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The Builder Circle™: The Hardware Startup Success PodcastS3 E1: Mastering Tech Adoption and The Hardware Development Workflow with Jon HirshtickThis episode is all about hardware, with none other than Jon Hirschtick, the mind behind SolidWorks and Onshape (onshape.pro/thebuildercircle). Jon has spent his career building the tools that engineers use to design, prototype, and ship world-changing products. We dug into the ethos of hardware development, what it takes to earn your seat in the engineering workflow, and how software can unlock (or block) real innovation in hardware. In this episode, you'll discover: ⚙️ How to turn a product idea into a real-world innovation. ⚙️ Jon Hirschtick’s untold parts of the journey (SolidWorks & Onshape) + lessons from build...
2025-09-301h 16
Masters of Technology Happy HourS1 Ep 12: Jon Hirschtick, from Blackjack to Cloud-Native CADJon Hirschtick, founder of SolidWorks and co-founder of Onshape, shares his journey from developing groundbreaking CAD software to his current role as Executive Vice President and Chief Evangelist at PTC. His 44-year perspective on the CAD industry reveals how most design tools in use today predate both AI and the internet in their architecture, creating limitations as companies try to incorporate cutting-edge technologies.• Cloud-native architecture uniquely positions Onshape for AI integration with massive compute capabilities, 50 million CAD data items, and three-week release cycles• Most CAD tools still used today have major elements written before the internet exis...
2025-09-0718 min
DE 24/7 PodcastOnshape's Jon Hirschtick on The Era of AI-Powered CADIndustry veteran reflects on the rise of AI and what's around the corner
2025-08-1819 min
Being an EngineerS5E52 Jon Hirschtick | Founding & Developing the Solidworks and Onshape CAD SystemsSend us a textThis episode is a re-run. In this episode, we have the founder of Solidworks and, more recently, Onshape, Jon Hirschtick, a legend in the CAD industry. In our conversation, you’ll hear about how Solidworks was started, how it grew, and how it led to Jon’s decision to found Onshape. Listeners will also learn how Onshape makes CAD design faster and more collaborative through its suite of innovative features and native cloud platform. Main Topics:Jon Hirschtick's path to becoming an engineerThe founding and early days of Sol...
2024-12-271h 14
Il TiraLineeIA e M4 allo sbaraglioNel nuovo episodio di “Il Tiralinee”, Daniele Borghi ci porta in un’avvincente seconda parte dell’intervista con Mike Haley, capo del reparto ricerca e sviluppo di Autodesk. Scoprite insieme a noi come l’intelligenza artificiale cambierà radicalmente il mondo del design e dell’ingegneria! 🌐✨ Cosa Aspettarsi: Esplorazione del ruolo dell’IA nel design: come potrà automatizzare compiti ripetitivi e migliorare la creatività dei designer.Riflessioni su come l’apprendimento multimodale renderà gli strumenti di progettazione più intuitivi e accessibili.Approfondimento sull’impatto dei nuovi dispositivi Apple, tra cui il Mac Mini, iMac, e il nuovo iPad Mini. Scopriremo le novità, i potenziamenti hard...
2024-11-0425 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastPushing the Boundaries of 3D Printing – Andre Comella, Senior Mechanical Engineer at InkbitInkbit is redefining 3D printing with its cutting-edge, scalable technology, using inkjet-based printing and UV-cured resins to create precise, multi-material parts like overmolds and integrated seals. In this episode, Jon Hirschtick chats with Andre Comella, Senior Mechanical Engineer at Inkbit, about how their innovative process for printing elastomers and lattices is transforming prototyping and production. Andre dives into the challenges of designing for additive manufacturing, the opportunities of 3D-printed parts in various industries, and how his diverse engineering background influences his creative problem-solving approach.
2024-09-2619 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastAutomating Agriculture with Robotics – Rory Aronson, Founder and CEO of FarmBotDid you know there are robots that make growing food as easy as playing Farmville? FarmBot is an open-source, automated system that operates like a 3D printer for gardens, capable of planting seeds, watering, and monitoring plants autonomously. In this episode, Jon Hirschtick sits down with Rory Aronson, the CEO and founder of Farmbot, to learn of the company’s origins, the challenges of developing such a complex product, the advantages of open-source design, and the impactful applications of FarmBot (including an initiative for coral reef restoration). In addition, Rory shares why he chose Onshape as t...
