Being an Engineer Danny Smith | Interviewing Engineers, Managing Engineering Budgets, & Technical Writing
Oct 14, 2022
Danny Smith, an R&D Manager and Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years in medical device development, shares invaluable insights on navigating the engineering landscape. He discusses his career evolution, emphasizing the importance of diverse experiences in startups. Smith explores the intricate relationship between engineering and project management, highlighting essential management skills. He also touches on effective communication and technical writing as key to team success. Additionally, he reflects on the joy of aligning patient needs with innovative design in medical device development.
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Early Engineering Drive
- Danny Smith got hooked on engineering after successfully taking apart and reassembling walkmans as a child.
- A college assignment with a catheter redesign project steered him into medical device engineering.
Wear Many Hats Early
- Engineers should gain experience wearing many hats early in their careers to build multidisciplinary skills.
- This helps develop confidence and understanding across functions despite risks of slower progress initially.
Startup Challenges Spark Growth
- Aaron Moncur started his own company, handling everything from design to sales, working 60-70 hour weeks and loving the challenge.
- The pressure of making ends meet motivated him to rapidly learn and handle many roles.
