Engineers Hub Podcast Mamadou Diallo

In this episode, I’m joined by Michael Collins, working at Impact Automation. Michael shares his background in engineering, specifically in the field of material handling and automation. He discusses his transition from a technical role to a consultative sales position, focusing on building a commercial business vertical and finding innovative solutions for customers in the material handling industry. Michael emphasizes the importance of passion and curiosity in pursuing a career in engineering and highlights the various paths available to individuals interested in the field. He also discusses the shifts he has witnessed in the industry, including advancements in safety, data management, and the integration of AI technology. 
Tune in to learn more about bridging the gap between engineering curriculum and industry skills, career pathways and industry exposures, and increasing diversity in the engineering workforce. Also, remember to sign up for the newsletter to stay informed about new episodes, insights, resources, and upcoming events and opportunities.

Key highlights from the call


[00:03:27] Increasing sales and automation
[00:06:03] The importance of combining sales and engineering in Michael’s role
[00:09:26] Michael's views on shifts in education and neglect of technical skills
[00:13:07] The need for a balanced education with technical skills to address the tradespeople shortage
[00:15:17] The importance of staying curious and following one's passion
[00:19:00] Traditional education and hands-on learning
[00:24:41] The role of material handling in automating product movement within facilities
[00:27:23] Advancements in conveyor technology for enhanced safety, efficiency, and versatility in product handling
[00:30:08] The role of data in warehouse operations
[00:36:01] The role of middleware software
[00:38:02] How AI and predictive analysis can help in optimizing warehouse efficiency
[00:42:00] The essence of Michael's daily routine
[00:50:08] The importance of a holistic sales experience
[00:53:08] The influence of Michael’s parents on his career path
[00:57:20] Michael's advice
[01:00:02] The importance of both curiosity and passion in pursuing a career
 

Notable Quotes


●       There's a requirement to stay curious. Always, always drive. If you have a passion and you're going for that passion, there's going to be hurdles. There will be times along that path that you ask yourself, am I doing the right thing? Should I be doing this? Should I change that? And that's, I think, a natural thought process whenever you come across a hurdle or a challenge in a career path or an educational path. 
●       I think without passion, it's hard to maintain resolve or kind of keep on that path regardless of what it is, whether you're autodidact teaching yourself or whether you're going to university or technical school, if you don't have passion for it, it's very difficult.
●       The traditional education system is broken when it comes to hands-on technical skills. We need more focus on trades and technical education.
●       I think people fear automation because they think it will replace humans. But my argument to that is I think just like our cell phones and our earbuds and our hearing aids and pacemakers, we're augmenting the human. We're allowing them to do more with less.
●       . AI can play a really in-depth role in that because we can do some predictive analysis and say things like The new iPhone just came out. So let's slot all of the new iPhone products closer to the pick faces than the old ones. That type of dynamic&
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In this episode, I’m joined by Howard Berkof, Deputy Program Manager for the Navy's Littoral Combat Ship Shipbuilding Program. We discuss Howard's diverse career journey, encompassing mechanical engineering, technical sales, and government naval acquisition. We explore the significance of adaptability and an entrepreneurial mindset in large organizations such as the Navy, where innovative technologies demand a thorough understanding of organizational pain points and needs. 
Howard's experiences reveal that ensuring technology reliability, safety, and user-friendliness significantly impacts decision-makers willingness to invest in new advancements. Howard traces his professional journey from mechanical engineering to a successful Navy acquisition career, detailing his shift from technical sales to program management. He underscores the early importance of extracurricular engagement for network-building and leadership skills.
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Key highlights from the call


[01:15] Howard’s background 
[03:22] How Howard decided to pursue a sales position despite his engineering background
[07:56] Exploring alternative career paths in engineering 
[15:16] Some driving factors to consider when introducing innovative technologies 
[19:34] Demonstrating value and addressing pain points to drive innovation adoption
[22:45] Identifying and addressing latent problems and gaining buy-in for innovation
[31:10] Benefits of extracurricular activities and soft skills for young engineers
[36:19] Importance of building diverse and inclusive teams 
[40:20] Navigating the language and learning curve in a new field
[43:10] Mastering situational handling and quick decision-making
[45:37] Effective Task Tracking and Prioritization Strategies
[50:11] What Howard does for fun
[55:25] Howard’s words of wisdom to college students studying engineering       

