Hire Biomedical Engineer in Belgium: The Complete Guide for Global Employers

Why Global Companies Hire Biomedical Engineers from Belgium

Belgium has emerged as a premier hub for biomedical engineering talent, offering global companies significant advantages when hiring in this specialized field:

• World-Class Education System: Belgian universities like KU Leuven, UGent, and UCL offer top-tier biomedical engineering programs recognized for research excellence and practical innovation.
• Strategic Life Sciences Ecosystem: Belgium hosts a dense network of pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and medical device manufacturers, creating an environment where biomedical engineers develop multifaceted expertise.
• Multilingual Capabilities: Belgian biomedical engineers typically speak three or more languages (Dutch, French, English, and often German), facilitating seamless international collaboration.
• Regulatory Knowledge: With Belgium hosting the European headquarters of many life science organizations, local biomedical engineers possess exceptional understanding of EU medical device regulations, CE marking requirements, and quality standards.
• Innovation Culture: Belgium ranks among Europe’s innovation leaders, with biomedical engineers trained to balance technical excellence with commercial viability.

Who Should Consider Hiring Belgian Biomedical Engineers

Several types of organizations can benefit particularly from adding Belgian biomedical engineering talent to their teams:

• Medical Device Manufacturers: Companies developing diagnostic equipment, monitoring devices, or therapeutic technologies benefit from Belgium’s expertise in bringing compliant devices to European markets.
• Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies: Organizations developing drug delivery systems, combination products, or diagnostic technologies find Belgian biomedical engineers bring valuable cross-disciplinary perspectives.
• Digital Health Companies: Startups and established firms in telehealth, health monitoring, and medical software leverage Belgium’s strength in combining engineering with healthcare applications.
• Research Institutions: Academic and commercial research organizations benefit from Belgium’s strong tradition of biomedical research excellence and collaborative approach.
• Regulatory Consulting Firms: Companies advising on European medical device regulations find Belgian biomedical engineers bring practical understanding of compliance requirements.

Key Skills and Specializations for Biomedical Engineers

Biomedical engineers in Belgium typically develop expertise across multiple domains, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the field:

Core Technical Competencies

• Medical device design and development
• Biomaterials science and applications
• Biomedical signal processing
• Medical imaging technologies
• Biomechanics and orthopedic applications
• Regulatory affairs and documentation
• Quality management systems (ISO 13485, etc.)

Common Specializations

Software and Technical Tools

Belgian biomedical engineers typically demonstrate proficiency in:

• 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Inventor)
• Finite element analysis (ANSYS, COMSOL)
• Medical image processing (MATLAB, ImageJ)
• Statistical analysis tools (R, SPSS)
• Programming languages (Python, C++, MATLAB)
• Quality management systems and documentation tools

Experience Levels of Belgian Biomedical Engineers

Biomedical engineers in Belgium typically fall into three experience categories, each with distinct capabilities and responsibilities:

Junior Biomedical Engineers (0-3 years)

Recent graduates with a Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering typically begin in supporting roles where they:

• Assist in testing and validation activities
• Participate in design verification processes
• Support documentation efforts
• Conduct literature reviews and background research
• Work under supervision on specific components of larger projects

Junior engineers often have strong theoretical knowledge but are building practical experience in medical device development processes and regulatory requirements.

Mid-Level Biomedical Engineers (4-7 years)

At this stage, Belgian biomedical engineers have typically:

• Developed expertise in specific application areas
• Gained substantial experience with the complete product development lifecycle
• Contributed to regulatory submissions and compliance documentation
• Led smaller projects or managed significant components of larger initiatives
• Developed problem-solving capabilities for complex engineering challenges

Many mid-level engineers have also obtained additional certifications in specialized areas such as quality management or regulatory affairs.

Senior Biomedical Engineers (8+ years)

Experienced biomedical engineers in Belgium bring comprehensive expertise and often:

• Lead multidisciplinary development teams
• Develop technical strategies and product roadmaps
• Guide regulatory strategy and interact with notified bodies
• Mentor junior engineers
• Contribute to business development and strategic initiatives
• Represent technical considerations at management level

Many senior biomedical engineers in Belgium have international experience, having worked with multinational companies or in cross-border research collaborations, bringing valuable global perspective to their roles.

Hiring Models to Choose From

When hiring biomedical engineers in Belgium, companies can choose from several employment models, each with distinct advantages:

For biomedical engineering roles that involve sensitive intellectual property or require deep integration with your development processes, direct employment or EOR models typically provide the best combination of control and compliance. Companies without a Belgian entity can benefit from staff augmentation companies in Belgium that specialize in life sciences and medical technology sectors.

