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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
UMaine Engineering Students Think Outside of the Box BY ERINNE MAGEE
When a gourmet brownie company needed to figure out a way to precisely cut and bag their tasty treats, they did what people do when they encounter a hurdle: they called an engineer. Now one may not equate brownies with engineering, but Dana Humphrey, the Dean of Engineering at the University of Maine, rounded up his students and soon, a robotic system was brainstormed, tested and put to work. “Someone came to the university and said, ‘We have a problem we need you to help us solve,’ and actually it happens a lot,” said Humphrey. “Engineers love that.” In fact, creativity and problem solving go hand-in-hand at the Engineering and Technology school, no matter which of the 11 degrees a student pursues within the program. A senior mechanical engineering student named Amber Delaney spends time in the Advanced Manufacturing Center to dry kelp grown commercially in Maine as part of the design team working on that project. Irja Hepler, another senior in civil engineering, is working on a project at the Advanced Structures and Composite Center on a system to land manned spacecraft on Mars. Last year, as a junior, Brad Denholm was the lead engineer on a quarter million dollar project where he designed an automatic control system for a company in Auburn. Another group of mechanical engineering students designed and built a two-stage 8-foot rocket that actually launched from a site in California. The broad reach of engineering also had a group curious about what it would take to design an unmanned underwater vehicle to do work on the seafloor, so they made one. Parents who have wrestled with getting a car seat properly installed in a vehicle can appreciate that a group of UMaine students created a system that automatically adjusts car seats and locks them into place at the correct angle. “The demand for engineers has never been greater,” said Humphrey, who also noted there were 1,530 job postings for engineers last year, up from a typical 1,300 available positions. Humphrey sees this rise within the engineering program as well, noting enrollment has seen a 70 percent increase since 2001. Growth is expected to continue next year, as accepted students are up by 16%. A recent placement rate of UMaine graduates was 99.9 percent; this number is classified as students who go on to full-
time employment or full-time graduate school. “For young people who are thinking, ‘Gee, what should I pick for my career?’ engineering is a great choice,” said Humphrey. “I would also say a degree in engineering can be a stepping stone to other careers. There’s a whole range of things you can do with an
The tremendous need for engineers is largely in part because almost every problem, in one way or another, requires the skill of an engineer. “If you think about the technology we carry in our pockets or the technology in our cars or the advances in medicine … a lot of that comes from engineering and it takes engineers to solve that,” said Humphrey. “Beyond that, the biggest problem that society needs to solve in the next couple of decades is changing our sources of energy; engineers will get us from where we are now to where we need to go.” To help give engineering students as much hands-on experience as possible, the University of Maine received $50 million from the state of Maine in 2017 for the construction of the E. James and Eileen P. Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center (Ferland EEDC), due to break ground this spring. “This will be the best space of its kind in the Northeast,” said Humphrey. The 48 workbenches and various design shops will allow students to really hone in on fabricating parts and components of their various projects. With a biomedical engineering lab, electronic shop, 3D printing shop, tool crib, vehicle shop, metal shop, wood shop, and composites shop, there is a space for every kind of constructing and testing. The construction of the Ferland EEDC itself will serve as a “living laboratory” for students. Some concepts of the building were actually designed (and designed again) by current engineering students. Humphrey said classes will begin in the building in fall of 2022. Prospective students are able to tour the campus with Humphrey most Fridays as he shows attendees the world’s largest 3D printer and other highlights of the UMaine engineering program. Those interested can sign up online with the admissions office. On Saturday, March 7, the 2020 Engineers Week Expo will take place at the New Balance Field House. An all-ages event largely geared toward kids, this is an opportunity to discover more about engineering, with dozens of exhibits and hands-on activities. Real engineers will be on site to answer questions and share the work they do. The event is free to the public. “We are in an era where we need more young folks who are thinking about engineering as a career,” said Humphrey. “Not only is engineering a satisfying career but it’s well-paid, too.”
“For young people who are thinking, ‘Gee, what should I pick for my career?’ engineering is a great choice,” said Humphrey. “I would also say a degree in engineering can be a stepping stone to other careers. There’s a whole range of things you can do with an engineering degree, whether business, medical, law, education. It really opens the door.”
engineering degree, whether business, medical, law, education. It really opens the door.” Those staying the course in engineering will notice a smooth entrance into the workforce. Last year in Maine, for entry level positions, there were 2.8 electrical engineering jobs for every graduate. For civil engineering graduates, the number was 2.2.
ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
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To WBRC engineers, UMaine project is personal COURTESY OF WBRC
Like many Maine firms, WBRC’s engineering department “bleeds blue.” That’s UMaine-lingo for having a lot of alumni on staff. Over 85% of WBRC’s licensed engineers are University of Maine graduates. In late 2017, WBRC Architects Engineers was selected to lead the design of UMaine’s Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center (EEDC). There were a lot of high fives at WBRC that day. The firm’s engineers, especially, knew this 112,000 SF, $53 million facility would transform how engineering is taught at the University of Maine. Now, three years later, the building’s construction documents are nearly complete. Thousands of decisions and tens of thousands of manhours later, the thrill of this assignment has not diminished. For Electrical Engineer Stephanie Laplant, P.E. ‘96, the EEDC has allowed her to take a deep dive into design work. As a WBRC department manager, she doesn’t get to do that as often as she used to. “The EEDC is a very complex building, so it has really tested my creativity and challenged me to find innovative solutions.” Working on campus, she says, triggers fond memories. “We do a lot of work at UMaine, and it always feels like I’m home.” Dan Monroe, P.E., ‘94 is the project’s lead Mechanical Engineer. “Working on Ferland EEDC has been rewarding and meaningful,” he says. “It’s energizing and exciting to work with professors of the past and present, including Dean Humphrey, along with the UMaine Facilities team and student groups.” One of Dan’s favorite aspects of the building is what the project team calls Engineering on Display. Users and visitors will be able to
see into most classrooms and laboratories and observe ongoing projects. Engineering on Display also means portions of the building systems will be visible rather than hidden in a mechanical room. “I’m looking forward to construction starting and the finished product in 2022,” Dan says. WBRC’s Andy Rudnicki, P.E., ‘05, is also a major contributor to the mechanical engineering design team. Ray Bolduc, P.E., ‘90, leads WBRC’s Education Studio. Ray has overseen the entire EEDC project. His work started with WBRC’s team qualifications submission, in partnership with design consultant Ellenzweig of Boston. His oversight continued through several design phases and now construction documentation. Ferland EEDC’s ground breaking in April 2020 will be a big milestone for Ray. “Back in 1985 [as a new engineering student], I’d never have imagined I’d be principal-in-charge of one of the largest projects in UMaine history,” he says. Another twist of fate: The chief champion of the EEDC project, Dean Dana Humphrey, was Ray’s UMaine academic advisor. Rob Frank, P.E., ’88, is WBRC’s Chief Business Development Officer. He also serves on UMaine’s Alumni Board. “We knew during the interview that UMaine wanted something extraordinary to attract the best and brightest,” he says. “That is already coming to fruition.” One personal example: Rob’s nephew from Massachusetts was accepted to eight top engineering colleges. He is choosing to attend UMaine. “I know Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center was a big factor in his decision,” Rob says. “Justin’s class will have the first Senior Capstone Projects on display at the EEDC. How cool is that?”
Working on campus, she says, triggers fond memories. “We do a lot of work at UMaine, and it always feels like I’m home.”
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
Cianbro Projects Offer Exciting Opportunities for Engineers COURTESY OF CIANBRO
With over 70 years of experience, Cianbro is one of the largest, open shop, 100 percent employee-owned construction and construction services companies in the United States. We currently operate in diverse markets in over 40 states. We recently asked engineers about the opportunities available to them in working for the company. Erica Bertolaccini, Project Engineer, shares “As the industry evolves and Cianbro continues to grow, the opportunities within this company are unmatched and I know I’ll continue to be challenged every day. I’ve quickly realized that hard work, dedication, and ambition are recognized and rewarded at Cianbro. This company cares about its people. I come to work every day excited for the things I’ll learn and challenges we’ll face as a team, and I leave feeling appreciated and satisfied with my day’s accomplishments.” “Cianbro has provided me with the opportunity to gain valuable experience while contributing towards important projects that make significant and lasting contributions to the world around us,” comments Dylan Porter, Field Engineer. Two recently completed projects that serve as prime examples of the exciting opportunities Cianbro is able to offer our engineers are the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge Replacement and North America’s Tallest Wind Turbines.
Sarah Mildred Long Bridge Replacement
Cianbro constructed the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge replacement structure, which is located on the Piscataqua River and carries the U.S. Route 1 Bypass, providing a critical link between Kittery, Maine and Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The new bridge features a longer steel vertical lift span supported by four 2,800-foot tall precast concrete towers and a vehicular structure stacked over a railroad level. The new bridge was constructed at a higher elevation than the existing which is expected to allow for far fewer bridge openings, significantly reducing traffic congestion. Project By the Numbers • Constructed a 4,000,000 pound 300-foot long steel lift span • Erected 500 precast concrete segments, including 126 precast railroad segments, 229 precast vehicular segments, and 88 precast tower segments • Installed four 20 foot-diameter, 100-ton counterweight sheaves • Installed 29 drilled shafts, composed of 8,000 yards of concrete and 3,000,000 pounds of rebar - An additional 20,000 yards of concrete containing over 2,500,000 pounds of rebar were cast-in-place on the project • Over 300 miles of post-tensioning strand was installed, tensioned and encased in nearly 12,000 bags of “cable” grout • Over 20 subcontractors and 200 team members on site at the project’s peak
Since completing the project in 2018 Cianbro has received nine impressive awards including Best Highway/ Bridge, Excellence in Safety, and Project of the Year from Engineering News-Record New England.