2024-08-2924 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastMiniaturizing Manufacturing with Micro 3D Printing - Domenico Foglia, Founder and CEO of NanovoxelEver see a 3D-printed part that’s so tiny that it’s practically invisible? NanoVoxel, a Vienna-based company specializing in two-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D-printing technology, is pushing the boundaries for how small micro-components for products can be. The company's 2PP technology is so precise, they can create parts as small as a few microns, opening new possibilities for industries ranging from consumer electronics to biomedical devices. In this episode, NanoVoxel founder and CEO Domenico Foglia chats with host Jon Hirschtick about his innovative technology that integrates 3D printing with casting, molding, and sintering to deliver high...
2024-07-2516 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastEmbracing Change in Engineering – Mark Lugowski, Project Manager at HMFT Inc.Catalyzing change within a company is no easy task, but Mark Lugowski has successfully implemented new systems and processes in several organizations. He improves efficiency and drives innovation in engineering projects by examining how other industries adopt new technologies. As a project manager at HMFT, a provider of industrial-grade pumps, valves, filters, and equipment, Mark leads the value-add engineering department, creating custom fluid handling solutions for different industries including oil and gas, automotive, and hydropower. In this episode, Mark shares his insights with host Jon Hirschtick on integrating cloud-based platforms like Asana and Slack, and A...
2024-06-2719 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastPulling off the “Engineering Hat-Trick” – MIT Prof. John Hart, Co-founder of VulcanForms and Desktop MetalAs the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, a leader in manufacturing science and technology research, and a co-founder of multiple successful businesses, Prof. John Hart’s career is an “engineering hat-trick.” His contributions to the trifecta of education, research, and entrepreneurship have earned him numerous industry awards and accolades. Beyond academia, John is the co-founder VulcanForms and Desktop Metal, two disruptive companies shaking up the world of additive manufacturing. In this episode, host Jon Hirschtick chats with Prof. Hart about VulcanForms’ integration of advanced technologies like fusion power and artificial intelligence with addi...
2024-05-3036 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastInspiration From a 1,600-pound Mechanical Spider - Leigh Christie, Co-founder of MistyWestSerial inventor Leigh Christie is well known for his famous side projects such as the MondoSpider, a 1,600-pound steel mechanical spider that’s been featured at Burning Man. His day job is far less menacing, but very impactful in the worlds of engineering, art and design. As the co-founder of MistyWest, a Vancouver-based product development firm, Leigh specializes in turnkey hardware engineering for IoT, ML on the edge, and computer vision. He enjoys bringing people together, whether it's through hosting dinner parties or fostering creative problem-solving within communities.In this episode, Jon chats with Leigh about MistyWest’s st...
2024-04-2535 min
The Third AngleFarmBot: A journey into digital gardening“FarmBot will be the best farmer for any crop and any location at any time of year”Welcome to the world of FarmBot where technology meets agriculture. Have you ever imagined what it would be like gardening without getting your boots stuck in the mud? Introducing…FarmBot! This robotic tech can plant, water and nurture your crops until harvest - all through the use of a savvy app - with just one click.In this episode, we’re in California to meet Rory Aronson, founder of FarmBot - who shares how this innovative device is reshapin...
2024-04-2318 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastThe “Accidental” 3D Printing Company - Christina Perla, Co-founder and CEO of MakelabNot many successful entrepreneurs call their startup “a total accident,” but Christina Perla, Co-Founder and CEO of Makelab, says her on-demand 3D printing company was all serendipity and happenstance, stemming from the start of a design firm. From being the customer herself to starting Makelab, Christina found an opportunity to provide top-tier service paired with on-demand 3D printing. Makelab provides end-to-end, custom 3D printing solutions to consumer and hardware brands, such as Peloton, Estee Lauder and Quip. Her company bridges the gap between designers, engineers, and manufacturers.In this episode, Jon chats with Christina about the future of 3D prin...
2024-03-2831 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastAdvancing Casting and Manufacturing Technologies - Jeff Burek | Masters of EngineeringFounded in 1902, Massachusetts-based DW Clark has been a leader in casting manufacturing for well over a century. Working with customers from the prototype stage to production runs to meeting emergency shortages, the company continues to evolve with the exploration of new technologies, advanced materials and new processes. DW Clark plays a critical role in the defense, aerospace, turbine engine, energy, processing equipment and shipbuilding industries.In this episode, Jon chats with Jeff Burak, Vice President at DW Clark, about his company’s approach to sustainability in casting practices, with an emphasis on reducing waste and environmental impact. Th...
