S3 E5: AI in Hardware: The Future of Design, Manufacturing, and Innovation with Kristen Edwards

S3 E5: AI in Hardware: The Future of Design, Manufacturing, and Innovation with Kristen Edwards

Author: Sera Evcimen November 25, 2025 Duration: 1:13:24

Host Sera Evcimen welcomes Kristen Edwards, CTO and co-founder of Pensa Technologies and PhD candidate at MIT, for a deep dive into the intersection of artificial intelligence and hardware engineering. Kristen shares her expertise on AI-driven solutions for manufacturing, the challenges of integrating AI into engineering workflows, and the future of design and manufacturing.

Actionable Takeaways:

  • Track not just engineering decisions, but the reasoning behind them, this is key for effective AI integration.
  • Data management is foundational: Know where your data lives, how it’s labeled, and how it can be used to train or inform AI.
  • Embrace AI as a “co-pilot” to augment, not replace, human expertise, especially for creative and high-consequence tasks.
  • Be proactive about upskilling and adapting to new tools; engineers who leverage AI will have a competitive edge.
  • The hardware world is full of opportunities for software talent, collaboration is needed to drive the next wave of innovation.

Sponsors & Resources:

  • Onshape: Cloud-native product development platform. Apply for the Onshape Startup Program at onshape.pro/thebuildercircle.
  • Jiga: Direct access to vetted manufacturers for reliable hardware sourcing. Learn more at jiga.io.
  • Allspice.io: Launching DRCY: an AI design review agent that analyzes your schematics against component datasheets and flags things like voltage mismatches, incorrect pin configurations, and component compatibility. Learn more at allspice.io

Connect & Learn More:

  • Follow the show’s Substack for hardware tools, frameworks, and tips.
  • Reach out to thebuildercircle@pratikdev.com if you have problems or ideas there are innovators ready to help!

Music by: Tom Stoke

DISCLAIMER "The Builder Circle” and “Pratik Development LLC” are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or any professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes.


Sera Evcimen hosts The Builder Circle™: The Hardware Startup Success Podcast, a resource created specifically for those navigating the uniquely challenging path of bringing a physical product to life. This isn't about generic business advice; it's a deep, practical conversation focused on the realities of hardware-the long development cycles, tight budgets, and complex risks that can intimidate even the most passionate founders. Each episode functions like a chapter in a vital curriculum, breaking down the concrete methods and proven processes needed to move from concept to a functioning company. You'll hear candid discussions that demystify the entire journey, offering clarity on the "unknown unknowns" that often derail promising ventures. For entrepreneurs, engineers, and builders committed to creating a successful hardware system, this podcast provides the grounded insights and strategic thinking necessary to tackle those difficulties head-on. Tune in for actionable guidance that meets the specific demands of building something real in the world of technology and entrepreneurship.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 28

The Builder Circle™: The Hardware Startup Success Podcast
Podcast Episodes
S2 E6: Complex System Development with Kristine Barnes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:28
In this episode, Kristine Barnes shares her extensive experience in the world of complex systems, straddling the fields of nuclear power and automotive engineering. She hails from General Motors and an executive member o…
S2 E5: Rapid Prototyping Deep Dive with Greg Paulsen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:58
In this deep-dive episode, Greg Paulsen, Director of Applications, Engineering and Marketing at Xometry, discusses the complexities and intricacies of physical product development. He highlights the importance of underst…
S2 E4: Scaling up Manufacturing with Scott Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:53
Scott Miller is back again on the Builder Circle! A true hardware veteran, in this episode we will be privileged enough to talk with him within the realm of his professional sweet spot: how to properly scale your manufac…
S2 E3: Strategic Planning for Hardware Success with Pete Blake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:10
From leveraging your ecosystem to building your product roadmap and from managing your board to determining who to hire and why, this episode has it all. Pete Blake from Sapphire Steel is a fellow All-Star Mentor at Tech…