Description
Apply mechanics, materials science, and human physiology to design, analyze, and evaluate musculoskeletal devices and human-motion systems—such as orthopedic implants, prosthetics, orthoses, exoskeletons, sports and rehabilitation instrumentation, and injury-prevention systems—to ensure performance, safety, and clinical efficacy.
- • Implement CAD, tolerance analyses, and DFM/DFA for mechanical components and assemblies.
- • Evaluate the safety, durability, and clinical effectiveness of biomechanical devices and instrumentation.
- • Advise clinicians and hospital administrators on selection, deployment, and lifecycle management of orthopedic, prosthetic, and rehabilitation equipment.
- • Research and select biomaterials and surface treatments for load-bearing implants and wear components.
- • Develop musculoskeletal models and computer simulations, including finite element and multibody dynamics analyses, to predict tissue loading and device performance.
- • Collaborate with surgeons, physical therapists, and scientists to study human biomechanics and inform device design.
- • Design or adapt sensors, data acquisition systems, and software for motion capture, EMG, and force measurement.
- • Analyze surgical techniques, rehabilitation protocols, or device usage scenarios to forecast outcomes and risks.
- • Conduct training to educate clinicians, patients, and technicians on proper fitting, operation, and maintenance of prosthetic or orthotic devices.
- • Write protocols, test plans, user guides, and maintenance standards for biomechanical equipment and motion labs.
- • Interface with regulatory and standards bodies to ensure compliance with FDA, ISO, and ASTM requirements for mechanical medical devices.
- • Communicate with suppliers to define specifications for actuators, bearings, polymers, metals, and embedded components.
- • Coordinate with manufacturing and quality teams to align design intent with fabrication methods and inspection criteria.
- • Consult with materials scientists and kinesiologists to develop or evaluate novel assistive and protective technologies.
- • Design and deliver prostheses, orthoses, or exoskeleton components tailored to user needs and anatomical constraints.
- • Plan and execute benchtop, cadaveric, and in vivo experiments to validate hypotheses and improve designs.
- • Develop and iterate prototypes; conduct fatigue, wear, and failure testing to meet performance targets.
- • Create verification and validation strategies to transition prototypes into manufacturable, clinically ready products.
- • Build statistical models and data-driven simulations to quantify variability, uncertainty, and device reliability.
- • Lead studies to optimize test methods, clinical workflows, or device assembly processes.
- • Maintain databases of subject data, test conditions, and results with traceability to requirements.
- • Manage engineering schedules, budgets, and vendor contracts for biomechanical development projects.
- • Prepare plans for test rigs, gait labs, and equipment upgrades, including timelines and capital estimates.
- • Prepare technical reports, design history files, regulatory submissions, patents, and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
- • Read current literature to stay abreast of advances in biomechanics, biomaterials, and standards.
- • Specify instrumentation, fixtures, and acceptance criteria based on modeling and empirical results.
- • Review and improve manufacturing processes for implants or assistive devices to enhance yield and reduce variation.
- • Conduct human factors and usability studies to improve fit, comfort, and safety.
- • Perform risk management, hazard analyses, and FMEA for biomechanical systems.
- • Develop control algorithms and embedded software for powered prosthetics and exoskeletons.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