2024-02-2931 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastRevolutionizing Restaurant Automation – Daniel Fukuba, Co-founder & CTO of HyphenThe fast-food and restaurant industries have worker turnover rates as high as 150%. Daniel Fukuba, co-founder & CTO of California-based Hyphen, is reimagining food service automation – allowing skilled employees to spend less time doing the grunt work. Hyphen is now making automation accessible and cost-effective for restaurants of all sizes.In this episode, Jon chats with Daniel about his vision for the future of kitchen technology, Hyphen's partnership with Chipotle, and how this technology isn't about job replacement but rather redefining roles. Automation, he says, can deliver higher wages and improved customer experiences. Daniel also shares insights into Hyphen’s ag...
2024-01-2535 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastSera Evcimen: Coaching Hardware Startups to Success | Masters of Engineering PodcastIn the world of hardware startups, building cutting-edge products comes with a unique set of challenges. Founders sometimes lose sight of their goals by falling in love with their first solution, and not fully focusing on the problem itself. Enter Sera Evcimen, mechanical engineer and founder of Pratik https://www.pratikdev.com, a product development consulting firm devoted to keeping startups away from the “Valley of Death.” In this episode, Jon chats with Sera about her approach to engaging with startups – whether it's optimizing their operations, aiding in manufacturing processes, or nurturing innovation. Sera also shares insights on how...
2024-01-0224 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastProduct Launch Lessons from Sneakers to Electric Vehicles – Braden Ball, Founder of ThreadedAfter years of launching products for behemoth brands like Amazon, Caterpillar, Tesla, Carbon and Rivian, Braden Ball discovered that design and manufacturing teams experienced similar bottlenecks for collaboration. He’s now the founder of Threaded, a stealth software startup devoted to making version control and communication easier between multiple product development teams.In this episode, Jon explores Braden's fascinating career journey – from spending nights sleeping in the factory during Tesla’s Model X product launch to 3D printing custom Adidas shoes at Carbon. Braden shares invaluable insights into the importance and acceptance of failure, the collaborative nature of eng...
2023-12-2829 min
The Third AngleRoam: Electrifying Africa’s mobility“We’re giving the opportunity for people to do a lot of technical work, that generally doesnt happen too often in Kenya”If you’ve been to East Africa you may be familiar with “boda bodas.” If not, they’re small taxi bikes, commonly used by couriers or to transport people. There are 1.2 million of them in Kenya alone, that’s a lot of combustion engines on the roads, and removing them is the problem that Roam Electric are helping to solveRoam was founded in 2017. They started out making electric safari vehicles (no surprise being located ri...
2023-10-0319 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastA Deep Dive into Sustainable Fish Farms – Tony White, Director of Innovation at Forever OceansForever Oceans is a sustainable fish farming company using innovative technology to generate less waste and impact on the environment while producing tasty and healthier fish in a shorter amount of time. Their approach to restorative aquaculture is revolutionizing the industry, and includes habitats that plunge deeper into the ocean to protect fish during hurricanes. In this episode, Jon chats with Tony White, Director of Innovation at Forever Oceans, who shares how machine learning and AI are transforming the future of food. He also reveals why his company’s fish farms have 1/14th the carbon foot...
2023-09-2832 min
The Third AngleOX Delivers: The world first clean-transport ecosystem transforming lives in Rwanda“We believe that Africa shouldn’t be trailing behind the developing world in green initiatives, but that actually Africa is primed to lead the drive to green initiatives.”Around the world, over 3 billion people don’t have access to motorised transport. This means that farmers in emerging economies can struggle to get their produce to market. They might have to carry heavy loads long distances, or pay to rent a bike which isn’t suited to dangerous roads, all because they can’t afford to buy a truck. OX Delivers is working to change all this by allowing far...
2023-08-2219 min
The Third AngleDynisma: The ultra realistic driving simulators training F1’s biggest stars“There’s nothing really else out there that compares to this…. It’s the closest to real life you can get without actually going out on track in a car.“ Imagine being able to race round all the world’s top Formula One circuits and feel every bump and bit of understeer without actually having to travel anywhere. Or to be able to test drive a road car that hasn’t been built yet on the motorway. Dynisma creates driving simulators that make this possible. Founded by ex-F1 engineer Ash Warne, Dynisma develops incredibly realistic driving simulators for both motors...
2023-08-0820 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastRobotic Sign Language Interpreters – Samantha Johnson, Founder and CEO of Tatum RoboticsIn the DeafBlind community (people who cannot hear or see), only 10 percent are able to communicate through traditional braille, which first requires knowledge of a primary spoken language like English. Most DeafBlind people depend on tactile sign language – holding onto the hand of their communication partner – to talk with others, leaving them totally isolated when interpreters are unavailable. Boston startup Tatum Robotics is developing a humanoid robotic hand (the “Tatum T1”) that is able to translate speech or text into tactile sign language.In this episode, Jon chats with Tatum Robotics founder Samantha Johnson, who explains her company’s...
