Being an Engineer

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Brogan Miller, PE is a startup veteran, product engineer, and the founder of Doula Studios, a consultancy dedicated to helping early-stage hardware companies bring their ideas into reality. Calling himself a “doula for startups,” Brogan supports entrepreneurs as they navigate the often-chaotic birth of new products, offering hard-won wisdom, technical expertise, and a get-it-done mindset.

Brogan’s career path has been anything but ordinary. He’s held pivotal roles as one of the earliest employees at several startups, including Sensel, AliveCor, Trove Foods, and Typhur, where he designed and launched everything from ultra-thin pressure sensors to a 200-pound electromechanical cooking system. As Head of Engineering at GaeaStar, he guided the company through critical product validation stages, building engineering infrastructure and supply chain resilience. His work has spanned continents, including a year living in Asia to shepherd product development on the ground.

But Brogan’s story is more than just shipping products. He’s also deeply committed to education and community. As an adjunct lecturer at Stanford University, he has guided students in product design and engineering, while his earlier work in the Graduate School of Education led to the creation of seven open-sourced educational tools—one of which was acquired by Google. Beyond academia, he volunteers with organizations such as First Robotics and Youths of Africa Career Development, where he introduces Ugandan youth to engineering pathways and mentors the next generation of innovators.

With a reputation as a jack of all trades and a master of one—getting things done—Brogan brings a unique lens on what it takes to turn bold ideas into successful products.

LINKS:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brogan-miller/

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

Aaron Moncur, host

About 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

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Rick James is the Chief Executive Officer at SimuTech Group, North America’s largest ANSYS Elite Channel Partner. With a 25+ year career at the intersection of mechanical and electrical engineering, he has spearheaded multi-million dollar projects, FEA analyses, drop testing, and reliability-driven design efforts in industries from semiconductors to medical devices.

Holding a Doctor of Engineering in Engineering Management and both BSME and MSME degrees from Southern Methodist University, Rick blends deep technical expertise with strategic insight. He began his career at Texas Instruments, tackling IC packaging and structural analysis, progressing through leadership roles at Sulzer, and later heading consulting services at SimuTech.

At SimuTech, Rick leads a multidisciplinary team offering simulation and physical testing services across a vast range of disciplines—including structural, thermal, fluids, RF/electromagnetics, optics, VR/AR, and probabilistic design—to “solve the unsolvable.” He is passionate about simulation-driven innovation, the rise of digital twins, and elevating engineering through mentoring and workflow optimization.

His thought leadership extends to speaking engagements on fracture mechanics, predictive maintenance, and digital twin methodologies. Rick also serves on Southern Methodist University’s Mechanical Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, shaping the future of engineering education.

LINKS:

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

Guest website: https://simutechgroup.com/

Aaron Moncur, host

About 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

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Our guest today is Jeremy Jarrett, an attorney at Sacks Tierney in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he focuses on corporate, securities, and finance law. Jeremy brings more than 10 years of experience advising businesses on complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, recapitalizations, commercial lending, and equity and debt financings. His clients have ranged from early-stage startups to large public companies, spanning industries such as technology, oilfield services, agriculture, defense contracting, automotive, and manufacturing.

In addition to representing venture capital-backed companies in financing transactions, Jeremy has played a key role in supporting Phoenix-area entrepreneurs and growth-minded businesses. His unique path to corporate law began in the sports industry, where he worked with NCAA and NBA organizations, sports agents, and management firms before transitioning to private practice.

Jeremy holds a JD from Tulane University Law School, where he specialized in sports law, and a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. With his diverse background, Jeremy offers engineers and technical leaders a unique perspective on how smart legal strategies can safeguard innovation, attract capital, and unlock growth opportunities.

Download the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixture

About 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

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Ryan Stevenson is a versatile mechanical engineer whose career spans high-profile tech companies, outdoor gear innovators, and entrepreneurial ventures. After earning his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Boise State University, Ryan launched into product development roles that combined advanced CAD, manufacturing engineering, and user-focused design.

He contributed to Apple’s Vision Products Group, where he helped shape the Vision Pro by developing complex surfaces and leading the design of components in the Light Seal system. Earlier, at Cascade Designs, Ryan worked on next-generation Thermarest products, applying his technical expertise to foam development and manufacturing challenges. At Werner Paddles, he engineered advanced composite paddles and tooling, bringing efficiency improvements to production while driving performance in outdoor equipment.

Ryan’s entrepreneurial side came alive with Realtime Adventure Data, where he co-founded the company and led development of the Lyte Probe, a device designed to help backcountry skiers better assess avalanche risk. He thrives at the intersection of rapid prototyping, design for manufacturability, and customer-driven problem solving.

Most recently, Ryan founded the Boise Hardware Meetup, building community for engineers, designers, and makers in Idaho. As a freelance engineer through Syzygy Design, he now partners with companies ranging from startups to established manufacturers, offering expertise in CAD modeling, mechanical architecture, DFM/DFA, and full product development cycles. His career reflects not only technical depth but also a passion for leadership, collaboration, and bridging the gap between industrial design and scalable manufacturing.

LINKS:

Guest LinkedIn: Ryan Stevenson - Boise Hardware Meetup | LinkedIn

Guest website: https://ryanstevenson.xyz/

Aaron Moncur, host

Download the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixture

About 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 text

This episode is a rerun.

In this fascinating episode of Being an Engineer, our host Aaron Moncur sits down with Greg Mark, a visionary entrepreneur who revolutionized 3D printing with Markforged and is now transforming design workflows with his AI company, Backflip. Greg shares insights into his entrepreneurial journey, technological innovations, and the power of persistence.

