In a ShipTalk podcast episode, DevOps Engineer Donovon Carter from Dexcom discusses the challenges and insights of balancing innovation with regulatory requirements in the highly regulated medical device industry. Carter's non-traditional journey from a political science major to a DevOps role highlights the importance of interpersonal skills and negotiation in technology fields. At Dexcom, a leader in continuous glucose monitoring, Carter emphasizes the critical role of automation and continuous integration/deployment practices in maintaining compliance while fostering development speed. Despite the constraints of stringent regulations, innovation thrives through careful iteration and feedback within controlled environments, ensuring safety and quality before reaching customers. Carter also reflects on industry trends, advocating for simplicity in design and the reuse of well-established tools to enhance efficiency and reduce complexity in software development.