2023-07-2033 min
Augmented OpsEpisode 118: Digital Manufacturing in the Cloud with Jon Hirschtick (Rebroadcast)Augmented reveals the stories behind the new era of industrial operations, where technology will restore the agility of frontline workers. The topic is: Digital Manufacturing in the Cloud. Our guest is Jon Hirschtick, Head of SaaS, Onshape and Atlas Platform, PTC.In this conversation, we talk about the story of SolidWorks, using agile methods, listening to the market, charting the evolution of CAD into SaaS, and its emerging and future iterations in the open source cloud and beyond
After listening to this episode, check out PTC, Solidworks, as well as Jon Hirschtick's social media profiles:
2023-07-121h 10
Enterprise Apps UnpackedCloud CAD software helps usher in digital manufacturing eraSolidWorks and Onshape founder Jon Hirschtick, now chief evangelist at PTC, shares his cloud-centered vision of the future of product design technology.
2023-06-2924 minEnterprise Apps UnpackedCloud CAD software helps usher in digital manufacturing eraSolidWorks and Onshape founder Jon Hirschtick, now chief evangelist at PTC, shares his cloud-centered vision of the future of product design technology.
2023-06-2924 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastUber for Potatoes – Automotive Engineers Natalie Dowsett & Kristiana Hamilton, of OX DeliversRwanda’s mountainous dirt roads are notoriously dangerous terrain for the country’s farmers, who struggle to get their crops to market before it spoils. UK-based OX Delivers has introduced a fleet of pay-as-you-go rugged trucks that is helping farmers transport their goods quickly, safely and affordably – making local communities more economically sustainable.In this episode, Jon chats to automotive engineers Natalie Dowsett and Kristiana Hamilton about their company’s new electric OX delivery trucks and their unorthodox design for easy repair and maintenance in rural Africa. Natalie and Kristiana also share their inspiration for choosing engineering careers...
2023-06-2227 min
Product Startup174: Agile Product Development & Additive Manufacturing
Jon Hirschtick is the co-founder of both Solidworks and OnShape. In his 42 years of building these platforms, his software has been used to design more physical consumer products than anything else on earth. OnShape alone has over 3 million designers on the CAD software platform. Today Jon is going to share some valuable knowledge for inventors, startups, and small manufacturers on why agile product development is so important for hardware startups, what additive manufacturing can do to facilitate agile development, and how modern tools are making it easier than ever to get to market faster, at higher quality, and iteratively.
2023-05-0424 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastTreating Product Design Like a Sport – Too Tall Toby, Speed Modeling EnthusiastDoes using product development software give you an adrenaline rush? If so, you may want to start competing in Too Tall Toby’s monthly speedmodeling challenges on YouTube. Welcoming users of any CAD system, Toby Schnaars challenges competitors to create the same 3D models as fast as they can without sacrificing accuracy – as he comments on their techniques for a live audience. The winners face off at his annual “World Championship of 3D CAD.” In this episode, Jon explores how the skills developed and lessons learned from speed modeling are applicable to the everyday professional world. To...
2023-04-2737 min
The Third AngleWithings: Smart health-tech putting your health back in your hands“We’ve seen a drastic change in the medical landscape. We see that people have a switch in their relationship with their healthcare professionals.”Walking down the street, you’ll notice many people have swatched their classic Casio for something a little bit… Smarter. Interest in smart devices and wearable tech has grown rapidly since the pandemic, as our relationship with our health has changed and evolved.Withings is a company developing some of the most technically advanced health trackers on the market. But it’s not all about smartwatches and fitness straps - Withings’ smart scales a...
2023-04-1815 min
The Third AngleEVBox: Charging into an electric future“We’re extremely well positioned to make charging your car as easy as charging your laptop.”It wasn’t always easy owning an electric car, with the constant fear of running out of juice weighing on your mind. But those fears are fast vanishing, with unbelievable growth and innovation in charging technology. So as many countries prepare for a large-scale transition to electric, and with petrol and diesel cars soon to become a thing of the past, are we prepared for our electric future? Thanks to companies like EVBox, the future is bright. In this episode w...
