Episode: Knocking on Doors
In this episode Martine Stillman, Vice President of Engineering at Synapse Product Development, shares her two decades of experience in mechanical engineering and product development. Martine takes us on a journey from her humble beginnings in a small town to becoming a leader in innovative engineering solutions. Throughout the conversation, Martine shares insights into her diverse career, spanning from aerospace engineering to working on wearable health devices and large-scale installations for entertainment venues. She discusses her recent focus on sustainable design practices and carbon capture technologies, highlighting the importance of addressing environmental challenges in today’s engineering landscape. Martine reflects on the pivotal moments in her career, including her unconventional path to landing a job at Synapse through polite persistence and self-belief. She offers valuable advice on dealing with failure gracefully and shares a framework for navigating challenging professional situations with honesty and integrity. From her experiences, Martine emphasizes the significance of persistence, adaptability, and taking accountability, urging aspiring engineers and recent graduates to pursue opportunities beyond conventional job postings.