The Impactful Engineer - Mentorship, Career Growth, and Personal & Professional Excellence for Aspiring Engineers

Steve & Jake Maxey - The Impactful Engineers
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Spreading awareness, success, and accessibility to the world of engineering to aspiring and early career engineers.

  1. 10h ago

    Episode 159 - Your Career Is Moving Slow Because You Are

    Most engineers do not lack capability. They lack urgency. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down why moving faster is not about being reckless. It is about creating demand for your skills, pulling problems forward, building judgment sooner, and refusing to let comfort become your default operating system. Not theory, practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to grow faster without burning themselves out. Key Topics Covered • Why technical skill alone will not create career momentum • How urgency exposes the skills you still need to build • Why moving faster pulls future problems into the present • The difference between speed and recklessness • Why most engineering decisions are reversible and should not be over-analyzed • How procrastination creates false urgency and how to create real urgency earlier • Why being slightly overloaded can sharpen execution and decision-making • How creating demand for your skills forces better prioritization • Why comfort can quietly turn into complacency • How fast execution builds visibility, trust, and better opportunities Actionable Steps • Treat today’s work like it is due tomorrow • Move quickly on reversible decisions instead of waiting for perfect certainty • Spend more time only on decisions that carry serious or irreversible consequences • Create more demand for your skills instead of waiting to be noticed • Use pressure as feedback to build prioritization and workload management • Finish work early enough to leave room for correction, iteration, and learning • Push yourself slightly beyond comfort without ignoring quality or competence • Pay attention to where overload reveals skill gaps • Build a reputation as someone who moves fast and still owns the outcome • Stop using analysis as a cover for hesitation Who This Episode Is For • Engineers who feel stuck, underutilized, or overlooked • Early-career engineers trying to build momentum faster • High-performing ICs who want better opportunities and more visibility • Engineers who overthink every move and delay action • Leaders who want their teams to execute with more urgency and ownership Why It Matters Your career does not accelerate because time passes. It accelerates when you compress learning, solve harder problems sooner, and become trusted with more responsibility. Urgency creates visibility. Speed creates feedback. Feedback builds skill. And skill, applied consistently, is what turns potential into real career growth. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    12 min

  2. Jun 8

    Episode 158 - The Raise You Want Requires the Reality Check You Avoid

    Most engineers ask the wrong question: “Am I being paid market rate?” The better question is harder: “Am I a market rate engineer?” In this episode, Steve and Jake break down the uncomfortable truth behind pay, performance, perception, feedback, and career growth. Not theory, practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to stop blaming the system and start building the value, visibility, and trust that create better opportunities. Key Topics Covered • Why “market rate” is not the goal if you want to be more than average • The difference between being underpaid and being unclear on your value • Why performance and perception both affect your career growth • How emotional labels like “brown nosing” can blind you to useful behaviors • Why high performers still get passed over when leadership perception is weak • How to think like the person approving your raise or promotion • Why feedback usually starts small and only gets deeper after you prove you can handle it • How inverse thinking helps you identify the behaviors keeping you stuck • Why refusing reality does not change reality, it only delays your growth • How blind spots quietly limit pay, promotions, influence, and opportunity Actionable Steps • Stop asking only if you are paid market rate and ask if you are delivering market value • Write down what an average engineer does, then identify how you can exceed that standard • Use inverse thinking: list what would make you less valuable, then do the opposite • Look at higher-paid or faster-moving peers without emotion and study their behaviors • Separate useful career behaviors from the negative labels you attach to them • Ask for feedback with humility, then act on it even if it is uncomfortable • Build trust by showing you can receive small feedback before expecting deeper feedback • Audit both your actual performance and the perception others have of your performance • Think from your leader’s seat and ask whether you would approve your own raise • Replace “that’s not fair” with “what action can I take now?” Who This Episode Is For • Engineers frustrated with pay, raises, or promotion timing • Individual contributors who feel overlooked despite working hard • Early-career engineers trying to understand how value is really judged • High performers who struggle with visibility, feedback, or perception • Engineers who want more influence but keep resisting the behaviors that create it Why It Matters Your career does not grow just because you feel underpaid. It grows when your value becomes obvious, your behavior builds trust, and your performance is backed by perception. The raise you want may be valid, but it still requires proof. Engineers who avoid the reality check stay stuck. Engineers who face it, adjust, and execute become hard to ignore. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    11 min

