In this insightful episode of the Operations Science Podcast, we’re joined by Blaine Alderks, Head of Product Development at Windings, to explore the evolving world of high-performance electromechanical systems. Blaine shares lessons from over a decade in aerospace and defense, highlighting how agile product development, effective capacity planning, and cross-functional collaboration have transformed workflows at Windings.

We also dive deep into AI’s emerging role in engineering, how to manage rework and “tribal knowledge,” and the cultural nuances of engineering acquisitions. Whether you're a leader, engineer, or operations strategist, this conversation is packed with real-world takeaways on building reliable, mission-critical solutions while embracing change.

Key Topics :

- Fail Fast Culture in Product Development

- Knowledge Transfer Post-Acquisition

- AI in Engineering Workflows (Opportunities and Risks)

- Capacity and Lead Time Planning Using Operations Science

- Rework, Escapes, and Process Mapping

- The Shift from Stage Gates to Milestone-Based Planning

- Engineering Empathy and Leadership

- Blaine’s Personal Journey in Aerospace and Leadership

- Integrating Manufacturing Feedback into Product Development

- Managing Virtual Work-in-Process and Commitment Reliability

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction of Blaine Alderks from Windings

03:40 The Rise of Agile Product Development

09:20 Impacts of M&A on Engineering Teams

14:10 AI in Product Design

22:00 Working with Legacy Systems & Drawings

26:30 Capacity Planning & Lead Time Management

33:00 From Theory to Forecasting

37:30 Rework & Escape Tracking

42:10 Integrating Manufacturing Early

47:50 Milestones vs. Stage Gates

52:10 WIP Management & Virtual Queues

56:00 Weekly Planning & Commitment Reliability

1:00:30 Blaine’s Journey to Engineering

1:07:00 Leading with Empathy

1:11:00 Life Outside Work

1:14:00 Final Thoughts & Reflections