How to Legally Hire Biomedical Engineers in Belgium

Hiring biomedical engineers in Belgium requires navigating the country’s comprehensive employment regulations. Companies have two primary approaches:

Entity Setup vs. EOR Approach

Entity Setup Considerations

Establishing a legal entity in Belgium involves:

• Choosing the appropriate business structure (typically BVBA/SRL or SA/NV)
• Capital requirements (varies by entity type)
• Registration with commercial registry and tax authorities
• Setting up payroll and social security accounts
• Creating compliant HR policies and employment contracts

This approach makes sense for companies planning a substantial, long-term presence in Belgium with multiple biomedical engineering hires.

Employer of Record Solution

Using an Employer of Record like Asanify offers significant advantages:

• Immediate hiring capability without entity setup
• Compliant employment contracts specific to biomedical engineering roles
• Expert management of Belgium’s complex employment regulations
• Proper handling of intellectual property provisions
• Administration of competitive benefits packages

This approach is ideal for companies hiring a small team of biomedical engineers or testing the Belgian market before establishing a permanent presence. Staffing agencies in Belgium can also help source qualified candidates while an EOR manages the employment relationship.

Step-by-Step Guide to Hiring Biomedical Engineers in Belgium

Follow this structured approach to successfully hire biomedical engineering talent in Belgium:

Step 1: Define Requirements

Begin by creating a comprehensive profile of your ideal candidate:

• Specific technical expertise (e.g., medical imaging, biomaterials, regulatory affairs)
• Required education level (typically Master’s or PhD in Biomedical Engineering)
• Experience with relevant regulations (MDR, IVDR, ISO 13485)
• Project experience requirements
• Language proficiency needs (Dutch, French, English)
• Required soft skills and cultural fit elements

Step 2: Choose the Right Hiring Model

Select the employment model that best fits your business needs:

• For strategic, long-term hires: Direct employment or EOR
• For project-based needs: Contractors or staff augmentation
• For companies without a Belgian entity: EOR solution

Step 3: Source Candidates

Leverage multiple channels to find qualified Belgian biomedical engineers:

• Specialized job boards (e.g., MedTech-focused platforms)
• Industry associations (e.g., beMedTech)
• University relationships (KU Leuven, UGent, UCL)
• Professional networking events and conferences
• LinkedIn and specialized professional networks
• Specialized recruitment agencies with life sciences expertise

Step 4: Evaluate and Select

Implement a thorough assessment process:

• Technical interviews with experienced biomedical engineering leaders
• Assessment of regulatory knowledge and documentation skills
• Case studies or design challenges to evaluate problem-solving approach
• Evaluation of relevant project experience
• Reference checks focusing on technical capabilities and teamwork

Step 5: Onboard and Integrate

Create a structured onboarding process to integrate your new biomedical engineer:

• Prepare compliant employment contracts with appropriate IP provisions
• Create clear documentation of goals and expectations
• Establish communication protocols and reporting structures
• Provide access to necessary technical resources and knowledge bases
• Schedule regular check-ins during the initial period

Working with Asanify as your Employer of Record streamlines steps 2 and 5, ensuring all employment documentation is compliant with Belgian regulations while you focus on finding and integrating the right technical talent for your team.

Salary Benchmarks

Understanding the competitive salary landscape for biomedical engineers in Belgium is essential for making attractive offers. Below are the typical annual salary ranges (in Euros) for biomedical engineers:

Factors Affecting Salary

Several factors can influence salary levels for biomedical engineers in Belgium:

• Education Level: Engineers with PhD degrees typically command 10-15% higher salaries than those with Master’s degrees.
• Specialization: Engineers with expertise in high-demand areas (e.g., AI in medical imaging, regulatory affairs for novel technologies) often receive premium compensation.
• Industry Sector: Medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies typically offer higher compensation than academic or hospital settings.
• Company Size: Larger multinational companies generally offer higher base salaries, while smaller companies may provide more variable compensation or equity.
• Location: Positions in Brussels or near pharmaceutical clusters (e.g., Ghent, Leuven) typically offer slightly higher compensation than other regions.

