“I like complex projects that require me to step back and see the big picture, how things interface with one another and how we need to set our requirements based on those complexities.”
Marie Ottum (Sr Principal Engineer, Advanced Development, Medical) believes that strong communication and teamwork are crucial for engineers, especially in today's hybrid work environment. She likes complex projects that require her to step back and see the big picture, how things interface with one another and how we need to set our requirements based on those complexities. Working with customers, she enjoys the learning opportunities, customer interaction, and the variety of complex projects like smart catheters.
Why did you choose to join TE? What makes you stay here?
I've been with TE for over 10 years now after coming across a position in the Advanced Development group in the medical business. I really liked the idea of being able to work on something that would improve people's lives. Previously, I'd been in consumer electronics and was wanting something more meaningful. I was also excited to be involved in building the next generation of medical products and taking advantage of all the labs, tools and resources that TE has to offer.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
There are so many opportunities to connect with subject matter experts of various discipline at TE, including a fantastic internal engineering conference we have every year, TEchCON. In addition to technical knowledge, I've enhanced my non-technical skills such as communication through involvement in our employee resource groups. As part of TE’s employee resource groups, I've held leadership positions that exposed me to functions and business units I otherwise never would have been a part of. I also love the customer interaction we get as contract manufacturers. Working with so many different customers and teams is fun and motivating.
What has been your most interesting project to work on at TE?
I like complex projects that require me to step back and see the big picture, how things interface with one another and how we need to set our requirements based on those complexities. I find smart catheter products especially interesting because there are so many elements coming together including mechanical catheter shafts, sensors and electronics. In one of my favorite projects, I worked with a customer on a single-use endoscope that helped TE gain new capabilities that had been previously outsourced.
What are the biggest challenges customers face?
Today's customers face many challenges. Of course, sustainability is huge including the need for new materials and processes that will allow us all to be less wasteful. But if we focus on our medical customers specifically, there is an aging population that requires more and more procedures and treatment options. Smart catheters and robotic solutions will be key in addressing this need, driving a shift to more minimally invasive catheter-based approaches. By integrating electronics and sensors into these products, medical device OEMs will also be able to capture data that will help providers offer more personalized patient care.
What traits are essential for today’s engineering challenges?
Inherently, engineers must be curious. Not only do they need to develop their own ideas, but they must also be able to collaborate as part of a team. Today, I think we have some unique challenges post COVID related to that. There's a lot more hybrid work, making us less physically connected. As a result, being able to read other people and understand the impact our words and actions have is more important than ever.
What types of engineering changes do you expect to see over the next five years?
Today's engineers are using more AI-based simulation tools. So, harnessing data and using it to guide our designs using AI to enable new materials and processes will be one of the biggest opportunities in the next five years. That includes using generative design tools to speed up the design process. Additive manufacturing will also continue expanding as more customers start to use it in production.
How does TE approach innovation, in a way that directly translates to the solutions we provide to customers?
Innovation is key moving forward. One way we do this is by using more simulation. Whether it's cut patterns on hypotubes, tooling for extrusions, understanding how materials reflow to make a finished catheter shaft, or getting the electrical properties right, simulation increases the confidence in our products even further. We pair that simulation with targeted prototyping at our design centers, such as our PROPELUS™ Prototype Center, where customers can see their ideas developed, quickly.
“I like complex projects that require me to step back and see the big picture, how things interface with one another and how we need to set our requirements based on those complexities.”
Marie Ottum (Sr Principal Engineer, Advanced Development, Medical) believes that strong communication and teamwork are crucial for engineers, especially in today's hybrid work environment. She likes complex projects that require her to step back and see the big picture, how things interface with one another and how we need to set our requirements based on those complexities. Working with customers, she enjoys the learning opportunities, customer interaction, and the variety of complex projects like smart catheters.
Why did you choose to join TE? What makes you stay here?
I've been with TE for over 10 years now after coming across a position in the Advanced Development group in the medical business. I really liked the idea of being able to work on something that would improve people's lives. Previously, I'd been in consumer electronics and was wanting something more meaningful. I was also excited to be involved in building the next generation of medical products and taking advantage of all the labs, tools and resources that TE has to offer.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
There are so many opportunities to connect with subject matter experts of various discipline at TE, including a fantastic internal engineering conference we have every year, TEchCON. In addition to technical knowledge, I've enhanced my non-technical skills such as communication through involvement in our employee resource groups. As part of TE’s employee resource groups, I've held leadership positions that exposed me to functions and business units I otherwise never would have been a part of. I also love the customer interaction we get as contract manufacturers. Working with so many different customers and teams is fun and motivating.
What has been your most interesting project to work on at TE?
I like complex projects that require me to step back and see the big picture, how things interface with one another and how we need to set our requirements based on those complexities. I find smart catheter products especially interesting because there are so many elements coming together including mechanical catheter shafts, sensors and electronics. In one of my favorite projects, I worked with a customer on a single-use endoscope that helped TE gain new capabilities that had been previously outsourced.
What are the biggest challenges customers face?
Today's customers face many challenges. Of course, sustainability is huge including the need for new materials and processes that will allow us all to be less wasteful. But if we focus on our medical customers specifically, there is an aging population that requires more and more procedures and treatment options. Smart catheters and robotic solutions will be key in addressing this need, driving a shift to more minimally invasive catheter-based approaches. By integrating electronics and sensors into these products, medical device OEMs will also be able to capture data that will help providers offer more personalized patient care.
What traits are essential for today’s engineering challenges?
Inherently, engineers must be curious. Not only do they need to develop their own ideas, but they must also be able to collaborate as part of a team. Today, I think we have some unique challenges post COVID related to that. There's a lot more hybrid work, making us less physically connected. As a result, being able to read other people and understand the impact our words and actions have is more important than ever.
What types of engineering changes do you expect to see over the next five years?
Today's engineers are using more AI-based simulation tools. So, harnessing data and using it to guide our designs using AI to enable new materials and processes will be one of the biggest opportunities in the next five years. That includes using generative design tools to speed up the design process. Additive manufacturing will also continue expanding as more customers start to use it in production.
How does TE approach innovation, in a way that directly translates to the solutions we provide to customers?
Innovation is key moving forward. One way we do this is by using more simulation. Whether it's cut patterns on hypotubes, tooling for extrusions, understanding how materials reflow to make a finished catheter shaft, or getting the electrical properties right, simulation increases the confidence in our products even further. We pair that simulation with targeted prototyping at our design centers, such as our PROPELUS™ Prototype Center, where customers can see their ideas developed, quickly.
