Vantive is a vital organ therapy company on a mission to extend lives and expand possibilities for patients and care teams everywhere. For 70 years, our team has driven meaningful innovations in kidney care. As we build on our legacy, we are deepening our commitment to elevating the dialysis experience through digital solutions and advanced services, while looking beyond kidney care and investing in transforming vital organ therapies. Greater flexibility and efficiency in therapy administration for care teams, and longer, fuller lives for patients— that is what Vantive aspires to deliver.

We believe Vantive will not only build our leadership in the kidney care space, it will also offer meaningful work to those who join us. At Vantive, you will become part of a community of people who are focused, courageous and don’t settle for the mediocre. Each of us is driven to help improve patients’ lives worldwide. Join us in advancing our mission to extend lives and expand possibilities.

Polymer Engineering Co-Op Placement 2027

Location: Vantive Manufacturing, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
Department: Engineering
Placement duration: 6 to 9 months
Working arrangement: Full-time, onsite

About the Opportunity

Vantive is offering an exciting Co-Op placement for a student studying Polymer Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline.

Based at our Castlebar manufacturing site, you will gain hands-on experience supporting meaningful engineering projects involving polymer processing, extrusion technology, material performance and continuous improvement.

Polymer processing is central to our manufacturing operations. Our Castlebar site manufactures fill-finish systems for peritoneal dialysis solutions and operates an in-house tubing extrusion process, alongside the manufacture and assembly of plastic components. This placement will allow you to apply your academic knowledge within a regulated medical-device manufacturing environment.

What You Will Work On

As a Polymer Engineering Co-Op, you will support projects such as:

• Polymer material characterisation and performance analysis.
• Extrusion process optimisation and process-capability studies.
• Investigation of extrusion and component-quality defects.
• Root-cause analysis and corrective-action implementation.
• Reduction of polymer scrap, waste and manufacturing inefficiencies.
• Evaluation of alternative polymer materials or suppliers.
• Analysis of process data and preparation of technical reports.
• Continuous improvement of polymer processing and component quality.
• Cross-functional projects involving Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, NPI and Supplier Quality.

What You Will Learn

During your placement, you will have the opportunity to develop experience in:

• Polymer processing and extrusion technology.
• Materials engineering and polymer characterisation.
• Statistical analysis and process-capability assessment.
• Engineering problem-solving and root-cause investigation.
• Validation activities and quality-improvement methodologies.
• Medical-device manufacturing and regulated production environments.
• Project management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Technical report writing and presentation skills.
• Understanding how material selection, process control and product quality contribute to business performance and customer satisfaction.

Training and Support

You will complete the necessary safety, GMP, quality-system and compliance training. You will also receive site-specific training covering extrusion equipment, polymer-processing operations, engineering systems and applicable quality requirements.

The Engineering team will provide ongoing support throughout your placement. You will have a dedicated placement supervisor, regular day-to-day interaction, weekly one-to-one reviews and monthly project updates to support your learning and project progress.

Why Join Vantive?

This is an opportunity to:

• Gain paid, practical engineering experience within a global healthcare manufacturing business.
• Work on meaningful projects with clear outcomes and business impact.
• Learn from experienced engineering and manufacturing professionals.
• Build specialist experience in polymer processing and extrusion technology.
• Develop the technical and professional skills needed for a future engineering career.
• Contribute to manufacturing operations that support kidney and acute therapies.

Reasonable Accommodation

Vantive is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities globally. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, please click on the link here and let us know the nature of your request along with your contact information. Form Link

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