Cianbro Constructs North America’s Tallest Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are getting bigger and taller! Cianbro assembled and erected 26 wind turbines in 2019 for a 90 megawatt wind farm in Pennsylvania. They are currently the tallest wind turbines in North America with a hub height of 425 feet. The turbine components are considered to be “super loads.” Assembly and erection of such enormous loads at extreme heights and with high winds required intense detailed and advance planning. We utilized our MLC 300 crane with 260 feet of boom, as well as our 715 ton MLC 650 crane with almost 500 feet of boom. About 450 heavy crane lifts were completed with the heaviest lift being of the nacelle component weighing 242,000 pounds and hoisted 425 feet up. The most challenging lifts were of the 220 foot long blades that were also placed 425 feet above ground. As the project location is among several streams, we developed and implemented monitoring programs which allowed us to construct the project with environmental stewardship at the forefront.
ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
Maine Maritime Academy BY ERINNE MAGEE
When it comes to an education at Maine Maritime Academy, students and their parents really appreciate that the school is focused, provides a great return on their investment, and has an unparalleled reputation for placing new graduates in well-paying jobs upon graduation. “We have had great success with our engineering programs graduating engineers who are well-prepared for the jobs in their fields of study,” said Richard Reed,
teams and clubs during her time at MMA where she’s been a member of the cross country team, lacrosse team and has enjoyed many afternoons sailing on the waterfront. “No two days on campus are the same and there are always new opportunities to take advantage of,” said Shea, a native of Brownville. Like Shea, 67 percent of the student population also calls Maine home, but the school draws undergraduates from around the globe, reaching as far as Puerto Rico,
Students focus on their work in one of the many project labs at MMA. Photo courtesy of Maine Maritime Academy engineering department chair at MMA. “However, we don’t rest on our laurels. We are seeking to continuously improve our curriculums and programs to even better prepare graduates for the future.” Reed said one example of how the engineering program has evolved is the addition this year of another hands-on lab in the curriculum, an automation and controls lab, that enables the students to continue to be on the leading edge of technologies used in the marine and power industries. But a typical day at MMA provides students with the opportunity to enjoy a well-rounded schedule away from the classroom as well. Fifth year Marine Systems Engineering student Mary Shea has been involved with a variety of sports
India, Northern Mariana Islands, Macau, Armed Forces Europe, Ghana and Turkey. “We pride ourselves on having small classes with lots of hands-on learning, taught by professors with real-world experience that want to help students grow into great engineers,” said Reed. “This fosters an environment of professor-student mentorship that brings students and alumni into a very close-knit community, something you usually won’t get at a big school.” New this year, Marine Systems Engineering (MSE) students are no longer required to participate in the Regiment of Midshipmen if they do not want to pursue the U.S. Coast Guard 3rd Assistant Engineer
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
Continued from page 5 License. Douglas Read, Associate Professor of Engineering, said Engineering Technology and Engineering Operations students have had this option through the Power Engineering degrees, but Engineering students have not. “Ideally, students would make the decision to pursue the license after the first year training cruise,” said Read. “But, for students who know they don’t want to ship out, we now have an option. These students will still know their way around a ship, though.” That ship is the well-known, 500-foot Training Ship State of Maine, what Read refers to as one of MMA’s “greatest assets.” For those students who won’t be participating in the regimented lifestyle, there’s a new first-year course that familiarizes them with the training ship.
“One goal for the students is to get them to step back and see the big picture.” Traditionally, first year Midshipmen spend a portion of the summer completing a training cruise, where they learn the basics of life at sea in terms of seamanship, how to operate the machinery on board, safety procedures, etc. Last year’s itinerary brought the students to NYC, Spain, England, Estonia and Norway. This hands-on experience covers both deck and engineering areas. Just as the hope is for students of the program to gain knowledge by actively participating in a cruise, in the classroom, the goal also goes beyond grades. “One goal for the students is to get them to step back and see the big picture,” said Read. “Our students have to be able to solve complicated problems, often involving many mathematical equations. So, we ask, ‘what is the math telling you about how the problem works?’ An understanding of how physics, math and engineering tie together is as important as getting the right answer on a problem set. There are unsolvable math problems out there. What then? The engineer has to fall back on that fundamental understanding in order to design and build what society needs.”
