# S5E16 James Rogers | R&D Engineering Series – Interview 1 of 6

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2024-04-19
- Length: 42m
- Episode: 16
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6
- Listen: https://teampipeline.us/james-rogers-rd-engineer/

## Summary

James Rogers, a mechanical engineer with a master's in additive manufacturing, discusses the unique mindset required for R&D engineering, emphasizing the need to embrace ambiguity and failure as learning opportunities. He contrasts R&D with sustaining engineering, highlighting challenges like analysis paralysis, the planning fallacy, and moving goalposts in project management. Rogers details essential tools such as SolidWorks, FMEA, and tolerance stack-up analysis, while noting the transformative impact of 3D printing on rapid iteration. He also shares his experience working with Disney Imagineers on the Tokyo Disneyland Beauty and the Beast ride and offers advice on navigating office politics and finding satisfaction in the problem-solving process itself rather than just product launches.

## Chapters

- [0:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=5) Introduction and PDX Expo Sponsor Read
- [2:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=170) James Rogers' Core Values and Path to Engineering
- [5:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=304) Defining R&D: Embracing Ambiguity and Failure
- [8:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=496) Common R&D Challenges: Analysis Paralysis and Planning Fallacy
- [14:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=897) Essential Tools: SolidWorks, FMEA, and Tolerance Analysis
- [17:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=1054) The Impact of 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
- [20:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=1245) Proudest Accomplishment: Disney Imagineers and Tokyo Disneyland
- [22:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=1357) The Nonlinear Nature of Blue Sky R&D
- [25:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=1526) Frustrations: Slow Market Entry and Documentation
- [26:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=1592) Teaching R&D: Perspective, Passion, and Cross-Disciplinary Skills
- [32:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=1967) Key Attributes: Curiosity, 'Let's Try It', and Humility
- [36:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=2195) Future Goals and Personal Satisfaction
- [39:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-04-19-s5e16-james-rogers-r-d-engineering-series-interview-1-of-6#t=2373) Advice for Those with Academic Struggles and ADHD

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- FMEA (tool)
- Disney Imagineers (company)
- Tokyo Disneyland (product)
- Honda R&D (company)
- Baja SAE (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [IDology #7 - Tips on outsourcing R&D and product design work](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/idology/2023-01-31-idology-7-tips-on-outsourcing-r-d-and-product-design-work) (IDology)
- [367: It looks like the picture on the box](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-08-19-367-it-looks-like-the-picture-on-the-box) (Making It)
- [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)
- [S2 E5: Rapid Prototyping Deep Dive with Greg Paulsen](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2024-01-23-s2-e5-rapid-prototyping-deep-dive-with-greg-paulsen) (The Builder Circle)
- [Episode 074: They’re not gonna take away your birthday](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-06-10-episode-074-theyre-not-gonna-take-away-your-birthday) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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