Notable Quotes


●       To be effective, you have to understand more than just the technical side, the math, science, and engineering. You have to understand the business side and the financials.
●       Understanding all the non-technical sides of running a company or a business is vitally important.  Every industrial company out there has to understand how to run a business to be successful, or you'll go out of business. You must understand that you must take in more revenue than expense to be profitable.
●       You need resilience, that's for sure. You need conviction, resilience, to be committed, and you have to be in it for the long haul.
●       We need to identify what's the pain point, what's the need that needs to be solved, and then come up with that. Or find that technology or that innovation to solve that problem.
●       Many people will say no upfront or just kind of give you lip service or whatever, but you have to be persistent. You have to be resilient, find and identify those people who think like you, and get them to start speaking the same language to help you advocate. And you just have to keep at it over and over.
●       When you're responsible for people, the game changes significantly because everything you say and do in your actions is magnified that much more and means so much more because those people are counting on you for leadership, work guidance, and being there for them. But also you need to learn how to manage through some very difficult personal situations.
●       If you have a team of people who think you will fail, your organization's going to fail. You want to bring in people from all different backgrounds, experiences th
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In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Wayman, a seasoned engineer with a mechanical and biomedical engineering background. Brian shares his journey from studying mechanical engineering at UMBC to pursuing graduate studies at Georgia Tech. He discusses his transition from academia to industry, highlighting his work at various companies. The conversation explores the intricacies of engineering for the medical field, emphasizing risk management, human factors, and meticulous quality control due to the paramount importance of safety in medical device development. 
We also discuss the intricate process of medical device product development, highlighting the importance of understanding user needs, design controls, milestones, and regulatory considerations. Brian shares insights into his lead role, involving cross-functional collaboration, communication with government sponsors, and overcoming challenges. 
Tune in now and learn!

Key highlights from the call


[02:07] Brian’s background 
[04:16] What motivated Brian to engineering
[09:07] The unique approach and considerations in biomedical engineering 
[13:15] The stringency of quality control and checks in biomedical engineering
[17:36] FDA’s role in regulating health-tracking wearable devices made by tech giants
[19:44] The difference between fast-product development with safety-focused industries 
[22:46] The impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts on various industries
 
[24:37] How Brian’s typical day looks like
[26:49] The key milestones in the product development process for medical devices
[32:51] The intricate process of identifying user needs for medical device design
[35:16] The significant impact of engineering in the medical field
[37:59] What Brian does during his free time
[42:10] Guidance for mechanical engineering students aspiring to enter the medical field
[44:24] How to connect with Brian

Notable Quotes


●       What comes to mind when you bring that up is risk management, which is a huge part of what we do in the design and development of medical devices and combination products. As we think about developing any product, in addition to that risk management piece, we think about what we call human factors. 
●       Regulated industries have defined development processes. Within the f d a in terms of medical devices, the regulated process is called design controls, and that's at a high level how you control the development of that design throughout the development journey. The first step in that process is understanding the user's needs.
●       I give back by serving his cub master for the youngest. And so I give back in that regard because the Cub Scouts teach them life lessons and leadership skills in a different way than what they get through sports and school. So being outdoors, enjoying nature, safety learning, just outdoor stuff, is fun and balances them out.
●       Suppose you ever had the opportunity to present at conferences and things of this nature. In that case, it broadens your horizons and perspectives in terms of what opportunities are out there. For those on the fence, I'd say take a look at it. It is fascinating engineering, challenges, and very rewarding, you know, opportunities out there. 

Resources


Let's connect with Brian on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-wayman
 
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In this episode, I’m joined by Ameer, an experienced engineer specializing in satellite technology. We explore Ameer's journey from Michigan to his current role in the space industry, including his educational background and transition to designing and building satellites with a focus on radio frequency subsystems. The discussion covers the evolving space industry, the rise of startups and small satellite technology, and Ameer's insights into satellite-building. 
Ameer shares insights into the evolving landscape of the space industry, the shift towards smaller satellites and constellations, and his career journey from electrical engineering to satellite design. He also advises students, emphasizing the importance of pursuing what one enjoys, treating education like a job, and building valuable connections. 
Tune in now and learn!