2023-04-0417 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastCan Seaweed Reverse Climate Change? – Laurel Tincher and Arin Crumley, Co-Founders of Pull to RefreshSeaweed is not only a trendy health food for humans and abundant nourishment for marine life, it’s also a potential tool for reversing climate change. Backed by an XPRIZE Carbon Removal grant, Pull to Refresh is a startup aiming to balance global atmospheric CO2 levels by sinking carbon-rich invasive seaweed to the floor of the deep Atlantic Ocean. In this episode, Jon interviews company co-founders Laurel Tincher and Arin Crumley about their ambitious plans and the science behind using algae to neutralize carbon emissions. He also explores how Laurel and Arin built a prototype unmanned vessel for...
2023-03-3133 min
The Third AngleOccuity: The future of health lies behind our eyes“We’re using the eye as a window to the health of the body. We’re developing solutions to some of humanity’s greatest healthcare challenges.”Our eyes contain a vast amount of information about our health, but they’re an untapped resource. Assessing the eye requires contact, and that can be uncomfortable and unsafe, so it’s often avoided. That’s why Occuity’s technology is game-changing.Their contactless handheld devices not only unlock the full power of the eye and open up a world of healthcare opportunities, but they’re also so easy to use that patients...
2023-03-0718 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastCraig Derian: Building a House Like a Car | Master's of Engineering PodcastConventional home construction is typically slow, unpredictable, and expensive. But what if the best practices from auto manufacturing were applied to house building to make the process more efficient? Craig Derian, VP of Engineering at Cover, joins the podcast to explain his company’s mission to radically change the way prefabricated custom homes are built – making them more affordable, while significantly eliminating traditional construction waste. In this episode, Jon explores Craig’s previous career as an engineering manager at Tesla and a senior race engineer for NASCAR teams, asking which design lessons learned in the automotive world can imp...
2023-02-2733 min
The Third Angleisento: A robot for every household“We are on the brink of a robotic revolution. In a few years it will be possible to have a [robot] that is a reasonable member of a family or household”The dream of robotics is to take on the mundane tasks of everyday life, so we can focus on what’s most important to us. And with developments in artificial intelligence happening at such a rapid pace, that future is drawing ever closer. So what’s needed to bring AI and robotics together in a way that’s truly transformational for humanity? When will we have our own Ro...
2023-02-2119 minBeing an EngineerJon Hirschtick | Founding & Developing the Solidworks and Onshape CAD SystemsSend us a textFounder of both Solidworks and more recently Onshape, Jon Hirschtick is a legend in the CAD industry. In our conversation you’ll hear about how Solidworks was started, how it grew, and how it led to Jon’s decision to found Onshape. Listeners will also learn about how Onshape is making CAD design faster and more collaborative through its suite of innovative features and native cloud platform.Jon is Chief Evangelist at PTC, where he focuses on Onshape, the world's first and only cloud native CAD and PDM system which includes rend...
2023-02-101h 14The Masters of Engineering PodcastMark Sanders: Design Should Be Elegant | Master's of Engineering PodcastFolding bikes have been around since at least World War I, but Mark Sanders always found modern versions too heavy or clunky for urban commutes. So during his student days at Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art, he created his own. His eclectic triangular design looked like an art sculpture – and his school project later went into commercial production as the STRiDA (https://www.strida.com/) bike.In this episode, Mark tells Jon how the STRiDA first got manufactured – despite industry doubts about his unorthodox chainless design. Now the principal of the MAS Design Prod...
2023-01-2633 min
The Third AngleActronika: Touching the metaverse“The biggest organ in the human body is skin. Not addressing it is totally impossible in any type of metaverse, or parallel world, that you would like to emulate.”It’s not enough that we can see and hear the virtual world, to become truly immersed we need to feel it - to interact with all our senses. And that’s exactly what Actronika is doing with its haptics vest Skinetic. This incredible bit of kit recreates the sense of touch on your skin, using advanced technology to make your experience ultra-realistic. In this episode we meet A...
2022-11-2916 min
Innovator's InsiderEpisode 32: Onshape and SolidWorks founder Jon HirschtickIn this special bonus episode of the Innovator's Insider podcast, Michael and Richard speak with Onshape founder Jon Hirschtick who talks about the Onshape "Year of the Product" and all of the major updates from 2022.
2022-11-1727 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastByron Bloch: A Half-Century Fight for Auto Safety | Master's of Engineering PodcastAuto safety design expert Byron Bloch has dedicated his 50+ year career to preventing needless injuries and deaths on the roads. He has testified in numerous landmark auto defect cases, specializing in fuel tank fires, truck underride hazards, rollovers and roof crushes, seat backrest collapse, airbags that kill or injure, and school bus hazards. In this episode, Byron shares the most significant auto design defects in history, and tells Jon what manufacturers need to do moving forward. He highlights America’s “vehicle obesity” problem, questioning why a 5,000-pound vehicle is needed to transport a 150-pound person. Byron also gives l...
