Experience
I have completed three sixth month co-ops in the robotics industry focusing on hardware roles. The size, culture, and responsibility differed at each of my positions encouraging me to adapt and learn based on those environments.
Systems Test Engineering Co-op
iRobot was a great first co-op because it provided me with a great balance of guidance and freedom. I had the freedom to develop solutions but was also guided thoroughly through the process. I was introduced to machining, rapid prototyping, and testing. The machine shop and rapid prototyping lab were free to use and we were encourage to help out. I took weekly courses with machinists, electrical technicians, and worked closely with industrial rapid prototyping equipment.
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Hardware Engineering Co-op
I had much more independence and responsibility at my second position at Amazon Robotics as a hardware engineering co-op. I frequently created and pushed ECOs design changes and standards (ISO) switches for parts, assemblies, and drawings. In addition to testing, fixture design, assembly.
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Engineering Co-op
My third co-op at TechShare in Tokyo, Japan, in addition to technical design for robotic arm (uFactory and Dobot platforms) end-effectors and demo parts, I went to 4 major robotics exhibitions in Japan and exhibited and explained our developed systems in both English and Japanese. In addition to this, the company was very small (about 10 full-time workers) and required me to grow far from my comfort zone to an area of marketing and business in a foreign language.
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