Woman On The Water
Meet MMA Student Mary Shea BY ERINNE MAGEE
Women make up only two percent of the maritime industry, something Marine Systems Engineering student Mary Shea is hoping to help change during her time at MMA and after she graduates this year. In 2018, Shea was the student chair in charge of planning and running the annual Women on the Water Conference that was being held at the Castine campus that year. The three-day event provides students and attendees the opportunity to network with industry leaders and maritime professionals. For Shea, the program as a whole has provided priceless mentorship, personally and professionally. “I had a very unique experience in which I was able to work with women from all sectors of the maritime industry,” said Shea. “I also had the opportunity to host students from many other maritime academies aboard the Training Ship State of Maine. The conference was engaging and empowering, and my experience as the student chair helped me grow as a leader.” This leadership experience helped land Shea in her current role as Student Trustee, giving her the opportunity and responsibility of being a voice for her peers. “Throughout my time at Maine Maritime Academy I have had endless opportunities to get involved,” said Shea. Whether it was on a sports team, within a club, as a member of student government, working aboard the Training Ship State of Maine, or in my current role as the Student Trustee, my leadership roles have helped me grow as an individual. As an engineer, I have been given the freedom to customize my last year in order to focus on topics and work that I am passionate about. MMA has provided me with the resources I need to succeed as a young professional.”
Mary Shea, Marine Systems Engineering student. Photo courtesy Maine Maritime Academy
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
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Breakthrough Training Program Supports Maine’s Next Generation of Power Engineers COURTESY OF TRC COMPANIES
For nearly 20 years, engineers in TRC’s Augusta, Maine office have welcomed college students and recent graduates to work alongside them as they prepare for careers in the power and utility sector. “We have always been committed to supporting the next generation of engineers,” said Jared Pelotte, TRC’s System Protection Engineering Manager. “We are proud to provide our interns with a positive industry experience that gets them excited not only about engineering as a career but about TRC as a great place to work.” TRC’s power interns participate in a unique department rotation program designed to be a diversified experience that immerses them in the full breadth and scope of a real-world substation project from start to finish. Throughout the summer, TRC staff serve as mentors and advisors, assisting the interns with their day-to-day work in areas including substation and structural engineering,
protection and controls engineering, system protection engineering, automation and communication engineering, and testing and commissioning. Mentors also build the interns’ skills in project management, construction management, quality control and assurance, power engineering, generation engineering, and transmission line engineering.
engineering has a lot of different pieces and I now know first-hand how they all fit together.” One of the most exciting features of the training program is structured project work. Interns follow the realistic sequence of a project and complete the engineering deliverables associated with each department they rotate through, following the process
We are proud to provide our interns with a positive industry experience that gets them excited not only about engineering as a career but about TRC as a great place to work. Erin Ballew, a senior at the University of Maine majoring in electrical engineering, gained a better understanding of power delivery in practice as a result of this crossdepartmental approach. “I will be a better engineer moving forward,” she said. “TRC’s program gave me a stronger appreciation for how all the groups work and come together to execute a substation project. Power delivery
flow from conceptual engineering, to final engineering and start up. Eunyoung Austin, a senior at the University of Maine majoring in electrical engineering technology, appreciated the insight and opportunities she gained from the experience. “This was my first job in the United States, and TRC gave me a great perspective of working as an engineer in this country. I now have a better
understanding of the range of options available in this career. I really appreciated and enjoyed working with TRC as an intern.” Outside the office, interns visit substation sites and equipment manufacturing facilities, and get the chance to perform hands on work at TRC’s state-of-the-art Testing and Commissioning Training Center in Lancaster, PA. “As TRC continues to grow, recruiting top talent that helps us deliver quality solutions is critical,” said Ryan Newell, Supervisor of Automation and Integration. “Our internship program is a valuable early investment into potential future employees which ultimately helps us advance the excellence our clients rely on us for.” Ryan has been recognized as this year’s recipient of the IEEE Outstanding Engineer Award which honors superior technical, professional and society contributions on behalf of the power engineer profession. He is a dedicated mentor to young engineers and a 2007 graduate of the University of Maine Orono, which we are proud to partner with for this program.
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
How These Maine Engineers Got Their Start
Tim Roix Civil Engineer President of B. R. Smith Associates, Inc Since he was young Tim Roix has sought answers to satisfy his curiosity about the world around.
BY JOSHUA ARCHER
Students with an interest in science, math and problem solving will likely be drawn to a career in engineering. But which path to take? Maine engineers work in a wide array of industries, from environmental science to construction to computer technology and much more. Meet just a few of Maine’s many engineers working in a diverse range of fields and learn how they got their start – and what advice they have for those considering a degree in engineering.
Jaime Madore Environmental Engineer Ransom Consulting, Inc. Before Jaime Madore found her groove as an environmental engineer, she took the first steps toward an engineering career at the University of Maine in Orono. “I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do, but I kind of knew that civil and environmental engineering seemed more my speed,” Madore said. She took advantage of internships while in college which helped guide her along her career path. “That made me decide that I wanted to lean more towards the environmental component of it,” she said. Once she had her degree she attended a career fair where she submitted her resume to several consulting firms in the Portland area.
