Reade Harpham | Flat Org Structures, Communicating with Engineers & Philanthropic Design

Being an Engineer · 13 Jan 2023 · 1h 02m · Episode 2

What this episode covers

Reade Harpham, Senior Medical Device Specialist at Priority Designs, discusses his career journey from the nonprofit R&D giant Battelle to his current role at the employee-owned product development firm. He explains how communicating human factors insights using specific engineering constraints (like texture and spacing) earned him respect from engineering teams who previously dismissed 'touchy-feely' design research. Harpham details Priority Designs' flat, ESOP organizational structure, which fosters 'intrapreneurship' and allows for organic growth into new capabilities like sound design, while also addressing challenges like remote work and economic shifts.

Mentioned

Companies
Priority Designs, Battelle, Sleisenger Research, EM3 Fieldwork, Gates Foundation, Conquest Maps, One Lab
Also
FDA, Star Wars

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