What qualifications do I need to become a Medical Device Engineer?

A degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is typically required. Relevant certifications and experience in medical device development are also valuable.

What are the key skills for a Medical Device Engineer?

Key skills include strong technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a highly regulated environment. Collaboration and communication skills are also crucial.

What is the typical career progression for a Medical Device Engineer?

Career progression often starts with entry-level roles, moves through specialisation and project leadership, and culminates in strategic and executive positions. Each step builds on the previous one, adding more responsibility and influence.

What is the salary range for Medical Device Engineers?

Salaries for Medical Device Engineers can vary widely based on experience, location, and specific role. For detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

Medical Device Engineer Jobs

Designers and innovators who create the medical devices that save lives. A role that combines engineering expertise with a deep understanding of healthcare needs.

Open roles

Salary range

£40k – £58k

Hiring companies

View 11 live roles → Get an alert

Medical Device Engineers are at the forefront of healthcare innovation, developing and refining the devices that improve and save lives. These professionals work in a highly regulated environment, collaborating with clinicians, regulatory experts, and manufacturing teams to ensure that medical devices are safe, effective, and user-friendly. From initial concept to market release, Medical Device Engineers play a crucial role in every stage of the product lifecycle.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Medical Device Engineer

A typical week for a Medical Device Engineer is a mix of design, testing, and collaboration. Time is split between hands-on lab work, meetings with cross-functional teams, and documentation for regulatory compliance.

01

Conduct design reviews with cross-functional teams
02

Perform tests and simulations on new device prototypes
03

Document findings and prepare reports for regulatory submissions
04

Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimise production processes
05

Attend client and stakeholder meetings to gather feedback
06

Stay updated on the latest industry standards and regulations

Salary on the board

£40k – £58k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 9 UK listings priced in pounds in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

Salary visibility: 19% of listings advertise a salary.

By seniority

£k base

Mid

5 jobs

Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 16 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

ISO 13485

50%

Medical Devices

50%

Mechanical Engineering

38%

Electronics

31%

Electrical Systems

25%

Mechanical Systems

25%

IEC 62304

19%

Project Management

19%

Mechanical Design

19%

Quality Management System

19%

CAPA

19%

ISO 9001

19%

Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for medical device engineers. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

Level 1

Junior Medical Device Engineer

0–2 yrs

Assist in the design and testing of medical devices under supervision. Contribute to documentation and regulatory submissions.
Level 2

Medical Device Engineer

2–5 yrs

Lead specific projects and design tasks. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure device functionality and compliance.
Level 3

Senior Medical Device Engineer

5–10 yrs

Manage multiple projects and teams. Oversee the entire product development process from concept to market release.
Level 4

Principal Medical Device Engineer

10+ yrs

Strategise and lead major initiatives. Influence company direction and industry standards in medical device development.

Pathway

How to become a Medical Device Engineer

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

1

Entry-Level Engineer

Start with foundational roles, learning the basics of medical device design and regulatory processes.
2

Specialisation

Develop expertise in a specific area such as biomechanics, materials science, or regulatory affairs.
3

Project Leadership

Take on leadership roles, managing projects and teams to deliver high-quality medical devices.
4

Strategic Influence

Influence company strategy and industry standards, driving innovation and best practices in medical technology.
5

Executive Role

Move into executive positions, overseeing entire departments and shaping the future of medical device development.

Live jobs

11 live roles

See all 11 roles →

Embedded Software Engineer - Medical Devices

Last month

ECM Selection Cambridge £45,000 – £55,000 pa

Develop embedded C and C++ software for medical devices spanning lab and hospital equipment, drug delivery systems and personal sensors. Work across all project stages from concept through design, implementation and manufacture, with substantial client interaction. Target systems include bare metal, RTOS and Linux, with Python used for automated testing.

On-site

Remote Support Engineer – Medical Devices

2 weeks ago

Industrious Recruitment Milton Keynes £37,500 pa

Provide first-line remote technical support for specialist laboratory analysers and medical devices, diagnosing faults using remote-access tools such as RDP, VNC and augmented reality. Work with laboratory staff, field service engineers and product specialists to resolve issues and minimise on-site visits, while training users and maintaining service records.

Remote Permanent

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Medical Devices

15 months ago

Newton Colmore Cambridge

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Medical Devices - CambridgeA growing Medical Devices team, based in Cambridge, is currently seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Engineer to lead the development of cutting-edge Medical Devices in the fields of Health Technology, Biotech, and...

Permanent

Quality Engineer (Medical Devices)

Last month

Ernest Gordon Recruitment Andover £40,000 – £45,000 pa

Maintains and develops the Quality Management System in a high-end cleanroom, supported by a team of six. Ensures compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and AS9100, applying CAPA, 8D and 5 Whys methods, with training provided where needed. Distinct for its medical devices focus within a growing specialist manufacturer serving aerospace, automotive and medical clients.

On-site Permanent

Quality Engineer (Medical Devices)

3 weeks ago

Matchtech Fareham

Maintains and improves a medical device Quality Management System, planning and reporting internal audits and leading external audit readiness with evidence packs and follow-up actions. Supports ISO 13485 compliance, ISO 14971 risk activities, CAPA and document control, and leads quality improvement projects in a regulated scale-up environment.

Hybrid Permanent

Medical Devices Consultant - Senior Mechanical Engineer

15 months ago

Newton Colmore Cambridge

Medical Devices Consultant - Senior Mechanical Engineer - CambridgeDue to the growth of a leading Medical Devices organisation, we are currently seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager, Medical Devices Inventor, or Mechanical Design Consultant for a newly approved role....

Permanent

Mechanical Engineering Manager – Medical Devices

Last month

ARCA Warwick

Lead medical device development projects across the full lifecycle, from concept through to manufacture, owning technical direction, budgets and timescales. Direct multidisciplinary teams spanning mechanical, electronics, software and industrial design while working with MedTech, diagnostics and life sciences clients. Combines hands-on engineering with client relationships and the commercial side of consultancy.

Field Service Engineer, Medical Devices

Last month

TRS Consulting Bicester £45,000 – £50,000 pa

Servicing and repairing advanced medical systems and healthcare equipment across a field-based patch, covering electronic, electrical and mechanical systems. Joins a global engineering team focused on long-term customer relationships, with manufacturer product training and a route into more technical specialist roles.

See all 11 roles →

Top hirers

Companies hiring medical device engineers

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

FAQs

Common questions

A degree in biomedical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is typically required. Relevant certifications and experience in medical device development are also valuable.
Key skills include strong technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and the ability to work in a highly regulated environment. Collaboration and communication skills are also crucial.
Career progression often starts with entry-level roles, moves through specialisation and project leadership, and culminates in strategic and executive positions. Each step builds on the previous one, adding more responsibility and influence.
Salaries for Medical Device Engineers can vary widely based on experience, location, and specific role. For detailed salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page.

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Medical Device Engineer Jobs

Inside the role of a Medical Device Engineer

£40k – £58k

What hiring managers ask for

From Junior to Principal

Junior Medical Device Engineer