New Engineer-in-Residence (Aero-Engine Testing)
Recently, a $50M GE/StandardAero cold-weather engine test site opened in Winnipeg, complementing a $42M cold-weather engine-testing facility recently opened in Thompson, Manitoba by Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney. Demand for highly skilled aerospace engineers is clearly about to go up―way up.
In response to this demand for aerospace engineers, the Province of Manitoba, WestCaRD, EnviroTREC and Standard Aero have teamed up to financially support a new engineer-in-residence position in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Manitoba.
“The Faculty of Engineering is thrilled to announce that Ms. Kathryn Atamanchuk has accepted the position of Engineer-in-Residence in Aero-Engine Testing at the University of Manitoba,” says Jonathan Beddoes, dean of engineering.
Atamanchuk is a professional engineer (APEGM), earning her Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering (aerospace option), from the University of Manitoba in 1999. She was awarded the John Shewchuk Engineering Design Award and the E.B. Kernaghan Scholarship, and went on to attain her Master’s Degree in business administration from the University of Manitoba in 2007. Atamanchuk has spent the last 13 years at Standard Aero in Winnipeg, working her way through service engineer, project engineer, value engineering manager, inspection engineer, engineering manager (TLM propulsion cluster), and finally, the last five years as director of engineering services.
Atamanchuk’s appointment position is made possible by financial support provided by the Province of Manitoba, WestCaRD, EnviroTREC and Standard Aero. Her primary role in the Faculty of Engineering will be that of instructor. She will teach aero-engine testing, project management and advanced instrumentation, and will also serve as an advisor for the 4th year Capstone Design Project in which all engineering students participate before graduation.
“The aero-engine industry in Manitoba appreciates the leadership and support provided by the Province of Manitoba and the University of Manitoba Faculty of Engineering in establishing this engineer-in-residence position, and heartily endorses Kathryn Atamanchuk in this important role,” says Vic Gerden, CEO of WestCaRD. “The new GE Aviation Engine Testing, Research & Development Centre located on the Winnipeg airport will need increasing numbers of well-trained, specialized test engineers and operators and this initiative will definitely help us develop the next generation workforce.”
“Having an engineer-in-residence focused on aero-engine testing will be a great benefit,” says David Simpson, executive director of EnviroTREC. “As a Canadian environmental test research and education centre, EnviroTREC was formed to stimulate the development of technology programs which are required to support the operation of the GLACIER test facilities in Thompson, Manitoba. One of our greatest challenges is the development of the highly qualified personnel and technologies which are necessary to keep the EnviroTREC/GLACIER capabilities at the forefront of the aerospace sector. We are confident this partnership with the Faculty of Engineering will help us meet this challenge.”
“The Faculty of Engineering is looking forward to having Atamanchuk’s experience and expertise available to our faculty and students,” says Doug Ruth, associate dean (design education). “Strong partnerships between the Faculty of Engineering and its industry stakeholders make both stronger in the world market and economy.”