Engineered for Impact

High Impact Engineers

Inspiring engineers to learn and think more about how they can have a positive social impact with their careers.
We discuss how engineering professionals can deploy their skills to maximise their impact and work to solve some of the world's most pressing problems.

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Top 10 Engineered for Impact Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Engineered for Impact episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Engineered for Impact for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Engineered for Impact episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

#016 - Nuclear Security and Policy with Matthew Gentzel

Engineered for Impact

03/11/24 • 147 min

Matthew is the Co-Lead of Longview Philanthropy’s Nuclear Weapons Policy program.

In this episode we discuss

Matthew’s journey from the Airforce academy, to fire engineering, AI policy, and nuclear security
Many topics related to nuclear security and international policy
Artificial intelligence and it’s implications for influence operations
The benefits of developing broad situation awareness and diverse teams in policy
Longview Philanthropy’s key grantmaking areas
How to get into policy as an engineer
How Matthew has approached career planning and career change

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/matthew

Watch on YouTube:

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:20) Matthew

(00:02:08) Matthew's background

(00:22:23) US National Security Commission on AI

(00:35:08) Open AI

(00:46:36) Nulcear risk reduction

(01:02:12) Longview Philanthropy grantmaking

(01:45:11) Engineers in policy

(01:51:18) Communication skills

(01:58:01) Career planning and decision making

(02:10:25) Entering the policy field

(02:15:29) Transferable skills for policy

(02:27:02) Outro

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Show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/
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#015 - Improving Indoor Air Quality with Gavriel Kleinwaks

Engineered for Impact

02/14/24 • 72 min

Gavriel is the Indoor Air Quality Lead (formerly Strategic Projects Lead) at 1Day Sooner

In this episode we discuss

How Gavriel developed an interest in policy and the path she took
How COVID challenge trials lead to 1Day Sooner focusing on indoor air quality
The state of the indoor air quality field
Interventions to improve indoor air quality: HVAC, filtration, sterilisation
Ways to move the field forward
How engineers can be involved in improving indoor air quality

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/gavriel

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/N8jaPxM4QGU

Timestamps

(00:00:07) Intro

(00:01:17) Gavriel

(00:02:06) Gavriel's journey

(00:15:57) Indoor air quality introduction

(00:28:45) Technological interventions

(00:41:02) UV technology

(00:46:46) Safe Air Research Alliance

(00:57:27) How engineering has helped her

(01:00:23) How engineers can contribute to indoor air quality

(01:05:10) Resources for learning more

(01:08:00) What do you wish you had invented?

(01:12:11) Outro

Support the Show.

#014 - Chemical engineering to oat-based cheese with Sarah Qian

Engineered for Impact

01/17/24 • 73 min

Sarah is the founder of Compassion Creamery, an oat-based cream cheese startup.

In this episode we discuss

Sarah’s journey from studying chemical engineering to founding Compassion Creamery
The challenges she has faced in scaling up her operations
The ways physical-based startups differ from software-based startups
Sarah’s advice for other engineers interested in startups
How engineers can contribute to alternative proteins and solving challenges in food systems change

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/sarah

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PatVUAn1_Z4

Timestamps

(00:00:07) Intro

(00:01:07) Sarah

(00:03:14) Sarah's journey

(00:13:53) Compassion creamery

(00:15:56) Solving hard problems

(00:27:16) Sarah's day to day

(00:31:47) Australian Alternative Protein landscape

(00:38:15) How engineers can contribute to alternative proteins

(00:43:30) Advice for other engineers

(00:56:34) Valuable engineering skills

(01:00:47) "Should I start a startup?"

(01:06:11) Resource suggestions

(01:07:47) What do you wish you had invented?

(01:13:03) Outro

Support the Show.

#013 - Engineering for Nuclear Security with Cameron Tracy

Engineered for Impact

12/15/23 • 92 min

Cameron is a research scholar at the Standford Center for International Security and Cooperation

In this episode we discuss

How Cameron went from a PhD in materials engineering to researching global security issues
A brief history of the role of academia in international and nuclear security
Nuclear arms reduction
Nuclear waste management and hypersonic missiles
The importance of dialogue between technologists in different nations to create effective international security policy
How social dynamics shape discourse on existing and emerging technologies
The ethical considerations and obligations of engineers, particularly in the weapons and defence space
How engineers from all disciplines can contribute to the field

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/cameron

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/w-wInL6KcR8

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:01:29) Cameron

(00:02:28) Cameron's journey

(00:08:22) Academic landscape of nuclear and international policy

(00:18:50) Disposal of nuclear waste

(00:33:23) The social roles of technologists

(00:41:04) Social context of nuclear waste

(00:48:23) Hypersonic missiles

(01:00:11) How policymakers get information on weapons systems

(01:03:44) Impatial information from institutions

(01:11:14) Ethics of being an engineer

(01:21:44) How to enter policy as an engineer

(01:24:17) Best engineering disciplines for nuclear policy work

(01:27:35) Resources for learning more

(01:28:44) What do you wish you had invented

(01:30:38) Learn more about Cameron

(01:31:40) Outro

Support the Show.

