Job Outlook for Biological Engineers

How will a degree in Biological Engineering ensure a great career?

Biological engineers will solve some of the world’s most pressing issues by applying engineering principles to nature’s factories – cells, microbes, DNA – to produce novel, sustainable, and cost effective products.

In the 21st Century, Biological Engineering job growth is expected to be greater than 21% per year in the United States.  These engineering careers will be in the area of energy sustainability and national security, biologically engineered product development, and health.

Advances in engineering and science in the 20th Century contributed to the development of Biological Engineering, including advances in biology (mapping of the Human Genome), computational sciences, material sciences, and nanotechnology. All of these advances have given us the ability to “engineer” biology for new products and industries. 

The forces driving biological engineering forward are:

• The aging population and focus on health
• The need for sustainable domestic energy production
• Environmental initiatives
• Economic factors and cost-effectiveness

All of these areas need engineering expertise and new technologies.
The Biological Engineering Program at Utah State University emphasizes Bioprocessing, BioEnergy and Biomedical Engineering to meet these demands. Research, design, manufacturing, testing, quality, and processing engineers are all needed in these areas of biological engineering. Employers of biological engineers include:

• Energy companies
• Chemical companies
• Equipment and systems manufacturers
• Pharmaceutical companies
• National Security/defense organizations
• Academia