Synectic is excited to announce the addition of Paul Bertrand to our engineering team. Paul has a background in electrical engineering and teaching, with a focus on robotics and mechatronics. We sat down with Paul to learn more about him, his interest in engineering, and why he joined our team.
First, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to tell us about yourself. Let’s start with your engineering background. What inspired you to choose electrical engineering as a career?
I initially studied physics and worked for several years as a physics and chemistry teacher. While fulfilling, this work lacked the creative puzzle-solving aspect posed by engineering work, which is something I yearned for professionally and practiced constantly in my spare time. Recently, I returned to school and attained a degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts.
What are your job duties at Synectic? Do you specialize in any branch of engineering?
Much like the other engineers here at Synectic, I fully dive into the project presented by our clients and, in the process, ‘wear many hats’. Despite this, I am a trained electrical engineer and will no doubt assist in much of that work more generally.
Of all the product development companies, why did you choose to work at Synectic?
The multidisciplinary work at Synectic is precisely why I entered the Engineering Field. Over the course of one project, our engineers need to address hardware, electrical, and software development challenges. Generally, our clients approach us with the problems they face trying to realize an envisioned product, and it’s up to us to deliver – that mandate really speaks to me.
What quality or ability do you bring to Synectic that can help our clients?
While skills are mandatory to realize a product, the process requires so much more than that. As product design engineers, the relationship with our clients is foremost. I will work to recognize what is envisioned, communicate as we work through the process, and ultimately deliver a product that works for their business today and into the future.
What do you do when not working on the next latest and greatest product design for our clients?
I am a fervent backpacker. I have hiked the Long Trail twice (272 miles) and go out for days on end, even in the harshest depths of winter. Other hobbies include electronics and robotics projects at home, gardening, cooking, and woodworking.
Before we end the interview, we’re dying to know, what’s your favorite type of pizza?
I don’t pick favorites, but you can tell a lot about a place by sampling a plain slice of cheese.
About Synectic Product Development: Synectic Product Development is an ISO 13485 certified, full-scale product development company. Vertically integrated within the Mack Group, our capabilities allow us to take your design from concept to production. With over 40 years of experience in design, development, and manufacturing, we strive for ingenuity, cost-effectiveness, and aesthetics in our designs.