Benefits Structure

The Belgian compensation structure typically includes several additional components beyond base salary:

• 13th month salary (mandatory end-of-year bonus)
• Meal vouchers (€8-11 per workday)
• Company car or mobility allowance
• Group insurance (pension and healthcare)
• Eco-vouchers
• Work-from-home allowance
• Professional development budget

What Skills to Look for When Hiring Biomedical Engineers

When evaluating biomedical engineering candidates in Belgium, consider both technical expertise and important soft skills:

Essential Technical Skills

• Medical Device Development: Understanding of the complete product lifecycle from concept to commercialization
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with EU MDR/IVDR, ISO 13485, and other relevant standards
• Risk Management: Experience with ISO 14971 and risk analysis methodologies
• Technical Documentation: Ability to create and maintain design history files and technical files
• Verification and Validation: Experience designing and executing testing protocols
• Quality Management Systems: Understanding of quality processes in medical device development
• Specialized Technical Domains: Expertise in relevant areas (e.g., biomaterials, signal processing, imaging)

Important Soft Skills

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with clinicians, regulatory specialists, and other engineers
• Communication: Clear articulation of complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders
• Problem-Solving: Creative and analytical approaches to engineering challenges
• Adaptability: Flexibility to adjust to evolving regulatory requirements and technical standards
• Project Management: Organizational skills to manage complex, multifaceted projects
• Detail Orientation: Meticulousness in documentation and compliance activities
• Ethical Judgment: Strong understanding of ethical considerations in biomedical applications

Indicators of Top Talent

When screening resumes and conducting interviews, look for these indicators of exceptional biomedical engineering talent:

• Contributions to successfully commercialized medical devices or technologies
• Experience with the complete regulatory submission process
• Publications in peer-reviewed journals or patent applications
• Active participation in relevant standards committees or industry associations
• Experience bridging research and commercial applications
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex, multidisciplinary problems

Legal and Compliance Considerations

Hiring biomedical engineers in Belgium requires careful attention to the country’s comprehensive employment regulations and specific considerations for technical roles:

Employment Contract Requirements

Belgian law mandates specific elements in employment contracts:

• Written contracts in the appropriate language (Dutch, French, or German depending on location)
• Detailed job descriptions and responsibilities
• Working hours and compensation structure
• Notice periods and termination conditions
• Confidentiality and intellectual property clauses
• Non-competition provisions (with specific limitations)

Intellectual Property Considerations

For biomedical engineering roles, proper IP protection is crucial:

• Clear assignment of invention rights
• Specific provisions for improvements to existing technologies
• Documentation requirements for inventions and developments
• Compliance with Belgian laws regarding employee inventor rights

Working Hours and Compensation

• Standard workweek: 38-40 hours
• Overtime regulations and compensation
• Minimum 20 vacation days annually (plus 10 public holidays)
• Mandatory 13th month salary
• Required social security contributions (approximately 25% for employers)

Special Considerations for Biomedical Roles

• Access to confidential patient data (GDPR compliance)
• Handling of regulated materials
• Required certifications or trainings
• Ethical guidelines and compliance requirements

Navigating these complex requirements can be challenging for foreign employers. Using job offer letters for remote EOR employees in Belgium requires special attention to compliance details. Asanify’s Employer of Record service ensures all employment contracts and practices comply with Belgian regulations, with particular attention to the specialized requirements for biomedical engineering roles.

Common Challenges Global Employers Face

When hiring and managing biomedical engineers in Belgium, international employers often encounter several key challenges:

Navigating Complex Employment Regulations

Belgium has intricate labor laws with strict requirements regarding contracts, termination procedures, and employee benefits. These regulations vary by region (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) and can be particularly challenging for foreign employers unfamiliar with the Belgian system. For technical roles like biomedical engineering, ensuring proper documentation of responsibilities and IP provisions adds another layer of complexity.

Managing Intellectual Property Protection

Biomedical engineering work frequently involves sensitive intellectual property. Balancing appropriate IP protection with Belgium’s employee-favorable IP laws requires careful contract drafting and management. Belgian law has specific provisions regarding employee inventions that differ from many other countries.

Cross-Border Team Integration

Integrating Belgian biomedical engineers into global teams can present challenges related to work style differences, communication approaches, and decision-making processes. Belgian professionals often expect structured processes and clear communication channels, which may differ from practices in other regions.

High Employment Costs

Belgium has one of the highest employer tax burdens in Europe, with substantial social security contributions and mandatory benefits. For specialized biomedical engineering roles, competitive compensation packages can represent a significant investment, requiring careful budgeting and planning.

Competitive Talent Market

Belgium’s biomedical engineering talent is in high demand, both from local life sciences companies and multinational corporations. This creates a competitive recruitment environment where attractive packages and efficient hiring processes are essential for securing top talent.

Asanify’s Employer of Record solution addresses these challenges by providing expert guidance on Belgian employment practices, ensuring compliant contracts with appropriate IP provisions, and managing the complete employment relationship while you maintain operational control of your biomedical engineering team.

