Viant Medical Co-op Rotation 1
James
Experience Information
Employer: Viant Medical
Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer Intern
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
Viant Medical is an ISO-certified contract manufacturer specializing in medical devices and components. Their main headquarters is in Foxborough, Massachusetts. I was doing my co-op at the Viant 33rd Street Plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They are a fairly large company with 6,000 employees globally.
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
During my time on the line, I completed a variety of tasks and projects that ranged from technical documentation to hands-on fixture development. I improved existing work instructions for several stations to enhance clarity and usability for operators, and I created new documentation to support the integration of equipment into the line. These efforts ensured that both legacy and new processes were clearly communicated and easy to follow. I also authored engineering build reports to verify that components from new suppliers met customer specifications and functioned properly within the final product. On the hands-on side, I designed and 3D-printed a fixture to hold five work-in-progress pieces, improving workflow and organization at the station. Additionally, I evaluated other fixtures and prepared them for production, ensuring they were ready for deployment and met operational standards. These projects reflect a balance of technical writing, process improvement, and practical engineering support.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
During this co-op rotation, I significantly improved my skills in both documentation and SolidWorks. Of the two, I found documentation to be the most valuable, as it plays a critical role in the engineering field especially when it comes to tracking changes to the production line and documenting fixture testing. Clear, thorough documentation ensures that processes are repeatable, traceable, and aligned with quality standards. I also strengthened my SolidWorks skills, which I hadn't used extensively since my coursework, given my focus in electrical engineering. Despite that, I recognize the importance of maintaining proficiency in SolidWorks, as it remains a versatile and useful tool for cross-disciplinary collaboration and fixture design.
Favorite Part of the Experience
My favorite part of this co-op rotation was having the opportunity to take an idea from concept to completion. I appreciated the freedom to explore and pursue different approaches, testing whether they would work in practice. Being trusted to own those ideas, whether they succeeded or failed, was especially rewarding, as it gave me a sense of responsibility and creative autonomy that deepened my learning and engagement.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
This experience has had a significant impact on me, both professionally and personally. As an electrical engineer, I was eager to step into the manufacturing side of the medical device industry to gain a deeper understanding of how these products are actually built. Seeing the full process from design to production has given me valuable insight into the practical challenges, constraints, and best practices involved in bringing a device to life. In the future, I hope to develop medical devices of my own, so its been incredibly useful to observe the realities of manufacturing firsthand. Understanding the limitations, trade-offs, and quality standards required at this stage will help me design more feasible, reliable, and scalable solutions. This rotation has broadened my perspective and strengthened my appreciation for the collaboration required between engineering and manufacturing teams to create impactful technologies.
Internship Format
In Person