Main Topics:

• The origin story of Markforged and carbon fiber 3D printing
• Innovative design principles in manufacturing
• Backflip's AI-driven approach to converting 3D scans to CAD models
• Entrepreneurship, product development, and market strategy
• The importance of reliability and focusing on core product features

About the guest: Greg Mark is a trailblazer in engineering and entrepreneurship, renowned for pioneering innovations that push the boundaries of technology. Currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Backflip, Greg is transforming how we create beautiful, functional objects using AI in a world that is inherently 3D. His latest venture follows a series of impactful contributions to engineering and manufacturing, most notably as the founder of Markforged. There, he invented carbon fiber and mixed metal 3D printing, a technology now deployed globally, including on the International Space Station and by major players like BMW and Tesla.

An MIT-trained engineer with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautics and astronautics, Greg’s journey started with bold ventures such as Aeromotions, a company that brought high-performance aerodynamics to the fastest cars on the track. His leadership at Genasun redefined off-grid solar power with advanced electronics, and as an advisor to startups like Genesis Therapeutics and Rotor Technologies, Greg continues to mentor innovators tackling the toughest challenges in industries from drug discovery to remote flight.

Links:

Greg Mark - LInkedIn

Markforged Website

Backflip.ai Website 

Download the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixture

About 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 text

Ramzi Marjaba is a seasoned Solution Engineer and consultant currently with Veeam Software, working remotely from Ottawa since March 2025. Prior to this, he spent nearly four years as a Senior Solution Specialist at Keysight Technologies, managing Eastern Canada accounts and mentoring both SEs and account executives. Earlier in his career, he held technical roles at Spirent Communications, Alcatel‑Lucent, and Nortel, starting as an embedded software tester and evolving into a network design engineer and systems engineer.

In 2018, Ramzi founded We the Sales Engineers, a coaching platform and podcast designed to help sales engineers grow through thoughtful conversation, expert mentorship, and practice‑based learning. With hundreds of episodes and written content to his name, he’s built a global community for pre‑sales professionals seeking to sharpen their craft.

Ramzi emphasizes the difference between treating symptoms versus diagnosing root business needs—with a heavy focus on discovery, customer context, and vision building. He often compares SEs to business athletes: they don’t get to practice outside the field, and must deliver under pressure with clarity and impact. He also explores the evolution of presales roles in a shifting job market, noting the increasing competitiveness and need for strategic, value‑centered hiring.

Outside of client work, Ramzi mentors aspiring SEs, runs podcast and written series, and leads workshops—from quick discovery techniques to advanced whiteboarding and objection management. 

LINKS:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramzimarjaba/?originalSubdomain=ca

Guest website: https://wethesalesengineers.com/

Aaron Moncur, host

Download the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixture

About 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 text

This is your final call to join us at PDX 2025 – The Product Development Expo, happening October 21–22 in Phoenix, Arizona.
 PDX is not your typical conference—it’s a hands-on training experience built specifically for engineers who design and develop physical products.

Learn directly from industry experts in areas like GD&T, DFM, automation, additive manufacturing, motion control, project management, and more. With 50+ sessions and 35+ exhibitors offering real-time consulting, you’ll walk away with practical tools, insights, and connections to accelerate your career.

🔗 Links & Registration

🎟️ Register now: PDexpo.engineer
📧 Questions? Email: PDX@teampipeline.us

About 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 text

James Davis, widely recognized as FluxBench, has built a following by making electronics approachable, fun, and practical. With a mission to “keep the magic smoke inside the components where it belongs,” James is passionate about teaching engineers, makers, and hobbyists how to move beyond simple projects and start creating production-ready designs.

On his YouTube channel, FluxBench, James shares tutorials and experiments ranging from ESP32-driven LED displays to embedded development strategies and Proxmox-based Flux Node setups. His videos blend clear explanations with hands-on demonstrations, making them accessible to beginners while still offering technical depth for experienced engineers. Whether it’s wiring up microcontrollers, troubleshooting circuits, or scaling a one-off build into something robust, James shows how to translate curiosity into capability.

With a background in embedded systems and a gift for teaching, James Davis represents the spirit of engineering as both an art and a craft. His work encourages others not just to build projects but to create real products that solve problems, delight users, and push the boundaries of what’s possible with accessible electronics.

Guest website:  Flux Bench

Aaron Moncur, host

Download the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixture

About 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 text

Matt Puchalski is a roboticist and entrepreneur shaping the future of automation in manufacturing. As the founder and CEO of Bucket Robotics—part of Y Combinator’s Summer 2024 batch—Matt is building next-generation 3D vision systems designed to supercharge flexible manufacturing environments. His company combines high-quality monocular cameras with edge computing to enable real-time 3D perception, simplify integration, and generate meaningful metrics across production workflows.

Before founding Bucket Robotics, Matt spent over half a decade developing and deploying Level 4 autonomous vehicles at Argo AI, which was acquired by Ford to form Latitude AI. His journey in autonomy continued at Latitude and then Stack AV, where he served as a foundational engineer during the company’s stealth phase. From leading test track operations to engineering vehicle reliability processes, Matt played key roles in launching multiple AV platforms on public roads.

He’s also an inventor, credited with patents ranging from indoor localization to dynamic data mining for autonomous systems. Alongside his startup leadership, Matt is a venture partner at Pioneer Fund, helping other early-stage founders navigate the startup ecosystem.

Matt holds a B.S. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Georgia Tech and brings a unique blend of hardware expertise, startup grit, and large-scale system thinking. Whether deploying AVs in Munich or building user-friendly tools for manufacturers, Matt is passionate about making robotics practical, accessible, and powerful.

LINKS:

Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-puchalski/

Guest website: https://www.bucket.bot/

Aaron Moncur, host

Download the Essential Guide to Designing Test Fixtures: https://pipelinemedialab.beehiiv.com/test-fixture

About 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