Best Practices for Managing Biomedical Engineers in Belgium

Successfully managing biomedical engineers in Belgium requires attention to both technical oversight and cultural considerations:

Effective Communication Frameworks

• Structured Documentation: Implement clear documentation standards for technical work, reflecting the Belgian preference for thorough processes.
• Regular Technical Reviews: Schedule consistent review sessions to evaluate progress and provide feedback.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Create communication channels between biomedical engineers and other departments (regulatory, clinical, marketing).
• Language Considerations: While most Belgian biomedical engineers speak excellent English, consider providing important documentation in the local language (Dutch or French) when appropriate.

Project Management Approaches

• Clear Deliverables and Timelines: Belgian professionals appreciate well-defined objectives and expectations.
• Balanced Autonomy: Provide direction on critical requirements while allowing technical autonomy in implementation.
• Regulatory Milestone Planning: Incorporate regulatory considerations and submissions into project timelines.
• Risk Management Integration: Embed risk assessment processes throughout the development lifecycle.

Cultural Awareness

• Direct Communication: Belgian professionals generally value clear, straightforward communication about expectations and feedback.
• Work-Life Balance: Respect the strong boundaries between professional and personal time that are culturally important in Belgium.
• Consensus Building: Important decisions often involve consultation and building agreement, rather than top-down directives.
• Professional Development: Belgian engineers typically value continuous learning opportunities and career growth.

Remote and Hybrid Work Considerations

• Clear Collaboration Tools: Establish which platforms will be used for different types of work (documentation, design, communication).
• Secure Information Sharing: Implement appropriate security measures for sharing sensitive biomedical engineering information.
• Regular Check-ins: Schedule consistent touchpoints to maintain alignment and address challenges.
• Equipment and Resources: Ensure remote team members have the necessary tools and software for effective work.

Professional Development

• Continuing Education: Support ongoing learning in rapidly evolving biomedical fields.
• Regulatory Updates: Facilitate access to information about changing regulations and standards.
• Conference Participation: Enable engineers to participate in relevant industry events and technical conferences.
• Career Pathway Clarity: Provide clear understanding of growth opportunities and requirements.

Why Use Asanify to Hire Biomedical Engineers in Belgium

Asanify provides a comprehensive Employer of Record solution specifically tailored for hiring specialized technical talent like biomedical engineers in Belgium:

Simplified Hiring Without an Entity

• Hire top Belgian biomedical engineers without establishing a local entity
• Reduce time-to-hire from months to days
• Eliminate €15,000+ in entity setup and maintenance costs
• Scale your engineering team up or down with complete flexibility

Specialized Contract Management

• Tailored employment contracts for biomedical engineering roles
• Proper intellectual property provisions compliant with Belgian law
• Appropriate confidentiality and data protection clauses
• Contracts in required languages (Dutch, French, or German)

Complete Compliance Management

• Expert handling of Belgium’s complex labor regulations
• Management of working time regulations and overtime
• Accurate tax and social security administration
• Ongoing regulatory updates and compliance adjustments

Competitive Benefits Administration

• Industry-specific compensation benchmarking for biomedical engineers
• Administration of all mandatory benefits
• Management of supplementary benefits expected in the Belgian market
• Handling of vacation, sick leave, and other time-off benefits

Local HR Support

• Day-to-day HR support in local languages
• Guidance on managing Belgian engineering teams
• Support for performance management processes
• Assistance with employee relations issues

Seamless Technology Platform

• User-friendly dashboard to manage your biomedical engineering team
• Digital onboarding and documentation management
• Time and expense tracking capabilities
• Payroll processing and reporting

With Asanify, you can focus on the technical and strategic aspects of your biomedical engineering projects while we handle all employment-related complexities, ensuring your Belgian team is properly employed, fairly compensated, and fully compliant with local regulations.

FAQs: Hiring Biomedical Engineer in Belgium

What is the average salary for a Biomedical Engineer in Belgium?

The average annual salary ranges from €45,000-€55,000 for junior biomedical engineers (0-3 years), €55,000-€75,000 for mid-level engineers (4-7 years), and €75,000-€95,000 for senior engineers (8+ years). Principal or expert-level engineers can earn €90,000-€120,000+. These figures typically include base salary only, with additional benefits like 13th-month bonuses, meal vouchers, and company cars commonly provided.

Do I need to establish a legal entity to hire Biomedical Engineers in Belgium?

No, you don’t need to establish a legal entity. You can hire through an Employer of Record like Asanify, which enables you to employ biomedical engineers compliantly without setting up your own Belgian entity. This approach significantly reduces time-to-hire and eliminates the substantial costs and administrative burden of entity setup and maintenance.

