Andrew Fried founded Meaningful Systems, LLC, in 2024 to help share his knowledge and experience in systems thinking, systems modeling, innovation, and generally solving complex problems with the world.  Meaningful Systems, LLC is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and offers a holistic set of offerings to transform an organization into an inclusive innovative culture and develop meaningful solutions to complex socio-technical problems most important to our customers.  

Andrew has undergraduate degrees in electrical and mechanical engineering from the University of St. Thomas, with minors in mathematics and physics.  Additionally, Andrew has a master of science in electrical engineering from Stanford University.  He started his career in Aerospace and Defense Industry as a member of Lockheed Martin’s Engineering Leadership Development Program where he worked on different rotations around the company.  These included shock and vibration testing of refrigerator sized computers for maritime applications, advanced technology for the F35 Joint Strike Fighter program, electronics manufacturing for the Space Based Infrared Satellite (SBIRS) program, and nanomaterials and sensors for space.  At Stanford, Andrew specialized in nanomaterials and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).  He later carried this work into the commercial electronics industry when he served as an applications engineer for silver nanowire (AgNW) transparent conductive films used in today’s foldable tablets and phones as well as large touch screen applications.  

Eventually, Andrew decided he wanted to do something more meaningful so he joined Medtronic.  At Medtronic, Andrew has led major programs as a Lead Systems Engineer.  Today, Andrew is a Technical Fellow at Medtronic and has averaged approximately 15 inventions per year.  He is actively developing an inclusive innovation culture at Medtronic and mentoring the next generation of systems thinkers and innovators. 

For several years, Andrew was an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas where he taught the following courses: 

• Introduction to Systems Engineering

• Systems Design

• Systems Modeling and Simulation