Being an Engineer

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**Being an Engineer**

The Being An Engineer podcast is a central repository in which we collect and share industry knowledge & best practices associated with the discipline of engineering. We hope that engineers throughout the world will benefit from this content as they connect with the companies, technologies, people, resources, and opportunities that are relevant to their engineering or engineering-adjacent roles. Contact us at info@teampipeline.us. Intro and Outro music by John Martell

Latest Episodes:

PDX Webinar Trailer, Engineering for Success: Making Product-Market Fit an Actionable Design Goal Apr 02, 2026

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Watch the webinar here!

Great engineering alone does not guarantee product success.

Achieving product-market fit—ensuring that a product truly meets user needs and expectations—requires integrating market insights, usability considerations, and business goals into the development process.

But how can engineers quantify something that often seems subjective?

In this PDX Webinar, Arne Lang-Ree, Chief Design Officer and Cofounder at Spanner, will demonstrate how product-market fit can be transformed into a practical engineering objective.

Drawing on real-world tools and frameworks developed at Spanner, this session will show how teams can systematically evaluate user needs, prioritize design trade-offs, and make decisions that improve the likelihood of market success.

Topics covered include:

• Why Product-Market Fit is an Engineering Challenge
• Turning Market & User Needs into Engineering Constraints
• Tools & Frameworks for Measuring Product Success
• Interactive Q&A and Application to Your Projects

This session is designed for engineers, product developers, and technical leaders involved in bringing new products to market.

Watch the webinar here!

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

S7E14 Brad & Aaron | How To Accelerate The Speed of Engineering (Episode 3 of 3) Mar 27, 2026

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In this final episode of the three-part series on accelerating the speed of engineering, Aaron Moncur and Brad Hirayama zoom out to focus on the organizational and cultural levers that compound over time.

While earlier episodes explored how individuals and teams can move faster, this conversation tackles the bigger picture—how companies structure their environments, decision-making, and culture to consistently deliver results.

They break down practical strategies like vertically integrating key capabilities to reduce dependency on vendors, staying close to the production floor to improve decision-making, and building psychological safety so teams surface problems early instead of hiding them. The discussion also highlights the power of informal communication, mentorship in onboarding, and creating reusable systems that prevent engineers from solving the same problem twice.

One of the most impactful themes centers around defining ROI early—and having the discipline to pivot or stop projects when the “juice isn’t worth the squeeze.” Through real-world examples, Aaron and Brad show how even well-intentioned engineering efforts can go off track without clear constraints and alignment.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway? The fastest engineering teams aren’t just technically strong—they excel at communication, trust, and culture.

If you’re looking to build a team that moves faster, makes better decisions, and delivers meaningful results, this episode brings together 21 actionable lessons from across the entire series into one powerful conclusion.

Aaron Moncur, host

PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/

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

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

S7E13 Brad & Aaron | How To Accelerate The Speed of Engineering (Episode 2 of 3) Mar 20, 2026

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In part two of this three-part series on accelerating the speed of engineering, Aaron Moncur and Brad Hirayama shift the focus from individual habits to team workflows. Drawing from patterns that have surfaced across 300+ Being An Engineer interviews, they explore how better systems can help teams move faster from idea to hardware to validation.

Brad and Aaron dig into practical ways to reduce wasted time and avoid preventable mistakes: defining requirements clearly, validating what actually matters, prototyping early, running strong design reviews, using checklists, testing options in parallel, involving manufacturing sooner, and centralizing project data so engineers can spend less time searching and more time building. Along the way, they share real stories from quoting automated equipment, catching costly design flaws, improving drawing quality, and avoiding production headaches.

This episode is packed with actionable insight for engineers, engineering leaders, and product teams who want to streamline development without sacrificing quality. If you care about building better products faster, this conversation offers a clear playbook for improving the workflow behind the work.

Aaron Moncur, host

PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/

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

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

S7E12 Flash Training: Design for Assembly: Why Fewer Screw Lengths Makes Everything Easier Mar 18, 2026

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Watch this flash training here: https://youtu.be/QCy9i4TB2b4

When engineers design parts in isolation, it’s easy to unintentionally introduce dozens of slightly different fastener lengths into an assembly. That might not seem like a big deal during CAD, but it becomes a real problem on the shop floor.

In this short engineering pro tip, Pipeline automation engineer Mark Blakey explains a simple strategy he uses in SOLIDWORKS to standardize screw lengths across an assembly. By adjusting counterbore features and editing the Hole Wizard sketch dimensions, engineers can design parts so the same bolt length works across multiple locations.

