Bioengineering Technician

What does a bioengineering technician do?

Bioengineering technicians usually have a range of duties that lie between trade and professional engineer levels. They conduct and assist with the research, design, manufacture, repair and maintenance of biomedical equipment. Graduates usually work under the supervision of others as they gain hands-on experience in their industry or field. Recent graduates will be involved in tasks that apply their technical skills to solve problems, and may progress to more involved work with additional specialised training and as experience levels increase.

Why does a bioengineering technician do this?

Bioengineering technicians work closely with engineers and within health care teams to develop medical diagnostic devices and procedures that solve medical and health-related problems. They are of service to people, work with living systems, and apply advanced technology for the enhancement of health care. Major advances in bioengineering that demonstrate the merging of medicine and engineering have produced artificial parts for hearts, ears, limbs – and given quality of life, and life itself, back to many who otherwise would be without it.

How does a bioengineering technician do their job?

Many bioengineering technicians assist engineers and scientists, especially in research and development. Others work in quality control, inspecting biomedical products and processes, conducting tests or collecting data. In manufacturing, they may assist in product design, development or production.  Those who work in research and development build or set up equipment, prepare and conduct experiments, collect data, calculate or record results, and help engineers or scientists in other ways, such as making prototype versions of newly designed equipment. They also assist in design work, often using computer-aided design (CAD) equipment. Tools used include: electrometers, fatigue testers and pressure indicators. Technology used includes: analytical software, CAD, medical software, program testing software and project management software.

Where do bioengineering technicians do their work?

Most bioengineering technicians spend much of their time working on computers in an office. Depending on their specialty and work setting, their duties include everything from setting up and maintaining equipment in a research lab, to drafting plans for new design on a computer, to inspecting an assembly line. They are employed in industry, hospitals, research facilities of educational and medical institutions, medical service organisations, and government regulatory agencies.

Tertiary study

Undergraduate studies begin with a Bachelor of Science with a major in Bioengineering Systems. This major can lead to accredited professional careers in biomedical engineering through the Master of Engineering (Biomedical).

Through the Bachelor of Science you can complete studies in the biomedical sciences, including:

After completing a Bachelor of Science, you could go on to complete studies such as:*

*Course and subject requirements may vary. Please check the entry requirements for each course.

Companies that employ bioengineers

Graduates can expect to work in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostics fields. This could include companies such as: