Being an Engineer

Latest Episodes:

S6S25 Andy Thompson | Practical Applications of GD&T Jun 20, 2025

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In this episode, Andy Thompson discussed his journey from machinist to expert in GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing). He highlighted the importance of understanding GD&T for effective design, manufacturing, and quality control. Thompson shared examples of how GD&T improved manufacturing processes, such as aerospace parts and defense contracts. He emphasized the need for early identification of manufacturing processes and the benefits of collaborative design. Thompson also discussed the value of networking and continuous learning in the engineering field, advocating for more engagement and communication within the engineering community.

Main Topics:

Transition from machinist to engineering professional
Fundamentals of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
Practical applications of GD&T in manufacturing
Collaborative design processes
Importance of communication in engineering

About the guest: Andy Thompson, P.E., is a seasoned mechanical and manufacturing engineer with over 20 years of experience, beginning as a CNC operator and advancing to manager of structural engineering at Northrop Grumman. He is an expert in GD&T, holding ASME Y14.5 Senior Level certification, and emphasizes design for manufacturability, assembly, and inspection. Andy is also an active mentor and contributor to the engineering community, combining hands-on expertise with strategic leadership to drive innovation and quality across the field.

Links:

Andy Thompson LinkedIn

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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

S6E24 James Bryant | A Process For Engineers to Succeed at Home & at Work Jun 13, 2025

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Dr. James Bryant shares his transformative approach to helping engineers achieve professional excellence without sacrificing personal fulfillment. He discusses his unique methodology for balancing work and home life, developing leadership skills, and creating meaningful success.

Main Topics:

Transitioning from engineering to coaching
The "Engineer Your Success" methodology
Developing emotional intelligence
Strategic time management
Leadership skills for technical professionals
Identifying and living core personal values

About the guest: Dr. James Bryant, Ph.D., P.E., is a seasoned civil engineer and leadership coach with over 20 years of experience managing major transportation projects and contributing to national technical committees. Formerly with the Transportation Research Board, he provided executive oversight for more than 22 volunteer committees.

Now the founder of Engineer Your Success LLC, James helps engineers and business owners align professional goals with personal well-being. A certified John Maxwell speaker and Master Certified Professional Coach, he emphasizes achieving success without sacrificing fulfillment. His free resource, "The Engineer’s Blueprint for a Balanced Life," offers practical guidance for work-life harmony.

James also hosts the Engineer Your Success podcast, where he shares leadership insights and interviews industry experts. His coaching and speaking engagements are known for their engaging, value-driven approach to achieving sustainable success in both career and life.

LINKS:

Dr. James Bryant - LinkedIn

Engineer Your Success LLC Website

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

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S6E23 Mihir Shah | Buying & Growing a High Performing Machine Shop Jun 06, 2025

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In this episode, Aaron Moncur interviews Mihir Shah, an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who shares insights from his diverse career spanning Tesla, Inspect AR, and now Tomai Engineering. Mihir discusses his journey through engineering, startup growth, investment strategies, and the importance of first principles thinking.

Main Topics:

Engineering career path
First principles thinking in business
Design for manufacturability (DFM)
Startup and acquisition experiences
Hardware FYI newsletter
Investment strategies with Shaw Ventures

About the guest: Mihir Shah is an engineer and entrepreneur with a diverse background in hardware design, startup leadership, and industrial investment. He holds electrical engineering degrees from Santa Clara University and the University of Pennsylvania. His early work included roles at Tesla and Axon. In 2018, he co-founded inspectAR, an AR tool for PCB debugging, acquired by Cadence in 2020.

He currently serves as President of TOMI Engineering, a CNC machining and assembly company serving the aerospace, defense, and medical industries, where he drives growth through investments in talent and technology. Mihir is also a Principal at Shah Capital Ventures, a family investment firm with holdings in industrial businesses like Summit Interconnect and Royal Circuits.

Additionally, he co-founded Hardware FYI, a growing platform with over 12,000 subscribers that supports hardware engineers through resources like newsletters, job boards, and interview guides. His broad expertise makes him well-suited to speak on engineering leadership, startups, and the future of hardware.

Links:

Mihir Shah - LinkedIn

TOMI Engineering Website

Hardware FYI 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

S6E22 Dean Odell | Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) May 30, 2025

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Aaron Moncur sits down with Dean Odell, a distinguished mechanical engineering instructor and YouTube educator, to explore the fascinating world of Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T). Dean shares his journey from a welder to an engineering instructor, discusses the importance of GD&T in manufacturing, and reveals insights from his popular YouTube channel, dedicated to technical education.

Main Topics:

Origins and evolution of GD&T
Common misconceptions about geometric tolerancing
Practical applications in engineering and manufacturing
Dean's approach to teaching technical concepts
The importance of understanding design intent
Inspection techniques and measurement tools

About the guest: R. Dean Odell is a distinguished mechanical engineering educator and consultant, specializing in Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) technologies. He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from SUNY Polytechnic Institute and an A.A.S. from Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), where he currently teaches courses in GD&T, CAD, CMM, metallurgy, and robotics as an assistant professor.

Dean is also a prominent online educator with over 32,000 YouTube subscribers, offering tutorials on GD&T, CMM operation, print reading, and metallurgy. Beyond academia, he conducts in-person training across the United States, particularly in GD&T and Zeiss CMM, known for his clear and hands-on teaching style. His work reflects a strong dedication to advancing precision manufacturing and engineering education.

Links:

Dean Odell - LinkedIn

Website

YouTube

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

S6E21 Ron Higgs | Systems Thinking, People Skills, & Executive Leadership May 23, 2025

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Ron Higgs shares insights on transforming engineers into effective executive leaders, drawing from his extensive experience in military aviation, aerospace, and consulting. He discusses the critical skills engineers need to advance into leadership roles, emphasizing people skills, systems thinking, and continuous improvement.

Main Topics:

Journey from Naval Flight Officer to Executive Coach
Developing People Skills in Technical Professions
Systems Thinking in Leadership
Overcoming Communication and Leadership Challenges
Strategies for Engineers Transitioning to Leadership Roles

About the guest: Ron Higgs is an experienced executive coach and operational strategist with a strong background in both military and corporate leadership. A U.S. Naval Academy and Naval Postgraduate School graduate, he began his career as a Naval Flight Officer, developing key leadership skills in adaptability and mission execution. With over 20 years in engineering and operations roles at companies like Boeing and L3 Technologies, Ron has successfully led initiatives that enhanced performance and increased company valuations.

He now leads Wolf Management Solutions and serves as a Scale Architect using the Predictable Success model, helping technical leaders grow into visionary executives. Ron also acts as a Fractional COO and board member, emphasizing emotional intelligence, systems thinking, and sustainable team development. His human-centered approach to leadership is rooted in the belief that great leaders are made and that engineers have the potential to become exceptional leaders.

Links:

Ron Higgs LinkedIn

Wolf Management Solutions 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

S6E20 John Martell | Mechanisms, Drones, and Excel Macros May 16, 2025

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Join Aaron Moncur as he sits down with John Martell, a mechanical engineer with over 14 years of experience in aerospace, medical devices, automation, and geospatial drone services. Discover John's engineering journey, his innovative approach to mechanism design, and how he transitioned from mechanical engineering to data management.

Main Topics:

Mechanical Engineering Career Path
Mechanism Design Techniques
Drone Geospatial Services
Engineering Leadership
Automation and Productivity Tools
The Intersection of Music and Engineering Creativity

About the guest: John Martell is a versatile mechanical engineer with over 14 years of experience across aerospace, product development, and geospatial drone services. He's currently the Director of Data Management at Aero Velocity, he applies tools like QGIS, Python, and LP360 to lead large-scale geospatial projects. His previous roles include Lead Mechanical Engineer at Workhorse Aero and key engineering positions at Pipeline Design & Engineering, where he gained recognition for innovation in automation and medical device testing.

John is known not only for his technical skill and leadership but also for his creative problem-solving and passion for continuous learning. He enhances engineering processes through custom tools and explores artistic pursuits under the name “Olivund,” including composing music for the Being an Engineer podcast. His blend of engineering expertise and creativity defines him as a modern, multifaceted professional.

Links:

John Martell LinkedIn

https://507movements.com/

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

S6E19 Stuart Grant | MedTech Innovation May 09, 2025

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Join host Aaron Moncur as he sits down with Dr. Stuart Grant, a seasoned med tech innovator with over 25 years of experience at industry giants like Johnson & Johnson and DePuy. Dr. Grant shares his journey from design engineering to founding his own consultancy, offering invaluable insights into medical device development, regulatory challenges, and the future of medical technology.

