In our series recognizing the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are shining a light on some of the exceptional women working in technical roles at Elos Medtech. Next up is Amy Schoenfelder, Director of Engineering at our Memphis site!
Amy’s Expertise: Variety, Passion and Collaboration
As Director of Engineering, Amy is the lead of Manufacturing Engineering, Quality Engineering, Maintenance, and Project Management at the Memphis site. She’s been with Elos Medtech for less than a year, but so far she thinks it has been a very rewarding experience. Her highlight so far has been building a unified engineering department at the Memphis facility. This has fostered a more cohesive team, ensuring alignment on goals and objectives, and strengthening collaboration across engineering disciplines.
What she loves most about her role is the variety—no two days are the same, which keeps her engaged in Operations Engineering.
“My passion is working with my team, focusing on strategic planning, problem-solving, and process improvements,” she says. “While much of my time is spent on project planning and team development, I always strive to be hands-on and engage with operators and engineers on the production floor—something I truly enjoy.”
Discovering a Passion for Medical Devices
Amy’s interest in science and technology began in 6th grade when her class learned about the Human Genome Project* as it was nearing completion. Amy became fascinated by the idea of contributing to something groundbreaking and knew from then on that she wanted to make a meaningful impact.
In college, she discovered her passion for medical devices, drawn by her love for math—especially statics and deformable bodies—and how they apply to the human body. The blend of engineering, problem-solving, and real-world healthcare impact made medical devices the perfect fit, shaping her career ever since.
“I’ve always loved learning,” says Amy with a laugh, “- and school was something I genuinely enjoyed. In fact, I was the child who was upset on the first day of school because they didn’t immediately teach me how to read!”
As she progressed in school, she naturally gravitated toward math and science. There was something comforting about data and logic—the way numbers and formulas could explain the world around. That enjoyment of problem-solving eventually led her to engineering, where she found a perfect balance between technical challenges and real-world impact.
Earning and Paying Respect
Despite the industry’s male-dominated reputation, Amy shares that she’s had a very positive experience in engineering and operations. Early in her career she did feel the need to prove herself, as she was often the minority on teams. However, over time, she realized that the best way to earn respect was through competence, collaboration, and consistently delivering results.
She also credits her success to learning the importance of patience and staying committed to the responsibilities she was given. Being faithful in the tasks and executing them well helped build trust and credibility.
Another major factor in Amy’s journey was the mentorship she received early in her career. She was fortunate to have mentors who made sure she was in the right place at the right time, providing guidance and opportunities that helped shape her path. Their support taught her the power of mentorship, which she now strives to pay forward by supporting and encouraging others in the field.
Amy’s Progression in Her Role
At the beginning of her career, Amy would have never predicted that she’d be where she is today. What is very clear to her, is that she enjoys medical devices and operations—the fast-paced problem-solving, process improvements, and the ability to make a real impact on healthcare.
“I see myself continuing to grow as a leader in this space, taking on new challenges, driving innovation, and developing high-performing teams. Whether by expanding my current role or exploring new opportunities, my goal remains the same: make a difference, support my team, and advance medical technology.”
Three Pointers to a New Starter at Elos:
“1. Embrace curiosity, stay persistent, and believe in yourself and your abilities.
2. Pursue your passion even if you don’t see many people like you in the field. Find mentors, ask questions, and embrace challenges.
3. If something pushes you outside your comfort zone, it’s probably worth pursuing—those are the experiences that lead to the most growth, even if you don’t realize it yet.”
* The Human Genome Project was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying, mapping and sequencing all of the genes of the human genome. It started in 1990 and was completed in 2003.
Want to Join the Elos Medtech Team?
Learn more about our opportunities here: https://elosmedtech.com/careers/
