# S5E7 Matt Zachek | Medical Device Engineering Leaders 7

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2024-02-16
- Length: 45m
- Episode: 7
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/matt-zachek-engineering-leaders/

## Summary

Matt Zachek, Senior Director of R&D at Werfen, discusses his career path in medical device engineering, emphasizing the importance of technical foundations, grit, and managing ambiguity. He explains how balancing sustaining products with new R&D efforts requires a strategic portfolio approach, often following a 70-10-10-10 rule. Zachek highlights key industry trends, including the integration of AI tools like Google Gemini for research acceleration and the convergence of consumer electronics with regulated medical devices. He also stresses the value of early manufacturing involvement and in-situ empathy to navigate the complex regulatory landscape of hemostasis and acute care diagnostics.

## Chapters

- [0:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=44) Introduction: Matt Zachek and Werfen
- [1:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=97) Early Curiosity and Educational Path
- [4:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=243) Building Technical Foundations and Grit
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=663) Managing Ambiguity and Imposter Syndrome
- [17:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=1070) Manufacturing Trends and AI Integration
- [27:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=1633) Balancing Sustaining vs. New Product Development
- [30:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=1828) Regulatory Complexity and Supply Chain
- [33:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=2022) The Future of Medical Devices and AI
- [41:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7#t=2485) Leadership Frustrations and Joy

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Werfen (company)
- Google Gemini (tool)
- Apple Watch (product)
- Huberman lab (other)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Shaking Things Up: What's Next for the Global Medical Device Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-12-16-shaking-things-up-whats-next-for-the-global-medical-device-podcast) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Meet a Guru: Ryan Behringer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-07-14-meet-a-guru-ryan-behringer) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Understanding the Value of a Medical Device Guru](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-05-26-understanding-the-value-of-a-medical-device-guru) (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: Wade Schroeder](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2020-08-19-meet-a-guru-wade-schroeder) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

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