Shows
The Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementHighly Systematic: Learning Model-Based Systems Engineering With Michael AliSYSTEMS HELP US BUILD THE NEW WORLD, BUT HOW ARE SYSTEMS BUILT?Andy will be tinkering this out as he welcomes Michael Ali, Vice President for Engineering Operations at Saratech. Mike will be sharing his journey into systems engineering and will help us understand what it is and how it benefits everyone. Tune in and learn more here in the latest episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development. HUMANIZING MOMENTS:Mike’s background in engineeringAn early fascination with ScienceGetting into efficiency and optimizationAdvancement of technology in the engineering fieldWhat’s cha...
2026-02-2630 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementProcesses, Engineered, Perfected: Understanding Product Development ProcessesNOTHING BREEDS SUCCESS LIKE SUCCESSThese are powerful words from our special guest today, Ken Blakely, a Senior Business Management Consultant. Join Andy and Ken as they talk about the definition and key components of the Product Development process. The benefits and challenges of streamlining this process, as well as some tips for organizations looking to improve their product development. HUMANIZING MOMENTS:The human side of Ken BlakelyThe parallels between art and engineeringDefining the product development processEngineering challenges of the remote setup of workThe human aspect of communicationImportant implementations when starting up o...
2026-02-2629 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementWork as One? Dealing With Engineering Resource Issues & Challenges in a Distributed Work EnvironmentIt’s another episode of The Human Side Of Engineering And Product Development, and today we have Ken Scherwinski, Senior Vice President of Engineering Services of Saratech. Ken will be sharing his story and will talk about how to deal with engineering resource issues and challenges in a distributed work environment. HUMANIZING MOMENTS:Introducing Ken ScherwinskiThe need for engineers who work in the field todayThe importance of human-to-human connectionThe most important thing you can do for your teamWhat can a company do when short on resourcesGetting your people into a new processHow to build a c...
2026-02-2621 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementA Daughter’s Plea: Getting to Know the Life of Dr. Saeed Paydarfar, Father of Saratech“I DON'T EVEN REMEMBER WHEN YOU LIVE HERE ANYMORE”These are the words of Dr. Saeed Paydarfar’s daughter, Sara, that pushed him to the edge and decided to leave his job, and start a company of his own so he can spend more time with his family. Saeed is the CEO and Founder of Saratech. He will be sharing his engineering journey and how his human side gave life to Saratech, only here, in The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development podcast. HUMANIZING MOMENTS:How Saeed became an engineerDoing surprising things...
2026-02-2628 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product Developement3D-fy: Utilizing 3D Printing Tech in Medicine With Justin Ryan, PhDWelcome to another episode of The Human Side Of Engineering & Product Development. In this episode, we welcome a guest who brings the best of both worlds, 3D printing technology, and medicine, Dr. Justin Ryan, Director of the 3D Lab at Rady Children’s Hospital. HUMANIZING MOMENTS:Meet Justin Ryan, PhD, Director of the 3D Innovations Lab3D technology really helped out during the pandemicCreating surgical models for doctors and surgeons before surgeryUsing 3D printing to create models of patients’ anatomyDaily challenges of the 3D LabHow far 3D technology can goCollaborations with the 3D manufacturers to gi...
2026-02-2627 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementWhat Makes Great Customer Support With Chad EvansFrom developments in CAD and Siemens NX software to communicating between teams, there's a lot that goes through the Saratech Customer Support Team's day-to-day.In this episode of The Human Side Of Engineering & Product Development, we are joined by Chad Evans, Technical Manager for the Customer Care Team at Saratech to talk about the increasing complexity of the software being used and how the team approaches customer support. HUMANIZING MOMENTS:Chad's interest in engineering and how he went from the Air Force to SaratechStaying up-to-date with CAD and Siemens softwareThe support team's ap...