Main Topics:

Career progression in medical device engineering
Challenges of starting a medical tech consultancy
Regulatory differences across global markets
Innovation strategies in medical technology
Advice for young engineers
Future trends in surgical robotics and AI

About the guest: Dr. Stuart Grant is a seasoned expert in the MedTech industry with over 20 years of experience at major companies like Johnson & Johnson and DePuy Synthes. In 2023, he founded Archetype MedTech, a consultancy that helps medical device companies achieve market approval through innovation strategy, technical evaluations, and team training. He holds advanced innovation and project management degrees and is a Chartered Engineer with several medical device patents. In addition to his technical work, Stuart lectures on innovation history and is a visual artist. His international experience and multidisciplinary expertise make him a key advisor for MedTech startups and scale-ups.

Links:

Dr. Stuart Grant - LinkedIn

Archetype MedTech Website

The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation

Exactly How Precision Engineers Created the Modern World

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

S6E18 Nikolaj Kloch | Public Speaking, Career Changes, & Leading with Value May 02, 2025

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Nikolaj Kloch shares his unique journey from aerospace engineering to becoming a leading videographer specializing in content creation for public speakers. He discusses how engineering skills translate into entrepreneurship, content creation, and business development.

Main Topics:

Transitioning from aerospace engineering to videography
Building a business by leading with value
Public speaking tips for engineers
Leveraging engineering skills in content creation
Social media and networking strategies
Career change advice for professionals

About the guest: Nikolaj Kloch is a former aerospace engineer turned videographer who specializes in creating content for public speakers. With over four years of experience, he helps speakers boost their visibility, book more engagements, and increase their income—serving clients who’ve spoken for top companies like AWS, Jaguar, and Airbus. Previously, he worked at Boeing as a Propulsion Design Engineer and was part of the MSTEP Steering Committee. He holds engineering degrees from Georgia Tech and the Technical University of Denmark. Outside work, he’s an ultramarathon runner and Eagle Scout, known for his dedication, versatility, and inspiring career journey.

Links:

Nikolaj Kloch - LinkedIn

Thrivr Design 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

S6E17 Scott Putnam | Invention, Licensing, and Venturing Apr 25, 2025

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Join Aaron Moncur as he interviews Scott Putnam, an expert in guiding inventors through the complex journey of bringing products to market. Scott shares insights from his 15+ years of experience coaching over 500 inventors, discussing strategies for product development, licensing, and successful commercialization.

Main Topics:

Challenges Engineers Face in Marketing Products
Licensing vs. Venturing Product Strategies
Intellectual Property Considerations
Market Research Techniques
Effective Product Pitch Strategies

About the guest: Scott Putnam is a leading product development and licensing expert, known for helping inventors bring their ideas to market. As founder and CEO of Inventor's Edge, he provides coaching, courses, and community support tailored to inventors. With degrees in education and business and experience as a coach and instructor, Scott blends academic insight with practical guidance. He’s the inventor of the Swat-N-Scoop and a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, sharing advice on licensing and innovation. He also hosts the Inventor’s Edge Podcast, where he interviews industry professionals and offers insights for aspiring inventors. Based in Dubuque, Iowa, he advocates for wellness and balanced living while continuing to mentor inventors worldwide.

Links:

Scott Putnam LinkedIn

Inventor's Edge - 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

S6E16 Jake Kennington | Engineer Yourself First, Personal Reflection, & Accepting Change Apr 18, 2025

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Jake Kennington shares his transformative journey from structural engineering to personal development coaching, discussing how engineers can build meaningful lives without sacrificing their careers. He explores the importance of personal growth, embracing change, and developing a strong personal foundation.

Main Topics:

Transitioning from Structural Engineering to Personal Coaching
The "Strong Column, Weak Beam" Life Philosophy
Importance of Personal Development for Engineers
Overcoming Creative Voids in Engineering Careers
Practical Strategies for Personal Growth
Embracing Change and Finding Purpose

About the guest: Jake Kennington is a structural engineer, author, speaker, and transformational coach who helps engineering leaders and business owners build fulfilling careers without burnout. With over a decade of experience, he founded Human Engineer Coach to guide professionals in aligning their work with personal well-being. His message: success doesn’t have to come at the cost of health, relationships, or purpose—you can have both money and meaning.

In his SEAU talk, “Engineer Yourself First,” Jake uses the structural principle of strong columns and weak beams to emphasize that personal growth must come before career growth to avoid collapse. He especially supports engineers in their first 7–10 years, a time often marked by self-sacrifice. Beyond coaching, Jake also champions creativity and continual self-expression, exemplified by his self-published children’s book in 2023. His work blends technical insight with a human-centered approach to leadership and life.

Links:

Jake Kennington - LinkedIn

Human Engineer Coach Website

Engineering Challenge

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