# What defines an engineer? - Job Judging Jeremiad

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2013-11-06
- Length: 1h 15m
- Episode: 170
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/170-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad/

## Summary

Dave Jones and Chris Gammell discuss the definition of an engineer, contrasting those who perform engineering work with those who merely hold the title, using Ashton Kutcher's role at Lenovo as a case study. They explore the economics of hardware, noting how low-cost consumer devices squeeze out engineering value, while industrial products like those from Agilent or Fluke require extensive testing and reliability. The hosts also share practical advice on debugging, tool selection, and PCB design, such as solder-filling vias to reduce resistance and using simple mechanical tools like solder paste dispensers.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=0) Introduction: Dave Jones and Chris Gammell
- [7:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=422) Dave Jones measures via resistance and solder filling
- [14:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=875) The economics of low-cost commodity hardware
- [21:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=1268) Job hunting, salaries, and career paths
- [34:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=2046) Debugging strategies and documentation
- [41:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=2487) Choosing between cheap and expensive tools
- [57:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=3436) Modular electronics and printed transistors
- [1:00:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad#t=3648) What defines an engineer? Ashton Kutcher debate

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Fabrication & craft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fabrication-and-craft)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- EEV blog (other)
- Contextual Electronics (other)
- embedded.fm (other)
- Zombie Tech (other)
- Ask an Engineer (other)
- Steam Power Podcast (other)
- Lenovo (company)
- IBM (company)
- Agilent (company)
- Fluke (company)
- Motorola (company)
- Thin Film (company)
- DigiKey (other)
- Tandy (other)
- Radio Shack (other)
- Forrest Mims (other)
- Ashton Kutcher (other)
- Steve Jobs (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [3: Plenty of Candy, No Guns](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-05-29-3-plenty-of-candy-no-guns) (Embedded.fm)
- [122: Glue a Board to Your Resume](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2015-10-21-122-glue-a-board-to-your-resume) (Embedded.fm)
- [245: Tell Me How People Hurt You](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-05-10-245-tell-me-how-people-hurt-you) (Embedded.fm)
- [111: With Great Power](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2024-05-01-111-with-great-power) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [154: Physics Is a Big Pain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-06-02-154-physics-is-a-big-pain) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2013-11-06-what-defines-an-engineer-job-judging-jeremiad. 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 The Amp Hour.