# S2E53 Kristy M. Walson | From Mechanical Engineer Degree to Designing Buildings: A Career Path You Can Take

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2021-12-17
- Length: 33m
- Episode: 53
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-17-s2e53-kristy-m-walson-from-mechanical-engineer-degree-to-designing-buildings-a-c
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/kristy-walson-a-career-path-you-can-take/

## Summary

Kristy M. Walson, Principal and Senior Sustainability Consultant at TLC Engineering Solutions, explains her transition from a mechanical engineering degree to designing building energy systems. She details how she uses energy modeling software like IES VE Pro and Trace 700 to optimize HVAC designs and building automation systems, moving beyond peak load calculations to actual operational efficiency. Walson discusses her work on large-scale projects like the Orange County Convention Center and the University of Central Florida, emphasizing the engineering community's role in mitigating climate change through sustainable design and material choices.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-17-s2e53-kristy-m-walson-from-mechanical-engineer-degree-to-designing-buildings-a-c#t=0) Introduction: Kristy M. Walson and Career Path
- [1:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-17-s2e53-kristy-m-walson-from-mechanical-engineer-degree-to-designing-buildings-a-c#t=112) From Marine Engineering to Sustainability and LEED
- [7:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-17-s2e53-kristy-m-walson-from-mechanical-engineer-degree-to-designing-buildings-a-c#t=439) HVAC Design and Building Automation Systems
- [15:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-17-s2e53-kristy-m-walson-from-mechanical-engineer-degree-to-designing-buildings-a-c#t=929) Using Thermodynamics and Energy Modeling (Trace 700, IES VE Pro)
- [23:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-17-s2e53-kristy-m-walson-from-mechanical-engineer-degree-to-designing-buildings-a-c#t=1400) Engineering's Role in Climate Change and Carbon Emissions
- [27:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-12-17-s2e53-kristy-m-walson-from-mechanical-engineer-degree-to-designing-buildings-a-c#t=1631) TLC's Energy Charrette and Design Process

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- TLC Engineering Solutions (company)
- Virginia Tech (other)
- University of Michigan (other)
- US Green Building Council (other)
- LEED (other)
- Orange County Convention Center (product)
- University of Central Florida (other)
- Trace 700 (tool)
- IES VE Pro (tool)
- E-Quest (tool)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How to Build an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-04-how-to-build-an-engineer) (EE Times Current)
- [Implicit Design, AI & Next Gen Design Tools: Inside nTop’s Bold New Design Frontier](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/additive-snack/2025-06-10-implicit-design-ai-next-gen-design-tools-inside-ntops-bold-new-design-frontier) (Additive Snack)
- [Transforming Cooling Systems for Energy Efficiency and Global Impact with Ross Bonner](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hardware-to-save-a-planet/2025-01-30-transforming-cooling-systems-for-energy-efficiency-and-global-impact-with-ross-b) (Hardware to Save a Planet)
- [T-25-009 : Sera Evcimen - Mechanical Engineer to Host of The Builder Circle™ Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-10-08-t-25-009-sera-evcimen-mechanical-engineer-to-host-of-the-builder-circletm-podcas) (TRADEOFFS)

## Citing this page

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