# 529: The Narwhal Looked Amazing

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2026-07-09
- Length: 1h 22m
- Episode: 529
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/529

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=6) Introduction: Chris Svec and Insulet
- [3:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=197) Lightning Round: Preferences and Tools
- [6:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=370) The Problem of 'Going Dark' and Imposter Syndrome
- [17:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=1072) Why Hire New Grads: Cost, Diversity, and Fresh Skills
- [26:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=1578) Tactical Onboarding: Buddies, Check-ins, and PRs
- [45:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=2730) Training Managers and Tech Leads to Mentor
- [58:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=3481) Communication: PRs vs. Face-to-Face Meetings
- [1:02:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=3779) Managing High-Performing and Challenging New Hires
- [1:17:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing#t=4650) Consulting and Final Thoughts

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Insulet (company)
- iRobot (company)
- HP (company)
- Cisco (company)
- The Manager's Path (other)
- Resilient Management (other)
- A Philosophy of Software Design (other)
- The Pragmatic Programmer (other)
- Making Embedded Systems (other)
- Embedded for Everyone (other)
- Shenzhen I.O. (other)
- Typer Shark (other)
- All Systems Red (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [#435: ICYMI (In Case You Missed It!) Becoming a Regulatory Affairs Professional](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-12-01-435-icymi-in-case-you-missed-it-becoming-a-regulatory-affairs-professional) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [196 - How to Win Your First 90 Days in Pharma and MedTech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-07-09-196-how-to-win-your-first-90-days-in-pharma-and-medtech) (Let's Combinate)
- [How to Get Started](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-pragmatic-embedded-podcast/2021-02-02-how-to-get-started) (The Pragmatic Embedded Podcast)
- [How Soft Skills Drive High-Impact Engineering Teams w/ Aaron Moncur](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-08-26-how-soft-skills-drive-high-impact-engineering-teams-w-aaron-moncur) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Hiring Processes with Gergely Orosz](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2023-11-07-hiring-processes-with-gergely-orosz) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2026-07-09-529-the-narwhal-looked-amazing. 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 Embedded.fm.