Key highlights from the call


[02:07] Ameer’s background 
[04:10] Challenges encountered juggling courses spread across different campuses while at the University of Michigan
[05:41] Ameer’s educational background and career path in electrical engineering
[10:00] The recent substantial growth in the space industry's prominence 
[16:30] Growing opportunities and accessibility in the space industry
[20:10] Satellite technology and its role as payload in rockets 
[22:46] Factors taken into consideration when building satellites
[38:35] The significance of industry experience in molding one's career trajectory
[46:48] What Ameer likes doing for fun
[49:15] How to connect with Ameer

Notable Quotes


●       There are different sizes of rockets and different classes of rockets. Some can launch larger spacecraft, and others can launch smaller spacecraft. And, to launch a lot of larger spacecraft costs more money.
●       The feeds are also on the satellite, so you'll have a receiving network in which you send signals from the earth to your spacecraft. Those signals will hit your reflectors and then bounce into the feeds, and you'll be able to receive those signals. And then, on the output side, it's just a reverse process. Signals got through amplification, then to your feeds, and the feeds send signals to your transmit reflectors or the earth, sometimes the same reflector as your receiver, and then it transmits those signals down to the earth. 
●       The vibration test simulates your launch because when you're launching, your spacecraft's vibrating, so you want to ensure that nothing comes loose or a jar when it's going through this vibration test.
●       I advice you to pursue what you enjoy. I wouldn't pursue something just for the aspect of, like, just trying to get paid and like get a lot of money just because, at this point, I feel like there's money in, in all industries, if you're willing to put the time in.

Resources
Connect with Ameer
-          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameeralgharib/
-          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameer_metime/
Connect with Mamadou
-          LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mamadou-diallo/
-          Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pathpaver_diallo/
Join Our Newsletter: bit.ly/ecpi-newsletter
 
 
 


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On this episode of the Engineers Hub Podcast, we had the great pleasure of bringing on and speaking with Anande Bergman, Chief Growth Officer at VIKTOR.
Anande’s engineering career began like many of us. He wanted to become an engineer and pursued a Bacherlor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. From there on, he was interested in working with composite materials, and as a result, pursued a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering that focused on material structures and structural design. While pursuing his master’s degree, Anande also used programming and code to improve his research. 
After his studies, Anande went to work in the Offshore Engineering Design & Service Industry. He was shocked by all the inefficiencies and outdated tools that engineering firms were still using in the private sector, and working with other colleagues, he started to slowly implement automation to eliminate some of these tasks. This eventually led to more automation experience in his career and the launch of VIKTOR, where he currently works as the chief Growth Officer. 
This is a jam-packed episode in which we talk more about VIKTOR and some of its real word applications and case studies, discuss the world of Engineering Design Automation and Digital Twins, list the programming languages that engineers should be studying, and share steps that you can take right now to help reduce inefficiencies in your office. 
Tune in and Enjoy!
 
Resources:
-          Connect with Anande Bergman
-          Build your automated App on VIKTOR
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In this episode of the Engineers Hub Podcast, Oluwaseun (Olu) Shonubi joins us to share his experience growing up in Lagos and how that led to him to pursue a career in Electrical Engineering. 
Olu has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree (Power Systems and Controls focused) in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He has worked in the Power and Energy Industry over the last 12 years and has experience spanning consulting on various projects, including the expansion of the Panama Canal, developing and manufacturing system protection equipment for an OEM, and working as a subject matter expert in the utility space. He is currently working on Reliability Engineering in the Clean Energy Development space. 
Outside of work, Olu is an avid reader and learner. He is also a Senior Member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and is currently serving as the Chairman of the Baltimore IEEE Power and Energy Society.  
Tune In and Enjoy!

Key highlights


[01:00] Olu’s background
[06:46] Main differences experienced back when he started and now
[12:06] Main focus on renewable energy
[13:47] Olu’s day-to-day life
[22:23] Prioritizing Tasks
[24:54] Reliability of Power Systems
[28:36] Defining Success
[30:22] Important traits for individuals in the electrical engineering space
[32:45] Technological advancements Olu is looking out for in future
[37:46] Things that Olu does for fun
[44:54] Good books to read for electrical and electronic engineering
[46:44] The most productive time in Olu’s day
[51:27] Advice to students in electrical engineering students
[56:57] How to connect with Olu

Resources


Let's connect with Olu on:
-          LinkedIn



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