  3. Jun 1

    Episode 157 - Stop Managing Preferences and Start Moving

    Most engineers do not burn out because the work is too hard. They burn out because they spend too much energy trying to manage everyone else’s preferences, force agreement, and make every decision feel perfectly aligned before moving forward. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down why chasing full consensus slows your career, drains your energy, and keeps projects from gaining momentum. Not theory, practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to reduce friction, lead with maturity, and keep moving toward the outcome. Key Topics Covered • Why complete alignment at work is rare and dangerous to depend on • How personal preferences create unnecessary friction between teammates • Why trying to make everyone agree can stall your project and your career • The difference between being right and doing the right thing • Why engineers often struggle when their preferred way is not the chosen way • How leadership requires giving others room to execute differently than you would • Why consensus is not always the highest-value path to progress • How emotional energy gets wasted on convincing instead of executing • Why speed, clarity, and movement often matter more than perfect agreement • How to work with reality instead of fighting the headwind Actionable Steps • Stop treating every disagreement like a problem that needs to be solved • Separate the outcome from your preferred method of getting there • Ask whether the decision violates the goal, or just your personal preference • Let other people be right when arguing adds no value • Use “That’s a good point, I’ll consider that moving forward” to end low-value debates • Give teammates room to execute in their own style when the result still works • Focus your energy on moving the mission forward, not winning the conversation • Identify where you are slowing progress by waiting for everyone to agree • Adjust your approach to the conditions instead of complaining about them • Choose execution over ego when the project needs momentum Who This Episode Is For • Engineers who feel drained by constant workplace friction • Individual contributors preparing for leadership • New managers learning to let go of control • Engineers who struggle when others do things differently • High performers who want more influence without wasting energy on pointless battles Why It Matters Your career does not grow because everyone agrees with you. It grows when you learn how to operate inside reality, reduce friction, protect your energy, and keep moving toward the goal. The engineers who rise are not the ones who need to be right in every conversation. They are the ones who know when to adapt, when to lead, when to let go, and when to move. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    14 min

  4. May 25

    Episode 156 - Stop Giving Your Power Away

    Most engineers don’t lose momentum because they lack skill. They lose it because they hand their energy, focus, and ownership to everything outside their control. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down one powerful mindset shift: blame is giving power away. When you blame your boss, company, process, parents, timing, economy, or circumstances, you make them responsible for your progress. Not theory, practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to stop bleeding energy and start leading themselves with ownership. Key Topics Covered • Why blame quietly drains your energy and slows execution • The difference between real obstacles and convenient excuses • How “blame equals giving power to” changes your mindset immediately • Why engineers get stuck waiting for systems, people, or circumstances to change • How to take ownership without pretending every situation is fair • The danger of living in “exception land” instead of action • Why giving yourself the blame can also give you the power to fix it • How the phrase “I will do it despite…” turns frustration into fuel • Why career growth requires agency before visibility • How ownership creates momentum when motivation is low Actionable Steps • Replace “I blame…” with “I am giving power to…” and see how it sounds • Identify where you are waiting for someone else to fix your situation • Ask, “What part of this is still within my control?” • Stop using unfair circumstances as permission to stay stuck • Choose one delayed task and take the next useful action today • Reframe obstacles with “I will do this despite…” • Own your missed execution without turning it into self-pity • Use frustration as fuel, not as proof that you are powerless • Separate valid constraints from excuses that protect your ego • Build the habit of giving power back to yourself before reacting Who This Episode Is For • Engineers who feel blocked by company processes, bosses, or politics • Early-career professionals who want to build ownership fast • Individual contributors who feel overlooked, frustrated, or stuck • Engineers fighting burnout from constant external pressure • Future leaders who need to stop waiting and start taking action Why It Matters Your energy is one of your most important career assets. When you give it away through blame, you lose focus, ownership, and momentum. The engineers who grow are not the ones with perfect circumstances. They are the ones who take back control, act despite the obstacle, and build a reputation for finding a way forward. Where to Listen • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Google Podcasts • Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    8 min

