Paul Ziade shares his remarkable journey from tenured professor of mechanical engineering to CEO of one of Canada's fastest-growing defence technology companies. He explains why he left the security of academia to build North Vector Dynamics, the importance of hiring exceptional engineers, and the sacrifices required to create a business capable of protecting nations in an increasingly uncertain world.
The conversation explores the future of defence innovation, from AI and autonomous systems to manufacturing at scale and hypersonic technologies. Paul also offers practical advice for engineers considering entrepreneurship, explaining why purpose, ownership and meaningful work matter more than prestige, and why the next generation of engineers should focus on solving problems that truly make a difference.