Change by Design

Systems Engineering and Escaping the "Document Trap" with Laura Otero

Can a lack of systems engineering really cost a program $68 million? Absolutely, according to Laura Otero, Director of Digital Engineering at Leidos. In this episode, Chad Jackson and Laura explore the trenches of digital engineering, where culture wars between document-based and model-based are still being fought every day.
 
Topics covered:
The Unpaid Labor of Change: Why change agents are essential but rarely have the official title or time allocated.
The Translator Role: How successful leaders bridge the gap between C-suite vision and engineering execution.
MBSE ROI: A case study on how live model reviews led to a “zero-action” PDR and saved weeks of back-and-forth.
The $68 Million Mistake: What happens when programs skip systems engineering in Phase 1.
Over-Modeling Pitfalls: Why you shouldn’t model COTS parts down to the resistor—or try to model two humans talking in a bunker.
AI & MBSE: The future of using AI to generate model templates and accelerate development.
If you’re navigating the shift from documents to data, this episode offers practical advice on what works, what fails, and how to survive the transition.

Systems Engineering and Leading Change in A&D with Branden Ramsey

Complexity is rising, timelines aren’t getting longer, and organizations can’t afford “set the stack once and never change it” thinking anymore.  In this episode, Chad Jackson sits down with Branden Ramsey to unpack what it really takes to lead change—especially in aerospace/defense and systems engineering environments where integration, interfaces, and risk are everything.
 
Topics covered:
Choosing the leadership track: Why caring about people is the tell for whether management is a fit.
What a “change agent” is (and why it usually becomes an extra job on top of engineering work).
Three essentials for successful change: a crisp “why,” realistic capacity, and trust (including how to reduce fear by framing change as upskilling).
Programs vs. change: Why big commitments make tradeoffs unavoidable—and why the decision is almost never “clear.”
Systems engineering reality check: SE provides value, but outdated document-heavy processes can turn it into a burden in a fast-change world.
MBSE and modeling depth: Why “model everything” breaks down, how to think about rigor vs. agility, and why interfaces are the anchor.
“SysML 2.0 / ‘CS ML 2.0’” implications: How stronger standardization can make models more computer-friendly for analytics and AI-era workflows.

How to Be an Engineering Change Agent: MBSE, Agile Hardware, and Leadership

n this episode, we sit down with McKray Jones, a Technical Program Manager and Deputy Director of Engineering, to explore the evolving role of the “Change Agent” in modern engineering organizations. McKray shares his unique journey from the Marine Corps to leading complex hardware integration teams, offering a fresh perspective on why the engineering industry is facing a leadership vacuum and how to fill it.
We dive deep into the challenges of transitioning from traditional waterfall models to accelerated, MVP-driven hardware development. McKray explains how to bridge the gap between software agility and hardware reality, the critical role of empathy in technical leadership, and when organizations should make the leap to Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
Whether you are an engineering leader, a systems architect, or an aspiring change agent, this conversation offers actionable insights on building trust, managing complexity, and keeping the business viable while driving innovation.
Key Topics Discussed:
Defining the Change Agent: Moving teams from long development cycles to revenue-generating MVPs.
The Human Side of Engineering: Why empathy, listening, and understanding business flows are critical skills for technical leaders.
Hardware vs. Software: Adapting Agile and “user story” concepts to physical hardware systems with long lead times.
MBSE Strategy: When to switch from document-based engineering (Excel/SharePoint) to models (Cameo/Capella) and how it aids in certification.
The Modern Engineer: How the profile of a successful engineer has shifted to demand higher EQ and communication skills.

Weekly Roundup: AI Scaffolding and the Judo-throw of Engineering Resistance

This week, Josh Corman and Chad Jackson explore AI-assisted workflows in engineering, break down how internal resistance can actually improve improve transformation outcomes, and dig into the pain points associated with MBSE adoption.
 
