# S5E5 Tom Kress | Medical Device Engineering Leaders 6

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2024-02-02
- Length: 35m
- Episode: 5
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-02-s5e5-tom-kress-medical-device-engineering-leaders-6
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/tom-kress-engineering-leaders

## Summary

Tom Kress, a medical device engineering leader with over 15 years of experience, discusses his career path from chemical engineering to leading cross-functional teams at companies like Medtronic and BD. He shares insights on the traits of successful engineers, such as curiosity and persistence, and addresses the challenges of workplace politics and imposter syndrome in leadership roles. Kress also explores future trends in medical device manufacturing, including the integration of AI for predictive maintenance and the cost barriers of additive manufacturing.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-02-s5e5-tom-kress-medical-device-engineering-leaders-6#t=0) Introduction and Career Origins
- [5:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-02-s5e5-tom-kress-medical-device-engineering-leaders-6#t=334) Transition to Medical Devices and Leadership Growth
- [10:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-02-s5e5-tom-kress-medical-device-engineering-leaders-6#t=630) Manufacturing Trends: Additive vs. CNC
- [13:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-02-s5e5-tom-kress-medical-device-engineering-leaders-6#t=806) Traits of Successful Engineers and Hiring
- [21:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-02-s5e5-tom-kress-medical-device-engineering-leaders-6#t=1273) Workplace Politics and Mentorship
- [29:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-02-s5e5-tom-kress-medical-device-engineering-leaders-6#t=1740) AI in Medical Devices and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Medtronic (company)
- BD (company)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- CNC (tool)
- ChatGPT (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [305: Humans Have a Terrible Spec Sheet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2019-10-03-305-humans-have-a-terrible-spec-sheet) (Embedded.fm)
- [001 - “Learning Never Exhausts the Mind” with Rick Doe](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-10-06-001-learning-never-exhausts-the-mind-with-rick-doe) (Let's Combinate)
- [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)
- [169 - Should You Study Bioengineering in 2025? My Decade-Long Perspective](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-01-01-169-should-you-study-bioengineering-in-2025-my-decade-long-perspective) (Let's Combinate)
- [#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)

## Citing this page

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