# Idara Uko | Pacemakers, Principal Engineers, & Product Fit

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2022-06-03
- Length: 47m
- Episode: 22
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/idara-uko-product-fit/

## Summary

Idara Uko, Director of Software Operations at Medtronic, explains the engineering behind implantable pacemakers and defibrillators, detailing how firmware uses accelerometers and heart signals to regulate heart rate based on patient activity. He contrasts the strict regulatory environment of Class 3 medical devices with consumer electronics, emphasizing the need for rigorous validation to ensure the 'right product' is built, not just built correctly. Uko also discusses the career progression from entry-level to principal engineer and advises companies on structuring software teams using Agile and Scrum methodologies to serve customer needs effectively.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [3:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=202) Firmware vs. Software and Pacemaker Mechanics
- [10:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=650) Sensor Inputs and Accelerometer Challenges
- [17:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=1051) Defibrillators and Medical Device Regulation
- [22:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=1347) Senior vs. Principal Engineer Roles
- [24:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=1479) Hardware-Software Communication and Progress Metrics
- [31:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=1890) Product Fit and Building the Right Product
- [38:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-06-03-idara-uko-pacemakers-principal-engineers-product-fit#t=2304) Agile, Scrum, and Team Structure Advice

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Medtronic (company)
- McMaster University (other)
- FDA (other)
- Agile (other)
- Scrum (other)
- Kanban (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Weronika Michaluk on Medical Devices development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2024-09-04-weronika-michaluk-on-medical-devices-development) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [Closing the gap between Regulatory and Development with Milton Yarberry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2024-03-05-closing-the-gap-between-regulatory-and-development-with-milton-yarberry) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [67: Software for Things That Can Kill People](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-09-11-67-software-for-things-that-can-kill-people) (Embedded.fm)
- [53: Being a Grownup Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2014-05-28-53-being-a-grownup-engineer) (Embedded.fm)
- [Rapid Prototyping for Medical Devices with Ross Dehmoobed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2024-01-11-rapid-prototyping-for-medical-devices-with-ross-dehmoobed) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)

## Citing this page

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