In this episode, we discuss:
AI-Native Workflows: We deconstruct the concept of “AI Scaffolding”—a method to provide engineering models with a “memory” by using document-based inputs to maintain constraints and context.
Reframing Resistance: Chad introduces the “Judo Throw” of resistance, explaining how savvy change agents use pushback to build investment and uncover project-threatening flaws early.
The Systems Engineering Struggle: Why the #2 challenge for MBSE is the learning curve, and how AI-powered “vibe coding” might help simplify SysML modeling.
Research Findings: Insights from our recent study and what we’re learning from the 300+ respondents.
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Engineering Culture, Failure, and the “Right Side of the V” with Guy Zur

In this episode, Chad sits down with Guy Zur, Director of Test Systems and Automation at CARIAD (Volkswagen Group). A self-proclaimed “change agent” born with a soldering iron in his hand, Guy shares his fascinating journey from designing thermal imaging for defense to developing AR glasses for pilots and now revolutionizing automotive testing.
 
We dive deep into the philosophy of the “Change Agent”—why leadership requires proactively steering organizations through resistance—and explore the critical role of the “Right Side of the V” in systems engineering. Guy opens up about the valuable lessons learned from startup failure, why he champions transparency in engineering culture, and his “Design to Test” approach that ensures quality from day one.
 
Whether you are an engineer, a leader, or interested in the complex systems behind autonomous vehicles and aviation, this conversation offers actionable insights on building resilient teams and robust products.
 
Key Topics Discussed
Defining the Change Agent: What it takes to be a revolutionary leader in engineering organizations.
The Origin Story: Guy’s path from FPGA design in Israel to aviation and autonomous vehicles in North America.
Embracing Failure: Why hiding mistakes kills innovation and how transparency builds safer, smarter teams.
Systems Engineering Strategy: A look at Document-Based approaches vs. Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE).
Design to Test: How defining test procedures before development begins saves time and money.
The V-Model: Mastering the integration and verification phases (the “Right Side of the V”).
Guest Bio
 
Guy Zur is the Director of Test Systems and Automation at CARIAD US. With a diverse background spanning the defense, aviation, and automotive industries, Guy specializes in hardware-software integration and testing for complex systems. He has previously held roles at Elbit Systems, Honeywell, and Motional, working on cutting-edge technologies like commercial aviation AR glasses and autonomous vehicle systems.

Weekly Roundup: AI Gaps, Change Agent Research, and New Community Programs

Is the “Digital Thread” a utopian dream or a practical reality? In this week’s episode of Change by Design, Josh Corman and Chad Jackson explore the tension between the technology that can capture everything and the engineering reality where critical context often lives in spreadsheets and hallway conversations.
 
We discuss why “hiding” work-in-process data might be efficient for humans but disastrous for future AI agents. If an AI stakeholder can only see the final decision and not the messy options you rejected, can it ever truly learn?
Plus, big news for the Lifecycle Insights community: We are launching two major initiatives to let you drive our future research.
 
Key Topics Discussed:
The Digital Thread Reality Check: Why capturing 100% of engineering data often creates more bureaucracy than value.
New Research Findings: What we've learned about change agents and their additional IT and design/development responsibilities.
AI’s Blind Spot: How undocumented decision-making processes create a massive gap in training data for autonomous AI agents.
Community Announcements: Details on the new Founders Program (early platform access) and Advisory Councils (strategic quarterly input).
Learn more about the InsightEX Founders Program and Advisory Councils.

Emotional Intelligence for Engineers and Why Resistance Equals Feedback

Why do 42% of organizational change initiatives face extreme resistance? Often, it’s not the technology—it’s the human element.
 
In this episode, Chad Jackson sits down with Nikki Maginn, an engineer-turned-educator who teaches emotional intelligence (EQ) to technical professionals. Nikki shares her personal journey from receiving 199 job rejections after the Fukushima nuclear disaster to managing $25 million in projects by age 23—and how those experiences revealed that “soft skills” are actually the hardest part of engineering.
 
