Send us Fan Mail Ron Higgs shares insights on transforming engineers into effective executive leaders, drawing from his extensive experience in military aviation, aerospace, and consulting. He discusses the critical skills engineers need to advance into leadership roles, emphasizing people skills, systems thinking, and continuous improvement. Main Topics: Journey from Naval Flight Officer to Executive Coach Developing People Skills in Technical Professions Systems Thinking in Leadership Overcomi...
May 23, 2025•50 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Send us Fan Mail Join Aaron Moncur as he sits down with John Martell, a mechanical engineer with over 14 years of experience in aerospace, medical devices, automation, and geospatial drone services. Discover John's engineering journey, his innovative approach to mechanism design, and how he transitioned from mechanical engineering to data management. Main Topics: Mechanical Engineering Career Path Mechanism Design Techniques Drone Geospatial Services Engineering Leadership Automation and Product...
May 16, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Send us Fan Mail Join host Aaron Moncur as he sits down with Dr. Stuart Grant, a seasoned med tech innovator with over 25 years of experience at industry giants like Johnson & Johnson and DePuy. Dr. Grant shares his journey from design engineering to founding his own consultancy, offering invaluable insights into medical device development, regulatory challenges, and the future of medical technology. Main Topics: Career progression in medical device engineering Challenges of starting a medic...
May 09, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 19
Send us Fan Mail Nikolaj Kloch shares his unique journey from aerospace engineering to becoming a leading videographer specializing in content creation for public speakers. He discusses how engineering skills translate into entrepreneurship, content creation, and business development. Main Topics: Transitioning from aerospace engineering to videography Building a business by leading with value Public speaking tips for engineers Leveraging engineering skills in content creation Social media and n...
May 02, 2025•57 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Send us Fan Mail Join Aaron Moncur as he interviews Scott Putnam, an expert in guiding inventors through the complex journey of bringing products to market. Scott shares insights from his 15+ years of experience coaching over 500 inventors, discussing strategies for product development, licensing, and successful commercialization. Main Topics: Challenges Engineers Face in Marketing Products Licensing vs. Venturing Product Strategies Intellectual Property Considerations Market Research Techniques...
Apr 25, 2025•49 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Send us Fan Mail Jake Kennington shares his transformative journey from structural engineering to personal development coaching, discussing how engineers can build meaningful lives without sacrificing their careers. He explores the importance of personal growth, embracing change, and developing a strong personal foundation. Main Topics: Transitioning from Structural Engineering to Personal Coaching The "Strong Column, Weak Beam" Life Philosophy Importance of Personal Development for Engineers Ov...
Apr 18, 2025•56 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Send us Fan Mail Join Aaron Moncur as he interviews Toby Schnaars, a CAD expert who has revolutionized learning 3D modeling through gamification. With nearly three decades of experience in tech support and training, Toby shares insights on CAD best practices, speed modeling, and his innovative platform that makes learning CAD fun and engaging. Main Topics: CAD Best Practices Gamification of CAD Learning CAD vs. CAD Tournaments Community Building in Engineering Education Speed Modeling Techniques...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Send us Fan Mail This episode is a re-run from season 1 Russ Aldridge shares his entrepreneurial journey of founding Sisu, a mechanical engineering company that designs innovative robotic solutions. From creating a revolutionary knife-sharpening robot to developing a game-changing cinematography robot arm and rapidly producing ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic, Russ demonstrates the power of creative problem-solving and team collaboration. Main Topics: Origin of Sisu and its unique name I...
Apr 04, 2025•48 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Send us Fan Mail Geoffrey Huber shares his journey from art school to industrial design, discussing his expertise in creating custom access and safety equipment for industries like aerospace, aviation, and manufacturing. He reveals insights into building a successful custom manufacturing business and the importance of hands-on experience in engineering. Main Topics: Transitioning from art to industrial design Building a custom equipment manufacturing department Developing innovative safety and a...
Mar 28, 2025•45 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Send us Fan Mail In this fascinating episode of Being an Engineer, our host Aaron Moncur sits down with Greg Mark, a visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized 3D printing with Markforged and is now transforming design workflows with his AI company, Backflip. Greg shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, technological innovations, and the power of persistence. Main Topics: The origin story of Markforged and carbon fiber 3D printing Innovative design principles in manufacturing Backflip's...