“The thing about environmental engineering is, depending on what kind of project you have, some days I might be out in the field collecting soil samples or water samples or I might be doing walkthroughs at old mill buildings or old gas stations or old dry cleaners to see what sort of environmental concerns there are,” Madore said. “I knew [Portland] was where I wanted to be,” she said. After spending several years at a small firm, she accepted a position at Ransom Consulting, Inc., where she’s worked for the past 12 years. She said working for a consulting firm gives her the opportunity to see projects from start to finish. “I’ll see an old mill and I can be one of the first people to walk through it in 20 to 30 years,” Madore said. “Then we design the cleanup, we oversee the clean up, and then you see it turned into apartments or you see it turn into a brewery. I like seeing the results of that here in southern Maine. I really enjoy that I can drive around and say that’s my site.” Madore is happy where she is and credits internships with helping her find her way and recommends to anyone seeking a career in engineering to intern while in college. “I think internship is the most important thing. If you end up in the consulting field it’s so different than what you learn in college and not all engineers are used to that. I think it’s interesting,” she said. “It can be a rough transition when you’re working on behalf of a client and trying to engineer a solution while taking into account budgets and client needs. But seeing the real world stuff is so important because it’s just not what you see in college – what you see in the classroom isn’t the same as what’s in the real world.”
“I enjoyed figuring things out. Maybe not puzzles, but just how things fit together, why things are assembled a particular way,” Roix said. That curiosity led Roix to take a drafting class in high school and from there he took more drafting classes in college. One college instructor, who was also a land surveyor and engineer, owned a local firm and hired Roix. Roix worked for his instructor as a drafter and his new employer acted as mentor answering all of Roix’s questions and gave him more responsibility as time went on. “He really encouraged me to pursue some further education so that’s when I enrolled at Orono,” he said. Roix said it’s important to take time and do research before jumping into an engineering career which could become a lifelong commitment. “Definitely explore,” he said. “My advice would be don’t be scared off with what you think you can’t do. There are a tremendous amount of resources at every college. There’s a study lab or there’s a tutor or something. If you have an interest, explore it.” Eventually he began work at B. R. Smith Associates, Inc in Presque Isle in 1995. Roix is a civil engineer and president of the company. “It’s rewarding to look at a building and say we were part of that, and it’s also rewarding when you’re able to help your client,” he said. “Engineers are often called problem solvers and that’s what is important to me.”
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
Own Your Career and Your Future COURTESY OF KLEINSCHMIDT
Kleinschmidt is a mid-size, employee-owned environmental and engineering consulting firm where employees have a say in growing and shaping the company. Our people are passionate, engaged, and enjoy learning from one another while working on unique and creative projects to stay challenged. Technical excellence is the heart of our continued success and we strongly support learning and continuous improvement to create professional growth and new opportunities for our employees. We also have a formal mentoring program to ensure that knowledge and experience are passed along to the next generation. We enjoy a relaxed, professional atmosphere where employees consider each other family. Kleinschmidt is consistently recognized as a Best Firms/Best Places to Work.
“Being an engineer at Kleinschmidt I have enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in a variety of meaningful projects that have had a positive benefit on our society and the environment. Working in the field of Hydropower Renewable Energy provides a sense of accomplishment knowing we are helping to provide the power needed for our communities to thrive, while minimizing the impact we are having.” – Jesse Waldrip, Sr. Structural Engineer Our employees are passionate about the environment and the communities where we work, live, and play and we support their efforts by engaging in numerous philanthropic programs. Each year Kleinschmidt sets aside a percentage of revenue for our philanthropy efforts. These funds support employee efforts to assist numerous organizations throughout North America. We also work to promote STEM initiatives at junior high and high schools including the Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge at the University of Maine, along with several robotics and science programs. We also assist many other organizations through meaningful partnerships and employee volunteerism. We recently were honored with the 2019 Social Contribution Award from the Environmental Business Journal for our efforts. Kleinschmidt proudly supports Engineers Week and if you are interested in pursuing a career where you have the opportunity to work on creative, unique projects while developing practical solutions that save clients money and minimize or enhance environmental impacts then visit us on the web at kleinschmidtgroup. com. You will have the opportunity to perform meaningful work, while growing yourself and your career. You control your destiny. Come grow with us!
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
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Luke Damon Marine Engineer Assistant Chief Engineer at Jackson Laboratory
Growing up on Mount Desert Island and being a seventh generation lobsterman provided Luke Damon the right environment to enter the world of marine engineering. When Damon turned 18 he entered Maine Maritime Academy, first as a deck major before setting his sights on engineering. “Keep an open mind [about] slight changes in career paths,” Damon said. “I went to the academy as a deck major to be in navigation and ended up being an engineer instead. I really thrive in that environment and I didn’t even think of that when I was 18.” After college, Damon found work on a steam ship tanker spending months at a time out at sea. His experience on that ship gave him a leg up when he applied for a job at Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor. No day is the same as assistant chief engineer of the utility plant, Damon said. Along with standard preventative maintenance on plant equipment, scheduling, meetings, dealing with contractors for projects, Damon works closely with the chief engineer on the overall operation of the plant. Damon maintains high pressure boilers, almost a dozen centrifugal and steam-turbinedriven chilled water units and emergency diesel generators capable of producing 6.25 megawatts of emergency power for the entire 800,000 square foot facility during short or prolonged electrical outages.
