EGR 490 Engineering Co-op
Halle
Experience Information
Employer: AirLife
Job Title: Engineering Co-op
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
The organization recently completed the integration of two companies acquired in 2024, expanding its footprint to include multiple locations, such as Helsinki, Georgia, and its home base in Grand Rapids. Additionally, the company operates manufacturing sites in the United States, Mexico, and China. The engineering group in Grand Rapids consists of about 10 engineers who collaborate closely with co-ops as well as other engineering teams across various sites. During my rotation, I worked closely with this team, gaining valuable insights into their operations and collaborative processes.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
During my third engineering rotation, I led a quality plan to remediate a product within our category. This involved updating documentation to ensure alignment with ISO standards, planning verification and validation testing, managing tasks, and creating a detailed project timeline. Additionally, I supported design changes for another product, which included conducting testing, analyzing results, and presenting findings to upper management and the cross-functional project team.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Through this experience, I enhanced my skills in technical documentation, specifically aligning with the standards required for medical devices. I gained valuable knowledge in areas such as biocompatibility, manufacturing processes, materials, and moreýtopics not covered in-depth during my academic studies. Additionally, I was exposed to the business aspects of engineering changes, learning how to evaluate problems effectively and understand the cross-functional collaboration required to develop solutions. This experience also strengthened my engineering skill with SolidWorks, where I worked on drawings and part modifications, as well as improving technical writing for verification and validation processes
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op experience was working with an incredibly supportive engineering team. They not only guided me through challenges by helping me understand the 'how' but also took the time to explain the 'why,' deepening my knowledge and problem-solving skills. The team struck a perfect balance between providing guidance and allowing me the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. As I progressed through the rotations, I was entrusted with increasing responsibility and worked more independently, which helped me build confidence and grow both professionally and personally.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience showed me what a strong company culture should look like and emphasized the importance of this factor in my search for future opportunities. It also deepened my passion for medical devices. While I had always been drawn to the field, this experience highlighted the tangible impact these products have on peopleýs lives, strengthening my commitment to pursuing a career in this industry.
Internship Format
In Person