2022-11-1030 min
The Third AngleGenesis Custom Sabers: Handcrafted lightsabers for real life Jedis“Imagination is one of the most profound human qualities. Every great achievement in human history has started as a work of imagination.”Beginning life as a passion project, Genesis Custom Sabers has since grown into Rob Petkau’s full time job. From cobbled together ‘junk sabers’ to immaculately crafted illuminated swords, Rob has honed his craft over the years, and now places only the highest quality sabers in the hands of wannabe Jedis.In this episode Rob explores the evolution of his designs, and how advances in technology have allowed him to create perfectly custom fit blades...
2022-10-1816 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastBaseball Pitching Robots – Joshua Pope, Co-Founder and CEO of Trajekt SportsBehind the scenes, at least seven Major League Baseball teams are training their hitters with intelligent pitching robots. The teams will not go public yet for competitive reasons, but these robots can potentially change the way every professional ballplayer gets ready before a game. Guest Joshua Pope is the co-founder and CEO of Trajekt Sports, creator of the first pitching machine that uses advanced robotics and AI to recreate any pitch imaginable in the exact style and delivery matching individual players. The introduction of the Trajekt Arc means that (hypothetically) slugger Vlad Guerrero Jr. could practice against the robot...
2022-09-2931 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastEpisode 26: Can your CAD do this? and Watches that don't tell time!In this episode, Michael and Richard talk about (and show) some of the things that make Onshape the best choice for product development. You’ll hear (and see) about Branching and Merging from Nacho Martos, and Chad Stoltzfus demonstrates how Premier Custom Build uses FeatureScript to streamline cabinet design and manufacture. We finish the show with a special guest – Kevin Bertolero shares the amazing story behind “Watches That Don’t Tell Time.”Sticker Shock eBook - http://ptc.co/69Qy50Krvo5Watches That Don’t Tell Time - https://watchesthatdonttelltime.com/
2022-08-2552 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastJake Hall: The Manufacturing Millennial | Master's of Engineering PodcastAn estimated 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled in the United States by 2030, but young people aren’t stampeding toward those careers. Industry advocate Jake Hall hopes to change that – one social media hit at a time. Better known as the “Manufacturing Millennial,” his educational content promoting the industry on Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube has attracted more than 50 million views.In this episode, Jake explains how he is trying to change the Millennial perception that modern factories are still gloomy, dangerous places – exploring the highly skilled, highly paid career opportunities that await them. Jake and Jon discuss ho...
2022-08-1827 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastBen Eadie: Making Things That Go “Kaboom!” | Masters of Engineering PodcastWelcome to the Masters of Engineering podcast, hosted by Jon Hirschtick. Every month Jon will sit down with engineering leaders to discuss their products and the stories behind developing them. Not every car or building explosion in a Hollywood production is done with CGI. There’s still a place for physical explosive gadgets and human stunt people. That’s when mechanical engineer Ben Eadie’s cell phone rings. Based in Canada, Ben is often called upon to design eclectic props such as a robotic “Wilson” volleyball for a Tom Hanks appearance at a baseball game, or a giant rig s...
2022-07-2131 minThe Masters of Engineering PodcastMatt Kressy: Cross-Pollination Between Business & Engineering | Masters of Engineering PodcastWelcome to the Masters of Engineering podcast, hosted by Jon Hirschtick, EVP, Onshape. Every month Jon will sit down with engineering leaders to discuss their products and the stories behind developing them. In this edition of the podcast, Jon chats with Matt Kressy, who is the founder of MIT’s Integrated Design and Management (IDM) program, a first-of-its-kind master’s degree program that combines the methodologies of the world’s best design schools with the world’s best engineering and business schools.Are you looking to learn how can business executives benefit by learning product developme...
2022-06-0937 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastRony Abovitz: Bringing Star Wars to Life with Magic Leap and Mako SurgicalIn this episode, Jon talks with Rony Abovitz - the founder of Magic Leap, co-founder of Mako Surgical, and currently the founder/CEO of Sun and Thunder. Jon and Rony discuss raising over $3 billion in funding, the vision of Magic Leap, meeting George Lucas (yup you read that right!), and bringing Star Wars to life!Every episode going forward will be on Youtube as well: https://linktr.ee/MastersofEngineering
2022-03-221h 05
The Masters of Engineering PodcastEco-Friendly 3D Printing: Samantha Snabes, Co-Founder of re:3DInspired by her travels with the Johnson Space Center’s “Engineers Without Borders” team, Samantha Snabes has helped launch some of the largest and most affordable industrial 3D printers in the world. Her company, re:3D, is the manufacturer of the Gigabot, a giant 3D printer that boasts a build volume starting at 30X the size of desktop printers. The eco-friendly Gigabot sells for one-tenth the cost of typical industrial printers, can print directly from plastic waste, and has customers in more than 50 countries.In this podcast, Snabes...
