Hardware Podcasts

S7E19 Ryan Schoonmaker | How to Take A Structured Approach to Solving Engineering Problems

Being an Engineer · 1 May 2026 · 53m · Episode 19

What this episode covers

Ryan Schoonmaker, founder of Tight Line Solutions and former Director of Mechanical Engineering at Beta Bionics, Dexcom, and BD, explains how to bring structure to chaotic product development. He emphasizes that successful execution requires clear requirements, robust assembly specifications, and early decisions on critical elements like component colors to avoid regulatory delays. Schoonmaker draws on his experience with the Dexcom G6 and G7 to illustrate how narrowing down system failures and managing technical debt differently at startups versus large enterprises leads to predictable outcomes.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up and large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Tight Line Solutions, Beta Bionics, Dexcom, BD, Helbling Precision Engineering, Safety Syringes
Products
Dexcom G6, Dexcom G7
Also
Tufts University

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