevant work experience, and completion of a state examination. After graduation, the licensing process requires taking the examination in two stages. The first Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination can be taken immediately. After acquiring suitable work experience, engineers quality for the second examination, called the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam.

For additional information about a career as a biomedical engineer, contact: Biomedical Engineering Society, 8401 Corporate Dr., Suite 140, Landover, MD 20785