Hardware Podcasts

S6E2 Derek Pietz | Industrial Automation, Losing A Million Dollars, & Successful Startups

Being an Engineer · 10 Jan 2025 · 37m · Episode 2

What this episode covers

Derek Pietz, Director of Automation Equipment and Test Engineering at Intuitive, discusses his journey from co-founding the automation startup Lab to Fab (LTF) to his current role in robotic-assisted surgery. He recounts a dramatic week at LTF involving a $1 million penalty, near-bankruptcy, and a last-minute $3 million investment from a Chinese integrator. Pietz also shares insights on engineering best practices, the impact of AI in automation, and the challenges of scaling production at Intuitive.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up and large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Intuitive, Lab to Fab, Solyndra, Apple, Tesla, SpaceX, Covariant, Micropsy
Products
Da Vinci Surgical System, Ion
Also
Inc 500

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 48m

    How to Build an Industrial Automation YouTube Channel with Tim Wilborne

    Tim Wilborne, founder of TW Controls, explains how his accidental YouTube channel grew to 50,000 subscribers by providing free PLC training and troubleshooting videos to industrial technicians. He details the company's evolution from a garage startup to a family-run business, highlighting the challenges of cash flow, project failures, and the decision to pivot from sales-driven content to curiosity-driven education. Wilborne also discusses the mental toll of online negativity, his strategy for managing 'haters' through humor and boundary-setting, and his advice for creators to focus on community building rather than monetization metrics.

    Creator businessStarting a product company
    6 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 43m

    How a Career in Manufacturing Prepares You for Entrepreneurship with Kiley Summers, Founder of SpenDebt

    Kiley Summers, founder of the fintech company SpenDebt, discusses his transition from a manufacturing leadership role at PepsiCo (specifically Frito-Lay) to entrepreneurship. He explains how the accountability and problem-solving skills gained from managing large-scale automation projects, such as an automated warehouse in Rosenberg, TX, prepared him for the rigors of starting a business. Summers details SpenDebt’s business model, which uses behavioral economics to help users pay off debt through micropayments added to everyday transactions, and shares advice on 'intrapreneurship' for those still employed at large corporations.

    Starting a product companyLeadership, teams & culture
    9 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 17m

    BONUS: BIG NEWS + 3 Reasons I'm Grateful I Worked at Rockwell Automation

    Chris Luecke, host of Manufacturing Happy Hour, announces his departure from Rockwell Automation after an 11-year career to launch a media and marketing agency in Milwaukee. He highlights his first client, Steamchain, a company providing machine-as-a-service solutions for industrial equipment. Luecke reflects on three key lessons from his time at Rockwell: learning to sell by embracing failure, the value of strong mentorship and management, and the inclusive, collaborative company culture.

    Careers & educationMarketing & brand
    5 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 20m

    An Interview with John Davis

    Chris Gammell, founder of Paul Davis Automation and 3ML, discusses his transition from software engineering to industrial sales and the realities of selling mechatronics solutions. He explains the economics of manufacturer's representation, the persistence of legacy technologies like ladder logic and Allen-Bradley PLCs, and the high stakes of industrial downtime. Gammell also details his company 3ML, which builds industrial IoT devices and data collection hardware for factories, emphasizing the value of solving specific engineering problems over generic connectivity.

    Direct-to-consumer & e-commerceEmbedded firmware
    6 chapters

  • Just Gonna Send It · 54m

    Zane Hengsperger (Founder/CEO, Nox Metals)

    Zane Hengsperger, founder and CEO of Nox Metals, explains how he transitioned from a software career to building a modern metal service center in Detroit. He details the process of acquiring a massive high-speed saw, managing the high costs of rigging and installation, and leveraging software to automate quoting and nesting for American manufacturers. Hengsperger discusses his journey through Y Combinator, the importance of building a strong network, and his strategy for scaling operations to serve the aerospace and defense sectors in California.

    Starting a product companyManufacturing partners & offshoring
    8 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Being an Engineer. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.