Doris has been with IPD Engineering for about a year and has made some great contributions in her time here. We sat with Doris to talk about what it’s like working at IPD, and what she’s doing on one current project—The Auburn Cancer Center. Here is what she had to say:

Tell me a little bit about what you do here on a daily basis.

My work is mainly on the computer where I am designing mechanical systems in Revit or AutoCAD, doing calculations on different systems, or reviewing submittals. My days also include a lot of communication with architects, other engineers, and manufacturers either through phone calls, zoom, or in-person meetings.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is being able to see the inner workings of buildings that people go into and use every day. Especially since I’ve started working on hospitals it feels like my work directly affects people in a way that’s not immediately noticeable but incredibly crucial.

What is different about working for IPD that you enjoy?

I enjoy the amount of trust management has in everyone doing their jobs. As long as deadlines are met, we can do work in the hours and locations that best suit our needs. I’ve never had an issue reaching out to anyone despite many people working from home, and some even working in different time zones.

What kind of work are you doing on the Auburn Cancer Center?

Auburn Cancer Center is a new construction with a linear accelerator, CT room, infusion areas, and exam rooms. It’s served by multiple single zone rooftop units with DX cooling and gas heating. The building is very interesting architecturally, and the mechanical design has to align with and account for the design. There’s a C-shaped mechanical mezzanine that visually hides the rooftop equipment and ductwork from passersby. Not only did the equipment and ductwork need to fit and be hidden from view, but it was also important for the routing to not impede anyone from being able to access everything for service. Once inside the building there were spaces with sloped ceilings, specialty ceilings, and/or very high ceilings. Each of these conditions involved creative solutions to getting the mechanical system to not only fit, but also to not ruin the aesthetics of the space.

What has it been like working with your team on this project?

I work very closely with Doug who is my project manager and also a Mechanical Engineer. He encourages me to present my ideas first, and then helps me refine or adjust them when there is a better solution. Doug gives me the freedom to think for myself, while still being there as a constant guide to help me grow. I have learned a lot and become a better engineer thanks to Doug’s guidance. I also communicate frequently with the electrical and plumbing engineers on this project. They are incredibly knowledgeable and eager to share their knowledge with me to help me become more well-rounded.