Being an Engineer

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Camden Shuman discusses his experiences as a co-op student at Siemens Healthineers, where he has gained valuable hands-on experience in mechanical design work. He also shares insights about his entrepreneurial venture, "The Engineering Way" newsletter, which aims to help engineering students and professionals develop their soft skills and network.

Main Topics:

• Engineering education and the challenges of transitioning from high school to college
• The difference between internships and co-ops, and the benefits of gaining real-world experience
• Camden's work at Siemens Healthineers, including his projects in mechanical design and use of CAD software
• The creation and growth of "The Engineering Way" newsletter, including marketing strategies and the importance of providing value to the community
• Time management techniques, such as using calendars, lists, and the concept of "building a second brain"
• Advice for engineering students interested in entrepreneurship and building their professional network

About the guest: Camden Shuman is a senior in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Camden has gained real world engineering experience through his co-op at Siemens Healthineers, working on pioneering molecular imaging technologies. He is also the founder of “The Engineering Way,” a newsletter dedicated to providing valuable tips and advice to engineering students and professionals. Camden's achievements include winning third place in the Vol Court pitch competition and contributing to innovative projects in medical technology and drone applications.

Links:

Camden Shuman - LinkedIn
The Engineering Way

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

Steve Gompertz discusses the complexities of navigating the regulatory landscape in the medical device industry. He shares insights on the evolution of global regulations, the balance between innovation and quality control, and strategies for developing effective quality management systems for companies of all sizes. 

Main Topics:

• Regulatory compliance in medical devices
• Tailoring quality management approaches for small vs. large companies
• The core components of a quality system and its evolution over time
• Emerging trends in medical device regulations, such as AI and cybersecurity
• Improving quality management systems and achieving regulatory compliance

Steve Gompertz is a highly experienced leader in quality systems management and regulatory compliance, currently serving as a partner at QRx Partners. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has held significant roles in various companies, including Pelican Biothermal, St. Jude Medical, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic. At QRx Partners, Steve specializes in quality systems development, project management, and engineering automation, helping companies navigate complex regulatory environments and enhance their quality management systems​

Links:
Steve Gompertz - LinkedIn
QRx Partners Website

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

Today we continue our “Open to Work” series by welcoming Aaron Gebauer. Aaron Gebauer shares his extensive career journey and insights into implementing SolidWorks PDM, managing job transitions, the importance of professional development and networking, and finding balance during uncertain periods. Aaron is now seeking new opportunities to advance engineering teams to higher levels of performance and we are excited to share his extensive experience and insights with the Being An Engineer podcast community.

Main Topics:

• Implementing PDM software
• Managing CAD files
• Leadership and risk-taking at startups
• Job searching
• Self-care
• Accelerating engineering through collaboration.

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

Andy discusses his background growing up on a farm and how it shaped his work ethic. He talks about his experience founding Engineering Consultants and working with medical device startups. Key topics include challenges in commercializing devices, balancing an inventor's vision with engineering feasibility, and advice for engineers entering the field.

Main Topics: 

• Medical device regulations
• Challenges in commercialization
• Balancing an inventor's vision
• Stem cell and gene therapy advances in ophthalmology
• Advice for young engineers 

About the guest: Andy Schieber is a seasoned medical device engineer and entrepreneur with extensive experience in research and development. He is the Founder and President of Ingenarious Consultants, a firm that specializes in early-stage medical device development, offering services from concept to clinical trials. Andy has a remarkable track record in designing and developing Class III implantable medical devices, and he holds over 40 patents including the Hydrus Microstent, which is a significant innovation in ophthalmology.

He also serves as the Head of Engineering at Rivermark Medical, where he contributes to the development of novel medical technologies. Andy’s educational background includes a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor’s in Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout​.

Links:
Andy Schieber - LinkedIn
Ingenarious Consultants Website

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

The next PDX event is coming up – so mark your calendars for Thursday July 18th…
 
 ...and this one is free (and online)!
 
 In this event, simulation expert and 35 year veteran of the industry Krishna Raichur will teach you the basics of setting up, running, and evaluating results of FEA simulations. You’ll learn how early-stage simulation can help reduce development times, decrease warranty costs, and reduce part weight through topology optimization.
 
This is not a sales pitch. As with all PDX events, the training will focus on practical skills you can apply to your work right away. Krishna will also be doing Q&A to answer your real-world simulation questions at the end. 

The webinar will cover:

• What simulation is and how you can leverage it in your product development work
• How you can save time and money for your company by doing simulations early in the product design cycle
• How to make “what if” design changes and quickly see their effects on product performance
• How to optimize your design for things like weight, strength, and size.

 Again, this PDX event is online and happening Thursday July 18. Register for free here. See you there!

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

Patrick Jreijiri shares his journey in product design, mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, and growing his freelance product development company. He discusses challenges he overcame like competing with cheaper labor abroad and the loneliness of remote work. Patrick also provides insights on processes like prototyping early and drawing inspiration from different engineering fields.

