# Etienne Nichols | How to Become a MedTech Engineer

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2023-03-24
- Length: 50m
- Episode: 12
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/etienne-nichols-medtech-engineer/

## Summary

Etienne Nichols, Community Manager at Greenlight Guru, shares his transition from aerospace and steel manufacturing to MedTech, offering five key suggestions for engineers making a similar switch. He emphasizes reading regulations like ISO 13485 and 21 CFR Part 820 first, falling in love with the problem rather than the solution, and maintaining cross-functional relationships. Nichols also discusses the value of hands-on machining experience, the importance of curiosity in overcoming imposter syndrome, and his personal experiences with high-risk activities like skydiving.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=0) Introduction and Etienne's Engineering Origin Story
- [4:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=270) Lessons from Window Installation and Machining
- [13:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=839) Transitioning to MedTech and Regulatory Advice
- [18:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=1102) Five Suggestions for MedTech Engineers
- [22:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=1333) Making Regulations Fun with Analogies
- [28:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=1731) Cross-Functional Awareness and Networking
- [37:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=2225) Learning Resources and Industry Communities
- [38:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=2289) Ideal CAD Tools and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
- [40:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-03-24-etienne-nichols-how-to-become-a-medtech-engineer#t=2448) Skydiving Story and Career Frustrations

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Greenlight Guru (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- XTec (company)
- ISO 13485 (other)
- 21 CFR Part 820 (other)
- ISO 14971 (other)
- FDA (company)
- ASTM (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#452: Switching Careers to MedTech: A Practical Guide for Engineers and Professionals](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2026-03-23-452-switching-careers-to-medtech-a-practical-guide-for-engineers-and-professiona) (Global Medical Device 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)
- [Meet a Guru: Brittani Smith](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-04-20-meet-a-guru-brittani-smith) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#354: Advice for MedTech Regulatory Affairs Professionals](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-02-07-354-advice-for-medtech-regulatory-affairs-professionals) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [009 - “Cutting Through the Noise” with Charles Ventura](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-12-01-009-cutting-through-the-noise-with-charles-ventura) (Let's Combinate)

## Citing this page

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