2026-02-2623 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementA Whole New World: The Evolving World of Additive Manufacturing and Its ImpactTHE EXCITING FUTURE OF 3D PRINTINGIn this episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development, Andy welcome another 3D expert, Isabel Sanz-Ananos. Isabel is a 3D Category Business Manager at HP and will be talking to Andy about additive manufacturing technology, education, STEM, exciting projects, and the future of 3D printing.HUMANIZING MOMENTS:Introducing Isabel Sanz-Ananos What drove her interest in technologyThe gender gap in the industryMisconceptions about 3D printing todayThe innovation process of 3DHow does 3D printing fit into the digital transformation processWhat’s coming down the pipeline in 3D pri...
2026-02-2631 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementLet Robots Do the Job: How AI Frees Up Humans for High-Value WorkSmart robots bridge the gap in the manufacturing workforce In this episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development, Andy welcomes Dr. Ariyan Kabir, Co-Founder, and CEO of GrayMatter Robotics. Ariyan combines available robot sensors and tools with their proprietary AI technologies to turn them into smart robotic assistants, a critical role given the increasing lack of skilled labor in manufacturing.Ariyan discusses the concept of robots as a service, which is essentially hiring robots to do the work instead of people, primarily due to the lack of skilled workers available. He digs in...
2026-02-2626 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementThink Big Picture: Engineering & Design Require Holistic SolutionsGet it right the first time with design engineering In this episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development, Andy welcomes Jed Bullwinkle, Director of Design Solutions at Saratech. Jed discusses the creativity needed to find the best possible solutions to solve a single design problem. He then takes a deep dive into his involvement with the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) program and the advancement and complexity of CAD today. Lastly, Jed digs into the skills aspiring engineers need to be successful which include a holistic understanding of materials, sciences, and how one comp...
2026-02-2633 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementThe Digital Twin: A Unified Roadmap for Modern EngineeringPLM is not the same as deploying IT software In this episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development, Andy welcomes Sassan Khoubyari, Senior Manager of PLM Solutions at Saratech. He explains that PLM is not just an IT initiative, but a business process transformation initiative that needs to be understood and executed by the CEO and other executives in order to be successful.Sassan also discusses some misconceptions about PLM. For instance, PLM systems must be understood as a core part of business process transformation. He also cautions that implementing a PLM sys...
2026-02-2629 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementFrom Theory to Practice: Perspectives of a New EngineerFinding validation in designing for the greater good of humanity In this episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development, Andy welcomes Kevin Saginian, a mechanical engineer at Saratech. Kevin shares his unique experience of finishing college through the pandemic and the adaptability and motivation he needed to finish mechanical engineering.He also gives his insights on how different school was compared to the real world of mechanical engineering where he gets to contribute his expertise for the greater good, such as his work on the Sierra Nevada Dreamchaser. He also gives advice to...
2026-02-2626 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementMake Engineering Cool Again for Aspiring Engineers with Randy MeesTeach kids how cool it is that engineers get to MAKE stuff! In this episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development, Andy welcomes Randy Mees, the Director of Design, Transcatheter Heart Valves at Edwards Lifesciences. He shares how luck would bring him to the world of engineering and his early experiences with CAD and other tech.Randy then talks about his approach to tool design and getting the input of operators to get their feedback. As an educator, Randy also discusses the need to get more young people into engineering and make t...
2026-02-2635 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementThe Future of Aerospace: Innovation, Leadership, and the Human Touch with Brian and Michael from SFCIn this episode of The Human Side of Engineering and Product Development, Andy Deo engages in an insightful conversation with Brian Geary, President, and Owner of Stretch Forming Corporation, and Mike Russell, General Manager. They delve into the company's history, growth, and its key role in complex metal forming, machining, and innovative solutions for the aerospace, defense, and space industries. The discussion touches on their experiences, the recent recognition by Boeing, upcoming projects, and how they balance technological advancements with the personal touch in a dynamic industry. They explore future technological trends like 3D printing, AI, and robotics, emphasizing...
2026-02-2529 minThe Human Side of Engineering & Product DevelopementFrom Immigrant to Innovator: Peng Cau's Startup Journey & How Siemens Supports Startups TodayIn this engaging interview, Peng Cau, Director of Siemens for Startup program, shares her journey from immigrant to successful entrepreneur and her passion for supporting startup founders. She discusses the challenges of hard tech startups, the importance of human relationships, and how Siemens' programs empower innovators today.
2026-02-2543 min