Main Topics:

• Patrick's background and discovery of his passion for inventions
• Experiences starting companies and failed product development projects
• Challenges of entrepreneurship like estimating costs and timelines  
• Automating processes to improve operations dramatically
• Insights on remote work and deciding to hire contractors vs employees

About the guest: Patrick Jreijiri is an accomplished entrepreneur and engineering professional with extensive experience in business development, mechanical engineering, and product design. He currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Jiri, a company dedicated to creating innovative solutions in the tech industry. With a strong background in engineering and a passion for technology, Patrick has successfully navigated the challenges of starting and growing his own business, and his insights into remote work, product development, and entrepreneurship make him a valuable guest for the Being An Engineer podcast.

Links:
Patrick Jreijiri - LinkedIn
Jiri Website

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to a special episode of the "Being an Engineer" podcast, marking the beginning of our new "Open to Work" series. Part of the stated purpose of the BAE podcast is to “connect with the companies, technologies, people, resources, and opportunities featured on our show.” In alignment with that purpose, my goal for this open to work series is to provide a platform for engineers who are currently seeking new opportunities, sharing their experiences and insights in an open and candid manner to connect these talented professionals with our community of listeners who may be able to offer support or job leads

Our first guest in this series is Erica Kahn, she is here to share her journey, discuss the challenges of being unexpectedly out of work, and provide valuable insights that can benefit engineers who may find themselves in a similar situation.

We are honored to have her kick off this important series. Through her candid discussion, we hope to provide not only a connection for Erica but also a source of inspiration and practical advice for our listeners.

Main Topics:

• Erica's work developing hydrogel technologies for eyecare
• Creativity in engineering
• Coping with job loss
• Leveraging her network
• Career development after being laid off

About the guest: Erica Kahn, is a highly accomplished biomedical engineer with a wealth of experience in the medical device industry. Erica previously worked for Ocular Therapeutix, where she made significant contributions to the development of innovative hydrogel technologies for ocular applications. 

Links:
Erica Kahn - LinkedIn
Email - [email protected] 

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we delve into Dion's remarkable journey in medical device manufacturing. We explore his wealth of experience and expertise, spanning crucial aspects such as product development, regulatory submissions, and the implementation of various manufacturing technologies.

Main Topics:

• Pneumatic welding process challenges and qualifications
• Best practices for developing and optimizing nitinol welding processes  
• Experience overcoming a tough FDA regulatory hurdle
• Principles for mentorship, failure, and learning in engineering
• Evaluating and implementing new technologies
• Skills required for today's manufacturing engineers

About the guest: Dion Lopes is an accomplished engineering leader with a deep track record in the medical device industry. Dion's career highlights include key roles at several top organizations, such as Director of Manufacturing Engineering at Imperative Care, Senior Manager of Manufacturing and Production at Intersect ENT (now part of Medtronic), and various leadership positions at PneumRx and Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. 

Links:
Dion Lopes - LinkedIn
 

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

The episode discusses Jim Cuseo's engineering journey and lessons learned over his career. He shares insights on defining requirements, developing complex products, scaling operations, and leading large teams.

Main Topics:

• Defining clear product requirements
• Developing subsystems while considering broader context 
• Accelerating engineering through effective processes
• Common mistakes and how to avoid them
• Emerging technologies impacting design

About the guest: Jim Cuseo is a seasoned mechanical engineer whose remarkable career has spanned over two decades, influencing the design of some of the most iconic technology products. James's journey began at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology and led him through pivotal roles at Ford, Exponent, and MagCanica, where he honed his skills in the motorsport and aerospace sectors. Next, Jim spent over a decade at Apple, where he grew to Director of Mac Product Design, overseeing the development of groundbreaking products such as the 16” MacBook Pro and the iMac with Retina Displays. Currently, he offers his expertise to various companies through his consultancy, Jim Cuseo, LLC, aiding them in scaling operations and enhancing product designs. 

Links:
James Cuseo - LinkedIn

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus 

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to another episode of the Being An Engineer podcast. Today, we're excited to host James Trevelyan. James shares insights from his extensive research and experience on effective collaboration, cultural differences in engineering practice, value creation, and accelerating engineering development through experimentation. 

Main Topics:

• Engineering collaboration skills
• Communication vs email
• Cultural impacts on innovation
• Project failures due to collaboration issues
• Improving listening skills
• Training priorities
• Creating value for clients.

About the guest: James Trevelyan, is a renowned engineer whose career spans significant contributions to both academia and industry. James's work has profoundly impacted practical engineering applications and education, notably in areas of robotics and automation. His extensive research and development projects have pioneered technological advancements and provided critical insights into engineering practice. With a focus on enhancing the utility of engineering work and its recognition in society, James offers invaluable perspectives on navigating and succeeding in the engineering world.

Links:
James Trevelyan LinkedIn
Website
Book

Subscribe to the show to get notified so you don't miss new episodes every Friday.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment like cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us at www.teampipeline.us

Watch the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@TeamPipelineus