# S1E21 Weird Al, Strong Creative-Analytical Linking, & Bomb Squads | Margaret Koga Ward

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2020-07-17
- Length: 48m
- Episode: 21
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward

## Summary

Margaret Koga Ward, founder of Terafram, discusses her career in automotive and medical device engineering, highlighting her work on mobile X-ray systems for bomb squads and femoral head implants. She explains how she solved a root cause failure involving dimensional instability in orthopedic trials by identifying thermal expansion issues during sterilization cycles. Ward also shares insights on being a woman in engineering, the importance of creative-analytical linking, and her current role as a quality auditor and trainer for ISO 13485 compliance.

## Chapters

- [0:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=14) Introduction: Margaret Koga Ward and Terafram
- [1:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=70) Early Life: Weird Al Yankovic and Engineering Heritage
- [4:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=264) Women in Engineering: Creative-Analytical Linking and Bias
- [11:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=672) Mobile X-Ray Systems for Airport Security and Bomb Squads
- [13:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=831) Root Cause Failure: Dimensional Instability in Femoral Heads
- [18:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=1135) Automotive Engineering: Camless Diesel Engines and Ford
- [24:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=1460) Quality Auditing and ISO 13485 Compliance
- [28:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=1711) Medical Device Innovation: The 'Aha' Moment and Patents
- [37:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=2267) Training and Education: AAMI Design Controls Courses
- [40:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-07-17-s1e21-weird-al-strong-creative-analytical-linking-bomb-squads-margaret-koga-ward#t=2441) Industry Challenges and Vendor Recommendations

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- Terafram (company)
- Ford Motor Company (company)
- AAMI (other)
- ISO 13485 (other)
- FDA (other)
- Bare Material Sciences (company)
- Clean Cut Technologies (company)
- Cadence Manufacturing (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [305: Humans Have a Terrible Spec Sheet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-10-03-305-humans-have-a-terrible-spec-sheet) (Embedded.fm)
- [An Interview with Steve Kreuzer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-07-16-an-interview-with-steve-kreuzer) (The Amp Hour)
- [215 - Why Aren’t Technical People Leading Drug-Device Audits?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-11-26-215-why-arent-technical-people-leading-drug-device-audits) (Let's Combinate)
- [#468: SaMD Issues, Defects & Detection | Shawnnah Monterrey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-08-10-468-samd-issues-defects-detection-shawnnah-monterrey) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [How Stylish Steel-Toe Shoes are Empowering Women in Industry | An Interview with Xena Workwear CEO Ana Kraft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2019-12-09-how-stylish-steel-toe-shoes-are-empowering-women-in-industry-an-interview-with-x) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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