# S2E24 Working at Apple, Premium Products, & Superior Project Management | Joe Moak

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-05-28
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 24
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/superior-project-management-joe-moak/

## Summary

Joe Moak, founder and chief engineer at Maestro PD, discusses his career at Apple, Sonos, and St. Jude Medical, emphasizing how he applies lessons from high-volume manufacturing to his consultancy. He defines 'premium' products through meticulous attention to customer touchpoints, citing specific engineering details from the first-generation Apple TV as examples of elevated user experience. Moak explains his approach to team building, prioritizing collaborative spirit and engineering fundamentals, while highlighting the critical importance of tolerance analysis and design reviews to prevent assembly failures.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=0) Introduction: Joe Moak and Maestro PD
- [1:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=87) Inspiration: Sony Handycam and Cal Poly Education
- [6:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=390) Defining Premium Quality and Apple TV Details
- [11:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=719) Lessons from Apple: Talent, Rigor, and Johnny Ive
- [21:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=1282) CAD Strategies and Tolerance Analysis
- [28:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=1699) Building Maestro PD: Office Design and Shop Tools
- [33:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=2019) Recruiting, Interviewing, and Team Dynamics
- [36:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=2160) Common Roadblocks: Activity vs. Progress
- [37:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=2249) Pricing Models: Fixed Bid vs. Time and Materials
- [40:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=2417) Critical Habits: Tolerance Analysis and Design Reviews
- [44:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=2640) Design Process and Team Structure
- [48:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-05-28-s2e24-working-at-apple-premium-products-superior-project-management-joe-moak#t=2907) The Role of Project Management

## Topics

- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Apple (company)
- Sonos (company)
- St. Jude Medical (company)
- Maestro PD (company)
- Sony Handycam (product)
- Apple TV (product)
- Mac mini (product)
- iPad (product)
- iMac (product)
- AirTags (product)
- Cal Poly (other)
- Bridgeport (tool)
- micromill (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [114: Designing an MVP for a New Consumer Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-02-16-114-designing-an-mvp-for-a-new-consumer-product) (Product Startup)
- [80: Jony Ive’s Favorite Things](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2022-05-18-80-jony-ives-favorite-things) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 15 - Author Leander Kahney (1/06)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2014-01-06-afterschool-podcast-episode-15-author-leander-kahney-1-06) (Core77 Podcast)
- [A First-Generation Product Master Class with Milo Werner, Recorded LIVE at "Build Better 2022" (hosted by Instrumental Inc.)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-04-05-a-first-generation-product-master-class-with-milo-werner-recorded-live-at-build) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [111: With Great Power](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2024-05-01-111-with-great-power) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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