Fixture Design & Product Testing Co-op Review ý Navico/Lowrance & Lenco Systems
Luke
Experience Information
Employer: NAVICO
Job Title: Engineering Test Lab Co-op
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Navico Group is a global leader in marine, RV and specialty-vehicle technology, offering integrated systems that span digital controls, power systems, performance components and marine electronics. Brunswick Corporation Formed through the consolidation of leading brands (including Lowrance, Lenco, Simrad, B&G) under its parent company Brunswick Corporation, the company operates as a division of Brunswick with a four-business-unit structure (Power Systems, Digital Systems, Fishing Systems, Performance Components) and regional markets in the Americas, EMEA and APAC. The organization size is estimated at roughly 1,000-5,000 employees globally. The facility for the Co-op was based in Lowell, Michigan.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
During this co-op rotation, my primary responsibilities centered around hands-on engineering support within the test lab. I designed and built multiple test fixtures for new product development and product verification testing, including large welded steel assemblies and custom machining work. I also completed repairs and upgrades to existing fixtures to extend their usability and improve testing efficiency. In addition to fixture work, I contributed to improving and updating shop equipment and machinery, including tuning and upgrading the large-format 3D printer and performing general shop optimization tasks to support daily testing operations.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
Through this co-op experience, I gained a broad range of technical and professional skills. I developed hands-on machining abilities, including milling and lathe operation, and expanded my expertise in large-format and traditional 3D printing. I strengthened my SolidWorks skills through fixture design work and gained direct experience with the company's engineering design and iteration processes used for developing, validating, and releasing new products. This included exposure to prototype evaluation, product verification testing, and collaboration with engineers and test lab personnel to refine designs based on real testing results.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op experience was working in a highly competitive market where the work I completed could directly contribute to product launches. It was rewarding to know that the fixtures I designed and built would support products competing for industry-leading customers, and that the speed and quality of our engineering work played a role in bringing new technologies to market. Having the opportunity to both design and physically build the fixtures made the experience especially meaningful and engaging.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has strengthened my interest in pursuing a career in the marine industry. Working for a major industry leader and being part of a company connected to many other sectors through Brunswick has opened doors and given me valuable insight into how large-scale marine and product development organizations operate. It confirmed that this is the type of work environment and industry I want to continue in long-term.
Internship Format
In Person