In this episode of The EEcosystem Podcast, Judy Warner catches up with legendary power integrity expert Steve Sandler, founder of Picotest, fresh off a European tour of PCIM and the IEEE SPI conference. They dive deep into the unprecedented pace of AI-driven innovation, its impact on power systems and thermal management, and how engineers can stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly changing landscape.
Steve shares practical advice for engineers—young and seasoned—on building intuition, finding mentorship, and navigating the expanding gap between academia and industry. Plus, hear his take on the role of AI in design tools, the limitations of SPICE, and why old-school wisdom is more important than ever.
🔧 Whether you’re struggling with thermal design, scaling innovation, or just trying to keep up with the AI wave, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
🤝Join The EEcosystem Community for more free engineering resources and member-only benefits at https://theeecosystem.com
Episode Links:
📌 Featured Guest Steve Sandler – Founder and Managing Director of PicoTest Connect with Steve: LinkedIn
📚 Resources & Mentions
- PicoTest Online Measurement Class
- PicoTest Solutions Page
- Signal Integrity Journal
- DesignCon Call for Papers (2026)
- Steve's Recommended Strategy: Pair old wisdom with young energy
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