#012 - Biosafety consulting on public policy with Ryan Ritterson

Engineered for Impact

11/15/23 • 76 min

Ryan is Executive Vice President of Research and a Partner at Gryphon Scientific

In this episode we discuss

Ryan’s journey from studying engineering, to life-science research, and then into the policy implications of life-science research
Working at a mission-driven company
How Gryphon Scientific is improving the evidence base underpinning biosafety
How engineers can contribute to improving biosafety
How government contractors and consultants contribute to evidence based government policy
How to get into the government policy space as an engineer
AI, biosecurity, and the future landscape for reducing biorisks

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/ryan

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NSh8BtXMXHw

Timestamps

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:02:06) Ryan's work

(00:03:28) Ryan's journey

(00:13:44) Job satisfaction

(00:17:32) Gryphon Scientific

(00:24:45) Work in biosafety and biosecurity

(00:35:37) Turning insight into employable work

(00:43:14) Role of government contractors in effective policy

(00:50:36) How technologists can contribute to policy

(00:55:52) How to enter the field

(00:58:58) Future technologies and AI

(01:03:46) Staying competitive in the age of AI

(01:09:36) Resource recommendations

(01:10:34) What do you wish you had invented

(01:16:01) Outro

Support the Show.

#011 - Networking for career change with Sean Lawrence

Engineered for Impact

10/18/23 • 35 min

Sean is a co-founder of High Impact Engineers and the host of the Engineered for Impact podcast.

In this episode we discuss

The value of networking for career change
The motivations to network when planning career change
Why you should, at the very least, be strongly thinking about chatting to people while exploring career change
How networking fits into the broader career change process
Why the framing of “networking campaigns” can help you achieve your career change goals
How to set yourself up for success in your networking
Actionable suggestions for networking and 1-1 meetings

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/networking

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XH7SD9R1rmo

Timestamps

(00:00:07) Intro

(00:01:23) What networking is for me

(00:06:14) Motivations for networking

(00:12:48) Networking and career change

(00:16:09) How to prepare for networking

(00:19:08) Actionable tips for networking

(00:33:19) Summary

Support the Show.

#010 - Effective climate giving with Emily Thai

Engineered for Impact

09/20/23 • 65 min

Emily is a Manager at Giving Green, helping to drive high-impact climate donations.

In this episode we discuss

Emily’s journey from studying engineering, venture capital, consulting
How giving green uses research and communication to drive high-impact climate donations
The biggest mistakes people make when donating to climate change
How individuals differ from corporations when it comes to effective climate giving
Arguments why you shouldn’t worry about your personal carbon footprint
Reconciling our identities as engineers against what work we enjoy doing and the impact we want to have
Decarbonising heavy industry and deep-tech R&D
Sean’s thoughts on doing a PhD and what he might have done differently to have more impact through his PhD

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/emily
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/8_SsitP6DsQ

Timestamps

(00:00:07) Intro

(00:01:55) Emily

(00:02:24) Emily's journey

(00:08:31) Emotional engagement for work

(00:10:03) Giving Green

(00:13:40) How to think about effective giving

(00:20:46) Common mistakes in climate giving

(00:25:53) Why you shouldn't worry about your carbon footprint

(00:32:15) Resolving our identities as engineers

(00:36:58) Sean's decision to not pursue academia

(00:40:52) Opportunities for impact in the climate space

(00:44:21) Industrial decarbonisation

(00:47:59) Flexibility in career planning and skill development

(00:50:10) Resources for effective climate giving

(00:55:06) What do you wish you had invented?

(00:55:45) Sean's thoughts on the value of doing a PhD

(01:02:48) Learn more about Emily and Giving Green

(01:04:42) Outro

Support the Show.

#009 - Far-UVC for clean indoor air with Vivian Belenky

Engineered for Impact

09/06/23 • 71 min

Vivian Belenky discusses the use of far-UVC technology to reduce the transmission of pathogens in indoor environments. The conversation covers the current state of the technology, safety considerations, and pathways to reducing its cost. Engineers interested in promoting the widespread adoption of far-UVC technology will find valuable insights in this episode.
In this episode we discuss

How Vivian came to work on biosecurity and specifically indoor air quality
A brief history of germicidal ultraviolet radiation and the current state of far-UVC technology
What is required for far-UVC to be adopted in a broader context
Potential pathways to reducing the cost of far-UVC
Safety considerations for far-UVC
How engineers can contribute to developing far-UVC technology
How engineers can contribute to promoting wide-spread adoption of far-UVC technology

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/vivian

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/hogSXD2zYC4

Timestamps

(00:00:07) Intro

(00:02:52) Vivian

(00:03:27) Why focus on hardware?