2022-01-1426 min
Angel Invest BostonRobert Nagle, Mathematician and Angel - Is Biotech Investing Risky? - Listener Robert Nagle and I had a wide-ranging and informative chat.Join Sal's Investment Syndicate: Click to Join Listener Robert Nagle is a mathy software guy and an angel investor. We had a great chat which included his perceptions of the risks in biotech investing and also discussed some of the companies in his portfolio. This is an instructive conversation with a thoughtful angel investor. Sponsored by: Purdue University entrepreneurship Peter Fasse, patent attorney at Fish & Richardson Highlights: Sal Daher Introduces Listener Robert Nagle, Mathy Software Guy and Angel Investor Robert Nagle Was Born in Ireland & Came to the US Robert Nagle Knew...
2022-01-051h 00
CXOTalkWhat is Cloud-Based Product Design?As the world becomes increasingly connected through the cloud, product development tools must adapt to make life easier and more efficient for designers. But what is cloud-based product development? How does it work? And how can I take advantage of its benefits in my organization?To learn more about cloud-based product design and development, we spoke with industry pioneer Jon Hirschtick, who explains how to manage the product and engineering design process in the cloud.Learn about these topics:-- About PTC Onshape and cloud-based design-- Cloud-based product engineering and team collaboration...
2021-10-2118 min
The Robot Report PodcastJon Hirschtick from Onshape/PTC; Favorite robotics startups of 2021Our guest this week is Jon Hirschtick from PTC. Jon has started (and sold) two popular product development companies in his career: SolidWorks and Onshape. We also cover the robotics news from the week, PLUS a special discussion about our favorite startups for 2021.
Timestamps
News recap: 0-18:18
Interview with PTC's Jon Hirschtick: 20:57-1:04:40
Voicemails/Favorite Robotics Startups: 1:04:43-1:36:37
2021-10-081h 36
Angel Invest BostonJon Hirschtick, Repeat Founder - Innovating in the Cloud - How cloud-based technologies are clearing barriers to creativitySal's Investment Syndicate List: Click to Join Sponsors: Purdue University Entrepreneurship Peter Fasse, patent attorney at Fish & Richardson Thrice-exited founder Jon Hirschtick of SolidWorks and Onshape fame, talks about the promise of cloud-based technologies and how to build successful businesses in the space. Jon’s a good sport and a fun guest. Highlights: Sal Daher Introduces Jon Hirschtick, Founder of SolidWorks and Onshape “...the problem we were solving with Onshape is around the use of CAD, Computer-Aided-Design t” “...I had a year off and I could see the emergence of cloud technologies and I th...
2021-09-1540 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastGoing Electric: Azizi Tucker, Co-Founder and CTO of XING MobilityTinkering with his first CAD system as a 13-year-old boy in Oakland, California, Azizi Tucker has since devoted much of his professional life to the development of electric vehicle technology worldwide. As employee #100 of Tesla, he worked on supplier development throughout Asia for the Model S and Model Y, and later co-founded XING Mobility, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of modular electric battery and powertrain systems for the mining, construction and agriculture industries. He is also the founder of Graft, a custom manufacturer of bespoke electric motorcycles and quad off-road racing vehicles.
2021-07-3029 min
Augmented OpsEpisode 23: Digital Manufacturing in the CloudAugmented reveals the stories behind the new era of industrial operations, where technology will restore the agility of frontline workers. In episode 23 of the podcast (@AugmentedPod), the topic is: Digital Manufacturing in the Cloud. Our guest is Jon Hirschtick, Head of SaaS, Onshape and Atlas Platform, PTC.In this conversation, we talk about the story of SolidWorks, using agile methods, listening to the market, charting the evolution of CAD into SaaS, and its emerging and future iterations in the open source cloud and beyond.Augmented is a podcast for industry leaders a...
2021-06-301h 10
The VentureFizz PodcastEpisode 221: Jon Hirschtick - EVP, PTC & Founder, OnshapeSuccessful serial entrepreneurs are unique in their ability to see transformational shifts before they happen and then they ultimately build a company to meet this future demand. In Jon’s case, it started during his time at MIT when he saw an opportunity in the CAD industry to automate an engineer’s sketchbook. It led him to start his first company called Premise which was later acquired.
