# Erin McDermott | Resiliency, Freelancing, & Optical Engineering - Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer) - Published: 2022-12-30 - Length: 55m - Episode: 50 - Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering - Listen: https://teampipeline.us/erin-mcdermott-optical-engineering/ ## Summary 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. ## Chapters - [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=0) Introduction and Early Life - [4:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=260) Education and Corporate Career - [13:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=809) Leaving Corporate Life and Traveling - [20:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=1216) Building a Freelance Career - [26:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=1569) Creating Odd Engineer - [34:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=2085) Optical Engineering Technical Deep Dive - [44:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=2652) Tools and Measurement - [51:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering#t=3093) Resources and Conclusion ## Topics - [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education) - [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning) - [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer) - [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand) - [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware) - [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design) - [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics) - [Microcontrollers & dev platforms](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/microcontrollers-and-platforms) - [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas) - [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power) - [Wireless & RF](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/wireless-and-rf) - [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors) - [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement) - [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis) - [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot) - [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy) - [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy) - [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices) - [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech) - [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design) - [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering) - [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes) - [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design) - [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping) - [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools) - [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing) - [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners) - [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production) - [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield) - [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain) - [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations) - [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance) - [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment) - [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity) - [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company) - [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit) - [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding) - [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising) - [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics) - [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution) - [Intellectual property](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/intellectual-property) - [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture) - [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce) - [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions) - [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs) - [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community) - [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft) - [Creator business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/creator-business) - [Open-source hardware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/open-source-hardware) - [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing) ## Most relevant to companies scaling up ## Mentioned - Spire Starter (company) - Odd Engineer (company) - LightTools (tool) - Synopsys (company) - Solid Smack (company) - Developed 3D (company) - Optimum Technologies (company) - Kettering University (company) - Federal Mogul (company) - Valio (company) - Sylvania (company) - Lloyd's Electronic (company) - Design X (tool) - SolidWorks (tool) - Zemax (tool) - SPIE (company) - ELEOptics (company) - Julius Mushevik (other) - Randall Chinok (other) - Josh Mings (other) ## Related episodes from other shows - [429: The Fabric of Your Lungs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2024-02-09-429-the-fabric-of-your-lungs) (Making It) - [An Interview with Robert Feranec](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-09-23-an-interview-with-robert-feranec) (The Amp Hour) - [Proof Of Blink](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-08-27-proof-of-blink) (The Amp Hour) - [From Corporate World to Freelancing to Running a Hardware Startup with Roberto Weiser of Developpa](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-29-from-corporate-world-to-freelancing-to-running-a-hardware-startup-with-roberto-w) (Predictable Designs Podcast) - [Meet a Guru: Etienne Nichols](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-05-24-meet-a-guru-etienne-nichols) (Global Medical Device Podcast) ## Citing this page If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2022-12-30-erin-mcdermott-resiliency-freelancing-optical-engineering. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.