What are the mandatory benefits for employees in Belgium?

Mandatory benefits in Belgium include a minimum of 20 vacation days annually (based on a 5-day workweek), 10 public holidays, health insurance contributions, pension scheme contributions, family allowances, and a 13th-month salary (end-of-year premium). Most employers also provide meal vouchers, commuting allowances, and supplementary health insurance.

How do I handle intellectual property rights when hiring Biomedical Engineers?

Intellectual property rights must be clearly addressed in employment contracts, with specific provisions for inventions, improvements, and developments. Belgian law has particular requirements regarding employee inventors’ rights. When using an EOR like Asanify, we ensure employment contracts include appropriate IP clauses that protect your interests while complying with Belgian regulations.

What languages do Belgian Biomedical Engineers typically speak?

Most Belgian biomedical engineers are multilingual. In Flanders (northern Belgium), they typically speak Dutch and English, while in Wallonia (southern Belgium), they speak French and English. Many also speak a third language. For technical roles, English proficiency is generally excellent, facilitating integration with international teams.

How long does the hiring process typically take for Biomedical Engineers in Belgium?

The hiring process typically takes 4-8 weeks from job posting to offer acceptance, depending on the specialization and seniority level. Using an EOR like Asanify significantly reduces the employment setup time once a candidate is identified, often enabling onboarding within 1-2 weeks versus months when establishing your own entity.

What are the key regulatory considerations when hiring for biomedical roles in Belgium?

Key regulatory considerations include proper employment contracts with appropriate confidentiality and IP provisions, compliance with working time regulations, data protection requirements (especially important when handling healthcare data), and specific industry certifications. Using an EOR like Asanify ensures all these aspects are properly addressed in employment documentation and practices.

How competitive is the market for Biomedical Engineers in Belgium?

The market for biomedical engineers in Belgium is highly competitive, particularly for specialized skills in areas like medical device development, regulatory affairs, and medical imaging. Belgium’s strong life sciences ecosystem creates substantial demand from both local companies and multinational corporations with Belgian operations. Offering competitive compensation and efficient hiring processes is essential for securing top talent.

What qualifications should I look for in Belgian Biomedical Engineers?

Look for candidates with a Master’s degree or PhD in Biomedical Engineering from respected Belgian universities like KU Leuven, UGent, or UCL. For specialized roles, relevant certifications in regulatory affairs, quality management, or specific technical domains add significant value. Experience with EU medical device regulations and quality standards is particularly important for roles involved in product development.

Can Biomedical Engineers work remotely from Belgium?

Yes, many biomedical engineering responsibilities can be performed remotely, particularly roles focused on design, analysis, documentation, and regulatory affairs. Some functions may require periodic on-site presence, especially those involving laboratory work or physical prototyping. Belgian employment law fully accommodates remote work arrangements, with specific provisions for home office equipment and expenses.

How do I manage payroll and taxes for Belgian employees?

Belgium has complex payroll and tax requirements with high employer contributions (approximately 25% of gross salary). When using Asanify’s Employer of Record service, we handle all payroll processing, tax withholding, social security contributions, and required government reporting, ensuring full compliance with Belgian regulations while providing transparent reporting to you.

What are the termination rules for employees in Belgium?

Belgium has strict termination procedures with notice periods based on seniority. For professional roles like biomedical engineers, notice periods can be substantial, ranging from several weeks for new employees to many months for long-term staff. Termination usually requires proper justification and procedure. Using an EOR like Asanify helps navigate these complex requirements while minimizing legal risks.

Conclusion

Hiring biomedical engineers from Belgium offers global companies access to exceptional talent trained in one of Europe’s premier life sciences ecosystems. Belgian biomedical engineers bring valuable technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and multilingual capabilities to medical device development, pharmaceutical technologies, and healthcare innovation projects.

While the process of hiring and managing these specialized professionals comes with challenges related to Belgium’s complex employment regulations, competitive talent market, and cultural considerations, the right approach can significantly simplify these complexities.

For companies looking to hire biomedical engineers in Belgium without establishing a local entity, an Employer of Record solution provides the optimal balance of compliance, speed, and flexibility. This approach allows you to focus on the technical and strategic aspects of your biomedical projects while ensuring your engineering team is properly employed according to all Belgian regulations.

With appropriate planning, clear communication, and the right employment framework, your Belgian biomedical engineering talent can become a valuable asset in your global innovation capabilities, bringing world-class expertise to your medical technology development efforts.

Not to be considered as tax, legal, financial or HR advice. Regulations change over time so please consult a lawyer, accountant  or Labour Law  expert for specific guidance.