May 2026 engineering newsletter

Here is your monthly dose of my Canadian engineering news created for licensed and aspiring engineers, geoscientists and technicians in Canada.

Engineers Making Headlines

Gabrielle Lam of the University of British Columbia’s School of Biomedical Engineering is a recipient of the prestigious 2025/26 Killam Teaching Prize, recognizing her excellence in teaching and commitment to student learning. Nominated by students and peers, she is recognized for her impact in advancing engineering education and fostering an engaging academic environment.
Dr. Mohsen Asad, a University of Waterloo electrical and computer engineering alumnus, co-founded Hyperlume, a deep-tech startup focused on advancing AI data centre performance. His company developed light-based interconnect technology using microLEDs to improve speed, efficiency, and cost. This innovation led to Hyperlume’s acquisition by Credo Technology Group for $128 million, highlighting its impact on next-generation computing infrastructure.

Crowdfunding Engineering/Technology Campaigns

The LincStation E1 is a compact network-attached storage device with four bays, allowing up to 76TB capacity. It features photo album backup, 4K HDMI direct output, and functions as a media center. The device is user-friendly with dual-band Wi-Fi and utilizes AI-powered capabilities for enhanced performance. It's designed to be a versatile storage solution for home and small office setups.
TerraFind is a smartwatch designed for modern explorers with offline maps, GPS, and backtrack navigation. It supports over 100 sports, is water resistant, and even allows WhatsApp replies directly from the watch. With a 12-day battery life and all-day health tracking, it aims to be a reliable companion for outdoor adventurers. The watch integrates smart technology to enhance the outdoor experience.

The AIVOR Mini is a compact all-in-one dryer with built-in storage and powerful high-speed airflow. It includes triple safety features and is ideal for travellers, dorm residents, and those living in small spaces. Its capsule design makes it convenient and portable, offering a unique drying solution where space and convenience are critical. This product aims to provide drying capabilities anywhere, anytime.

What technology or gadget are you currently enjoying and would recommend to other aspiring and licensed engineers? Let us know in the comments below.

Association News

Here are the news links to every Canadian Association. If there is anything beyond the standard stuff (elections, new appointments, upcoming events), I'll try to list them below.

Engineer's Canada - Join them for a full day of 30 by 30 programming at the 2026 CCWESTT Conference on May 24!

Career: Working Smarter & Job Hunting Help

Santiago Fernández de Valderrama Aparicio developed an AI tool called Career-Ops to efficiently filter job listings suited to his engineering experience. By building this tool, he not only streamlined his job hunt but also demonstrated valuable technical skills that helped him secure a head of AI role. This highlights how creating or leveraging productivity tools can differentiate candidates and directly impact job search success. Read more here.

Search all 300k eng. jobs | Use my three career-hunting tips for better success.

The rise of AI is reshaping engineering and product management roles, creating demand for professionals skilled in working alongside AI technologies rather than those displaced by automation. Engineers and managers who integrate human judgment with AI tools are becoming increasingly valuable. This shift emphasizes the importance of acquiring AI fluency and adapting skills to collaborate effectively with AI-enhanced workflows. Read more here.

TED Talks

In this TED talk, Gina Raimondo, former U.S. Commerce Secretary and Rhode Island Governor, warns that rapid AI adoption could unintentionally “hollow out” economies if workers are displaced faster than they can adapt. She argues that preventing this requires a long-term national strategy focused on continuous skills training, stronger collaboration between government and industry, and incentives for companies to retrain rather than replace workers—ensuring AI-driven progress benefits society broadly rather than deepening inequality.
In this TED talk, Kate Canales shares insights about the unexpected creativity and design found in makeshift signs created by everyday people. She highlights how these impromptu designs can reveal brilliant solutions that resonate on social and cultural levels, showcasing the power of design in society.

Quote To Ponder

Thanks for reading, and have a great month!

Gavin Simone, P.Eng. (AB), LEED AP

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