# S2E31 How to Lead Engineers & Engineering Managers – Chris McKenzie

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-07-16
- Length: 48m
- Episode: 31
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/how-to-lead-engineers-chris-mckenzie

## Summary

Chris McKenzie, a mechanical engineer with a career in medical devices including roles at Richard Allen Medical and Eli Lilly, discusses leading engineering teams and managing product development. He contrasts early automotive manufacturing with modern medical device rigor, highlighting the transition from 2D drawings to 3D modeling using Pro/ENGINEER and SolidWorks. McKenzie emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, PMP-structured project management, and mentoring engineers through questions like 'What do you think?' to foster engagement and solve complex electromechanical challenges.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=0) Introduction: Chris McKenzie and Career Origins
- [2:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=150) Transition from Automotive to Medical Devices
- [9:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=598) Evolution from 2D Drawings to 3D Modeling
- [16:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=983) PMP Certification and Project Structure
- [19:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=1197) Managing Engineer Productivity and Motivation
- [22:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=1321) Eli Lilly Electromechanical Device Innovation
- [26:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=1563) Mentoring Strategies and Key Questions
- [35:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=2138) Critical Thinking and Leadership Skills
- [39:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-07-16-s2e31-how-to-lead-engineers-engineering-managers-chris-mckenzie#t=2379) Managing Ambiguity and Staying Positive

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Richard Allen Medical (company)
- Eli Lilly (company)
- Pro/ENGINEER (tool)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- PDX 2026 (other)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [21: The Tent Is Flat and Everyone Is Wet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-10-02-21-the-tent-is-flat-and-everyone-is-wet) (Embedded.fm)
- [509: Swarmed by Engineers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-09-05-509-swarmed-by-engineers) (Embedded.fm)
- [#359: Project Management in MedTech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-04-04-359-project-management-in-medtech) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Design and Engineering Shouldn't Be Separate Islands | Pensar, Tactile, Mathscaper, Vector7 | Rob Leonard](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2026-07-27-design-and-engineering-shouldnt-be-separate-islands-pensar-tactile-mathscaper-ve) (TRADEOFFS)
- [Educating the Engineer of the Future with Dr. Kris Ropella](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2019-11-11-educating-the-engineer-of-the-future-with-dr-kris-ropella) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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