  5. May 18

    Episode 155 - Stop Pretending You’re Aligned

    Most execution problems do not start with bad technical work. They start with unclear expectations, hidden priorities, and assumptions nobody bothers to drag into the open. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down why alignment is not something you assume. It is something you confirm, document, and keep checking before the work goes sideways. Not theory, practical, tactical advice for engineers who want fewer surprises, stronger trust, and cleaner execution. Key Topics Covered • Why technical skill will not save you from unclear expectations • How hidden priorities create rework, frustration, and damaged trust • Why silence does not mean agreement, buy-in, or alignment • The danger of assuming everyone values the same path to the same goal • How to repeat back direction without sounding insecure • Why camera-on communication matters when reading the room • How vague emails create avoidable mistakes with suppliers and remote teams • Why visuals, arrows, dimensions, and confirmation beat long written explanations • How missed expectations should become system improvements, not excuses • Why over-clarity separates reliable engineers from reactive engineers Actionable Steps • Repeat back direction in your own words before you execute • Ask what matters most when multiple requests compete for time • Document priorities, not just tasks • Confirm whether something is critical now or can wait until later • Use visuals when written direction can be misunderstood • Turn your camera on when the conversation requires alignment • Watch for hesitation, confusion, or skepticism before moving on • Do not label someone’s feelings, ask what they think instead • Own missed expectations quickly and clearly • Build a system so the same miss does not happen twice Who This Episode Is For • Engineers who keep getting surprised by “that’s not what I meant” • Early-career professionals learning how execution really works • Individual contributors who want to become more trusted and dependable • Engineers working with suppliers, contractors, remote teams, or cross-functional groups • Anyone who wants to reduce rework, protect energy, and lead with more clarity Why It Matters Misalignment burns time, energy, and credibility. When expectations stay hidden, your work becomes a guessing game. The engineers who grow fastest are not the ones who pretend they understood everything the first time. They are the ones who slow down long enough to gain clarity, confirm priorities, communicate cleanly, and execute with ownership. Where to Listen • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Google Podcasts • Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    19 min

  6. May 11

    Episode 154 - Stop Interviewing Like Every Other Engineer

    Most engineers walk into interviews trying to prove they have the right technical background. That matters, but it is not enough. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down why your hobbies, side jobs, personal projects, past work experience, and life stories can become real career leverage when you know how to connect them to the role. Not theory, practical, tactical advice for engineers who want to stand out, communicate value, and stop sounding like every other candidate in the stack. Key Topics Covered • Why technical skill alone does not make you memorable in an interview • How hobbies, side projects, and non-engineering experience can reveal real capability • Why hiring managers remember stories more than textbook answers • How automotive projects, gaming, retail work, event planning, and manual labor can translate into engineering value • Why project management, follow-up, communication, and resourcefulness often show up outside your job title first • How to connect personal experience to business impact without sounding forced • Why engineers shrink their value when they only talk about direct job experience • How to use uncomfortable, unconventional stories to show initiative and ownership • Why getting rejected, ignored, or challenged is part of building interview confidence • How relentless outreach can demonstrate the exact skills employers say they want Actionable Steps • Stop relying only on your degree, job title, or resume bullets to explain your value • Identify three life experiences that taught you leadership, follow-up, communication, execution, or problem-solving • Translate each story into a skill an employer actually cares about • Practice explaining your experience in plain English, not engineering jargon • Use hobbies and personal projects to prove curiosity, discipline, and hands-on ability • Tell stories with confidence instead of apologizing for where the experience came from • Build proof of initiative by doing work outside the standard application process • Follow up consistently instead of assuming silence means rejection • Track what works in conversations, calls, emails, and interviews so you can improve • Put yourself in situations that force communication growth before your career depends on it Who This Episode Is For • Early-career engineers trying to land their first role • Engineers who feel overlooked despite having strong technical skills • Students who think grades and coursework are their only leverage • Individual contributors who struggle to explain their value in interviews • Engineers who want to become more memorable, confident, and hireable Why It Matters If you interview like every other engineer, you become easy to forget. The best candidates do not just list qualifications. They connect experience to value. They show energy, ownership, initiative, and range. Your career grows faster when people can see the full picture of what you bring, not just the narrow version written on your resume. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    30 min

