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Level Design Podcast

Level Design Podcast

A podcast for Architects and Engineers.

Join Scott Zurn, Professional Engineer with over 3 decades of experience and Founder of Level Design Partners, in exploring the in’s and outs of the design industry, bringing new thinking to outdated systems, and restoring value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers, engineers, and architects.

We’ll be discussing how Architects and Engineers can thrive in this industry by creating more freedom, flexibility, and financial security as a design professional, regardless of their current situation.

Recent Episodes

Oct. 29, 2025

What Germany Can Teach the U.S. About Water and Wastewater Management

In this conversation, Scott Zurn shares insights from his recent trip to Germany, where he was part of a delegation focused on water and wastewater management. The discussion covers the differences in environmental engineerin...
Oct. 9, 2025

What We’re Doing to the Planet and Why

Join host us for a candid conversation about our everyday impact on the planet—how infrastructure, convenience, and culture shape the environment—and what architects and engineers can practically do to help. From wildlife cro...
Aug. 4, 2025

Connecting People through Engineering with Murray McBride

We discuss the importance of connecting people through engineering, the role of education in bridging gaps within the industry, and the need for mentorship to retain talent. We explore the challenges posed by a capitalistic s...
June 2, 2025

The Most Overlooked Skills Engineers Need for a Thriving Career with Kevin Q. Walsh, PhD, PE, SE (Associate Teaching Professor at Notre Dame)

In this episode, Kevin Walsh, PhD, PE, SE, shares his journey through academia and the structural engineering industry, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities within the profession. We explore the evolving ro...
May 21, 2025

Bridging the Gap: A Bridge Engineer's Journey to Empowering Future Engineers with Luis Duque, PE, M. ASCE, Bridge Engineer @ Jacobs

In this episode, we speak with Luis Duque, P.E., M. ASCE, an award-winning bridge engineer with a passion for innovation and empowering future generations. With over six years of professional experience, he has tackled comple...
April 21, 2025

Building Careers, Not Just Resumes: A Recruiter’s Perspective with Brandon McGill

Today, we’re excited to welcome Brandon McGill, an executive recruiter specializing in civil and geotechnical engineering. Brandon is the founder of Charter Executive Search and is widely known as "The Civil Recruiter." With ...

Recent Blog Posts

April 25, 2025

Understanding Your Fair Market Value in the Design Industry

Welcome to another deep dive into the financial aspects of the design industry. In this post, we're breaking down the concept of Fair Market Value (FMV), specifically for architects and engineers. Understanding FMV is crucial for your financial well…

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Jan. 26, 2025

The Commoditization of A&E Services: How to Stand Out in a Competitiv…

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, architects and engineers (A&E) professionals face a significant challenge: the commoditization of their skills. This blog post delves into the factors contributing to this trend, exploring the historical co…

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