“Solving some of the most difficult problems that we’ve had can certainly be the most rewarding thing,” Damon said. “I feel a sense of pride and of being self sufficient and feeling like I made a difference and helped – especially when a lot of people have been struggling with a certain issue. It feels
really good to be able to solve [a problem], get it behind you, and feel like you really earned your paycheck that week.” Damon is always on call and the plant he manages is always on his mind. “Some of the more trying moments can be going out to supper with my wife and saying something like ‘Well, we need to swing into the plant here quickly and I need to help them with something or maybe we should take two cars to supper, hun,’” Damon said. Damon’s dedication to his job doesn’t go unrecognized by his wife, he said, and he often recalls advice from a former chief engineer when the waves get rough. “(He) was also a former sailor and said that no matter how bad of a circumstance it is, don’t worry, we’re still tied to the dock. There’s no way that we can sink. You might have a late night, but we’re going to be OK,” Damon said.
Wayne Kilcollins Mechanical Engineer Wind Power Technology Instructor at Northern Maine Community College Following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps, Wayne Kilcollins was born with the itch to tinker. “I’ve always been interested in moving parts,” he said. “I wanted to learn, wanted to see how stuff works and so I’m sure it drove my father crazy because I would take stuff apart when I was 7, 8 years old, not necessarily knowing how to put it back together.” After some schooling at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, Kilcollins found himself far away from The County – all the way at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey. “That was a big change from hometown Aroostook County, but that was pretty cool. They paid for me to continue on for my education towards a bachelor’s degree,” he said.
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
MORE THAN ENGINEERING
COURTESY OF POWER ENGINEERS
Founded in 1976, POWER Engineers is an engineering and environmental consulting services firm with over 45 offices across the U.S. and abroad. We launched our Freeport, Maine office in 2004, and it has steadily risen from 6 employees to 100+ today. Originally offering Substation Engineering, the office has since added Transmission Lines, Project Management, SCADA and Analytical Services, and Testing and Energization services. Environmental Specialists joined as well, with groups in Biology, Cultural Resources, Mapping/GIS, Project Management, Air Quality, and Strategic Communications. These two fields, engineering and environmental, are what our clients need to solve their power grid challenges. According to POWER’s Matt Pelletier, “Our projects require multidisciplinary solutions, so we need people who thrive in teams.” And New England has plenty of opportunities because a good portion of its infrastructure is aging and needs replacement.
UMaine pipeline As a 100% employee-owned company, POWER is constantly on the search for great talent. The nearby University of Maine, with its BS degree in Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET), has been an excellent source for new substation design and field testing engineers. But to design a new transmission line, you need civil engineers. Luckily, UMaine also has a great civil engineering program which has provided top grads to POWER.
Environmental sciences Our clients’ projects require careful evaluation to ensure that any potential impacts meet environmental standards. New England is a unique place with special ecological habitats that draw us to live, work and play here. POWER applies a scientific approach to evaluate current ecological conditions, estimate the potential impacts, communicate with stakeholders, and develop strategies to avoid, minimize and compensate for project impacts. We use the traditional roots of ecological and social science along with modern technologies to evaluate solar, wind, battery and other generation projects; as well as the lines and substations that bring energy into our homes.
Anchor in the community POWER’s Freeport office is booming! After 16 years, we are the second-largest Freeport employer next to L.L. Bean. Many new hires coming in are college graduates that are choosing to live and get involved locally. “They are excited to be here,” says POWER’s Gino Giumarro, “and it’s really good stuff!” Freeport office leaders recently started a Workplace Empowerment and Leadership Program. These and other initiatives stem from the desire of staff to be part of the community. Join the fun! Are you an engineer or are you more interested in the environmental sciences? We need both and more! Learn more about POWER’s Services at www.powereng.com/our-services.
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
The Next Frontier in Offshore Wind Power COURTESY OF BURNS & MCDONNELL
Offshore wind is one of the fastest-growing renewable energy markets, and floating foundations are the market’s next frontier, creating new offshore wind opportunities throughout the world. Recent industry estimates, according to a June 2019 article by Power Technology, suggest the potential for floating wind power is around 7,000 gigawatts (GW) for Europe, the U.S. and Japan combined. By comparison, the world’s entire population currently consumes a little more than twice that much energy — about 15,000 GW — from coal, natural gas and renewable sources. In 2019, Maine committed to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Along with other coastal U.S. states, all are eager to add offshore wind power to their power portfolios in pursuit of these bold goals. Until recently, efforts of many U.S. states were largely stymied by a simple reality: The deep ocean waters along the California, Maine, Oregon and Hawaii coastlines were illsuited for offshore wind development. Traditional fixed-bottom structures used for offshore wind farms located in shallow ocean water cannot be easily adapted for installation on deep ocean floors. The tide is turning, thanks to the development of new technology that makes it possible to mount offshore wind turbines on floating foundations and harness the steady, powerful winds that flow over these deep waters.
