Supporting the talented personnel within our organization is important and Manson strives to provide our employees with a variety of opportunities to work in dynamic settings. For up-and-coming engineers at Manson, this often means working alongside skilled individuals who provide their insight and lessons-learned from real work experience.
This summer, the Marketing Department caught up with Equipment Engineer Ross Dombrowski and Field Engineer Josh Rudd based out of the Seattle office for a quick Q & A about their first year at Manson. This is their experience so far.
Ross Dombrowski, Equipment Engineer
Q: When did you first get hired at Manson?
A: I officially joined the Seattle yard office on June 28, 2021. Prior to that, I completed a nine-month Manson internship from May 2020 to February 2021.
Q: Tell us about your current role and responsibilities.
A: When I first started at Manson I was tasked with updating the general specifications for Manson’s derrick barges. After that, I jumped at the opportunity to travel to Long Beach, CA, and assist with the installation of a Manitowoc Jib on the derrick barge NORSEMAN. I also was able to assist with the repower of the derrick barge NJORD dry docking portion at Dakota Creek Industries in Anacortes, WA.
Q: What projects or tasks are you currently working on?
A: Most recently, I have become the newest member of the FREDRICK PAUP build team in Brownsville, Texas.
Q: What expectations did you have for your role when you first started at Manson?
A: I had zero expectations. I am a strong believer that you ‘get out what you put in.’ My goal has always been to learn as much as I can to contribute to Manson’s success as a company.
Q: What have you learned since joining Manson?
A: I’ve had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of our floating equipment, especially the derrick barges.
Q: Who or what has contributed to your success at Manson?
A: The overall culture of the company has laid the foundation for me to be successful in my role. Equipment Engineering Manager Nick Maddox has provided invaluable engineering expertise and support. Port Engineer Gary Ketterl has shared many of his real work experiences to better help me understand the repair, maintenance, and upkeep of marine vessels. Dredge Captain Joe Barney and Deck Engineer Ryan Huffaker both showed up in top-notch capacity during the dry docking of the NJORD, bringing several decades of hands-on knowledge to the table and being great educators to teach me as much as they could.
Josh Rudd, Field Engineer
Q: When did you first get hired at Manson?
A: I joined Manson in May 2021 after graduating with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Washington State University.
Q: Tell us about your current role and responsibilities.
A: I got hired on as a field engineer and I’ve had a wide range of responsibilities which include creating work plans, AutoCAD drawings, sequences, quantity takeoffs, etc. In addition, I coordinate with foreman and craft personnel to execute scopes of work, collaborate with subcontractors to create solutions, communicate with clientele and designers on project designs, approve shop drawings for designs of permanent materials, and approve and review invoices.
Q: What projects or tasks are you currently working on?
A: I just completed the BP Cherry Point Fender and Marine Loading Arm Replacement project in Ferndale, WA.
Q: What expectations did you have for your role when you first started at Manson?
A: I expected a good 50/50 split between office and fieldwork. I also expected to be given the responsibility to oversee scopes of work and the opportunity to help manage a job site. My role at Manson has met my expectations because I’ve had the freedom to determine when I’m needed in the field vs. when I’m needed in the office. In my role, I’ve also been given the responsibility to manage personnel and schedules.
Q: What have you learned since joining Manson?
A: I have learned a lot, too much to list. To keep it short, I have essentially learned how Manson operates such as how work is performed, who performs the work, the type of work performed, and why certain scopes of work are executed in specific ways.
Q: Who or what has contributed to your success at Manson?
A: When I first started, Project Manager Erik Dolmseth was my mentor. I had no idea what I was doing or how construction even worked. I was given guidance and explanation behind things to help my understanding and set me up for success. Project Sponsor Ben Tornberg and Project Manager Matt Lehmann were also both critical in evaluating and reviewing my work to continually help me improve.
