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Director Biomedical Engineer Jobs in Milwaukee, WI

Biomedical Technician II

Mequon, WI · On-site

$22.50 - $29.75/hr

Work with, direct, and document the activities of subcontractors, vendors, and outside service ... Minimum 3 years' experience working with biomedical equipment in a clinical engineering environment

Biomedical Technician II

Mequon, WI · On-site

$22.50 - $29.75/hr

Work with, direct, and document the activities of subcontractors, vendors, and outside service ... Minimum 3 years' experience working with biomedical equipment in a clinical engineering environment

Quality Engineer II

Kenosha, WI · On-site

$70K - $90K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a ... Managing Responsibilities No direct reports. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required ...

Director Biomedical Engineer information

What is a director biomedical engineer?

Director Biomedical Engineers are senior professionals who lead the biomedical engineering department within healthcare organizations, research institutions, or medical device companies. They oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of biomedical equipment and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations. In addition to managing teams and projects, they often collaborate with other departments, set strategic goals, and drive innovation in medical technology. Their role is crucial for maintaining high-quality patient care and advancing medical research and device development.

What are some typical challenges faced by a director biomedical engineer when managing cross-functional projects?

As a Director of Biomedical Engineering, one common challenge is aligning the goals and timelines of diverse teams such as clinical staff, engineers, and regulatory specialists. Effective communication and project management skills are crucial to ensure that everyone stays on track while adhering to safety and compliance standards. Additionally, balancing innovation with regulatory requirements and budget constraints often requires creative problem-solving and strong leadership. Successful directors foster collaboration and maintain open channels for feedback to navigate these complexities efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director biomedical engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director Biomedical Engineer, you need advanced knowledge in biomedical engineering principles, leadership experience, and typically a master's or doctoral degree in biomedical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with regulatory standards (such as FDA or ISO), project management software, and medical device design tools is essential. Strong soft skills include strategic thinking, effective communication, and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams. These skills are critical for overseeing complex projects, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving innovation in biomedical technology.

What is the difference between Director Biomedical Engineer vs Biomedical Engineer?

AspectDirector Biomedical EngineerBiomedical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in biomedical engineering or related field; often requires leadership experienceBachelor's or Master's in biomedical engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in hospitals, medical device companies, or research institutionsDesign, develop, and test medical devices in labs or manufacturing settings
ResponsibilitiesOversees projects, manages teams, strategic planningPerforms technical design, testing, and analysis

The main difference is that a Director Biomedical Engineer holds leadership and strategic responsibilities, overseeing teams and projects, while a Biomedical Engineer focuses on technical design and development tasks. Both roles require relevant education, but the director position emphasizes management experience and strategic planning.

What are the most commonly searched types of Biomedical Engineer jobs in Milwaukee, WI?

The most popular types of Biomedical Engineer jobs in Milwaukee, WI are:

Infographic showing various Director Biomedical Engineer job openings in Milwaukee, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Remote job distribution.

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

The Director of Engineering is responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership across the organization’s engineering, product quality, and regulatory compliance functions. This role oversees New Product Engineering, Sustaining Engineering, Regulatory & Test Standards, Product Quality, and compliance with applicable quality management systems and regulatory requirements, including ISO standards and FDA regulations.

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, the Director of Engineering serves as a key member of the operational leadership team, ensuring products are designed, validated, manufactured, and sustained in compliance with customer expectations, regulatory obligations, and company performance objectives.

This leader is responsible for driving innovation in product development, maintaining and improving existing product performance, ensuring technical and regulatory integrity of the product portfolio, and fostering a culture of engineering excellence, product quality, and continuous improvement. The role requires strong cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Manufacturing, Commercial, and Executive Leadership to support growth, product reliability, compliance, and operational effectiveness


Engineering Leadership & Strategy

  • Provide strategic leadership across New Product Engineering, Sustaining Engineering, Product Quality, and Regulatory / Compliance functions
  • Establish engineering priorities, resource plans, and execution strategies aligned with business objectives
  • Build and develop a high-performing technical organization through coaching, accountability, and talent development

Product Development & Lifecycle Management

  • Lead new product development efforts from concept through commercialization, ensuring disciplined execution of design, testing, validation, and launch activities
  • Oversee sustaining engineering activities to support product performance, reliability improvements, cost optimization, engineering changes, and lifecycle management
  • Ensure strong design-for-manufacturability and cross-functional collaboration to support efficient product launch and long-term product success

Regulatory Compliance & Product Quality

  • Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, technical standards, ISO quality systems, and FDA regulations
  • Oversee engineering verification, validation, product testing, and technical documentation to support product compliance and performance
  • Drive product quality improvement through effective problem-solving, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives

Operational Collaboration & Leadership

  • Partner closely with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, and Commercial teams to align engineering priorities with business needs
  • Provide technical leadership in support of manufacturing performance, supplier quality, product issue resolution, and operational improvement initiatives
  • Communicate effectively across all levels of the organization while driving accountability, execution, and results

Education and Experience:

Required:

    • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline
    • Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive engineering leadership experience within a manufacturing environment
    • Minimum of 5–7 years of leadership experience managing engineering teams and technical professionals
    • Demonstrated experience leading new product development efforts from concept through commercialization
    • Proven experience overseeing sustaining engineering / product lifecycle management in a manufacturing environment
    • Strong working knowledge of engineering validation, product verification, testing methodologies, and technical standards
    • Experience with regulated quality systems and compliance requirements, including ISO standards and FDA regulatory environments
    • Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams in support of product quality, engineering execution, and business objectives

Preferred:

    • Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, or related discipline
    • Professional Engineering (PE) license, Six Sigma certification, or equivalent technical / operational certifications
    • Experience within medical device, healthcare products, mobility products, or similarly regulated manufacturing environments
    • Experience with design controls, risk management methodologies, product validation, and change management processes
    • Working knowledge of global regulatory requirements and international product compliance standards
    • Experience leading engineering teams through organizational growth, transformation, or product portfolio expansion

Skills and Abilities:

Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to analyze and synthesize technical, quality, regulatory, and business information into clear, actionable recommendations. Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams, including Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, Commercial, and Executive Leadership. Capable of representing the company effectively with customers, suppliers, regulatory agencies, and certification bodies as needed.

Strong written communication skills with the ability to develop clear technical documentation, executive updates, engineering procedures, and compliance-related materials. Proficient with Microsoft Office and relevant engineering, quality, and business systems, with the ability to leverage data and technology to improve product performance, engineering execution, and operational effectiveness. Maintains current knowledge of industry standards, regulatory requirements, engineering best practices, and emerging technologies, with a demonstrated ability to drive innovation, product quality improvements, and continuous improvement initiatives.

 

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

  • Regular office environment.
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, and touch; and talk and hear.  
  • The employee is occasionally required to move around the facility.
  • Some business travel, both domestic and international, is required.