Hardware Podcasts

529: The Narwhal Looked Amazing

Embedded.fm · 9 Jul 2026 · 1h 22m · Episode 529

What this episode covers

Chris Svec, Director of Embedded Software Engineering at Insulet, discusses strategies for onboarding and developing new college graduates in engineering teams. He emphasizes that admitting ignorance publicly is a superpower and warns against new hires 'going dark' when they feel too intimidated to ask questions. The conversation covers practical tactics like assigning buddies, conducting daily check-ins, and using pair programming to build resilience and technical judgment. Svec also advises managers to foster a culture where curiosity is rewarded and mistakes are treated as learning opportunities rather than failures.

Most relevant to

large enterprises

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Insulet, iRobot, HP, Cisco
Also
The Manager's Path, Resilient Management, A Philosophy of Software Design, The Pragmatic Programmer, Making Embedded Systems, Embedded for Everyone, Shenzhen I.O., Typer Shark, All Systems Red

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 44m

    #435: ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!) Becoming a Regulatory Affairs Professional

    Kavetha Ram, Regulatory Department Leader at Spectra Medical Devices and professor at Northeastern University, discusses the challenges new regulatory affairs professionals face, including overcoming imposter syndrome and building confidence. She emphasizes the importance of cross-functional collaboration through programs like the Bumblebee Innovation Nation and advises new hires to demonstrate a willingness to do the work rather than just oversee it. The conversation highlights how diverse backgrounds and asking 'dumb questions' drive innovation in MedTech.

    Careers & educationHiring & workforce
    7 chapters

  • Let's Combinate · 9m

    196 - How to Win Your First 90 Days in Pharma and MedTech

    Subhi Saadeh, a Quality Professional with experience at major Pharma and Medical Device companies, outlines eight lessons for new hires in life sciences. She emphasizes understanding the broader impact of junior roles, adopting a professional mindset, and avoiding the 'silent trap' by asking questions. Saadeh advises finding mentors, treating feedback as fuel, mastering internal systems, and taking full responsibility for one's own career growth.

    Careers & education
    2 chapters

  • The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast · 36m

    How to Get Started

    Jeff Gable and Luca Ingianni discuss how engineering teams can transition from traditional methods to agile development in embedded systems. They outline a three-layered approach starting with tactical technical practices like version control and continuous integration to establish reliable feedback loops. The conversation emphasizes using these quick wins to build trust and demonstrate value before expanding into project management practices like sprints and user stories, ultimately aiming to improve team culture and product quality.

    Embedded firmwareCareers & education
    5 chapters

  • The Manufacturing Executive

    How Soft Skills Drive High-Impact Engineering Teams w/ Aaron Moncur

    Aaron Moncur, founder of Pipeline Design & Engineering, discusses how soft skills like communication and psychological safety drive high-performing engineering teams. He shares specific management strategies, such as 'managing by invitation' and removing bureaucratic barriers to accelerate engineering speed, including the strategic use of 3D printing. Moncur also highlights the evolving landscape of engineering education, promoting his platform The Wave and the PDX expo as alternatives to traditional degree requirements.

    Careers & educationLeadership, teams & culture
    6 chapters

  • Oxide and Friends · 1h 45m

    Hiring Processes with Gergely Orosz

    Bryan Cantrill and Adam Leventhal of Oxide Computer Company discuss their hiring process with Gergely Orosz, The Pragmatic Engineer. They explain how Oxide uses a written portfolio and RFD (Request for Discussion) documents to evaluate candidates, prioritizing integrity and clear communication over traditional coding interviews. The founders share how past bad hires at Joyent and Sun led them to design a system that forces transparency and self-reflection, ensuring that every candidate, including founders, undergoes the same rigorous review. They emphasize that this approach helps them avoid 'mishires' and build a team with shared values, even at the cost of being time-intensive.

    Hiring & workforceLeadership, teams & culture
    10 chapters

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