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Emma, Manufacturing Engineer at Medical Device Company: Advize Career Interview
A Cal Poly SLO biomedical engineering graduate, this manufacturing engineer's journey began with a laboratory technician internship before securing an entry-level role at a medical device company in 2022. The interview reveals a fast-paced, hands-on career involving daily line oversight, supplier collaboration, and continuous process improvement for life-sustaining medical devices.
Problem-solving and communication are paramount, requiring interaction with numerous teams. A highlight is the impact of working on class three medical devices and the rewarding feeling of contributing to patient care.
Success in this field, the interviewee emphasizes, requires proactive problem-solving, a "go-getter" attitude, and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
Extracurricular activities and exploration of personal interests, such as a pivotal biomedical ethics course, played significant roles in shaping a fulfilling career.
Furthermore, participation in the company's LGBTQ+ employee network group significantly advanced career progression.
This inspiring path showcases the diverse skills and experiences needed, highlighting numerous entry-level options within the medical device industry, and the importance of embracing challenges and failures as opportunities for growth.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Emma Stramberg
Manufacturing Engineer
Medical Device Company
Cal Poly SLO
N/A
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Engineering - Biomedical
Operations
Operations and Project Management
Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
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Career Path Of A Manufacturing Engineer At Medical Device Company
Emma, a biomedical engineering graduate from Cal Poly SLO, pursued a general concentration, allowing exploration of "mechanical, electrical, or the broader field of biomedical engineering," leading to a laboratory technician internship at Decipher Pharmaceuticals before securing a manufacturing engineering role in 2022, which they are now leaving for a new position.
Responsibilities of a Manufacturing Engineer at a Medical Device Company
Emma's primary responsibility as a Manufacturing Engineer is "sustaining the line," ensuring smooth production and traceability of medical devices, a critical role given the reliance of patients on these products. This involves daily line oversight, supplier collaboration for component qualification, and continuous process improvement through documentation updates, showcasing expertise in maintaining efficient and reliable manufacturing operations.
A Day in the Life of a Manufacturing Engineer at Medical Device Company
A manufacturing engineer's day, as described by Emma, begins with a morning meeting to address production concerns, including component shortages and assembly errors—"a point where we're able to bring up any concerns for the day". The remainder of the workday involves a variety of tasks, from floor-based troubleshooting to desk work such as document updates and investigating customer complaints to prevent recurrence.
Most Important Skills for a Manufacturing Engineer at Medical Device Company
Emma, a Manufacturing Engineer, emphasizes that problem-solving is paramount, stating it's "an all hands on deck situation" when production halts. Equally crucial is communication, as the role necessitates interaction with numerous teams—"working with your quality engineering, buyers, planners, and supplier quality"—to ensure smooth operations and high-quality products.
Favorite Parts of Being a Manufacturing Engineer at Medical Device Company
Emma's favorite aspect of her Manufacturing Engineer role is the fast-paced environment and hands-on experience, "being on the line, interacting with all the operators and technicians," gaining valuable insights from long-tenured experts and improving processes through firsthand observation of manufacturing. This direct experience informs their desk work, enhancing their problem-solving abilities.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Manufacturing Engineer At A Medical Device Company
Emma's biggest challenge as a Manufacturing Engineer is the hands-on, in-office nature of the role, requiring constant adaptability: "if something does go awry on the floor, you have to be there to figure out how to fix it," meaning that immediate needs often outweigh other priorities, demanding a quick assessment of "what's most important to the business."
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Medical Device Industry As A Manufacturing Engineer
Emma, a manufacturing engineer, finds the most rewarding aspect of her medical device career the opportunity to work on "class three medical devices," which are "life sustaining, life supporting products" that ultimately "save lives." The impact of this work, amplified by hearing stories of patients whose lives were positively changed, reinforces her career path and deepens her sense of purpose.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Medical Device Industry According to a Manufacturing Engineer at a Medical Device Company
Manufacturing engineers who excel are "go-getters" who proactively identify and solve problems, creating better systems and company culture. Success in this field requires individuals who "go above and beyond," leading by example and demonstrating a commitment to all aspects of the business.
What a Manufacturing Engineer at a Medical Device Company wishes they had known before their Medical Device career
Emma's experience as a Manufacturing Engineer revealed the centrality of this role in medical device development, stating "how central we are to every single change," from product development to navigating regulatory affairs and global compliance. This highlights the extensive collaboration and multifaceted nature of bringing a "complicated class three medical device product" to market.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Manufacturing Engineers
Emma, a Manufacturing Engineer at a medical device company, explains that "my current position is actually an entry-level position," a Manufacturing Engineering 1 role obtained directly after graduating from Cal Poly. Other entry-level options mentioned include quality engineering, supplier quality engineering, and supply chain roles such as planner or buyer, all contributing to the creation of the final product.
Significant Career Lesson From A Manufacturing Engineer At A Medical Device Company
Emma's most significant career lesson is "not be afraid of failure," emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes rather than avoiding them. This approach, involving "fail[ing] fast and fail[ing] hard," allows for early identification of issues and iterative improvement, ultimately leading to greater professional growth.
College Experiences That Helped a Manufacturing Engineer in Medical Devices Succeed
Emma's success stemmed from extracurricular involvement in a sorority and engineering fraternity, developing "soft skills like how to be an effective communicator," and pursuing academic passions, leading to a pivotal biomedical ethics course that revealed the field of human factors engineering and ultimately shaped their career path in medical device manufacturing. The exploration of personal interests, rather than solely focusing on technical skills, proved invaluable.
How Identity Has Influenced a Manufacturing Engineer's Career at a Medical Device Company
Emma's involvement in her company's LGBTQ+ employee network group significantly advanced her career, leading to a leadership role "within [her] first year" and providing exposure to upper management. This experience, including attending conferences and networking globally, demonstrates how leveraging employee resource groups can foster both professional growth and visibility within an organization.
Advizer Personal Links
linkedin.com.in/estrambe
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