Vanderbilt University
  • Explore VU
    • Vanderbilt Home
    • About
    • Admissions
    • Academics
    • Research
    • Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Athletics
    • News & Events
    • Get Social @Vanderbilt
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Dean's Office
    • Departments and Programs
    • Invited Lectures
    • E-Week
    • Alumni
    • Fact Sheet
    • Board of Visitors
    • Dean's Philanthropic Priorities
    • Buildings
    • Map
    • Faculty Openings
  • Academics
    • Overview
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Degree and Nontraditional Programs
    • Undergrad Admissions
    • Design Day
    • Study Abroad
    • Academic Services
    • Research Experiences for Teachers
  • Research
    • Research
    • Research Videos
    • Strategic Research Areas
    • Expert Sources
    • Centers, Institutes, Groups, and Labs
    • Undergraduate Research
    • Industrial Partners
    • International Initiative
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Research News
    • Expert Sources
    • Fact Sheet
    • E-Newsletter
    • Publications
    • Podcasts and Videos
    • News Archive
    • Evacuation Plans
  • Admissions
    • Admissions Overview
    • About Engineering
    • Undergraduate
    • Graduate
    • Boot Camps
    • Financial Aid
    • Degrees
    • Life in Music City
  • Resources
    • Academic Services
    • Incoming Students
    • Undergraduates
    • Graduate Students
    • Faculty/Staff Resources
    • Alumni
    • Parents
    • New Building Info
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Faculty
    • Admin Staff
    • Post Docs
    • Dean's Office
    • Giving
    • Departments
    • Centers, Institutes & Groups
  • Make a Gift

The EngineeringVU

Learn about different types of engineering careers in the specialized field of surgery and intervention

9 Types of Engineering Careers in Surgery and Intervention

Vanderbilt Engineering Graduate Admissions Team
January 12, 2023
  • Tweet

Traditional labor market information shows a clear and growing demand for biomedical engineers in general, with jobs projected to grow by over 8 percent nationally over the next ten years. 

There is a particularly strong demand for biomedical engineering expertise in industries related to surgical and interventional technologies, where upwards of 20 percent of all biomedical engineers are employed. 

The data suggests that there is a substantial gap between demand and supply in the specialization of surgery/intervention.  

>>Learn more about how this specialized type of medical engineering is innovating novel technology-driven solutions in our interactive resource: The Future of Healthcare Technology: Robotic Interventions, Technology-Guided Therapy, and Surgical Data Science.

Guide on the future of healthcare technologyView the Resource

By achieving a master of engineering in surgery and intervention, you can expect to secure one of a variety of meaningful, lifelong careers in the field of interventional surgery. Let’s explore just nine of the career opportunities available to engineers who specialize in surgery and intervention while obtaining a master’s degree in engineering.

1. Robotics Engineer

Robotics engineering is multifaceted and complex, and engineers working in robotics are responsible for analyzing, designing, programming and testing robotic systems that can work in place or in tandem with humans. 

A robotics engineer designs robotics software — in turn, developing vital robotics systems that can save lives in the medical field. 

2. Medical Device Design Engineer

As the name suggests, medical device designers are a type of medical engineer that is responsible for envisioning, designing and producing novel tools and instruments that can be used in diverse surgical processes. These devices are used in clinical patient care at hospitals or other medical facilities.

In short, medical device designers are "dedicated to researching and designing medical equipment and machinery" — all with the goal of developing novel solutions to pressing challenges related to patient care.

Learn more about how AI is enabling more accurate and cost-effective procedural medicine technologies in our blog, What is AI in Surgery?

3. Imaging Engineer

The duties of an imaging engineer include the installation, inspection and maintenance of medical imaging equipment. 

Depending on the specific environment in which this type of engineer works, an imaging engineer "may install, repair and perform the calibration of MRI or CT equipment, radiology equipment, arthroscopic surgical imaging devices or other medical, clinical and diagnostic imaging equipment."

getting a masters degree in engineering post covid

4. Healthcare Data Scientist

Traditional data scientists are tasked with gathering data and pulling actionable insights from that data. 

A healthcare data scientist finds "efficient, cost-effective ways to harness vast amounts of existing healthcare data — to maximize its potential to transform healthcare with faster, more accurate diagnosis and more effective, lower-risk treatment."

