Being an Engineer

Latest Episodes:

S6E31 Camden Shuman | Building a Second Brain, Co-ops, & Tools for Developing Your Network Aug 01, 2025

Show notes

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

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.

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

S6E30 Jake Whinnery | Resources for Interviewing & Landing Engineering Jobs Jul 25, 2025

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Jake shares his engineering journey, insights into technical interviews, and strategies for young engineers to succeed in the hardware industry. He discusses his experiences at companies like Tesla and Relativity Space and how he created Hardware is Hard to help mechanical engineers land top-tier jobs.

Main Topics:

Importance of internships in engineering career development
Technical interview preparation strategies
Emerging trends in hardware engineering (AR/VR, robotics, US manufacturing)
Balancing productivity and personal growth
Building engineering resources for students and early-career professionals

About the guest: Jake Whinnery is a mechanical engineer and hardware leader at Apple, driving innovation and empowering fellow engineers. A UC Berkeley graduate (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, minor in EECS, 2023), he has contributed to cutting-edge hardware at Tesla, Meta, Relativity Space, and NASA Ames. In 2022, he co-founded Hardware Is Hard with Wilder Buchanan, a platform supporting 13,000+ engineers with tools like interview guides and technical resources. At Apple since August 2023, Jake works on camera hardware, integrating optics, design, and manufacturing. His blend of technical excellence and community leadership makes him a rising force in hardware engineering.

LINKS:

Jake Whinnery LinkedIn

Jackson Wilder Buchanan LinkedIn

Hardware Is Hard Website

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

S6E29 Joshua Tarbutton | Lessons From the Military Applied to Engineering Jul 18, 2025

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Joshua Tarbutton shares his journey from military service to engineering entrepreneurship, discussing how military discipline and leadership principles can transform engineering culture and workplace dynamics.

Main Topics:

Military influence on engineering leadership
Restoring dignity in engineering workplaces
Creating psychological safety for engineers
Scaling a design and fabrication company
Navigating business challenges during COVID-19

About the guest: Joshua Tarbutton, a former U.S. Army Reserve Platoon Sergeant, transitioned from military leadership to academia, earning a PhD from Clemson and teaching engineering for nine years before founding Bravo Team in 2018. His goal: to combine technical expertise with strategic leadership and restore dignity to the engineering profession.

Bravo Team is a full-service product development firm that supports clients from idea to production, partnering with top-tier companies such as Siemens and Stanley Black & Decker. Known for rapid iteration and a maker-friendly culture, the company has grown quickly, ranking #2 on Charlotte’s Fast 50 and #489 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list with 904% growth.

Still veteran-owned and transitioning toward employee ownership, Bravo Team is recognized for innovations such as the Bravo Walk dog collar and its production of medical shields during the COVID-19 era. Joshua promotes community and team growth through events, EOS, and mentoring. He’s a licensed professional engineer and certified ScrumMaster.

Links:

Joshua Tarbutton LinkedIn

Bravo Team Website

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

Last Chance for PDX Discount Jul 18, 2025

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Then, access your 50% discount code for PDX 2025 here: https://www.thewave.engineer/product-development-expo/dfm-days/

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

S6E28 Paul Vizzio | Engineering Naval Submarines, Pet Products, & Elite Sports Training Machines Jul 11, 2025

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In today’s episode, Paul will explore how he scales hardware teams, builds for manufacturability, navigates supply chain complexity, mentors engineers, and embraces community‑driven innovation. Get ready for insights on leadership, prototyping, and bringing hardware to life from idea to market.

Main Topics:

Proteus Motion's V1 and V2 machine development
Engineering career progression
Hardware product design and manufacturing
Consulting and entrepreneurship
New York Hardware Meetup community building

About the guest: Paul Vizzio is a seasoned mechanical engineer and hardware leader with a diverse background spanning consumer electronics, cleantech, and defense. Starting as a product management intern at SolidWorks, he later managed undersea vehicle projects at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center. As the first mechanical engineer at goTenna, he developed both consumer and military-spec products from concept to production in under a year.