  7. May 4

    Episode 153 - You Can’t Build Influence From Your Cubicle

    Most engineers know technical skill matters. Fewer understand that relationships are what create trust, visibility, and opportunity. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down why relationships are not “office politics” in the shallow sense. They are career infrastructure. Not theory, practical, tactical advice on how to build trust, communicate expectations, avoid unnecessary friction, and become the engineer people want to work with and advocate for. Key Topics Covered • Why technical skill alone does not create influence • How poor communication destroys momentum across teams • The difference between holding high standards and acting like a wrecking ball • Why “why” questions often create defensiveness • How “what” and “how” questions invite ownership and collaboration • Why tone, timing, facial expression, and word choice matter more than engineers want to admit • How perception impacts career mobility, opportunity, and trust • Why relationships create behind-the-scenes advocacy • How strong relationships help you move faster when opportunity appears • Why giving more than you take builds long-term career capital Actionable Steps • Stop treating relationships as optional soft skills • Enter meetings with the goal of alignment, not dominance • Replace blame-based questions with problem-solving questions • Ask “How can we get there?” instead of “Why didn’t this happen?” • Communicate expectations clearly without attacking the person • Acknowledge effort before pushing for the next level • Pay attention to how your tone lands with different audiences • Adapt your communication without abandoning your values • Build trust before you need someone to go to bat for you • Invest in people consistently, not only when you need something Who This Episode Is For • Early-career engineers who want to build influence fast • Individual contributors who feel overlooked despite doing good work • Engineers who struggle with cross-functional friction • High performers who want more opportunity, visibility, and trust • Future leaders who need to understand the human side of execution Why It Matters Your work matters, but your work does not speak loudly enough on its own. Opportunity often moves through people. Projects get assigned through trust. Reputations are shaped in rooms you are not in. If you want more responsibility, more impact, and more influence, you cannot stay isolated and expect the organization to notice. Build relationships before you need them. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    29 min

  8. Apr 27

    Episode 152 - The First 90 Days: Where Engineers Win or Get Exposed

    Most engineers don’t fail because they lack technical ability. They fail because they walk into their first job with the wrong mindset. In this episode, Steve and Jake break down exactly what to do in your first 90 days after getting hired. Not theory, practical, tactical advice you can apply immediately to build momentum, earn trust, and separate yourself fast. Key Topics Covered • Why your degree doesn’t prepare you for real-world engineering • The critical mistake new hires make by trying to change systems too early • How to learn company systems and processes fast and actually use them • The difference between learning your job vs. learning how the company operates • How to identify expectations of your role and execute against them • Why asking better questions accelerates your growth more than raw intelligence • How to reverse-engineer success by studying high performers • The truth about output: why volume of work matters early in your career • Why effort and reps beat talent in your first year • How failing fast early builds long-term leverage and confidence Actionable Steps • Spend your first 30 days learning systems, tools, and processes inside and out • Ask for SOPs, documentation, and workflows. Study them aggressively • Identify who owns what and how work actually flows through the company • In days 30–60, define your role clearly and document expectations • Ask high performers how they succeeded and look for patterns • Build a “battle plan” for the skills that actually matter in your role • Prioritize output. Do more work than expected and deliver it on time • Ask questions constantly until things click. Don’t guess blindly • Put in extra reps early, inside or outside work, to close the experience gap • Fail quickly while stakes are low so you don’t fail when it matters Who This Episode Is For • New graduates about to start or just started their first engineering job • Engineers in their first year who feel lost or overwhelmed • High performers who want to accelerate their growth early • Engineers tired of guessing and wanting a clear execution plan • Anyone who wants to become indispensable, not just competent Why It Matters Your first 90 days set the tone for your reputation, your trajectory, and your opportunities. This is where trust is built, habits are formed, and momentum is created. If you show up with urgency, ownership, and output, you separate yourself fast. If you don’t, you blend in and fall behind. The gap compounds quickly. Where to Listen Spotify Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Or wherever you get your podcasts Share If this episode hit home, send it to someone. The Impactful Engineer grows by word of mouth, just like the best careers do.

    30 min
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Spreading awareness, success, and accessibility to the world of engineering to aspiring and early career engineers.

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