Being an Engineer

Send us a textThis 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 engineeringDeveloping creativity and early inventionsTransition to formal education and early careerFounding Wells Technology and early challengesBuilding customer relationships and marketing strategiesManufacturing challenges and design for manufacturability (DFM)Social engineering project and giving backBalancing quality, price, and deliveryPersonal reflections and final thoughtsAbout the guest: Andy Wells is the founder and CEO of Wells Technology, a manufacturing company in Minnesota. Andy has degrees in physics and technology as well as decades of practical experience in design, materials, processes, and entrepreneurship. Over the years Wells Tech has grown from serving the aerospace industry to automotive, medical, defense, and food processing, and developed services in distribution, and training for manufacturing technologists.Links:Andy Wells - LinkedInWells Technology WebsiteAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textIn 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 path to becoming an engineer and the inspiration behind his career choiceUnique processes and challenges in metal manufacturing, particularly with nitinolStrategies for managing teams in highly regulated environments like the medical device industryAligning product development with process development and the transition from R&D to mass productionApproaches to staying informed about emerging technologies and trends in the industryPredictions for the future of the medical device industry, including the integration of AITechniques for accelerating the speed of engineering projectsAbout the guest: Geoff Gaw is an experienced mechanical engineer specializing in the medical device industry. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering and minors in Materials Science and Energy Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona, he has held leadership roles at Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, and Applied Medical. His expertise spans project management, product and process development, and manufacturing support. He has overseen the development of complex medical devices, scaling teams, and driving operational excellence from early development stages to mass production. Currently, he serves as a Sr. Principal Engineer at Edwards Lifesciences.Links:Geoff Gaw -  LinkedInAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textIn the seventh episode of How to Accelerate the Speed of Engineering, host Aaron Moncur welcomes David Malouf. David shares insights on overcoming common engineering challenges, employing effective tools and techniques, fostering psychological safety, and experimenting with new technologies and unconventional approaches to streamline workflows.Main Topics Covered:Introduction to RF engineering and David Malouf's backgroundChallenges in defining objectives and managing stakeholder expectationsTools for failing fast and inexpensively, including the use of checklists and project management systemsThe importance of clear communication and technical writing skillsFostering psychological safety and encouraging participation from younger engineersExperiences with introducing new project management tools to improve efficiencyLessons learned from project backfires and the importance of following established processesUnconventional approaches to expedite engineering, such as rapid prototyping and 3D printingAbout the guest: David Malouf is a highly skilled Senior RF Design Engineer with over 13 years of experience, currently at Corning Incorporated. He has an extensive background in project planning, mechanical and RF design, and process optimization. With multiple patents to his name, David is adept at translating complex technical concepts into accessible ideas for non-experts. His previous roles include engineering positions at Benchmark Automation and Atlas Material Testing Technology, where he led product innovations and testing for advanced industrial systems. David holds a BS in Electromechanical Engineering from Vermont Technical College.Links:David Malouf - LinkedInAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Send us a textThis is a continuation in our ongoing series about How to Accelerate the Speed of Engineering. The discussion covers topics such as the importance of planning and execution, balancing problem-solving and asking for help, the role of checklists, the impact of leadership and team culture, effective communication and collaboration, risk management and building relationships, and lessons learned from past challenges.Main Topics:The balance between speeding up projects and avoiding unforced errorsThe use of tools like Notion and Loom to improve productivity and efficiencyThe role of leadership in building a strong team cultureApproaches to risk management and the value of building relationshipsLessons learned from implementing new processes and toolsAbout the guest: Brad Hirayama is an experienced engineer and program manager specializing in medical devices, with a focus on new product development (NPD), biomedical devices, and process validation. Currently a Staff Engineer, he drives innovation in electrophysiology (EP) products. Brad's background includes roles at Abbott and NuVera Medical, where he contributed to the development of catheters and other vascular technologies. He has expertise in design thinking, FDA compliance, and leadership, all while embodying a passion for connecting people and technologies in impactful ways.Links:Brad Hirayama - LinkedInAbout Being An Engineer The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community. 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 such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us