# S1E05 From Genetics to Mechanical Engineering | Rafael Testai

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2020-05-11
- Length: 22m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai

## Summary

Rafael Testai, a serial entrepreneur who switched from molecular biology and software to mechanical engineering, explains his motivation to gain tangible prototyping skills to reduce reliance on developers. He details his career transition, highlighting how his background in genetics instilled a high attention to detail that serves him well in engineering design. Testai shares specific workflows, such as planning the next day before sleep to leverage subconscious problem-solving, and discusses his current side project of redesigning a face mask using CAD resources like GrabCAD. He emphasizes the importance of defining the core problem rather than just iterating on existing solutions when taking over engineering projects.

## Chapters

- [0:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=13) Introduction: Rafael Testai's career switch from biology to engineering
- [2:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=139) Serial entrepreneurship and the desire for self-sufficiency
- [3:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=194) Productivity habits and subconscious problem solving
- [5:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=343) Redesigning a face mask using GrabCAD and CAD modeling
- [7:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=426) Leveraging genetics background for engineering detail orientation
- [12:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=770) Communication strategies and balancing speed with quality
- [14:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=843) Advice for early-career engineers and managing expectations
- [17:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-05-11-s1e05-from-genetics-to-mechanical-engineering-rafael-testai#t=1072) Problem definition and avoiding solution bias

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Arizona State University Barrett (other)
- Evenki (company)
- GrabCAD (tool)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [452: I Wish I’d Thought of That](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-08-23-452-i-wish-id-thought-of-that) (Making It)
- [Work on it for 10 years...](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-12-30-work-on-it-for-10-years) (The Amp Hour)
- [How Being Strategic During A Career Transition Can Yield The Best Opportunities](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2020-06-11-how-being-strategic-during-a-career-transition-can-yield-the-best-opportunities) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [374: Tiny Forks](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-10-21-374-tiny-forks) (Making It)
- [360: That’s not very maker-y of you, is it?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-07-01-360-thats-not-very-maker-y-of-you-is-it) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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