# S4E45 Jonathan MacWilliams | Career Planning, Metallurgy, & Dealing with Ambiguity

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2023-11-24
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 45
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-11-24-s4e45-jonathan-macwilliams-career-planning-metallurgy-dealing-with-ambiguity
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/Jonathan-MacWilliams-career-planning/

## Summary

Jonathan MacWilliams, a Distinguished Engineer at Edwards Lifesciences with prior roles at GE, Norman Noble, and Mert Medical, discusses his journey from metallurgy to technical leadership. He explains how his career was driven by opportunity and survival rather than a plan, and details his work on complex medical devices like cylindrical laser-cut electropolished components. MacWilliams emphasizes the importance of soft skills, particularly managing ambiguity and vulnerability, as he transitions from hands-on engineering to mentoring younger engineers and developing leadership programs.

## Chapters

- [0:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-11-24-s4e45-jonathan-macwilliams-career-planning-metallurgy-dealing-with-ambiguity#t=44) Introduction: Jonathan MacWilliams and Career Origins
- [5:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-11-24-s4e45-jonathan-macwilliams-career-planning-metallurgy-dealing-with-ambiguity#t=314) Metallurgy, Fractography, and Root Cause Analysis
- [13:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-11-24-s4e45-jonathan-macwilliams-career-planning-metallurgy-dealing-with-ambiguity#t=819) Tesla Gigacasting and Process Development Mindset
- [22:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-11-24-s4e45-jonathan-macwilliams-career-planning-metallurgy-dealing-with-ambiguity#t=1333) The Role of Distinguished Engineer and Technical Leadership
- [28:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-11-24-s4e45-jonathan-macwilliams-career-planning-metallurgy-dealing-with-ambiguity#t=1739) Managing Ambiguity and Vulnerability in Leadership
- [46:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2023-11-24-s4e45-jonathan-macwilliams-career-planning-metallurgy-dealing-with-ambiguity#t=2764) Mentoring Young Engineers and Passing Knowledge

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Xometry (other)
- GE (company)
- Norman Noble (company)
- Mert Medical (company)
- Edwards Lifesciences (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Why We’re Proud to Be Manufacturers & Engineers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-08-03-why-were-proud-to-be-manufacturers-engineers) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [How Being Strategic During A Career Transition Can Yield The Best Opportunities](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2020-06-11-how-being-strategic-during-a-career-transition-can-yield-the-best-opportunities) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [21: The Tent Is Flat and Everyone Is Wet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-10-02-21-the-tent-is-flat-and-everyone-is-wet) (Embedded.fm)
- [#349: Climbing the MedTech Career Ladder - How to Get to the Top](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-12-21-349-climbing-the-medtech-career-ladder-how-to-get-to-the-top) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Engineering Careers with Circuit Break & James Lewis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-06-14-engineering-careers-with-circuit-break-james-lewis) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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