S6E29 Joshua Tarbutton | Lessons From the Military Applied to Engineering

Being an Engineer

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16d ago 50:33

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Joshua Tarbutton shares his journey from military service to engineering entrepreneurship, discussing how military discipline and leadership principles can transform engineering culture and workplace dynamics.

Main Topics:

Military influence on engineering leadership
Restoring dignity in engineering workplaces
Creating psychological safety for engineers
Scaling a design and fabrication company
Navigating business challenges during COVID-19

About the guest: Joshua Tarbutton, a former U.S. Army Reserve Platoon Sergeant, transitioned from military leadership to academia, earning a PhD from Clemson and teaching engineering for nine years before founding Bravo Team in 2018. His goal: to combine technical expertise with strategic leadership and restore dignity to the engineering profession.

Bravo Team is a full-service product development firm that supports clients from idea to production, partnering with top-tier companies such as Siemens and Stanley Black & Decker. Known for rapid iteration and a maker-friendly culture, the company has grown quickly, ranking #2 on Charlotte’s Fast 50 and #489 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list with 904% growth.

Still veteran-owned and transitioning toward employee ownership, Bravo Team is recognized for innovations such as the Bravo Walk dog collar and its production of medical shields during the COVID-19 era. Joshua promotes community and team growth through events, EOS, and mentoring. He’s a licensed professional engineer and certified ScrumMaster.

Links:

Joshua Tarbutton LinkedIn

Bravo Team Website

Aaron Moncur, host

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About Being An Engineer

The Being An Engineer podcast is a repository for industry knowledge and a tool through which engineers learn about and connect with relevant companies, technologies, people resources, and opportunities. We feature successful mechanical engineers and interview engineers who are passionate about their work and who made a great impact on the engineering community.

The Being An Engineer podcast is brought to you by Pipeline Design & Engineering. Pipeline partners with medical & other device engineering teams who need turnkey equipment such as cycle test machines, custom test fixtures, automation equipment, assembly jigs, inspection stations and more. You can find us on the web at www.teampipeline.us

Chapters

1. Joshua Tarbutton's Background and Inspiration (00:00:00)

2. Influence of Military Service on Engineering Career (00:02:50)

3. Founding Bravo Team and Initial Challenges (00:05:01)

4. Restoring the Dignity of Engineers (00:10:02)

5. Creating a Safe Space for Engineers (00:17:58)

6. Challenges and Growth of Bravo Team (00:24:26)

7. Impact of COVID-19 on Bravo Team (00:36:25)

8. Dealing with Stress and Personal Growth (00:42:00)

9. Core Hours and Team Collaboration (00:45:13)

10. Final Thoughts and Contact Information (00:50:59)

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