# S2E11 Being Open-Minded, Exiting Introvertism, & Being Nice | Liz Zettel

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-03-07
- Length: 59m
- Episode: 11
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel

## Summary

Liz Zettel, a biomedical engineer and author of 'Engineer Pants,' discusses her career in medical devices, emphasizing that communication, being open-minded, and being nice are critical skills for engineers. She shares specific examples of design for manufacturing (DFM) failures, such as poor tolerance stack-ups and difficult assembly processes, and explains how observing clinicians in surgical suites drives better product design. Zettel also details her experience with animal testing, mentoring at Stryker, and the importance of building relationships to accelerate product launches and manufacturing transfers.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=0) Introduction: Liz Zettel and Pipeline Design & Engineering
- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=90) Liz Zettel's Path to Biomedical Engineering and Utah State Camp
- [6:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=372) Ethnographic Studies and Observing Clinicians in Surgical Suites
- [11:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=672) Design for Manufacturing: Tolerance Stack-ups and Floor Experience
- [15:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=959) Manufacturing Transfers and Sustaining Engineering Challenges
- [26:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=1562) Animal Testing Experiences: Rabbits, Sheep, and Mice
- [31:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=1892) Key Engineer Skills: Open-mindedness, Technical Competence, and Being Nice
- [39:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=2350) Rapid Product Launch: Relationships, Communication, and Running Shoes
- [48:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=2884) Future of Medical Device Development: Automation, AI, and Prototyping
- [54:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-03-07-s2e11-being-open-minded-exiting-introvertism-being-nice-liz-zettel#t=3255) Liz Zettel's Book 'Engineer Pants' and Career Advice

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- Utah State (other)
- Stryker (company)
- Engineer Pants (other)
- Amazon (other)

## 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)
- [005 - “Compassionate Product Development” with Cameron Jones](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-11-03-005-compassionate-product-development-with-cameron-jones) (Let's Combinate)
- [Meet a Guru: Laura Court](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-05-19-meet-a-guru-laura-court) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [110: Design for Manufacturing Consumer Products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-01-19-110-design-for-manufacturing-consumer-products) (Product Startup)
- [203: Design for Manufacturing for a New Invention Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-11-24-203-design-for-manufacturing-for-a-new-invention-product) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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