n this episode, we sit down with McKray Jones, a Technical Program Manager and Deputy Director of Engineering, to explore the evolving role of the “Change Agent” in modern engineering organizations. McKray shares his unique journey from the Marine Corps to leading complex hardware integration teams, offering a fresh perspective on why the engineering industry is facing a leadership vacuum and how to fill it.

We dive deep into the challenges of transitioning from traditional waterfall models to accelerated, MVP-driven hardware development. McKray explains how to bridge the gap between software agility and hardware reality, the critical role of empathy in technical leadership, and when organizations should make the leap to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).

Whether you are an engineering leader, a systems architect, or an aspiring change agent, this conversation offers actionable insights on building trust, managing complexity, and keeping the business viable while driving innovation.

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In this episode of Change by Design, host Chad Jackson interviews Greg Livelli, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Harvey Performance Company. Livelli shares his non-linear career path from business development in Asia to leading global transformation initiatives, offering a unique perspective on how curiosity and a “love for transformation” drive engineering success.

Their conversation centers on the evolving role of engineering leaders—shifting from purely technical managers to the architects, coaches, and translators who must bridge the gap between complex engineering vision and business execution. Livelli details the importance of balancing structured governance with agile experimentation, navigating the generational “brain drain” through reverse mentorship, and redefining engineering metrics to focus on impact and engagement rather than just output .