The result: fewer fastener types, simpler purchasing, faster assembly, and fewer mistakes during build.

Mark also explains why this matters in critical applications where proper thread engagement, torque requirements, and thermal cycling all depend on using the correct bolt length.

If you’ve ever assembled a machine and had to hunt through bins for slightly different screws, this tip is for you.

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

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

S7E11 Brad & Aaron | How To Accelerate The Speed of Engineering (Episode 1 of 3) Mar 13, 2026

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In this special kickoff to a three-part miniseries, Aaron Moncur and Brad Hirayama explore one of the most important—and often overlooked—skills in engineering: how to accelerate the speed of engineering work without sacrificing quality. Drawing insights from more than 300 episodes of the Being An Engineer podcast, Aaron has distilled recurring lessons from experienced engineers into 21 practical best practices. In this first episode, Aaron and Brad break down the first seven strategies that help engineers move faster, solve problems more effectively, and create more value for their teams and companies.

The conversation focuses largely on what individual engineers can do today to work more efficiently—from choosing the right communication method and asking for help sooner, to troubleshooting systems more intelligently and leveraging off-the-shelf solutions instead of reinventing the wheel. Along the way, Aaron and Brad share real stories from engineering projects, lessons from early-career mistakes, and insights into how small improvements compound over time.

They also discuss the broader impact of engineering speed: why moving faster doesn’t just benefit businesses—it helps bring better technologies and solutions to the world sooner.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why picking up the phone can accelerate projects faster than email
• How asking for help early prevents costly rabbit holes
• A simple method for troubleshooting complex systems
• Why basic experiments and data beat gut feelings in engineering decisions
• When it’s smarter to buy components instead of designing them
• How off-the-shelf products can dramatically speed up prototyping
• Why intentional extra effort and continuous improvement compound over time

This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on accelerating engineering speed. In the next episode, Aaron and Brad continue the conversation with seven more best practices to help engineers and teams move faster and deliver results more effectively.

PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/

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

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

Engineering Industry Evangelist Mar 10, 2026

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Pipeline Design & Engineering

About Pipeline
Pipeline solves difficult manufacturing problems through automation, custom equipment, fixtures, and product development. We also build community through PDX, the Being An Engineer podcast, CAD Club, meetups, webinars, and The Wave.

The Role
We’re hiring a relationship-first Business Development leader. This is not a transactional sales role. We’re looking for someone who can build trust with engineering leaders and manufacturing teams, spot opportunity, and turn relationships into partnerships.

What Makes It Different
You won’t sell from a script. You’ll tell a real story about a team doing meaningful work, backed by tools most BD professionals don’t have: a respected brand, a podcast, an engineering expo, and a growing community.

Who You Are
You’re energized by people, comfortable talking with engineers, and motivated by long-term relationships more than short-term wins.

Travel
Frequent travel within the Phoenix metro area and occasional out-of-state travel. Phoenix-based preferred, but we’ll consider the right fit elsewhere.

How to Reach Us
If this role resonates, don’t just send a résumé. Start a conversation. Use a connection, send a thoughtful note, or engage with something in our world—PDX, the podcast, The Wave, CAD Club, or a meetup.

Show us how you’d do the job. If you’re right for this role, you’ll know how to get our attention.

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4374086463

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

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

S7E10 Daniel Gledhill | How to Win at People-Centered Leadership in Engineering Teams Mar 06, 2026

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Daniel Gledhill is a seasoned manufacturing and engineering leader whose career bridges high-risk industrial operations and precision-driven medical device manufacturing. Daniel leads engineering teams responsible for multiple production areas supporting transcatheter heart valve delivery systems—products where quality, reliability, and patient safety are absolutely critical.

Daniel’s journey to medical devices began in heavy industry, where he worked as a process, chemical, and metallurgical engineer at Rio Tinto, including leadership roles at copper smelters overseeing sulfuric acid plants, powerhouses, and byproduct operations. These early roles shaped his systems-level thinking, comfort with complex processes, and respect for disciplined operations—skills that would later translate powerfully into regulated medical manufacturing environments.

Over nearly ten years at Edwards Lifesciences, Daniel has progressed from manufacturing management into senior engineering leadership, guiding teams through scale-up, process improvement, cross-functional collaboration, and organizational change. His work sits at the intersection of engineering, manufacturing, quality, and leadership—where decisions directly impact both operational performance and patient outcomes.

Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah, along with an MBA from the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business. This combination of technical and business education informs his balanced approach to leadership—one that values data, people, and long-term system health over short-term wins.

