# Derek Recker | R&D Engineering Series – Interview 4 of 6

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2023-07-14
- Length: 32m
- Episode: 26
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/derek-recker-rd-engineering-series/

## Summary

Derek Recker, a mechanical engineer at The Hawthorne Gardening Company (a subsidiary of Scotts Miracle-Gro), discusses the nuances of R&D engineering, emphasizing that defining the problem is 90% of the role. He contrasts technology-push versus market-pull development strategies and highlights the importance of cross-functional communication, particularly using PowerPoint graphics to bridge gaps with non-engineers. Recker also shares specific examples of cost-saving initiatives, such as insourcing a supplier part to achieve $4 million in savings and an 8x reduction in returns.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=0) Introduction and Career Origins
- [3:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=198) Defining the R&D Role and Problem Statement
- [5:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=323) Communication Challenges and Tools
- [8:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=512) Technology-Push vs. Market-Pull Strategies
- [10:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=607) Favorite Tools: CAD, Sketching, and Excel
- [13:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=801) Market Research, IP, and Failure Analysis
- [15:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=955) Scope Creep and Prototype Testing
- [19:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=1140) Cross-Functional Communication and Mindsets
- [24:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=1483) Cost Savings and Quality Improvements
- [27:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6#t=1646) Teaching R&D and Consumer Love

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- The Hawthorne Gardening Company (company)
- Scotts Miracle-Gro (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- PowerPoint (tool)
- Excel (tool)
- MATLAB (tool)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [082: Smooth Product Flow from Visual Design to Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2021-06-30-082-smooth-product-flow-from-visual-design-to-engineering) (Product Startup)
- [053 - "Duct Tape and Bubble Gum" with Chris Tsai](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-10-05-053-duct-tape-and-bubble-gum-with-chris-tsai) (Let's Combinate)
- [Ep. 6 - Research and Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-10-12-ep-6-research-and-development) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [T-25-009 : Sera Evcimen - Mechanical Engineer to Host of The Builder Circle™ Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/tradeoffs/2025-10-08-t-25-009-sera-evcimen-mechanical-engineer-to-host-of-the-builder-circletm-podcas) (TRADEOFFS)
- [What defines an engineer? - Job Judging Jeremiad](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad) (The Amp Hour)

## 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/2023-07-14-derek-recker-r-d-engineering-series-interview-4-of-6. 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.