The next shift was recognizing the difficulty of using CAD software for product designers and thinking there has to be a better way. This led to the launch of SolidWorks and they built thei...
2021-06-011h 02
CXOTalkTeam Collaboration for Product Design and Manufacturing EfficiencyTeam collaboration is essential for product designers to create beautiful objects while working within the technical and financial constraints of manufacturing. We speak with an award-winning designer and a manufacturing veteran to learn about the product design process and digital transformation in manufacturing.In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:-- Integrating great product design and the manufacturing process-- Mass customization and the product development life cycle-- Team collaboration and the product engineering design process-- Design innovation and mass customization-- Culture change and the change management process...
2021-02-1520 minDE 24/7 PodcastPodcast: The Future of Engineering is in the CloudIndustry veteran Jon Hirschtick of PTC discusses the future of remote collaboration and engineering in the cloud.
2020-12-0918 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastWill Electric Air Taxis Rescue Our Morning Commute? – Sean McCluskey, Additive Lead for Joby AviationSean McCluskey is the additive lead at Joby Aviation, overseeing design, manufacturing, and certification of 3D-printed components on the company’s four-passenger electric air taxi now under development. The innovative aircraft takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, then smoothly transitions to forward flight. A pioneer in the urban air taxi market, Joby Aviation’s goal is to reduce traffic congestion and give people “more freedom to choose where they work, live, and play.” In this podcast, Sean tells Jon how battery technology, additive manufacturing, and advanced composite materials are changing the world of aviation design. Containin...
2020-10-1525 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastHow the Rise Emergency Ventilator Was Built From Scratch in 21 Days: Eduardo Torrealba, CEO of MeterEduardo Torrealba is the co-founder and CEO of Meter, an industrial hardware startup that took on the challenge of building a more affordable ventilator in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. A typical medical device can take many months or even years to bring to market. The Rise Emergency Ventilator went from idea to deliverable mass-produced product in 21 days.In this podcast, Eduardo tells Jon how his extended team of 50 professionals – engineers, hospital clinicians, software developers, and 3D printing experts – designed, built, and tested six iterations of the emergency ventilator. He also shares how cloud productivity tool...
2020-09-0927 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastReimagining How Machine Parts Get Made: Mitch Free, Founder of ZYCI and MFG.comMitch Free is a college dropout who partnered with Amazon’s Jeff Bezos to build MFG.com, the first online marketplace bringing together product designers and manufacturers. The serial entrepreneur is now seeking to improve the way every machine part in the world gets made. He’s currently the founder and CEO of ZYCI (pronounced “ZEE-key”), a CNC-machining, plastic molding and additive manufacturing company serving the aerospace and defense industries.In this podcast, Mitch reminisces with Jon about his unusual career path from refurbis...
2020-07-2228 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastPickpocket-Proof Backpacks: Sarah Giblin, Founder of RiutSarah Giblin is an accidental designer. While waiting to get off an airplane, she noticed a fellow passenger nervously unzip his backpack and stuff his wallet and passport in his front jeans pocket. She soon unconsciously found herself reacting the same way: “My God, is my wallet and passport still there?” And then imagined an endless queue of backpack wearers concerned that the person behind them had easier access to their valuables than they did.In this podcast, Sarah tells Jon how she developed the RiutBag, a backpack with zippers that go flush against the wearer’s back...
2019-09-1528 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastStyling Iconic Sports Cars: Mark Ferri, Designer of the Corvette StingrayEver wonder how your favorite sports car or luxury car got its classic look? Guest Mark Ferri, a senior industrial designer for Uber, was previously a designer at General Motors for 17 years. At GM. he personally styled (using both clay models and computer design) the Corvette Stingray, the Camaro 6, the Cadillac XTS and many other vehicle exteriors and interiors.In this episode, Mark reveals the challenges of redesigning the look of iconic car brands, and offers advice to aspiring product designers who are still in school.
2019-08-1531 min
The Masters of Engineering PodcastRobots That Can Touch and Feel: Dr. Bill Townsend, Founder of Barrett TechnologyBarrett Technology’s humanlike robot once shook hands with Arnold Schwarzenegger, but attracting celebrity friends is not its primary talent. Barrett is a pioneer in haptic robot arms and hands, which can apply the appropriate amount of physical pressure in different situations like a human would. The technology now has medical and physical therapy applications, with the robot arm even being able to give a massage.In this episode, Bill tells Jon the secret behind his robots’ magic touch and reflects on how his engineering journey first started when he built a treehouse at age 14.
2019-07-1531 min