Quantum computing is no longer confined to research labs—it's entering the commercial space, and electrical engineers are uniquely positioned to contribute. In this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with quantum hardware designer Šimon Marek to explore the fascinating world of superconducting quantum chips. From transmon qubits and Josephson junctions to control electronics and FPGA-based systems, Šimon breaks down the engineering principles that make quantum computers...
Jan 13, 2026•47 min•Ep. 330
Explore AI's role in the future of electronic design and hardware development with Avinash Harsh, co-founder of Wizerr AI. Discover how AI can help engineers make better decisions, reduce design risks, and unlock unprecedented creativity in PCB and electronic component design. In this revealing Altium OnTrack podcast episode, Harsh challenges the notion that AI will replace engineers, instead presenting a vision of AI as a collaborative "teammate" that enhances human capabilities. Drawing from h...
Jan 08, 2026•36 min•Ep. 329
Join host Zach Peterson for an illuminating journey through the pivotal moments in PCB design and electronics manufacturing in 2025. This year-end review explores critical industry developments, from global trade restructuring to the dramatic expansion of Ultra High-Density Interconnect (UHDI) production capabilities in the United States and beyond. Discover insights from expert guests who dissect the year's most significant trends: the impact of tariffs on global supply chains, the strategic re...
Dec 30, 2025•23 min•Ep. 328
Join Zach Peterson in an insightful conversation with Jay Patel, CEO of Amtech, as they dive deep into the world of electronics manufacturing. Discover the critical challenges in PCB production, from supply chain complexities to design for manufacturability (DFM) strategies that can make or break a product's success. Learn about the evolving landscape of electronics manufacturing, including the shift towards reshoring, the importance of quality control, and the potential game-changing impact of ...
Dec 23, 2025•52 min•Ep. 327
Dive into the revolutionary Altium Requirements Portal, a groundbreaking solution transforming how engineers manage complex project documentation. Hear from Marco Witzmann, Head of Requirements Portal at Altium, as he shares insights on simplifying document management, streamlining requirements tracking, and solving the long-standing challenges of engineering documentation. Learn how this innovative tool helps engineers compile, organize, and verify requirements across complex projects, from aer...
Dec 16, 2025•44 min•Ep. 326
Dive into the cutting-edge world of AI-powered signal integrity design with Yuriy Shlepnev, founder of Simberian. In this exclusive Altium OnTrack podcast episode, discover how large language models are revolutionizing PCB design workflows, enabling unprecedented automation and intelligent decision-making in electronic engineering. Learn how Simberian's latest breakthrough – the AI agent system in Simbeor 2025.01 – is transforming the way engineers approach signal integrity challenges. From auto...
Dec 09, 2025•59 min•Ep. 325
Dive into the world of intelligent electronics manufacturing with Nemanja Jokanovic, VP of Breadboard. Learn how cutting-edge platforms are transforming Bill of Materials (BOM) management, bridging the gap between design engineers and procurement professionals. Discover how automation and smart tools can streamline your electronics design workflow, reduce costly respins, and optimize your supply chain processes. Uncover the innovative solutions that are revolutionizing how teams collaborate, quo...
Nov 11, 2025•53 min•Ep. 324
Dive into the dynamic world of printed circuit board manufacturing with Mike Buetow, President of PCEA, in this exclusive, final interview from PCB West 2025. Discover the latest trends, the growing diversity of the industry, and the exciting influx of young talent reshaping the technological landscape. 👉 Resources from this Episode: - Watch all of our PCB West 2025 Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3aaAq2OJU5HRgjqtXCsbyHdbHn_SdWGa - Connect with Mike: https://www.linkedin.com...
Oct 31, 2025•12 min•Ep. 323
Join Mohammad Matin, Technical Sales Solution Architect at CELUS, as he reveals a groundbreaking approach to electronic design that leverages AI to streamline circuit development. Discover how CELUS is transforming the PCB design process by reducing complexity and empowering engineers to prototype faster. Learn how AI can help you quickly create block diagrams, generate schematics, and minimize manual design work. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or a curious innovator, this interview provides...
Oct 30, 2025•8 min•Ep. 322
Dive deep into the world of international PCB manufacturing with Tristan Ren from TapRen Solutions. Learn how innovative companies are navigating complex global supply chain challenges, from tariffs to international production logistics. Discover insider strategies for securing high-quality, cost-effective electronic manufacturing across borders. In this exclusive interview, Zach Peterson sits down with TapRen's director of operations to unpack the intricacies of overseas PCB production. Uncover...
