A guide to medical technology jobs

Technology has come a long way, rapidly evolving day by day. Thanks to these innovations, more industries are adopting them to enhance their processes and gain a competitive edge. One of these industries using these technological advancements includes health care. This digital transformation allowed medical professionals to refine patient diagnoses and provide tailor-made treatment options.

The fusion of machines and medicine over the years opened the door to various career opportunities. Health care careers branched out into a new category—medical technology jobs. Here's an interesting fact—the global medical technology market is projected to grow to $719.20 billion by 2028, resulting in a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.73% from 2023.

This statistic translates to an increasing demand for individuals skilled in the medical technology field. But what can you expect when considering a med tech career? How do you pursue one? What do you need to consider? This blog will serve as your guide to medical technology jobs as we navigate the exciting landscape of medical technology careers and offer insights into career development in health care technology.

What is med tech?

Medical technology (med tech) is a broad and evolving discipline that intersects medicine and technology to refine patient care. This field offers various medical technology job positions, each with a specific focus and requirements. Some med tech jobs aim to enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline medical processes, or develop innovative medical devices and systems.

Medical technologists collaborate with various stakeholders—from health care providers to engineers—to develop and implement cutting-edge solutions. These solutions can include artificial intelligence (AI), big-data analytics, imaging systems, and wearable devices. All with the purpose of changing how we deliver health care.

Med tech careers offer an opportunity to be at the forefront of health care innovation. With this vast spectrum of options, there's a role tailored for you to grow professionally and personally.

15 Careers in medical technology

Now that we have a fundamental understanding of med tech, let us dive into the following 15 rewarding health care technology career options. Because med tech careers have unique focus and responsibilities, we decided to categorize them. This differentiation between engineering, information technology (IT), clinical affairs, and quality and regulatory affairs will distinguish some of the disciplines within med tech. Explore how your skills may be valuable in the pursuit of new health care technologies.

Engineering

In medical device development, engineers are key players in bringing new technology to life. Possible roles include:

Hardware engineer: In medical technology, hardware engineers design and assemble the tooling for medical devices. These engineers work closely with software engineers to create functional products and then improve the hardware designs after testing. The average salary for this role is around $106,000. You also have opportunities to specialize in specific types of devices, like those with a vascular focus.
Software development engineer: Software engineers develop the code that makes medical technology function. These professionals also find solutions for data collection to make medical devices more valuable to care objectives and business intelligence. Software engineers in medical technology typically have a computer science background, and they make an average of around $147,000 annually.
Robotics engineer: With robotics becoming increasingly accessible, robotics engineers are essential in health care technology. These engineers develop intelligent systems for supporting complex surgeries, strengthening rehabilitation practices, and more. This area of medical technology is continuing to evolve and offers plenty of opportunities for engineers. The average salary for these roles is about $105,000.
Test engineer: After hardware and software engineers develop medical devices, test engineers assess their quality. These engineers often design the testing processes used for new devices and create the metrics that define good performance. These professionals ensure engineering teams are delivering quality products to medical teams. On average, these engineers make about $94,000 annually.
Research and development (R&D) engineer: R&D engineers explore possibilities by creating potential product designs, researching existing technologies, and working with other engineers to bring designs to life. R&D engineers can design medical devices from the ground up or redesign existing products based on research. This role makes an average of $104,000 annually.
Product manager: In engineering, product managers are responsible for delegating tasks and ensuring goals are met in product development. These professionals also help develop technical requirements and documentation for devices. While these professionals are responsible for overseeing other engineers, a background in engineering is often helpful for understanding teams' needs and the nature of their work. The average annual salary for this role is around $151,000.

Although these engineering roles and responsibilities differ, their aim remains the same—making a difference in patient's lives. Thanks to the developments of engineers, surgeons and other physicians can improve the quality of care they bring to every patient. Remember that while starting salaries are essential, these careers often provide pathways for advancement, specialization, and increased earning potential. So, consider your interests and aspirations as you embark on your journey in med tech engineering.

Information technology

Information technology is valuable across industries, and medical technology is no exception. Jobs and positions in this area might include:

Business intelligence (BI) analyst: These professionals use business data to generate insights about a company's performance. Responsibilities in this role often include creating reports, analyzing processes, and implementing new workflows to improve efficiency. The role of BI analyst has become valuable for many organizations because historical data can help companies make more informed decisions. The average salary for BI analysts is just under $90,000 annually.
Data integration specialist: With many organizations handling high volumes of data, they need a specialist to manage it. A data integration (DI) specialist coordinates the integration of data across all sources, like databases, servers, and cloud services. This role also establishes the right DI architecture for efficient data management, which often directly affects product development. These professionals make an average of about $110,600 per year.
Business application developer: Application developers or software architects create and modify the source code for apps that businesses count on. These jobs also involve testing and debugging source code, assessing application performance, and creating documentation for applications. On average, application developers make about $90,600 per year.

IT continues to be a growing field in many industries, and the opportunities within med tech are expanding. While some IT careers in the field may work directly with engineers to develop products, other professionals in this sector create the tech resources these companies rely on. Different specializations give you the opportunity to explore many disciplines within IT.

