S5E5 Tom Kress | Medical Device Engineering Leaders 6

Being an Engineer

Tom Kress discusses his career path in medical device engineering and leadership. He shares insights on developing successful engineers and teams, challenges in the industry, and a vision for the future of medical devices with AI.

Main Topics:

• Career paths and skills for engineers
• Leadership challenges and politics in the workplace
• Trends in medical device manufacturing and the future of AI
• Technical skills and habits of top engineers

About the guest: Tom Kress has been in the product design & development space for over 15 years. A creative and results-oriented Engineering leader, Tom’s contributions include problem-solving, analytical, and technical skills and a strong ability to lead cross-functional teams in medical and technical industries from concept to feasibility.

Links:
Tom Kress - LinkedIn
About Being An Engineer

The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Chapters

1. Traits of successful engineers including curiosity and thirst for knowledge (00:00:17)

2. Tom Kress discusses his background in chemical engineering and career path to medical devices (00:01:25)

3. Leadership development and imposter syndrome as an engineering leader (00:06:03)

4. Current trends in medical device manufacturing like additive manufacturing (00:10:30)

5. Technical skills and habits looked for when hiring engineers (00:12:29)

6. Persistence and willingness to ask questions in successful engineers (00:15:02)

7. Engineering leadership challenges including dealing with politics (00:20:34)

8. Big challenges facing medical device companies such as regulations (00:26:39)

9. Tom's vision for a tool that could instantly create new parts (00:28:21)

10. Future of medical devices with increasing AI integration (00:30:58)