Burning Man Maker, Music Mogul, and PCB Revolutionary—Flux CEO Matthias Wagner

Burning Man Maker, Music Mogul, and PCB Revolutionary—Flux CEO Matthias Wagner

Author: All About Circuits May 2, 2023 Duration: 1:00:06

Matthias Wagner learned early in his career that not everything is like an engineering "marketing video…all so streamlined and perfect." Sometimes you have to dive into a project with no documentation and no roadmap and "figure it out now." That fearless, can-do attitude has led him on a circuitous and amazing route into, out of, and now back into the electronics world where he is leading Flux as they try to remake the PCB design flow. 

While others have previously tried and failed, Wagner recognized that many of these were "too small of dreams to make any meaningful change…you just need to start from scratch."

And yeah, that's scary. And it's a lot of work, don't get me wrong, it's very hard. But then what else were you going to do with your time that was worthwhile?

One of Wagner's career pivots was out of the electronics industry and into the music industry. In this fascinating interview, Wagner reflects on that decision and states, "that was a really dumb idea at the time, but I made it work." And, boy, did he ever! During his foray into the music industry, Wagner's work sold over 1 billion units across the globe and was honored with platinum and gold records. His song, Axel F by Crazy Frog, has nearly 3.8 billion (yes, billion with a b) views on YouTube.

And we haven't even mentioned his experiences developing energy systems for Burning Man that then lead to working at Facebook on products with billions of users. You will just have to listen to hear about those. And, after listening to this episode, you might be inspired to "give yourself permission to dream big dreams."

Other highlights from this Moore's Lobby interview with Matthias Wagner include:

-Why hardware engineers are jealous of software developers

-The competition between hard core gamers and general users when developing Oculus

-What the PCB and electronics industry can learn from developments in the music industry

-Learning how to run a business by NOT running a business


In the world of electronics, the real story is often found in the people who design, innovate, and push the boundaries of what's possible. Moore's Lobby: Where engineers talk all about circuits is a monthly podcast that goes beyond datasheets and schematics to explore the human element driving technological progress. Host Daniel Bogdanoff sits down with a diverse range of guests-from hands-on engineers and visionary technologists to the executives steering major organizations-for conversations that are as much about personal journey as technical achievement. Each episode delves into the practical engineering and the broader industry trends shaping our future, but always through the lens of the individual's experience. You'll hear firsthand accounts of breakthrough moments, the challenges of bringing complex ideas to life, and the philosophies that guide leaders in this demanding field. This podcast from All About Circuits connects a global community of professionals who share a deep curiosity for how things work and who makes them work. It’s a space for nuanced discussion that aims to inform, inspire, and provide genuine insight into the circuit-driven world we inhabit. The dialogue here is for those who appreciate the substance behind the innovation, offering a blend of technical depth and narrative that you can naturally integrate into your own perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Moore's Lobby: Where engineers talk all about circuits
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