“The number one trait needed in engineering today is the ability to communicate effectively”
Charlie started at TE 24 years ago. During his long tenure as development engineer, he’s come to the conclusion that relationships, both with customers and internal teams, are key to innovation and providing good technical solutions. Today, he's development engineer for our Ultrasound, Imaging and Mapping Catheters portfolio.
Why did you choose to join TE? What keeps you here?
As a development engineer specializing in ultrasound, imaging and mapping catheters, I work with directly with medical device OEMs. When I first started here 24 years ago, I knew I wanted a customer facing job. I also wanted to make sure I chose a company backed by engineers that would help me learn and grow. TE has delivered on both fronts. I really like the team I work with, the access I get to manufacturing sites and production operators helps me deliver better solutions. Strong internal TE relationships is one of many reasons why TE is a great place to work.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like solving problems and making things easier for both our customers and our internal teams. I really enjoy working with our colleagues here in the R&D lab and the manufacturing groups, as well as our customers. It's great being involved with so many groups and at the different levels. It's these relationships that enable me to provide the best possible technical solutions for our customers.
What has been your most interesting project to work on at TE?
When we first started getting inquiries about imaging catheters, a research group working on a grant project reached out. They wanted TE to create the catheter cable assemblies and a generic system interconnect cable for different types of ICE catheters. I had a chance to work directly with the doctors doing the testing and the engineers and scientists from the universities. We prototyped five or six different solutions. As the main person putting it all together for them, I had a lot of fun.
What are the biggest challenges customers face?
Unlike the early days of ultrasound technology, cost was secondary to performance, today's customers face significant budget concerns. That, combined with regulatory challenges creates a very competitive environment. One way TE provides added value for these customers is by offering a broad array of solutions that includes cable assemblies, connectors, and other capabilities, which enables customers to reduce the number of vendors they work with.
Which personal traits are essential for today’s engineering challenges?
Increased outsourcing and globalization in the industry is changing how engineering is performed. The number one trait needed in engineering today is the ability to communicate effectively. This includes connecting with people in different countries with different cultures and at different levels of seniority. Adaptability is also a key trait. When it comes to things like systems, documentation requirements and manufacturing locations, change is constant, and engineers need to be able to adapt quickly.
What types of engineering changes do you expect to see over the next five years?
We will see many of the engineers that pioneered medical components and devices begin to retire. It's important that they share their knowledge with the younger group coming up to fill their place. Covid has also changed how and where we work, especially around remote work. As a result, teams are more spread out and international collaboration has increased. I think we will see more and more engineers “working in multiple sites.”
How does TE approach innovation, in a way that directly translates to the solutions we provide to customers?
TE does a great job with taking technology that's developed in in one industry and sharing it across the different business units. In addition, at an individual site level, there's a lot of emphasis on platforming. By creating a standard technology that can be used across a variety of medical device applications, we maximize the value that we bring to our customers..
“The number one trait needed in engineering today is the ability to communicate effectively”
Charlie started at TE 24 years ago. During his long tenure as development engineer, he’s come to the conclusion that relationships, both with customers and internal teams, are key to innovation and providing good technical solutions. Today, he's development engineer for our Ultrasound, Imaging and Mapping Catheters portfolio.
Why did you choose to join TE? What keeps you here?
As a development engineer specializing in ultrasound, imaging and mapping catheters, I work with directly with medical device OEMs. When I first started here 24 years ago, I knew I wanted a customer facing job. I also wanted to make sure I chose a company backed by engineers that would help me learn and grow. TE has delivered on both fronts. I really like the team I work with, the access I get to manufacturing sites and production operators helps me deliver better solutions. Strong internal TE relationships is one of many reasons why TE is a great place to work.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like solving problems and making things easier for both our customers and our internal teams. I really enjoy working with our colleagues here in the R&D lab and the manufacturing groups, as well as our customers. It's great being involved with so many groups and at the different levels. It's these relationships that enable me to provide the best possible technical solutions for our customers.
What has been your most interesting project to work on at TE?
When we first started getting inquiries about imaging catheters, a research group working on a grant project reached out. They wanted TE to create the catheter cable assemblies and a generic system interconnect cable for different types of ICE catheters. I had a chance to work directly with the doctors doing the testing and the engineers and scientists from the universities. We prototyped five or six different solutions. As the main person putting it all together for them, I had a lot of fun.
What are the biggest challenges customers face?
Unlike the early days of ultrasound technology, cost was secondary to performance, today's customers face significant budget concerns. That, combined with regulatory challenges creates a very competitive environment. One way TE provides added value for these customers is by offering a broad array of solutions that includes cable assemblies, connectors, and other capabilities, which enables customers to reduce the number of vendors they work with.
Which personal traits are essential for today’s engineering challenges?
Increased outsourcing and globalization in the industry is changing how engineering is performed. The number one trait needed in engineering today is the ability to communicate effectively. This includes connecting with people in different countries with different cultures and at different levels of seniority. Adaptability is also a key trait. When it comes to things like systems, documentation requirements and manufacturing locations, change is constant, and engineers need to be able to adapt quickly.
What types of engineering changes do you expect to see over the next five years?
We will see many of the engineers that pioneered medical components and devices begin to retire. It's important that they share their knowledge with the younger group coming up to fill their place. Covid has also changed how and where we work, especially around remote work. As a result, teams are more spread out and international collaboration has increased. I think we will see more and more engineers “working in multiple sites.”
How does TE approach innovation, in a way that directly translates to the solutions we provide to customers?
TE does a great job with taking technology that's developed in in one industry and sharing it across the different business units. In addition, at an individual site level, there's a lot of emphasis on platforming. By creating a standard technology that can be used across a variety of medical device applications, we maximize the value that we bring to our customers..
