PCE News
From classroom to career: PCE graduates join industry leaders
May 06, 2026
Nearly 98% of Padnos College of Engineering grads from the Class of 2025 are either employed or continuing their education according to the most recent data, demonstrating how the classroom learning and real-world experience that PCE offers successfully prepares students for the modern world. Dozens of 2026 Padnos College of Engineering graduates will complete their studies this year and take the knowledge and skills they’ve acquired at GVSU into the next phase of their lives. A GVSU engineering degree continues to open doors at some of the country and region’s top companies, as seen by these stories from a few of this year’s grads.
Kyler Cope - SpaceX
SpaceX is well known for its forward-thinking work around rockets, spacecraft and interplanetary travel. The company’s innovative spirit and modern approach appealed to Product Design and Manufacturing graduate Kyler Cope, (pictured above on the left) who will start at SpaceX in late August working in Non-Destructive Evaluation Engineering. In this role, he will support inspection methods that assess material integrity, identify defects, and ensure the reliability of flight-critical hardware.
Cope said his coursework in materials science, manufacturing processes, and material failure analysis drew him to the field by deepening his understanding of material behavior, performance, and failure mechanisms. He also credited his co-op experience at Advanced Medical Device Innovations, a Grand Valley State University startup that grew into a private biomedical research and product development firm, with giving him hands-on experience in experimental validation and test development.
That combination of academic preparation and applied experience strengthened Cope’s ability to evaluate technical problems systematically and make data-informed engineering decisions. He said those skills will translate directly to nondestructive evaluation, where careful analysis and sound judgment are essential.
While the opportunity to work for SpaceX is both exciting and demanding, Cope sees it as a meaningful next step. He is eager to apply what he has learned in a highly technical aerospace environment where engineering decisions directly affect performance, reliability, and mission success.
“There’s a significant amount for me to learn in this role, and I’m excited by the opportunity to grow and develop as an engineer in such a technically demanding environment.”
Quinton Bauer - Lockheed Martin
For Quinton Bauer (pictured above in the middle), flexibility has been the key to the success he’s had at GVSU and to accepting a job at Lockheed Martin. As a member of the GVSU Track and Field team, Quinton has had to balance his sport with the classroom and co-op requirements. He says his coaches and his co-op employer provided scheduling accommodations that allowed him to both train and learn which worked well with the flexibility within PCE that allowed him to go the interdisciplinary mechatronics route.
“My initial advisor, Ryan Krauss, had a way of selling the interdisciplinary program that made me excited to pursue this direction,” said Bauer. “This program provided me the opportunity to combine my passions for electrical engineering, hardware and software.”
Bauer, who earned a Mechatronics Engineering B.S.E. degree, says he’s “hyped up” to start at Lockheed Martin as an Entry Level Electronics Engineer. Quinton says this moment has a similar excitement to when he selected GVSU five years ago, a decision that he says was the right one.
“The co-op program here is special,” Bauer said. “I got my education in the real world and that hands-on experience set me apart in the interview process and helped me get my dream job.”
Hailey Siwek - Stryker
While many engineering students arrive at GVSU with a background in STEM or another engineering-adjacent area, Hailey Siwek (pictured above on the right) didn’t follow that trend. Hailey came to Grand Valley wanting to focus on a program where she would help people and thought business or health would be her landing point.
Instead, she will leave GVSU with a B.S.E. in computing engineering and an M.S.E. in biomedical engineering and will begin work at Stryker as a software engineer for emergency care.
“I love this role because it allows me to be in the health field and help people without being a doctor or a nurse,” Siwek said.
Hailey appreciates that GVSU gave her the chance to cultivate a wide range of engineering skills and knowledge, especially as someone who didn’t think she would end up as an engineer. From learning that she loved writing code, to the experience she got at each co-op, to holding a leadership role with GVSU’s Society of Women Engineers, it’s all played a role in her growth.
“The exposure to the different types of engineering not only developed my technical skills but also professional skills that have served me well in the job interview process.”
Given this background, Hailey targeted Stryker as a strong match for her skills and interests. After not being able to make the scheduling work for several years, she was able to join them for a three-month internship in her final year on campus which helped pave the path for her post-graduation employment.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities at Grand Valley, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Hailey. “Everything I’ve done has prepared me for what’s next.”
As these graduates begin their careers at globally recognized companies, they reflect how Padnos College of Engineering prepares students not just to earn degrees, but to earn opportunities at the forefront of industry.