Clinical affairs

Once a medical device is created and ready for use, clinical affairs professionals aim to showcase the device's benefits in a clinical environment. These professionals are key players in making medical devices marketable and proving their value to physicians. Roles under the clinical affairs umbrella include:

Clinical study manager: These professionals organize and oversee clinical trials for new medical devices. During this planning process, clinical study managers collaborate with regulatory affairs specialists and data managers to confirm that clinical trials are compliant and involve complete and accurate data collection. Clinical study managers are key players in ensuring medical devices are safe, effective, and legal for use. The average annual salary for this role is just under $90,000.
Medical writer: Medical writers create the documentation for new medical devices and their clinical trials. These educational materials are important for showcasing the value of a new device and raising awareness in the medical community about its effectiveness. Medical writers can write and edit whitepapers, medical journals, abstracts, product manuals, and much more. The average salary for this role is about $93,700.
Quality engineering manager: A quality engineering manager oversees the quality engineers on a team and works with processes like equipment validation and test method validation. These professionals also lead the charge on internal and external audits. Quality engineering managers often have experience in risk management and are comfortable with quality assurance processes. The average salary for this role is just under $146,000.

Clinical trials are an essential process in medical technology development. These trials bring attention to new projects and pave the way for improved care outcomes. If you're interested in making an impact in this area, clinical affairs is an excellent field.

Quality and regulatory affairs

In medical technology, safety and compliance are critical. Quality and regulatory affairs specialists make sure new devices align with regulations and operational requirements. Typical roles in this area include:

Quality engineer: Industries with strict quality requirements rely on quality engineers to ensure products are ready for use. In health care technology, quality engineers contribute to engineering teams by creating inspection and testing methods for devices. These professionals also draft reports on their findings and find solutions to address product defects. On average, quality engineers make about $81,000.
Regulatory affairs specialist: A regulatory affairs specialist focuses on obtaining government approval for new medical devices. Responsibilities include preparing documentation, evaluating current regulations, and providing technical reviews of devices. Regulatory affairs specialists are essential for risk management. The average salary for this role is about $84,600.
Quality inspector: A quality assurance (QA) inspector reviews materials and products used in manufacturing to ensure a medical device meets all necessary requirements. These inspectors read product specification materials, establish quality standards, and measure products with various tools. When a medical device is ready for the market, quality inspectors ensure it will operate safely. These professionals make an average of about $21 hourly.

If you have an eye for detail, quality and regulatory affairs careers can be a great way to support developments in the medical field. Professionals in this area make sure medical devices perform as promised, helping physicians and health care providers make a huge difference for their patients.

How to build a med tech career?

Whether you have a knack for medical IT or prefer to work in regulatory affairs, there is a med tech career for you. So, where do you start? Here is a simple step-by-step guide to help you build your medical technology career:

Research the field

Research, research, and more research. Look into the latest industry trends, emerging technologies, and the most in-demand career paths. Understand the role technology plays in transforming health care.

Choose your path

As you have seen, medical technology offers diverse career options. To help you choose your path, keep the following considerations in mind:

Educational requirements: Know what the necessary education and qualifications you will need for your chosen career. Some fields may require specific degrees with the addition of continuous learning.
Specialization: Determine which specialization you want to branch into that also aligns with your interests and skills. It can be anything from imaging to informatics.
Career growth: Will there be potential for career advancement or growth opportunities within this field? Look for roles that have a progression path.
Job outlook and demand: Most importantly, evaluate the demand for your chosen med tech career. Remember, you can look beyond geographical barriers.
Work environment: Do you want to work in patient-centric facilities or behind the scenes? There are various work settings like hospitals, private clinics, pharmacies, and labs. Note that some roles will either have you work in one or multiple settings.
Work-life balance: Some med tech careers may demand more attention than others. This is where you need to assess your chosen career path's work hours and role demands—and your lifestyle preferences. Will you need to work irregular hours and be on-call, or will you work a typical 9-5?
Job satisfaction and impact: Reflect on whether this role aligns with your life goals and personal values.

Pursue education

Depending on your chosen path, opt for relevant education. An associate degree might suffice for some patient-facing roles, while laboratory positions often require a bachelor's degree. Seek accredited programs that align with your goals.

Complete training and internships

Hands-on experience is invaluable in med tech. Training programs and internships provide real-world exposure that gives you a competitive edge over other candidates. These opportunities can enhance your skills and help you build a network of industry contacts.

Job search

Begin your job search with confidence. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and experiences for your chosen path. Use online job boards, network with industry professionals, and explore career resources specific to medical technology.

Remember, networking is not limited to your job search—it's a continuous process. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and engage on social media to continuously grow your connections. Connecting with peers and mentors can open doors to new opportunities, knowledge sharing, and career advancement.

Discover your path with Intuitive

If you're eager to start an exciting career in this field, Intuitive is an exciting place to start or advance your career. We are 13,000+ dedicated individuals working to shape the future of minimally invasive care.

At Intuitive, innovation, inclusivity, and meaningful work are the cornerstones of our culture. If you are ready to make an impact, feel free to browse our job listings and sign up for our talent community to transform the future of health care with your med tech career.

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