The very first engineering job that I landed after graduating with a computer engineering degree was in the medical device industry. I must say that I did not see that coming. It’s where I still work today, and I am astounded by all of the new technologies that will revolutionize the industry moving forward. The medical device industry is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, with a projected value of $542.7 billion by 2025. This growth is expected to create many new career opportunities in the field, ranging from  research and development, manufacturing, sales and marketing, engineering, quality control, and regulatory affairs.

If the medical device industry sounds interesting to you then there are several academic fields that can prepare you for a successful career. Biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, and business or marketing are just a few of the academic fields that can put you on the path to working in the medical device industry. Listed below is a quick breakdown of those fields mentioned.

1. Biomedical engineering: This field combines principles of engineering with biology and medicine to design and develop medical devices and other healthcare technologies. Biomedical engineers work on a wide range of projects, including developing artificial organs, designing prosthetics, and creating medical imaging systems.
2. Mechanical engineering: Mechanical engineers design and develop mechanical systems and products, including medical devices such as diagnostic equipment and surgical instruments.
3. Electrical engineering: Electrical engineers design and develop electronic systems and products, including medical devices such as pacemakers and defibrillators.
4. Materials science: Materials scientists study the properties and behavior of different materials, including those used in medical devices. They may work on developing new materials or improving existing ones for use in medical devices.
5. Business or marketing: If you are interested in sales, marketing, or management in the medical device industry, a degree in business or marketing can be a valuable asset.

So where does a computer engineer like myself fit into all of this? Well, computer engineers play a significant role in the medical device industry. They are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining the computer systems and software that are used in medical devices. These systems may include hardware, such as microcontrollers and sensors, as well as software that controls the device’s operation and communicates with other systems.

Computer engineers can also work on developing algorithms and data analysis tools that can be used to process and interpret medical data. They may be involved in the integration of medical devices with electronic medical record systems and other healthcare information systems. I can speak from personal experience and state that it is a very rewarding career.

In addition to these specific fields within the industry, it can also be helpful for students to gain practical experience through internships or co-op programs if so desired.

In recent years we’ve seen some revolutionary strides with robotic surgical systems, 3D printing in medicine, and artificial intelligence in healthcare. Listed below is a quick breakdown.

1. Robotic surgical systems: These are advanced surgical systems that are controlled by a surgeon and assist in performing delicate surgeries with high precision and accuracy. Examples include the Da Vinci surgical system and the ROSA Brain surgical robot.
2. 3D printing in medicine: 3D printing has been used to create a wide range of medical devices, including prosthetics, implants, and even human organs. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about manufacturing and design in medicine.
3. Artificial intelligence in healthcare: AI has the potential to transform the way we deliver healthcare, by automating routine tasks, analyzing large amounts of data, and assisting with diagnosis and treatment planning. There are many examples of AI being used in healthcare.

Since the Da Vinci is mentioned above, let’s take a quick look at it.

For those of you that are interested in developing new technologies or marketing and selling existing products in the medical device industry there are many ways to contribute. The various emerging technologies within the medical device industry will revolutionize the way we think about healthcare and shape the future of the industry for years to come and you can be a part of that. The medical device field is growing rapidly and offers many career opportunities for individuals with a range of skills and interests.

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