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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and Founder of Level Design Partners, in exploring the in’s and outs of the design industry, bringing new thinking to outdated systems, and restoring value and honor to the unique people who choose to be designers, engineers, and architects.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

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The Most Overlooked Skills Engineers Need for a Thriving Career with Kevin Q. Walsh, PhD, PE, SE (Associate Teaching Professor at Notre Dame)
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...
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Bridging the Gap: A Bridge Engineer's Journey to Empowering Future Engineers with Luis Duque, PE, M. ASCE, Bridge Engineer @ Jacobs
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...
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Building Careers, Not Just Resumes: A Recruiter’s Perspective with Brandon McGill
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 ...
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Job vs. Career, Loyalty & Pride in Our Work, The Problem with Billable Hours & the Choice You Need to Make as a Civil Engineer with former ASCE President Dennis D. Truax, Ph.D., P.E.
April 3, 2025

Job vs. Career, Loyalty & Pride in Our Work, The Problem with Billable Hours & the Choice You Need to Make as a Civil Engineer with former ASCE President Dennis D. Truax, Ph.D., P.E.

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome Dennis Truax, a true leader and innovator in the field of civil engineering. With a career spanning over four decades, Dennis has made remarkable contributions as an educator, researcher, cons...
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30 Year Engineering Career, $110k Salary (gov director level) to $450k on His Own, to Building Level Design Partners
March 31, 2025

30 Year Engineering Career, $110k Salary (gov director level) to $450k on His Own, to Building Level Design Partners

In this special episode, four of us sit down in Austin Texas to discuss the State of Civil Engineering, Infrastructure, entrepreneurship and the future of the A&E career. We also take a deep dive into Scott’s career and the o...
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How Urban Fires Are Reshaping Infrastructure and Design, Fire Recovery, Reimbursement, FEMA, and Rebuilding w/ Jay Blackburn, P.E. & Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Manager Allison James
Feb. 21, 2025

How Urban Fires Are Reshaping Infrastructure and Design, Fire Recovery, Reimbursement, FEMA, and Rebuilding w/ Jay Blackburn, P.E. & Disaster Preparedness & Recovery Manager Allison James

This conversation delves into the complexities of community recovery following devastating fires in California, focusing on the emotional toll on municipal staff, the bureaucratic challenges posed by FEMA, and the importance ...
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Recent Blog Posts

Understanding Your Fair Market Value in the Design Industry
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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The Commoditization of A&E Services: How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market
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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