5. Medical Instrumentation Engineer

A medical instrumentation engineer is responsible for designing, developing and maintaining equipment, which is used to monitor and control medical systems during procedural surgery. These engineers are tasked with making sure that these medical/surgical systems run safely and efficiently.

6. Project Engineer

A project engineer is responsible for the technical and engineering processes needed to complete a project. In a healthcare setting, these particular engineers ensure "the design, consistency and functionality of a project throughout its execution."

Medical engineers produce novel technological solutions in surgery and intervention.

7. Simulation Engineer

A simulation engineer is tasked with using "technological tools to figure out how something would behave, or a process would work without actually testing the real thing." Simulation engineers ensure that both software and hardware systems are compliant and reach quality standards and evaluate their "usability in real life."

8. Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers greatly contribute to the advancement of medical-related technologies. In studying medicine and biology, these engineers develop technologies such as "medical diagnostic machines, medical instruments, artificial organs, joint replacement parts and prosthetic devices" all with the goal of improving the health and quality of life for others. 

Interested in exploring further the differences in medical engineering specialties? Check out our blog, Engineering in Medicine: Biomedical Engineering vs. Surgery and Intervention Engineering

9. Materials Engineer

Materials engineers "develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to golf clubs and biomedical devices." They also study the properties and structures of various substances in order to create new materials that meet a variety of "mechanical, electrical, and chemical requirements."

Here are a few more types of engineering careers in surgery and intervention:


Surgical Engineer

Interventional Engineer

Medical Robotic Engineer

Image Processing Engineer

Engineer Scientist


Medical Device Entrepreneur

Drug Delivery Engineer

Imaging Scientist

Translational Engineer

Staff Engineer

Introducing — Vanderbilt University’s master of engineering in surgery and intervention:

Vanderbilt University’s master of engineering in surgery and intervention is designed to create a new cadre of engineers capable of creating, developing, clinically evaluating and translating methods, devices, algorithms and systems designed with a clear focus to facilitate surgical/interventional processes and their outcomes. 

The master of engineering in surgery and intervention concentrates on the collaborative efforts of engineers and surgical experts to envision and implement technology and tools that transform the delivery of surgical/interventional care and ultimately, enhance and improve patients’ well-being and quality of life. 

If you are ready to transform procedural medicine and fill a significant talent gap in the industry, then we encourage you to request more information or start your online application today.

VU ESI eBook Cover Thumbnail-1Download Vanderbilt University’s engineering degree in surgery and intervention guide to learn more about obtaining a NEW graduate engineering degree.

Unlock ESI Guide

Topics: Surgery and Intervention

Return to Listing
Vanderbilt Engineering Graduate Admissions Team

Vanderbilt Engineering Graduate Admissions Team

The Engineering Graduate Admissions Team is committed to providing you with the resources you need as you determine the next step for your future.

Other Blogs

Student Spotlight: Preparing to Become a Medical Device Engineer at VISE

Student Spotlight: Preparing to Become a Medical Device Engineer at VISE

Student Spotlight: Why I Chose to Pursue My Master of Engineering at VISE

Student Spotlight: Why I Chose to Pursue My Master of Engineering at VISE

How AI is Advancing Technology in Surgery and Intervention

How AI is Advancing Technology in Surgery and Intervention

Subscribe to

The EngineeringVU

Request More Information

Have questions about Vanderbilt University's admissions process or our respected engineering programs? Fill out the form below to hear from Vanderbilt University's graduate admissions team. 

Connect with Vanderbilt

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Flickr
  • Tumblr
  • RSS Feed
  • Wechat

Creating Solutions

Cyber-physical Systems

Biomedical Imaging & Biophotonics

Rehabilitation Engineering

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Risk, Reliability and Resilience

Big Data Science and Engineering

Regenerative Medicine

Surgery and Engineering

Energy and Natural Resources

Resources

Meet our Faculty

Explore Degree Programs


Explore Solutions

Solutions Cover

© Vanderbilt University · All rights reserved. Site Development: Digital Strategies (Division of Communications)
Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action. Accessibility information.
Vanderbilt®, Vanderbilt University®, V Oak Leaf Design®, Star V Design® and Anchor Down® are trademarks of The Vanderbilt University