We explore why EQ is a force multiplier for career growth (adding ~$30k to earning potential), how to use the RULER method to regulate emotions in high-stress environments, and why resistance to change should be treated as valuable feedback rather than a barrier.
 
Key Topics:
The “Translator” Role: How EQ helps engineers bridge the gap between technical doers and business executives.
Resistance is Feedback: Why change agents should stop taking pushback personally and start using it to improve the process.
Generational Shifts: How Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping engineering culture by demanding purpose, mental health awareness, and the “why” behind the work.
Practical Tools: Implementing the RULER framework (Recognize, Understand, Label, Express, Regulate) in technical teams.
Guest:
Nikki Maginn is an emotional intelligence educator and consultant empowering the next generation of engineers. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
 
About the Show:
Change by Design shines a light on engineering transformation, helping organizations navigate complexity and maximize value in their digital journeys.

Weekly Roundup: January 13, 2026

In this first episode of the new year, Josh Corman and Chad Jackson kick off 2026 by breaking down the engineering implications of the latest innovations from CES, including advancements in physical AI, autonomous sensors, and next-gen processors.
 
The conversation then shifts to exclusive new research findings on engineering change initiatives. Chad reveals data showing a surprising mix of high success rates and high resistance, explaining why “resistance is a form of feedback” that leaders should welcome rather than fear. Finally, Chad challenges the industry consensus on Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), arguing that its value doesn’t necessarily depend on enterprise-wide adoption, and shares a roadmap for the upcoming InsightEX platform.
 
Key Topics & Takeaways
CES 2026 Recap: Highlights from the show floor, including AI chips from Tesla and Arm, Siemens’ digital twin updates, and the rise of “physical AI” in robotics.
The Competency Gap: How organizations can balance the pressure to develop new skills (AI, cloud, cybersecurity) while still hitting product delivery deadlines.
Research Reveal: New data from late 2025 shows an 82% success rate for initiatives, yet 42% of organizations still encounter high or extreme resistance.
Rethinking Resistance: Why pushback from engineers is often a sign of engagement and how change agents can use it to build better processes.
The PLM Debate: Chad offers a counterpoint to the idea that PLM is low-value unless extended to the enterprise, highlighting gaps in how current tools handle software and cybersecurity.
InsightEX Update: A sneak peek at the launch of the new resource library, community forums, and online assessment tools for engineering leaders.

Engineering Leadership: Culture, Change, and Talent

In this episode of Change by Design, host Chad Jackson interviews Greg Livelli, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Harvey Performance Company. Livelli shares his non-linear career path from business development in Asia to leading global transformation initiatives, offering a unique perspective on how curiosity and a “love for transformation” drive engineering success.
Their conversation centers on the evolving role of engineering leaders—shifting from purely technical managers to the architects, coaches, and translators who must bridge the gap between complex engineering vision and business execution. Livelli details the importance of balancing structured governance with agile experimentation, navigating the generational “brain drain” through reverse mentorship, and redefining engineering metrics to focus on impact and engagement rather than just output .

Deep Dive with Alex Atala

In this episode of Change by Design, host Chad Jackson sits down with Alex Atala (Amazon, formerly of Stryker) to explore the human side of engineering transformation. They discuss why technical expertise alone isn’t enough to drive change and how “soft skills” like transparency, negotiation, and psychology are the true differentiators for success.
 
Alex shares candid insights from his career, breaking down the red flags that signal a doomed initiative and the “green flags” that set teams up for a win.
 
Key Topics:
The Change Agent Toolkit: Why communication and building trust are your most critical assets.
Red Flags vs. Green Flags: How to evaluate leadership competence and project viability before you commit.
Success & Failure Stories: Real-world lessons from a seamless medical device launch and a chaotic product recall.
Navigating Team Dynamics: Overcoming the “square engineer” stereotype to build consensus across diverse groups.