Addressing the Talent Shortage in the Medical Device Industry

Medical device companies are experiencing one of the most significant workforce challenges the industry has seen in decades. Hiring shortages are no longer limited to a few niche roles. They now affect engineering, field service, quality, regulatory, sales, and supply chain. Innovation is accelerating, workforce expectations have changed, and the competition for skilled technical talent has never been tighter.

This post launches our multi-part series, Building the Future Workforce of Medical Device, where we will break down the trends, skills, and strategies shaping how MedTech organizations hire, retain, and develop their teams.

Over the next several weeks, we will explore how AI is redefining workforce requirements, why experience-based hiring is holding companies back, how employment brand influences compliance and retention, and the specific talent strategies required to build strong field service, sales, and QMS teams.

The Persistent Talent Shortage in Medical Device

The medical device industry is one of the most innovative and impactful sectors of the global economy. From life-saving diagnostic equipment to advanced surgical tools, medical devices play a critical role in improving patient outcomes and driving healthcare forward. Yet the industry is facing a persistent challenge: a shortage of skilled talent.

These shortages are particularly acute in specialized, technical, and customer-facing roles that are essential to product development, compliance, and service delivery. This blog will take a closer look at 5 key position types where demand is outpacing supply.

1) Engineers & Technical Specialists

Medical device companies rely on engineers to design, validate, and scale production of highly regulated products. Manufacturing Engineers, Validation Engineers, and R&D specialists are in short supply, especially those with FDA and ISO compliance experience. Competition from aerospace, semiconductors, and energy further intensifies the shortage, making these hires both difficult and time-sensitive.

2) Quality & Regulatory Affairs Leaders

Quality assurance and regulatory expertise are non-negotiable in the medical device industry. From ensuring FDA approval to maintaining ISO 13485 compliance, QA and RA leaders safeguard the company’s reputation and prevent costly recalls. Yet as regulations expand globally, companies are struggling to hire professionals who can navigate complex compliance requirements and lead global quality strategies.

3) Field Service Engineers

Often the “face of the brand,” Field Service Engineers install, maintain, and repair devices at hospitals and clinics. These roles are essential to patient care and customer satisfaction, but they are also among the hardest to fill. Extensive travel, long hours, and specialized technical knowledge create high turnover and a shallow talent pool. Companies that can’t staff these roles risk extended downtime, dissatisfied customers, and lost revenue.

4) Sales & Account Managers

Medical device sales require a unique blend of technical expertise and customer relationship skills. Sales Executives and Account Managers must understand complex products while building trust with physicians and administrators. As competition increases and turnover rises, device firms are finding it increasingly challenging to retain and grow sales talent that directly impacts revenue.

5) Operations & Supply Chain Professionals

Behind every successful device launch is an effective operations and supply chain team. The last few years have exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, and new FDA rules now require greater transparency. Roles like Operations Managers and Supply Chain Directors are in high demand, but talent with both technical knowledge and regulatory understanding is scarce.

Meeting the Challenge

The medical device industry’s talent shortage won’t disappear on its own. Companies must rethink how they recruit and retain talent for these critical positions. That means building pipelines of skilled professionals, tapping into overlooked talent pools, and partnering with experts who understand the industry’s unique challenges.

At Orion Talent, we’ve helped medical device companies hire across all of these roles — from Field Service Engineers to Quality Managers to Sales Executives and technical specialists. Through skills-based hiring and deep talent networks, we help companies move beyond competition mode and into a stronger, more sustainable workforce strategy.

Ready to Strengthen your Medical Device Workforce?

Check out our Medical Device talent solutions to learn more about how Orion helps companies build skilled, future-ready teams across engineering, quality, field service, sales and operations.

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