Mar 21, 2025•56 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Send us Fan Mail In this engaging podcast episode, Jon Lowy shares his remarkable engineering journey, discussing everything from medical robotics to teaching, entrepreneurship, and his unique perspectives on design, communication, and innovation. Main Topics: Engineering Career Evolution Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Challenges in Additive Manufacturing Entrepreneurial Experiences Communication and Teaching Strategies Personal Growth and Adaptability About the guest: Jonathan Lowy is a seasone...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Send us Fan Mail In this insightful episode, Clint Biggs shares his extensive experience in test engineering sales, discussing the critical intersection of technical expertise and customer relationships. With over 30 years in the industry, Clint provides valuable insights into sales engineering, team collaboration, and career development for engineers. Main Topics: Test Engineering Across Industries Sales and Engineering Collaboration Building Professional Relationships Sales Engineer Compensati...
Mar 07, 2025•41 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Aaron Moncur sits down with Noah Burke, a certified SolidWorks professional and mechanical engineer, to explore the nuances of product design, engineering creativity, and the importance of asking the right questions. Noah shares insights from his journey at Pipeline and Colson Group, offering valuable advice for aspiring engineers. Main Topics: Transitioning from hands-on assembly to product design The art of asking effective engineering questions Importance of ...
Feb 28, 2025•49 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Stephen shares his career journey, from early influences that led him to engineering to his experiences in the Marine Corps and various engineering roles. He discusses the technical challenges he faced, such as working on the Patriot 2 missile at Raytheon and the innovative solutions he implemented. Stephen also talks about his passion for personal engineering projects, including an automated sprinkler system and a home security system, and the inspiration behin...
Feb 21, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Send us Fan Mail *This episode is a re-run In this episode, Aaron Moncur interviews Michael Hadley, who has a diverse background including involvement in the human development movement and serving as a business manager for Tony Robbins. Michael shares his journey back into engineering 20 years after graduating, the successes and failures he's experienced, and the lessons he's learned along the way. The conversation covers Michael's decision to pursue mechanical engineering, his unique experience...
Feb 14, 2025•44 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Aaron Moncur speaks with John Boezi about his journey as a product development expert, the importance of documentation in engineering, universal design principles, client relationship challenges, prototyping techniques, and building strong engineering teams. John shares insights from his experience across industries like medical devices, outdoor sports, and consumer goods. We’re excited to explore his perspectives on engineering leadership, designing for niche a...
Feb 07, 2025•40 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Keegan Schoch shares his journey into engineering, the importance of soft skills, the origins and philosophy of Poindexter by Design, the tools and technologies they use, strategies for building client relationships, trends in engineering like AI integration, advice for aspiring engineering consultants, and highlights of successful projects. Main Topics: Keegan's path to becoming an engineer and the importance of soft skills The story behind Poindexter by Design...
Jan 31, 2025•49 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Steve Maxson shares his insights on the world of medical extrusion technology, including trends, innovations, and the importance of regulatory compliance. He discusses his career journey, the MEDEX podcast, the Medical Processing Panel (MPP) events, and collaborations that are driving advancements in the industry. Main Topics: Steve Maxson's background and transition to medical extrusion technology Business development and technical challenges in the industry Tr...
Jan 24, 2025•41 min•Season 6Ep. 4
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Hector Amador shares his expertise in the semiconductor industry, covering topics such as IC packaging, microchip assembly, cost optimization, emerging trends, and leadership in engineering. He provides insights into the technical skills and mindset required for success in the semiconductor field. Main Topics: Understanding IC packaging and the complexity of microchip assembly Hector's journey into the semiconductor industry and his impactful projects Crucial te...
Jan 17, 2025•51 min•Season 6Ep. 3
Send us Fan Mail This episode is a re-run. Derek Pietz shares his journey into engineering, his experiences founding and leading a startup called Lab to Fab, and the challenges and successes he's faced in the automation industry. He discusses the importance of teamwork, communication, and adaptability in engineering. Derek also provides insights into the trends and future of automation, as well as advice for aspiring engineers. Main Topics: Derek's path to becoming an engineer and his early entr...