(00:07:01) Developing an interest in biosecurity

(00:12:26) What is far-UVC

(00:20:22) What are the bottlenecks

(00:25:01) Availability and cost of the tech

(00:32:51) How to work on far-UVC

(00:36:54) What is the cost floor of far-UVC?

(00:40:02) How to create a market for the tech

(00:44:56) How can engineers work on far-UVC

(00:53:19) Questions on safety considerations

(01:03:41) What is it like working in the field

(01:05:43) Other technologies to look out for

(01:08:58) What do you wish you had invented?

Support the Show.

#008 - Resilient foods to feed humanity in disasters with Juan García Martínez

Engineered for Impact

07/26/23 • 74 min

Juan is a chemical engineer and the Research Manager at the Alliance to Feed Earth in Disasters (ALLFED).

In this episode we discuss

Resilient foods — what are they and why might we need them?
Single-cell proteins
Short-term uses for resilient foods
Government catastrophic risk preparedness
Translating engineering research into policy communications
Engineering technologies that ALLFED works on
Challenges of running a volunteering program

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/juan
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/g6ccCW1lr50

Timestamps

(00:00:07) Intro

(00:01:23) Juan's intro

(00:02:26) Juan's journey

(00:07:18) Resilient foods

(00:15:47) Technologies for creating resilient foods

(00:19:05) Single-cell proteins

(00:27:38) Short-term vs long-term uses of resilient foods

(00:30:28) Paper mills for sugar production

(00:36:44) Government preparedness

(00:44:11) Difference between English and Spanish speaking countries

(00:45:45) Gold standard for government preparedness

(00:46:32) Engineering work at ALLFED

(00:51:33) ALLFED's volunteering program

(00:59:27) Advice for engineers

(01:04:14) Hope for the future

(01:08:34) PhD research with ALLFED

(01:10:05) Resources to learn more

(01:11:47) What do you wish you had invented?

(01:13:30) Learn more about Juan

(01:14:14) Outro

Support the Show.

#007 - AI compute governance with Lennart Heim

Engineered for Impact

07/12/23 • 71 min

Lennart has a background in electrical engineering and is a Research Fellow at the Centre for the Governance of AI.

In this episode

What is AI governance and where does it fit in with AI safety
Lennart’s journey into AI governance
US export controls on AI chips and recent developments in the AI landscape
The AI production function
AI compute chip supply chain
AI policy and US concerns around China having access to cutting-edge AI technology
Potential ways do AI governance through controlling or monitoring access to AI compute
What types of engineers are needed in the field
How people can enter the AI governances field

Full show notes: http://engineeredforimpact.show/lennart

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yK5odT1jz-U

Timestamps

(00:00:07) Intro

(00:01:28) Lennart's intro

(00:02:02) Why do we care about AI safety

(00:03:22) Lennart's journey to working on AI governance

(00:09:59) Recent developments in AI

(00:14:11) AI production function

(00:16:41) AI supply chain and US restrictions

(00:20:07) Examples of compute as a governance mechanism

(00:26:12) Why the US is concerned about China's access to AI chips

(00:32:07) Promising ways to use compute for governance

(00:40:53) When will compute no long be viable for governance

(00:44:56) Mis-aligned financial incentives around AI chips

(00:48:04) Who is well-suited to work on AI governance

(00:56:38) How to test your fit for working in AI governance

(01:02:46) Choosing between AI governance vs AI technical work

(01:08:24) What do you wish you had invented?

(01:09:26) Finding Lennart online

(01:10:35) Outro

Support the Show.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Engineered for Impact have?

Engineered for Impact currently has 17 episodes available.

What topics does Engineered for Impact cover?

The podcast is about Impact, Podcasts, Science, Business, Careers and Engineering.

What is the most popular episode on Engineered for Impact?

The episode title '#016 - Nuclear Security and Policy with Matthew Gentzel' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Engineered for Impact?

The average episode length on Engineered for Impact is 71 minutes.

How often are episodes of Engineered for Impact released?

Episodes of Engineered for Impact are typically released every 14 days, 4 hours.

When was the first episode of Engineered for Impact?

The first episode of Engineered for Impact was released on May 4, 2023.

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Engineered for Impact

High Impact Engineers

Top 10 Engineered for Impact Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Engineered for Impact have?

What topics does Engineered for Impact cover?

What is the most popular episode on Engineered for Impact?

What is the average episode length on Engineered for Impact?

How often are episodes of Engineered for Impact released?

When was the first episode of Engineered for Impact?

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