Hardware Podcasts

Erin McDermott | Resiliency, Freelancing, & Optical Engineering

Being an Engineer · 30 Dec 2022 · 55m · Episode 50

What this episode covers

Erin McDermott, founder of Spire Starter and Odd Engineer, recounts her transition from corporate engineering to freelance optical engineering, detailing her journey through financial hardship, illness, and the strategic use of writing and networking to build a sustainable consultancy. She explains how she leveraged simulation software like LightTools to solve complex lighting problems and established a directory to connect specialized freelance hardware engineers with clients. McDermott also discusses the technical nuances of optical design, including the differences between imaging and non-imaging optics, and the importance of precise measurement tools like goniophotometers.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Spire Starter, Odd Engineer, Synopsys, Solid Smack, Developed 3D, Optimum Technologies, Kettering University, Federal Mogul, Valio, Sylvania, Lloyd's Electronic, SPIE, ELEOptics
Tools
LightTools, Design X, SolidWorks, Zemax
Also
Julius Mushevik, Randall Chinok, Josh Mings

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Making It · 1h 20m

    429: The Fabric of Your Lungs

    Jaco, Jimmy Diresta's daughter and founder of the brand Giaco, discusses the development of her Kickstarter product, the Darkfade flashlight, explaining how trusting an external electronics engineer initially caused significant delays and stress due to a mismatch in design philosophy. She details the solution: partnering with a specialized LED expert to refine the device's unique 45-degree head and gesture-controlled brightness interface. Meanwhile, Bob Clagett shares a lesson on laser maintenance involving a melted lens, and David Picciuto discusses his strategy of slowing down production on a record player stand to prioritize detail over speed.

    Crowdfunding & preordersIndustrial & consumer product design
    8 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 29m

    An Interview with Robert Feranec

    Robert Feranec of Fedevel Academy discusses his transition from corporate electronics design to freelancing and finally to creating online courses. He details the complexities of designing high-layer-count boards like the IMX6 Rex and OpenRex, the limitations of auto-routers in EDA tools like Altium, and the challenges of building a sustainable business model for open-source hardware. Feranec also explains his technical approach to selling digital content via a custom WordPress backend and Amazon S3, while Chris Gammell proposes a nuanced, tiered logo system to clarify open-source hardware compliance.

    PCB design & layoutEDA & CAD tools
    6 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 07m

    Proof Of Blink

    Chris Gammell, founder of Analog Life LLC, discusses his transition from employment to independent consulting, detailing the financial and logistical challenges of a recent LED light installation project. Dave Jones and Gammell analyze the competitive landscape of PCB design software, specifically the shift from Eagle to KiCad and Altium's market positioning. The conversation also covers high-end test equipment like the Keysight 110 GHz oscilloscope, debugging pitfalls in power management ICs, and Gammell's upcoming Supercon badge project.

    Starting a product companyEDA & CAD tools
    7 chapters

  • Predictable Designs Podcast · 53m

    From Corporate World to Freelancing to Running a Hardware Startup with Roberto Weiser of Developpa

    Roberto Weiser, founder of Developpa and Air Develop, explains his transition from corporate engineering roles at Lear and Cambridge Audio to freelancing and launching a low-cost air purifier in Thailand. He details the decision to use off-the-shelf components to minimize costs and the challenge of manufacturing in Thailand with Western management to balance cost and communication. Weiser describes a critical supply chain failure during the coronavirus pandemic, where delayed molds forced an improvised CNC-machined enclosure solution to fulfill pre-orders. Finally, he outlines his strategy to pivot from direct retail sales to wholesale distribution in Thailand and internationally to achieve business stability.

    Starting a product companyDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    6 chapters

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 30m

    Meet a Guru: Etienne Nichols

    Etienne Nichols, a Medical Device Guru at Greenlight Guru, discusses his transition from mechanical engineering in aerospace and steel to medical device project management, highlighting how a personal injury sparked his interest in biomedical design. He explains that Greenlight Guru was founded to solve the inefficiency of managing dynamic design controls in static Excel spreadsheets, aiming to keep traceability matrices updated in real-time. Nichols emphasizes the value of the 'Guru Edge,' where a team of experienced engineers helps customers navigate complex regulatory workflows, such as UDI implementation and software as a medical device (SaMD), to bring safe products to market faster.

    Medical & health devicesQuality & yield
    7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Being an Engineer. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.