Since his graduation in 2011, electrical engineering alum Ted Cole has built a career in test/process development and model-based design for the aviation and medical industries, including electronics for sophisticated robotic systems. In January, he was promoted to principal engineer for medical equipment manufacturer Stryker, where he has worked since 2021.
As an undergraduate student, Cole strived to never lose sight of his big picture goals, which included engineering large systems that improve people’s lives. His experience at the University of South Carolina helped him identify where to channel his interest for the greatest impact.
“My passions were engineering and electronics, and USC was great in that regard,” Cole says. “Working in the engineering department and getting hands on in the labs as an undergraduate helped me realize what kinds of sub-systems and technology are out there to work on.”
Cole also received real world experience with two internships at GE Aviation in Greenville, South Carolina, as well as USC’s Air Force ROTC experience. The internships jumpstarted his career, and he was offered a full-time position upon graduation in the company’s Edison Engineering Development Program. He worked in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while earning his master’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan State University.
“It all started for me at USC when I began that first internship,” Cole says. “The first went well, so I went for another one. My thought process was since I liked the company, I should pursue a full-time position.”
The Edison program was a multi-year track of internal rotations, from 12-to-18 months each. One of his rotations was a remote assignment developing electronic engine control systems for a team at GE Aviation’s Jacksonville, Florida, branch. After completing the development program, Cole accepted a position in Jacksonville as an electrical engineer for test development and model-based design of the fuel control system topology for GE Unison’s turboprop venture.
In 2021, Cole was approached by Stryker with an opportunity for an electrical engineering role working with robotics systems. After 10 years with GE Aviation and Unison, he decided it was time to switch gears.
“It was a good turning point for me because the products were at a mature or development state for GE Unison,” Cole says. “Stryker was looking for someone with my testing background to work with the electronics for their surgical robotics. Those are critical systems as with aviation, and you want a similar quality and testing discipline applied with aviation as you have applied to surgical robotics.”
Cole was hired to process develop and test electronics for a robotic orthopedic system for knee replacement surgeries that uses advanced technology to determine personalized surgical plans for accurate implant placement. The Mako Robotic System acts as a guided tool with real-time sensory feedback to help the surgeon with proper bone preparation. This technology provides the surgeon with advance data and feedback to ensure precision and allows for faster recovery times. Cole’s project team for this work received the Stryker Research and Development Best Global Project Engineering of the Year Award for 2024.
"Ted’s contributions to Stryker and the Mako Robotic System have been instrumental in sustaining and advancing this critical technology for orthopedic and spine surgeries. His expertise in electronics, especially in sourcing and validating components during global shortages, has ensured the continued reliability of the system,” says Kelsey Harris, Advanced Operations Craniomaxillofacial Manager for Stryker. “Beyond his technical skills, Ted’s collaborative spirit and ability to simplify complex concepts have strengthened the team’s electronics expertise, leaving a lasting impact on both Stryker and the patients who benefit from this life-changing technology.”
The Mako Robotic System is the perfect example of the work Cole set out to do at the beginning of his career, when his big picture was to become an engineer and work on systems that impact everyday lives.
“I always tried to chase critical systems, with automation and safety at the forefront,” Cole says. “Different systems serve different purposes, but they are still systems and they have a positive impact on people’s lives.”