Senior New Product Development Engineer, Edwards Lifesciences

Dec 11, 2023

David Swain is a Senior New Product Development Engineer at Edwards Lifesciences. David works in the Advanced Technology Business unit. This means he develops the manufacturing processes for some of the new products they are working on.

What is the highest degree you have earned and what can you tell us about your academic path?

I have a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering with a minor in Business Administration. Graduated from the University of Toledo. I chose to pursue bioengineering because I wanted to help improve the quality of life for individuals with life-changing ailments like my father.

Where do you work now and what is your company about?

I work at Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine, Calif.. Edwards is a global leader in patient-focused medical innovations for structural heart disease, as well as critical care and surgical monitoring.

How did you first learn about the company?

I first learned about Edwards at a National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) conference in Pittsburgh back in 2018.

What do you like most about the company?

I love the innovative, positive, and patient-focused culture here at Edwards. The culture at Edwards is highly unique and collaborative. One thing that drew me to Edwards was the opportunity to work on new and innovative technology. I also liked that the company offers many development opportunities.

What skills make you successful in your role and why did you choose this role?

Top skills to have in my role: problem solving, agility, teamwork, and being observant. I chose NPD Manufacturing because I think it is the best place for a new engineer to learn how industry works, and what it takes to build product. Being a manufacturing engineer requires you to work with the cross functions a lot, so you can interact with many different functions early on. Starting in manufacturing also gives you an understanding of how the design affects manufacturability and allows you to take those learnings to become a better engineer.

How do you define success?

Identifying your purpose/ passion, and happily living it out every day!

What's the most fulfilling aspect of your job?

Knowing that everything I work on is going to help either save someone’s life or significantly improve their quality of life.

What advice do you have for students and job seekers?

Apply to many different places, practice your pitch, and establish a professional brand.

What book did you read last?

The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1969) by Sam Greenlee. It’s a fictional tale of the first black CIA officer, and of the CIA's history of training persons and political groups who later used their specialized training against the agency.