Oct 29, 2025•10 min•Ep. 320
In this first installment of our interview series live from the floor of PCB West, 2025, we are joined by Lawrence Romine, who reveals Altium's exciting new approach to product development with Altium Develop. Discover how this innovative solution brings the company back to its core mission of serving individual engineers and small teams. Learn about the strategic thinking behind creating a product that balances accessibility, functionality, and user-friendly design. 👉 Resources from this video...
Oct 28, 2025•12 min•Ep. 318
Discover how Circuit Mind is revolutionizing electronic design with AI-powered automation that transforms block diagrams into fully functional schematics in record time. Learn how engineers can dramatically reduce design complexity and accelerate their development process with this groundbreaking platform. Join Tomide Adesanmi, CEO of Circuit Mind, live from the floor of PCB West 2025, as he reveals how their innovative technology helps engineers optimize circuit design, handle complex constrain...
Oct 23, 2025•12 min•Ep. 319
Discover how Altium is revolutionizing PCB design software with solutions tailored to teams of all sizes. In this exclusive interview from PCB West 2025, Justin Sears breaks down the key differences between Altium Develop and Altium Agile, helping you choose the perfect design platform for your organization. Learn how these innovative solutions can streamline your PCB design process, enhance collaboration, and unlock new possibilities for electrical and mechanical engineers. Whether you're a sma...
Oct 22, 2025•15 min•Ep. 321
Discover how Renesas GreenPAK revolutionizes mixed-signal design by combining analog and digital blocks into a single programmable IC. In this comprehensive tutorial from the OnTrack Podcast, Dima Mymrikov demonstrates how to design, simulate, and program custom logic circuits in minutes using the intuitive Go Configure software—no coding required. Learn how GreenPAK replaces multiple discrete components with one tiny, low-cost chip. From window comparators and power sequencing to level shifters...
Oct 14, 2025•47 min•Ep. 315
Dive deep into the hidden world of counterfeit electronic components with Elijah Miller, VP of Operations at The Lab Worldwide (TLW) in this episode of the OnTrack Podcast, hosted by Tech Consultant Zach Peterson. This comprehensive discussion reveals the sophisticated methods counterfeiters use to infiltrate the electronics supply chain, from remarked chips and harvested components to elaborate re-topping schemes. Learn how third-party testing laboratories authenticate components, the differenc...
Oct 07, 2025•43 min•Ep. 314
Discover The Occam Group's process, a revolutionary approach to PCB assembly that eliminates solder while improving reliability, reducing costs, and simplifying manufacturing. Ray Rasmussen, Managing Partner at The Occam Group, explains how this innovative methodology embeds components and builds copper-to-copper connections using existing fabrication equipment—no massive capital investment required. Learn how the Occam opportunity could transform electronics manufacturing by offering embedded c...
Sep 30, 2025•36 min•Ep. 313
Join Zach Peterson as he speaks with Sasan Hashemi, founder and CEO of Tset, about revolutionizing product cost management in electronics manufacturing. Discover how modern companies are moving beyond Excel spreadsheets to sophisticated data-driven platforms that integrate technical, commercial, and market data for comprehensive total cost of ownership analysis. In this insightful conversation, Sasan explains how Tset's platform combines internal data from PLM and ERP systems with external marke...
Sep 25, 2025•35 min•Ep. 312
University of Minnesota students share their journey designing custom PCBs for the Bright Manufacturing Challenge. Watch as electrical and mechanical engineering students Ethan Chung, Kevin Vo, and Alexander Wan discuss their line-following robot project, from initial schematics to flex-rigid PCB manufacturing. This inspiring episode of the OnTrack Podcast reveals how young engineers learn PCB design through hands-on competition experience. Discover the challenges these students faced when trans...
Sep 16, 2025•31 min•Ep. 311
Join host Zach Peterson as he sits down with industry veteran Dan Beaulieu, founder and president of DB Management Group, to explore the dramatic transformation of the PCB manufacturing landscape. With over 30 years of experience working with hundreds of companies, Dan provides unique insights into how the industry has evolved from 1,300 North American PCB shops in 2005 to just 130 today, with 90 of them under $5 million in revenue. In this compelling discussion, Dan shares his perspective on th...
Aug 26, 2025•38 min•Ep. 310
Join host Zach Peterson on this episode of the OnTrack Podcast as he speaks with Caleb Buck, PCB Design Electronics Engineer at Nidec Aerospace, about the critical considerations for high power PCB design. From guitar pedal prototypes etched in his kitchen to aerospace systems handling 500+ amps, Caleb shares his journey and expertise in designing life-critical electronics. Learn about voltage isolation requirements, current distribution challenges, thermal management strategies, and the pitfall...
