Siemens Healthineers Lois Owen always wanted to be a scientist

Meet Siemens Healthineers Llanberis Quality Systems Engineer, Lois Owen. Her main duties involve ensuring ISO compliance and overseeing further international regulatory requirements, making certain that business needs are met through the delivery and operation of vigilance and post market activities, internal and external audits, and so forth.

After completing a Degree in Biomedical Science at Bangor University, her initial goal was to be a scientist. "I had a young family after finishing University, so getting a job in a company like Siemens was perfect for me – being local to where I live was another plus!" she shares.

A typical working day

"I began in my first role as a Technician in Technical Operations in late 2010, progressing to a Scientist in early 2013. I have now transitioned to Quality Systems Engineer within the Quality Management department."

Her typical working day includes:

responding to emails
reviewing CAPA’s and issue resolutions
reviewing internal audit reports
reviewing Medical Device Vigilance reports
preparing for external Audits
preparing data for CAPA
Audit and Management Review Boards
sitting on Escalation Review Council’s Product Quality Committee’s
raising product holds

A rewarding role at Siemens Healthineers

Lois says that the most rewarding parts of the job include knowing that the end customer, the patients, are benefiting from Siemens Healthineers products.

"We all know someone who’s been affected by an illness in their lives, so knowing that what we produce can save lives is an incredibly powerful driver in the way we all work at Llanberis," says Lois.

Looking at the challenges of the role, Lois explains: "Ensuring that we produce the highest quality product for our customers is a key part of my role. Ensuring that we meet CAPA and Audit timelines is key to our product quality. Our customers are relying on corrective actions to be in place if any issue occurs in the field or during the manufacture of our products."

Encouraging others to bring their career to Siemens Healthineers, Lois advises: "I would say ‘go for it’. My colleagues are friendly and outgoing and there’s a great social aspect here if you want it. There are many opportunities for career progression – you just need to voice it and work for it."

Describing the culture of the business in a few words, Lois says: "Friendly, focused, driven, committed and united."

Encouraging girls into STEM careers

Giving some advice to young women considering a STEM career, Lois suggests: "Don’t let anyone put you off from having a career in Science or Engineering, especially for the girls!"