AI Is Redefining the Skills Your Workforce Needs. Are You Hiring for Them?

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AI Is Redefining the Skills Your Workforce Needs. Are You Hiring for Them?

Written by: Stefan Lint, Talent and Workforce Solutions Advisor

Medical device companies are facing a rapidly shifting skills landscape. AI is transforming how devices are designed, validated, manufactured, and supported, and these changes are reshaping the workforce at every level. The roles that once powered MedTech are not the same roles that will power the next decade of innovation.

In our first post in this series, we looked at the industry’s most persistent talent shortages across engineering, field service, quality, regulatory, sales, and operations. In this post, we examine why those shortages are intensifying and how AI is redefining the skills companies must hire for moving forward.

The Evolving Skill Profile in Medical Device

AI is not eliminating jobs in medical device. It is transforming them. From predictive diagnostics to automated manufacturing to real-time service insights, AI is now embedded throughout the product lifecycle. These changes require new capabilities that blend technical, analytical, and regulatory expertise.

Below are the areas where AI is reshaping workforce needs most significantly.

Engineering Skills Are Expanding into Data and Algorithms

Engineering teams have always been responsible for precision, safety, and compliance. With AI-enabled devices, they now also need to understand:

Machine learning fundamentals
Algorithm behavior
Model-based system design
AI-driven simulation tools

This shift is creating demand for hybrid engineers who can work across mechanical, electrical, software, and data science domains. These professionals are scarce and highly competitive, which makes proactive pipeline development essential.

AI Is Transforming Manufacturing and Quality Roles

AI-driven robotics and automation are reshaping manufacturing. Routine tasks are being augmented by intelligent systems that require:

Robotics maintenance
Predictive analytics
Digital process monitoring
AI validation

The same shift is happening in quality. AI can identify potential defects and process deviations earlier than traditional methods, which requires quality leaders who can interpret digital signals and translate insights into corrective action.

Clinical and Customer Support Must Adapt to AI-Enabled Workflows

AI-enabled devices are changing how clinicians diagnose and treat patients. As a result, clinical application specialists now need:

A strong understanding of AI-supported decision tools
The ability to interpret algorithm-generated insights
Comfort training clinicians on new digital workflows

Field service roles are also evolving. Predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics reduce travel demands, but increase the need for FSEs with data literacy and system-level troubleshooting skills.

Regulatory Roles Are Entering the AI Era

AI-driven devices introduce new regulatory responsibilities. Regulatory teams must now consider:

Continuous learning models
Algorithm transparency
Bias monitoring
Digital validation
Evolving FDA guidance for AI and machine learning

Professionals who understand both regulatory frameworks and data governance are in growing demand.

What This Means for Hiring and Workforce Strategy

Companies must revisit their hiring models. Traditional experience-based requirements no longer match the skills needed to support AI-enabled devices. Forward-thinking organizations are now prioritizing:

Digital fluency
Cross-functional collaboration
Data literacy
Continuous learning and adaptability
Competency-based hiring

As AI accelerates innovation, hiring strategies must evolve just as quickly.

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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