How floating technology is changing the game Floating foundations currently being deployed in the offshore wind market offer solutions to many challenges at once. They make development projects possible at deep-water sites that produce higher energy yields than shallow-water projects. Fixedbottom solutions cannot be used for installations on deeper ocean floors, usually not deeper than 225 to 250 feet. Additionally, floating foundations are suitable for deepwater coastal areas and make it possible to build wind farms in even deeper waters farther from the shore. Globally, there are now more than a dozen floating offshore wind projects in various stages of development, including one off the coast of Maine. The 12-MW project — the first in the U.S. — is expected to consist of two turbines built on a floating structure. With financing now being negotiated, the project is expected to be under construction in 2021 and come online a year later. The Maine project is just the tip of the U.S. floating offshore wind iceberg.
Supporting the growing offshore wind market With the power industry rapidly evolving, a lot of exciting changes and opportunities arise. To support the development of offshore wind and other critical client infrastructure projects in the Northeast region, Burns & McDonnell plans to grow by 15% to 20% each year throughout the next five years — totaling nearly 250 new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) jobs in the Northeast. Burns & McDonnell is currently supporting several offshore wind projects in the region, providing overall project management, system planning, engineering and permitting for the onshore interconnection assets. The firm will also support the eventual procurement and construction of these onshore assets and the development of offshore assets.
ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
Continued from page 10 After a while Kilcollins came back home to Maine and found work designing automation equipment for a manufacturing company before he accepting a position at General Electric where he became involved with wind turbines. “That was a big change working on something 300 feet in the air,” he said. His experience with wind turbines led him to become an instructor at Northern Maine Community College where he’s been instructing for the past 11 years. “I teach all the different things [students] could use on a factory floor or in a wind turbine 3 to 400 feet in the air,” he said. Kilcollins has seen students who have itch to tinker move on to successful careers and tells all his students to always ask questions and be on the lookout for information and never miss an opportunity to job shadow.
“If you don’t understand something or you want to know more, dig into it, try to find more information on it, ask questions and don’t get scared, discouraged,” Kilcollins said. “If that’s what you want, be persistent, keep working at it.”
Tim Levesque Systems Engineer MMG Insurance When Tim Levesque was a kid he was unaware that receiving a Tandy 1000 SL computer as a gift would lead to a career as a systems engineer. It was years later while flipping burgers for a living he realized he wanted a more challenging job. The first step he took was getting his computer electronics degree at Northern Maine Community College along with several certifications. Next came a series of technician jobs. He then found work as director of technology for a local school system, which provided him the freedom to continue his education. From there he was hired at a small firm as a network engineer. All of those experiences prepped him for his current job as systems engineer at MMG Insurance. “Every job I had I liked the bits and pieces of it,” he said. “There were positive and negative aspects, but it really wasn’t a complete fit for me until I started working at MMG.” For the past 4 years Levesque has been responsible for the data center and global infrastructure. And like all engineering careers, he spends most of his time troubleshooting. “It’s the moment when you find the problem and you fix the problem and everything is A-OK again and you can breathe,” he said. “In this type of job you have moments where you question whether you know what you’re doing or not.” He compares what he does to civil or structural engineering but instead of building with bricks and mortar he deals in zeros and ones. “You know you need a bridge to span this river, you know what you’ve got for tools and what you’ve got for materials to make that happen, but you need to strategize a solution to get it from point A to point B,” he said. In his line of work Levesque said employers are looking for a person with both knowledge and practical application experience so items such as certifications are paramount. Levesque’s experience and practical application helped him earn his master’s degree in information security and he advises that internships can help narrow down a particular area to focus on.
“Pick a focus because in this field being a jack-of-all-trades isn’t really as sought after as somebody that has focused on one specific area,” Levesque said.