Aug 19, 2025•51 min•Ep. 309
Join host Zach Peterson on the Altium OnTrack Podcast as he interviews Tyler Richards, founder of uFab, who is revolutionizing PCB manufacturing with chemical-free production technology. Discover how Tyler's innovative PCBee system can print multi-layer circuit boards in just 4 hours without using traditional chemical etchants like ferric chloride or cupric chloride. From his early days as a high school freelancer on Upwork to founding a company that's changing desktop PCB fabrication, Tyler sha...
Aug 12, 2025•34 min•Ep. 308
Join Zach Peterson as he sits down with Keven Coates, Senior Electrical Engineer at Novium Designs, for an in-depth preview of his upcoming PCB West presentations. This conversation covers essential topics every PCB designer needs to master, from signal integrity fundamentals to thermal management and design for manufacturing best practices. Discover why silicon company data sheets shouldn't be taken as gospel, learn about common assembly pitfalls that can kill first-run yields, and understand t...
Aug 05, 2025•38 min•Ep. 307
Meet Tom Rein, the youngest entrepreneur ever featured on the Altium OnTrack podcast and founder of Tom's Aerial Vehicles. At just 18 years old, Tom is revolutionizing American drone manufacturing with AI-powered development processes and proprietary hardware designs. In this compelling interview, discover how this young innovator is building police drones "for Americans, by Americans" while addressing critical national security concerns and manufacturing gaps. Tom shares his remarkable journey ...
Jul 31, 2025•37 min•Ep. 306
Join host Zach Peterson as he sits down with David Schild, Executive Director of the Printed Circuit Board Association of America (PCBAA), fresh from their annual Washington D.C. meeting. Discover how the organization is advocating for critical legislation like H.R.3597, the Protecting Circuit Boards and Substrates Act, and why American PCB manufacturing dropped from 30% to just 4% of global production. Learn about the workforce challenges, private investment opportunities, and the strategic imp...
Jul 30, 2025•39 min•Ep. 305
Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems in this insightful conversation with Michael Corr, CEO and founder of Duro. From eliminating PLM horror stories to streamlining hardware development workflows, learn how modern cloud-based PLM platforms are revolutionizing the way engineering teams manage data from design through manufacturing. Michael shares his journey from electrical engineer to PLM innovator, revealing the critical pain points tha...
Jul 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 304
Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing PCB supply chain management in this fascinating conversation with Timon Ruban, founder and managing director of Luminovo in this episode of the OnTrack Podcast. From his electrical engineering background at Stanford to building Europe's leading electronic supply chain platform, Timon shares insights on solving complex procurement challenges, automating PCB quoting, and the future of AI in electronics manufacturing. Learn how Luminovo helps ...
Jun 24, 2025•46 min•Ep. 303
Dive deep into the complex world of medical device supply chains with supply chain executive Simon Hinds. This comprehensive episode of the OnTrack Podcast explores the unique challenges of bringing life sciences products from development to market, including regulatory compliance, global sourcing strategies, and risk management in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. From tier-one to tier-three supplier relationships to the critical importance of traceability in medical manufacturing...
Jun 17, 2025•45 min•Ep. 302
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Lukas Henkel, co-founder of Open Visions Technology, as he shares exciting updates on his cutting-edge open source hardware projects. From modular Linux-based smartwatches to Framework laptop modifications, discover how advanced PCB design techniques are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in open source electronics. In this episode, Lukas reveals the engineering challenges behind creating a fully modular smartwatch that runs Linux, complete with c...
Jun 10, 2025•39 min•Ep. 301
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Ari Mahpour, Embedded Systems Engineer at Rivian, as he reveals how AI is revolutionizing embedded development and testing workflows on this episode of the OnTrack Podcast. From voice-controlled Arduino programming to automated hardware-in-the-loop testing, discover cutting-edge techniques that are transforming the industry. Learn about embedded DevOps, Cloud-driven testing infrastructure, and how AI agents can write, compile, and test code autonomously....
Jun 03, 2025•56 min•Ep. 300
In this insightful episode of the Altium OnTrack Podcast, host Zach Peterson sits down with Kirsch Mackey, founder of HaSofu, to explore the evolving landscape of PCB design education. Kirsch reveals how his educational platform bridges the critical gap between academic theory and industry requirements, sharing his unique journey from physics enthusiast to electronics education innovator. Discover how HaSofu is revolutionizing hardware design education and learn about the potential and limitatio...
May 21, 2025•52 min•Ep. 299
