The Business Skills Every Technical Leader Needs Now with McKray Jones

Описание: What does it take to drive change in a traditional engineering organization? McKray Jones—Technical Program Manager and Deputy Director of Engineering—shares his journey from the Marine Corps to leading teams through rapid iteration and complex hardware systems in defense and radar sensing.

McKray breaks down the definition of a "Change Agent" in defense and engineering sectors, explaining how to lead teams through the uncertainty of accelerated development schedules.

We discuss the practicalities of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), the necessity of "soft skills" in technical roles, and why even hardware teams need to start thinking in terms of MVPs and user stories.

🔑 KEY TOPICS:
What is a "Change Agent"? Defining the role in traditional engineering organizations
Top Skills for Success: Empathy and business acumen for technical leaders
Defining the Problem Space: Bridging the gap between customer and engineer
Implementing MBSE: Avoiding the "Hammer and Nail" approach
Agile for Hardware: Can you apply "User Stories" to radar systems?
The ROI of MBSE: Managing complexity and certification in defense
The Evolution of the "Successful Engineer" Profile

👇 CHAPTERS:
0:00 – Intro: From the Marine Corps to Engineering Leadership
4:30 – What is a "Change Agent"?
6:50 – The Top Skills for Success: Empathy & Business Acumen
11:00 – Defining the Problem Space: The Gap Between Customer & Engineer
20:00 – Implementing MBSE: Avoiding the "Hammer and Nail" Approach
30:00 – Agile for Hardware: Can You Apply "User Stories" to Radars?
42:00 – The ROI of MBSE: Managing Complexity and Certification
49:00 – The Evolution of the "Successful Engineer" Profile

👤 ABOUT THE GUEST:
McKray Jones is a Technical Program Manager and Deputy Director of Engineering specializing in integrated hardware systems, radar sensing, and autonomy. With a background in the Marine Corps and a passion for the human connection in engineering, McKray focuses on bridging the gap between technical complexity and business strategy.

📌 ABOUT CHANGE BY DESIGN:
Change by Design shines a light on engineering transformation—helping organizations navigate complexity, minimize risk, and maximize value in their digital transformation journeys. Hosted by Chad Jackson, Chief Analyst & CEO of Lifecycle Insights.
Subscribe to the Podcast: https://change-by-design.podbean.com/

🌐 CONNECT WITH US:
Website: https://www.lifecycleinsights.com
Subscribe to the Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/insightex

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