In this conversation, we explore what it really means to lead engineering teams in medical device manufacturing, how leadership expectations evolve as engineers move into management, and what lessons from heavy industry can sharpen execution in highly regulated, patient-critical environments.

LINKS:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-gledhill-a6155237/

Guest website: https://www.edwards.com/

Aaron Moncur, host

PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/

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

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

S7E9 Brad & Aaron | Top 5 Takeaways After Interviewing Over 300 Engineers Feb 27, 2026

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After more than 300 episodes of conversations with engineers, founders, and technical leaders, certain patterns start to emerge.

In this special retrospective episode of Being An Engineer, Aaron Moncur and Brad Hirayama flip the mic around to distill the biggest lessons learned from six years of interviews. Instead of focusing on any single quote or guest, they zoom out and identify the recurring themes that consistently show up in the careers of high-performing engineers.

Surprisingly, none of the top takeaways are about mastering CAD tools or memorizing GD&T standards.

They explore why understanding the business—not just the engineering—can dramatically accelerate your career. They unpack why soft skills and communication are non-negotiable if you want to move beyond being “just” a technical contributor. They discuss the transformational impact of mentors and coaches, and how simple habits like lunch conversations and honest feedback can change your trajectory.

Aaron and Brad also dive into what it really means to “do more than you’re paid for”—not by working longer hours, but by focusing on high-impact contributions that move the business forward. And they explain why establishing repeatable processes, checklists, and systems is one of the most overlooked drivers of engineering success.

Finally, they introduce a new three-part mini-series on accelerating the speed of engineering, previewing practical tactics like hacking prototypes from off-the-shelf products and building psychological safety so teams surface problems early.

If you want to grow faster, lead better, and think beyond the technical, this episode delivers a clear blueprint drawn from hundreds of real-world engineering stories.

LINKS:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pipelinedesign/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradhirayama/

https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/

https://teampipeline.us/

PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/

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

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

S7E8 Matt Ketterer | Professional Growth through Interdisciplinary Exploration Feb 20, 2026

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In this episode, we join Matt Ketterer, a seasoned engineer, at Pipeline Media Studio's inaugural session. Matt shares his career journey, from his initial foray into mechanical engineering to his pivotal shift towards controls and software engineering. He discusses his early days at a medical device company, his methodical approach to learning and applying new skills, and the importance of reading technical manuals, which aided his transition into controls engineering.

Matt also offers insights into balancing mechanics and software, fostering curiosity, and the holistic thinking required for successful engineering projects. Ideal for engineers considering a shift in disciplines or those interested in comprehensive system design, Matt's story is both inspirational and instructive.

LINKS:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewketterer/

Aaron Moncur, host

PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/

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

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

S7E7 Mike Romance | Industry 4.0, Production Transfers, & People-Centric Leadership Feb 13, 2026

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Mike Romance has spent nearly two decades operating at the intersection of manufacturing engineering, automation, validation, and operations leadership within the life-sciences ecosystem. His career spans startups and established organizations alike, with hands-on experience taking products from early development through GMP-ready, high-volume production. Across roles in process development, automation, quality systems, and manufacturing strategy, Mike has built a reputation for combining technical rigor with pragmatic execution.

Most recently at Quantum-Si, Mike played a central role in scaling operations to support the commercialization of the Platinum protein sequencing platform while laying the groundwork for next-generation technologies like the Proteus platform. Working within a lean and highly agile leadership team, he helped establish scalable manufacturing foundations spanning CM-managed instrument supply, internal reagent kit production, and advanced silicon-based consumables—while navigating the realities of fast-moving product roadmaps and constrained resources.

Earlier in his career, Mike held engineering and leadership roles at organizations including Illumina, Dexcom, GenMark Diagnostics, Truvian, and Encodia. Along the way, he’s led pilot-line development, automation strategy, equipment qualification, validation programs, and process controls—often in environments where the path forward wasn’t clearly defined.

What sets Mike apart is not just his command of acronyms—GAMP, CQV, QbD, DFSS, FMEA—but his philosophy that systems only work when people do. He actively practices emotionally intelligent leadership, prioritizing trust, clarity, and psychological safety while still holding teams to high technical and operational standards. As Mike explores his next chapter, this conversation focuses on the lessons he’s learned building resilient manufacturing systems—and the kind of organizations where he believes he can make the biggest impact next.

LINKS:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeromance/

Aaron Moncur, host

PDX 2026 is October 20-21 in Phoenix, AZ. Learn more and register at https://pdexpo.engineer/

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

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