Jan 10, 2025•38 min•Season 6Ep. 2
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Tony Simas shares his journey from STEM to business leadership, the challenges he faced in implementing change and reducing data entry by 70%, and his insights on navigating different cultures as a consultant. He discusses strategies for transitioning to a SaaS model, integrating AI and IoT in manufacturing, and provides advice for younger engineers and leaders. Main Topics: Tony's path from chemistry to business leadership Overcoming resistance to change and un...
Jan 03, 2025•35 min•Season 6Ep. 1
Send us Fan Mail This episode is a re-run. In this episode, we have the founder of Solidworks and, more recently, Onshape, Jon Hirschtick, a legend in the CAD industry. In our conversation, you’ll hear about how Solidworks was started, how it grew, and how it led to Jon’s decision to found Onshape. Listeners will also learn how Onshape makes CAD design faster and more collaborative through its suite of innovative features and native cloud platform. Main Topics: Jon Hirschtick's path to becoming ...
Dec 27, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 5Ep. 52
Send us Fan Mail Today, we are honored to speak with Manish Kumar whose journey from a curious engineer to the CEO of SolidWorks is both inspiring and insightful. In this conversation, Manish discusses the evolution of SolidWorks, the introduction of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the integration of cloud computing and AI, and the process of translating user feedback into product development. Manish also reflects on the challenges of being a CEO, the importance of embracing change, and lessons learn...
Dec 20, 2024•59 min•Season 5Ep. 51
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Roopinder shares his fascinating journey into engineering and publishing. He discusses his early struggles with math, the serendipitous path that led him to become an engineer, and his transition into the world of technical journalism. Roopinder provides insights into the evolution of CAD technology, the challenges of integrating AI into design tools, and the power and responsibility of journalism in shaping the engineering industry. Join us as we delve into Roo...
Dec 13, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 50
Send us Fan Mail Today on the Being An Engineer podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome John Rogers and Sean Maciag as they share insights from their careers to help recent engineering graduates make a strong start. They discuss the transition from student to professional, overcoming imposter syndrome, accelerating career growth, and providing practical advice for aspiring engineers. Main Topics Covered: Deciding to become an engineer and early career inspiration Writing a book to share lessons learn...
Dec 06, 2024•50 min•Season 5Ep. 49
Send us Fan Mail Today, we are thrilled to host an episode with an exceptional guest pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence. Kordel France discussed the challenges and potential of digitizing scents. He highlighted the need for a standard data format for olfactory AI and the complexities of detecting and analyzing air molecules. Kordel emphasized the importance of olfactory AI in various industries, including automotive for HVAC systems and quality control, and aerospace for detecting...
Nov 29, 2024•49 min•Season 5Ep. 48
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Ryan shares his inspiring journey into engineering, overcoming challenges through relentless persistence, and developing daily habits to drive personal and professional growth. He discusses the importance of finding your purpose, the power of rapid prototyping, and strategies for accelerating engineering progress. Main Topics Covered: Ryan's background and how he discovered his passion for engineering The role of hard work, persistence, and a growth mindset in a...
Nov 22, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 47
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Aaron Moncur interviews Carrie Hurlbut about her career journey and her role in leading environmental, health, and safety (EHS) initiatives at ASM, a global semiconductor equipment manufacturer. Carrie shares insights into the EHS field, the challenges of balancing practicality and creativity, and the importance of mentorship in her career development. Main Topics Covered: Carrie's background and transition from biological sciences to engineering Understanding t...
Nov 15, 2024•37 min•Season 5Ep. 46
Send us Fan Mail This episode is the chicken soup for the soul of engineering. Without a doubt, the most inspirational episode we’ve recorded to date as Andy shares with us how he and his company have helped elevate those in poverty and given their lives purpose and success. Along the way, he shares some very practical info about manufacturing tolerances and growing a manufacturing business, as well. Main Topics Covered: Andy Wells' early life and introduction to engineering Developing creativit...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 45
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Being An Engineer Podcast, Geoff Gaw discusses his journey into engineering, the unique processes and challenges involved in metal manufacturing, and strategies for leading teams in highly regulated environments. Geoff also delves into the alignment of product development with process development, staying up to date with emerging technologies, the future of the medical device industry, and ways to accelerate the speed of engineering. Main Topics: Geoff's p...
Nov 01, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 44
