# S6 E44 Ryan Stevenson | Working on Apple’s Vision Pro & Launching a Freelance Engineering Business

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2025-10-31
- Length: 54m
- Episode: 44
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee

## Summary

Ryan Stevenson, a freelance mechanical engineer and founder of Syzygy Design, discusses his work on Apple’s Vision Pro, specifically the Light Seal system, and his transition from large tech and outdoor gear companies to running a solo engineering practice. He details the technical challenges of designing complex surfaces for the Vision Pro’s structural components and explains how he uses SolidWorks curvature combs to ensure manufacturability. Stevenson also shares insights on managing client expectations with inventors, leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT for rapid prototyping and research, and building the Boise Hardware Meetup community.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=0) Introduction: Ryan Stevenson and Career Overview
- [4:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=250) Locomotive Manufacturing vs. Apple Vision Pro Tolerances
- [8:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=488) Engineering the Vision Pro Light Seal and Structural Components
- [14:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=844) Transitioning to Freelance Engineering at Syzygy Design
- [18:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=1130) Consumer Electronics Projects and SolidWorks Surfacing
- [27:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=1626) Managing Inventor Expectations and Communication Challenges
- [33:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=2018) Career Hiatus, Ikigai, and Imposter Syndrome
- [46:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee#t=2795) Using ChatGPT and AI for Engineering Acceleration

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Apple (company)
- Vision Pro (product)
- Light Seal (product)
- SolidWorks (tool)
- Rhino (tool)
- Onshape (tool)
- NX (tool)
- ChatGPT (tool)
- Realtime Adventure Data (company)
- Boise State University (other)
- Cascade Designs (company)
- Werner Paddles (company)
- SGW Design Works (company)
- Syzygy Design (company)
- Boise Hardware Meetup (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep. 8 - Ryan from V1 Engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/open-hardware-manufacturing-podcast/2023-11-09-ep-8-ryan-from-v1-engineering) (Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast)
- [53: LoveFrom Jony](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-08-14-53-lovefrom-jony) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [An Interview with Scotty Allen (Strangeparts)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-11-06-an-interview-with-scotty-allen-strangeparts) (The Amp Hour)
- [18: No Cool Cheap Screwdrivers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-09-17-18-no-cool-cheap-screwdrivers) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [125: Pikachu Phone Cases](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2025-07-08-125-pikachu-phone-cases) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2025-10-31-s6-e44-ryan-stevenson-working-on-apples-vision-pro-launching-a-freelance-enginee. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Being an Engineer.