# S7E20 Mahantesh Hiremath | How to Influence Public Policy As An Engineer

- Show: [Being an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer)
- Published: 2026-05-08
- Length: 52m
- Episode: 20
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer

## Summary

Dr. Mahantesh Hiremath, former President of ASME and veteran engineer in aerospace and infrastructure, discusses his career transitions from civil engineering to space systems and his role in shaping public policy. He explains how mastering first principles of physics allowed him to pivot between industries like deep underground, offshore, and space environments, while emphasizing the importance of doing more than asked to build trust and recognition. Hiremath details his tenure as the first Asian/Indian President of ASME, focusing on expanding its global footprint and establishing new technical divisions for robotics and space technology. He also shares insights from his time as a Congressional Fellow, comparing the optimization challenges of engineering with the political constraints of Capitol Hill, and advises engineers on influencing policy through professional societies.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer#t=0) Introduction and Rapid Fire Q&A
- [3:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer#t=232) Career Foundations and First Principles
- [12:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer#t=775) Over-Delivering and Engineering Rigor
- [18:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer#t=1086) Leadership and Expansion at ASME
- [33:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer#t=1993) Leading Without Authority and Buffering Teams
- [41:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer#t=2493) Influencing Public Policy from Capitol Hill
- [45:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2026-05-08-s7e20-mahantesh-hiremath-how-to-influence-public-policy-as-an-engineer#t=2755) Career Lessons and Future Aspirations

## Topics

- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- ASME (company)
- Space Systems Loral (company)
- SC Solutions (company)
- Santa Clara University (other)
- Lockheed Martin (company)
- Apple (company)
- Steve Wozniak (other)
- Steve Jobs (other)
- IEEE (other)
- PDX Expo (other)
- Pipeline Design & Engineering (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Exploring the Intersection of Government and Business with ndustrial.io COO Natalie Birdwell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-08-17-exploring-the-intersection-of-government-and-business-with-ndustrial-io-coo-nata) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [007 - "Beyond The Obvious" with Miiri Kotche](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2021-11-17-007-beyond-the-obvious-with-miiri-kotche) (Let's Combinate)
- [How to Build an Engineer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-06-04-how-to-build-an-engineer) (EE Times Current)
- [21: The Tent Is Flat and Everyone Is Wet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-10-02-21-the-tent-is-flat-and-everyone-is-wet) (Embedded.fm)
- [How Being Strategic During A Career Transition Can Yield The Best Opportunities](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2020-06-11-how-being-strategic-during-a-career-transition-can-yield-the-best-opportunities) (Global Medical Device Podcast)

## Citing this page

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