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
The different fields of engineering COURTESY OF METRO CREATIVE
Engineering is an exciting profession that encompasses many different subfields. Engineers are professionals who invent, analyze, design, test, and build anything from machines to structures to complex systems. They are often pushed to work within parameters of safety, cost, regulations, and even practicality. According to Southern New Hampshire University, engineering is divided into four main categories: chemical, civil, mechanical, and electrical. However, there are dozens of subtypes of engineering. As problems are encountered, engineering disciplines are developed to train highly specialized individuals to solve issues. As the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points to strong job growth outlooks, and salaries starting in the high five-figures to low sixfigures, engineering is a fine career to pursue. The following is a breakdown of some the various fields of engineering, courtesy of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, TypesOfEngineeringDegrees.org, and SNHU. · Aerospace: These engineers design, analyze, model, simulate, and test various aircraft, rockets, satellites, and other craft. Aerospace engineers may help develop space mission protocol or design aircraft for the military. · Agricultural: These engineers study science and biology to develop efficient measures to grow and maintain plant life. Many agricultural engineers now focus on protecting resources and the environment. · Biomedical: These engineers combine
knowledge of biology and medicine to develop technologies related to healthcare. Diagnostic machines, artificial organs, joint replacement components, and medical instruments are just the tip of the iceberg. · Chemical: Chemical engineers discover and manufacture medicines, fertilizers, plastics, paints, and the various chemicals used at home and for commercial purposes. · Civil: Civil engineers study and design infrastructure. Projects span the design of bridges, roads, dams, water systems, earthquake-proof buildings, and much more. · Computer hardware: Thanks to the digital age, computer hardware engineers are in high demand. These professionals research and develop components like memory devices, networks, routers, circuit boards, and other device-related hardware. · Electrical: The design, testing and manufacturing of electrical components is key to this field. Electrical engineers work on motors, navigation systems, communication technology, and much more. · Mechanical: This field involves the design of mechanical systems in industries like manufacturing, nuclear power production, HVAC, and nanotechnology. There are many other applications as well, making mechanical engineering one of the broadest fields in engineering. Engineering can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice. With so many disciplines, there’s likely something for everyone with an interest in and aptitude for engineering.
ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020
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Bringing Power to the People of Maine COURTESY OF EMERA MAINE
For engineers interested in a position with many opportunities to learn and grow, Emera Maine offers a team-oriented environment where you can see the results of your work every day. The company is seeking engineers who enjoy a variety of challenges and have the ability to prioritize effectively. As more Mainers pursue a clean energy future, Emera Maine engineers are gaining opportunities to integrate distributed generation into the grid and prepare the system for the impacts of beneficial electrification such as heat pumps and electric vehicles. Engineers work to help identify how Emera Maine can accommodate new solar energy projects and incorporate electricity solutions to meet changing customer expectations. Emera Maine engineers have a unique opportunity to see their projects come to fruition in the place where they live and work. Team members visit communities throughout northern and eastern Maine to perform planning exercises and witness the implementation of engineering plans. The company also offers the ability to grow as an engineer. Emera Maine encourages engineers to explore multiple disciplines and pursue opportunities to advance, which allows employees to continually seek new challenges and experience numerous aspects of electrical engineering. Continual training is also central to Emera Maine’s engineering work to ensure employees are always properly trained in the safe and effective use of new technologies. Emera Maine engineers are using technological solutions to improve reliability for customers, including more advanced devices to isolate and limit the impact of electrical faults. Automatic backup schemes, which enable customers to get power from an alternative electrical circuit when service by
their primary circuit is interrupted, are being designed and implemented to shorten power outages or eliminate them altogether. Members of Emera Maine’s engineering team are encouraged to get involved in a variety of projects on the electrical transmission and distribution systems, including planning, protection and coordination, line and
distribution system also identify necessary maintenance and areas for improvement of the grid. Similar work is performed for the bulk power system. Emera Maine engineers perform substation design, studies on transmission line configurations to ensure power can be supplied to all substations, and other coordination and protection of the transmission system. Emera Maine engineers help coordinate other devices on the electrical system that use technology to keep electricity flowing to customers and reduce the number of customers experiencing a service interruption when a fault occurs. Engineers working on the SCADA system and other communications projects perform troubleshooting exercises to ensure operations staff have control of and receive proper communication from devices in the field. Line engineers perform detailed designs of new power lines, evaluating choices of wire and pole strength and appropriate guying to ensure reliable service at a reasonable cost. Emera Maine is an employer of choice in northern and eastern Maine, and employees can perform work in some of Maine’s most beautiful scenic and recreational destinations, including spectacular coastal communities and the Katahdin region, among others. The company offers full benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance; paid vacation, personal time and holidays; tuition reimbursement, a 401(k) match; and opportunities for professional development. Emera Maine contributes hundreds of thousands of dollars to charitable causes and economic development opportunities in northern and eastern Maine and encourages employees to volunteer and fundraise for causes important to them by providing matching funds. Emera Maine is proud to sponsor National Engineers Week in Maine and encourages those interested in engineering to join us in bringing power to the people of Maine.
Emera Maine encourages engineers to explore multiple disciplines and pursue opportunities to advance, which allows employees to continually seek new challenges and experience numerous aspects of electrical engineering. substation design, underground facilities and communication equipment. Distribution system planning includes modeling and analyzing the electrical distribution system, using studies to determine immediate needs, forecasting future electrical system needs and identifying opportunities to improve the system. Engineers working on the
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ENGINEERS WEEK • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 21, 2020