Industrial Design Intern - Portage, MI
Stryker
Summary
As an Industrial Design Intern at Stryker, you will support a cross-functional team of designers, engineers, researchers, and marketers focused on creating innovative, human-centered medical offerings. You will contribute to concept development, visualization, and user-centered research activities that help shape the next generation of Stryker products. You’ll gain hands-on experience in sketching, prototyping, CAD, design communication, and the medical device development process.
Job description
Summary
As an Industrial Design Intern at Stryker, you will support a cross-functional team of designers, engineers, researchers, and marketers focused on creating innovative, human-centered medical offerings. You will contribute to concept development, visualization, and user-centered research activities that help shape the next generation of Stryker products. You’ll gain hands-on experience in sketching, prototyping, CAD, design communication, and the medical device development process.
What You Will Do
Design & Concept Development
- Create early-stage concepts through sketching, 2D visualization, and physical or digital prototyping.
- Translate user insights into improved ergonomics, usability, aesthetics, and user experience.
- Contribute to the definition of form, features, and product look/feel aligned to Stryker’s visual brand language.
User-Centered Design Research
- Support research activities including trend reviews, ergonomic analysis, and capturing user insights.
- Assist in preparing materials for user feedback sessions, co-creation activities, or usability evaluations.
Collaboration & Communication
- Work closely with designers, engineers, marketing, and human factors partners to advance project goals.
- Contribute to design reviews through compelling visual and verbal communication.
- Support creation of presentations, storyboards, diagrams, and visual assets articulating design intent.
Modeling & Visualization
- Produce sketches, mockups, CAD studies, and visual prototypes to support concept development.
- Assist in rendering and 3D visualization for communicating form, aesthetics, and experience.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, or a related field.
- Must remain enrolled in a degree-seeking program after the internship.
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA or above (verified at time of hire).
- Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. and not require sponsorship now or in the future.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with proven ability to collaborate and build relationships.
- Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and eagerness to learn in a dynamic environment.
- Foundational skills in sketching, model making, CAD, and visual storytelling.
- Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite; experience with Rhino, SolidWorks, Creo, or similar tools preferred.
- A portfolio demonstrating creativity, process thinking, and design fundamentals.
- A positive attitude, empathy for users, and openness to feedback.
Benefits
- Sign-on bonus
- 11 paid holidays annually
- Paid corporate housing
- Living stipend
Company overview
Stryker is a global leader in medical technology, founded in 1941 by Dr. Homer Stryker and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan. As one of the world's premier medical device companies, Stryker operates across three major business segments: Medical and Surgical Equipment, Orthopaedics and Spine, and Neurotechnology. The company impacts more than 150 million patients annually through its innovative products and services sold in over 75 countries worldwide. With approximately 53,000 employees globally and annual sales of $22.6 billion in 2024, Stryker maintains a strong commitment to research and development, investing $1.5 billion in R&D annually. The company's diverse portfolio includes surgical instruments, orthopedic implants, neurovascular devices, endoscopic systems, and advanced digital healthcare solutions. Stryker is recognized for its Mako robotic-assisted surgery systems and has been consistently ranked as one of Fortune's World's Best Workplaces for eight consecutive years, demonstrating its commitment to corporate culture and employee development.