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Welcome to The Wave Engineering Newsletter, your weekly guide to the cutting edge of engineering. Whether you're a seasoned professional, an eager student, or simply curious about innovation, we’re here to inform, inspire, and connect.
More than just a newsletter, we tell the human stories behind the tech—spotlighting the innovators, dreamers, and changemakers shaping our world. Backed by insights from Pipeline Design & Engineering and the Being an Engineer Podcast, we deliver the latest advancements, impactful collaborations, and stories that redefine what’s possible.
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What makes a product truly "premium" in your eyes? Is it the quality, the design, or something else?
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This week we explore the world of premium products—what truly makes them worth the investment? From engineering tools that can transform your workflow to the thought process behind choosing high-quality materials, we’ll unpack the secrets to determining value beyond the price tag. Are you curious about whether that premium gear will really pay off, or if it's just hype? We’ll explore how curiosity, product design, and innovation come together to create game-changing solutions that stand the test of time. Don't miss out on the insights that could help you make smarter, more informed decisions in your next big project!
This isn’t traditional business news
Welcome to Morning Brew—the free newsletter designed to keep you in the know on the business news impacting your career, company, and life—in a way you didn’t know you needed.
Note: this isn’t traditional business news. Morning Brew’s approach cuts through the noise and bore of classic business media, opting for short writeups, witty jokes, and above all—presenting the facts.
Save time, actually enjoy business news, and join over 4 million professionals reading daily.
Behind-the-Scenes of Engineering Marvels
Premium Products: Insights from Joe Moak
On the BAE Podcast, S5E18, Joe Moak, an engineering leader with a proven track record in developing world-class consumer products shares his insights into what makes products “premium”. Joe shares his approach to blending creative design with technical precision, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across disciplines.
Key takeaways include:
Customer-Centric Design: Start with what matters most to customers—visible interfaces, usability, and experience—and engineer from the outside in.
Prioritization: Balance industrial design goals with technical requirements, creating harmony between form and function.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Act as the “3D real estate agent,” mediating the needs of electrical, acoustic, RF, and thermal engineering teams.
Iterative Problem-Solving: Success often lies in refining and aligning priorities across all stakeholders.
Joe also reflects on the power of having subject matter experts while balancing the resource constraints of consultancy work. His insights are a masterclass in delivering innovative, high-quality products that resonate with users.
Practical Tools and Resources for Engineers
An Engineers Most Powerful Tool: Self-Knowledge
As engineers, we master countless tools to solve problems and build solutions. But the most transformative tool isn’t found in any software or lab—it’s self-knowledge. Understanding what drives you, fuels your energy, and gives your work meaning can elevate both your career and your personal growth.
Daniel H. Pink’s Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us uncovers the science of intrinsic motivation, centered around three key principles:
Autonomy: Engineers thrive when trusted to explore, innovate, and take ownership.
Mastery: True satisfaction lies in continual learning and improvement.
Purpose: Knowing how your work contributes to a bigger picture is a powerful motivator.
Whether you’re an individual contributor or a leader, these principles hold value. For ICs, small steps toward greater autonomy, investing in learning, and connecting your work to its impact can spark fulfillment. For leaders, creating environments that support these intrinsic motivators unlocks creativity and engagement in teams.
Ultimately, understanding yourself is the first step toward unlocking your potential as an engineer. What drives you? What fuels your passion? The answers might just transform your approach to work—and life.
Soft Skills for Engineers
Curiosity is a Superpower
Curiosity is often overlooked as a leadership skill, yet it’s one of the most transformative tools leaders can cultivate. Great leaders don’t just seek answers—they ask better questions, embrace the unknown, and foster innovation within their teams.
In Dare to Lead, Brené Brown describes curiosity as “a tool for exploration,” essential for building trust and inspiring creativity. Psychologist Todd Kashdan, author of Curious?, calls curiosity “the engine of growth,” enhancing problem-solving and strengthening relationships.
Why Curiosity Matters in Leadership:
It Encourages Breakthrough Thinking: Curious leaders challenge assumptions and ask, “What problem are we really solving?”
It Builds Stronger Teams: Satya Nadella credits curiosity-driven collaboration for Microsoft’s cultural transformation.
It Fuels Continuous Learning: Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset highlights the power of curiosity in personal and professional growth.
Curiosity isn’t just a personal trait—it’s a mindset that engineers and leaders alike can cultivate. By asking better questions, seeking diverse perspectives, and fostering curiosity in others, we can unlock innovation, build trust, and tackle challenges with renewed creativity.
Closing Thoughts
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Engineering is about solving, innovating, and connecting ideas to make a difference. Progress is a collective effort and your curiosity is what drives it forward. Thank you for exploring the dynamic world of engineering with all of us at Pipeline Design & Engineering and The Wave.
If you found value in this newsletter, share it with a friend or colleague who might enjoy it too. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new perspective, idea, or breakthrough.
“Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.” - Steve Jobs
In collaboration and creativity,
Brad Hirayama
Blueprinting tomorrow, today