Product Development Placement Student

Eakin Healthcare; Comber; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global medical device company in Northern Ireland is looking for a student placement in their Design team. This opportunity will involve contributing to product design and development, primarily focused on ostomy devices. Ideal candidates will be working towards a degree in a technical discipline and have experience with CAD systems, like Solidworks. The role requires strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple projects effectively. Additional benefits include blended working and various perks.

Benefits

Blended Working

Bonus

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Option to buy holiday days

Wellbeing Programme

Health Cash Plan

Pension

Life Assurance

Enhanced Maternity/Paternity

Cycle to Work Scheme

Referral Scheme

Long Service Awards

Free Parking

Qualifications

• Must be working towards a Degree level Technical Discipline, preferably in a Design/Technical /Engineering related subject.
• Experience in using a 3D parametric CAD system such as Solidworks.
• Be able to work in a multi-functional, multi-disciplinary team and to build relationships with peers.
• Comfortable with both the practical and theoretical aspects of product development.
• Ability to manage own time in a fast-paced environment and on multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and development of new devices from early stage product concepts to production.
• Provide input to technical reports and design documentation.
• Carry out laboratory testing as directed, including creation of test protocols and analysis of results.
• Contribute to team tasks within development projects.

Skills

3D parametric CAD system

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Time management

Can do attitude

Education

Degree level Technical Discipline

Tools

Solidworks

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

At Eakin Healthcare, we put patients at the heart of everything we do. We are a family-owned global medical device company with a proud heritage of innovation and care. We deliver innovative solutions across Ostomy, Respiratory, and Surgical therapies, along with our Respond home delivery service. Founded over 50 years ago, we now have a team of over 700 dedicated people across three UK manufacturing sites, 12 international sales and distribution centres and export to over 60 countries. We’ve been recognised as a Great Place to Work®! And we’re proud to be named among the Best Workplaces in Healthcare and Best Workplaces for Women.

At Eakin Healthcare, we’re united by one mission: working together to improve lives – just like we’ve been doing for over five decades.

WHY JOIN US?

We’re good at what we do – come and join us and you can benefit from:

• Blended Working
• Bonus
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (rising to 28)
• Option to buy holiday days
• Wellbeing Programme
• Health Cash Plan
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Referral Scheme
• Long Service Awards
• Free Parking

ABOUT THE ROLE

Eakin R&D is now recruiting for a student placement in the Design team. This role will report to the Design Manager and is an exciting opportunity to join a growing R&D team. Crucially, this role will be involved in all aspects of product design and development throughout the NPD process leading to development of both new products and product improvements for Eakin Healthcare. The duration of the placement is for one year.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The role will depend on the successful candidate’s skill set, but they will contribute to the development of new products, primarily in ostomy. This may vary from early market conceptualisation to design verification and validation activities.

The following activities are typical of what the successful candidates may experience.

• Contribute as a team member to the design and development of new devices, from early stage product concepts to production ready product, in line with Eakin’s development strategy, Quality system and New Product Development process.
• Contribute as a team member to allocated work-streams within development projects, to meet project targets and ensure products meet user and market requirements.
• Provide input to technical reports and design documentation for internal and external users to review ensuring that the content is accurate and informed.
• Provide engineering and process knowledge to input to activities and business decision making within speciality area.
• Carry out diligent laboratory testing as directed, including creation of test protocols, designing and procuring test apparatus, analysis of results and report writing.

• Student tasks will be allocated by your Line Manager and will contribute to the Deliverables of each project to which you are assigned.

Other

• To adhere to the company’s Equal Opportunities policy and Dignity at work policy in all activities and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
• To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the company’s’ Health and Safety policy.
• To adhere to the company’s Quality policy and Environmental policy.
• To undertake other duties as may be reasonably required.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Essential

• Must be working towards a Degree level Technical Discipline, preferably in a Design/Technical /Engineering related subject.
• Experience of using a 3D parametric CAD system such as Solidworks.
• Be able to work in a multi-functional, multi-disciplinary team and to build relationships with peers.
• Will be comfortable with both the practical and theoretical aspects of product development.
• Will have an ability to manage own time in a fast-paced environment and on multiple projects at one time.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• The successful candidate will have a ‘can do’ attitude and be able to work on their own initiative.

Desirable

• Experience in using Photoshop/Illustrator, sketching and 3D rendering to visualise concept designs.
• Experimental diligence and the ability to collect, analyse and interpret data.
• Working knowledge of rapid prototyping techniques and processes.
• Knowledge of high-volume manufacturing processes.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

• Working within the R&D team on the tasks allocated to support projects.
• Working alongside Manufacturing to understand manufacturing implications of technical decisions.
• Working alongside the Commercial team(s) to understand the commercial implications of technical decisions.
• Working alongside Quality to ensure all documentation is of an appropriate and consistent standard.

External

• Suppliers
• Test houses
• Universities

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Full clean UK driving licence required with access to a vehicle.
• Travel Requirements: Possible UK travel to support projects.
• Start date 1st July 2026

COMPETENCIES

Customer Focus

Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.

Manages Complexity

Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.

Action Oriented

Taking on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of urgency, high energy, and enthusiasm.

Collaborates

Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

Communicates Effectively

Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.

Self-Development

Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.

Nimble Learning

Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder.

Being Resilient

Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.