In 2017, he founded Vizeng, providing end-to-end mechanical and supply-chain consulting to NYC hardware startups. He also led product development for RoadPower’s regenerative road systems.

Since 2019, Paul has led hardware efforts at Proteus Motion, overseeing team growth, R&D, and supply chain. His work includes redesigning the V1 system and launching the V2 within a year—contributing to Proteus’s adoption by 400+ pro sports teams and clinics. He also co-organizes the NY Hardware Meetup and founded the D2C pet brand RemieDog, reflecting his passion for innovation and community-building.

Links:

Paul Vizzio - LinkedIn

Vizeng Website

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

Why am I doing PDX? Jul 09, 2025

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Then, access your 50% discount code for PDX 2025 here: https://www.thewave.engineer/product-development-expo/dfm-days/

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

What Every Engineer Should Know About Contract Manufacturers Jul 07, 2025

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Webinar: What Every Engineer Should Know About Contract Manufacturers

Register here: https://www.thewave.engineer/store/product/31-what-every-engineer-should-know-about-working-with-a-contract-manufacturer/

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

S6E27 Stephen Hinch | Lessons from HP & Disruptive Innovations Jul 04, 2025

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Join Aaron Moncur as he interviews Stephen Hinch about his remarkable career in innovation, discussing how companies can foster breakthrough technologies, overcome corporate innovation barriers, and create a culture that supports creative thinking.

Main Topics:

From Engineering to Leadership: Steve's Career Journey
Turning Innovative Ideas into Profitable Realities
Creating a Culture of Innovation
Challenges of Corporate Innovation
The Role of Persistence in Technological Breakthroughs
AI's Current Potential in Engineering

About the guest: Stephen W. Hinch is a seasoned innovation and high-tech management expert with a career spanning R&D, marketing, and executive leadership at companies like Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies, and TeamLogic IT. An engineer with degrees from Harvey Mudd College and Claremont Graduate University, Steve played a key role in advancing surface mount and fiber optic technologies, earning honors like the IPC President’s Award.

He is also a prolific author, with his 2025 book Winning Through Innovation offering practical, team-focused strategies for driving innovation based on real-world leadership experience. Known for blending theory with hands-on practice, Steve now works as a consultant, guiding senior leaders through the challenges of innovation in today’s digital landscape.

Links:

Stephen Hinch - LinkedIn

Website

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

S6E26 Katie Karmelek | How You Can Accelerate Med Device Development with Chamfr Jun 27, 2025

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In this episode of the Being an Engineer podcast, host Aaron Moncur interviews Katie Karmelek, a mechanical engineer and co-founder of Chamfr. Katie shares her journey from engineering to entrepreneurship, discussing her passion for medical device innovation and how Chamfr is revolutionizing component sourcing for medical device engineers.

Main Topics:

Katie's engineering background and family influences
The founding of Chamfr and its mission to accelerate medical device development
Challenges of creating an online marketplace for medical components
Personal experiences that highlight the importance of medical device innovation
Advice for young engineers and entrepreneurs

About the guest: Katie Karmelek is a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of experience in the medical device industry. She is the co-founder of Chamfr, an online marketplace that simplifies sourcing components and tools for medical device development by connecting engineers with qualified suppliers.

Before launching Chamfr in 2017, Katie held roles in product development and business management at companies like Olympus, Vention Medical, and TDC Medical. She also founded Karmelek Engineering, Inc., applying her technical expertise to further innovation in the field.

Katie holds both a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northeastern University. She is committed to mentoring young engineers and frequently shares insights on materials and design trends through the Chamfr blog.

Links:

Katie Karmelek LinkedIn

Chamfr - Website

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

PDX – The Product Development Expo Jun 25, 2025

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Send us Fan Mail

Then, access your 50% discount code for PDX 2025 here: https://www.thewave.engineer/product-development-expo/dfm-days/

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

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