As a Maintenance Engineer, Engineer-in-Training (EIT), for the Menihek Generating Station, Ellen and her team help ensure the smooth operation of the plant as it supplies power to communities in Quebec. Knowing this work has a direct impact on the lives of others is what motivates Ellen to make sure she’s doing her best to better serve our customers.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in Nova Scotia but moved to St John’s at a young age and grew up here. My interest in math and physics led me to study engineering and I graduated from MUN’s Mechanical Engineering Program in 2023. When I’m not at work I enjoy going to hot yoga, reading, hiking and spending time with my friends and family! I also enjoy travelling and exploring new places.

Describe your role here at Hydro.

I started with Hydro in September 2023. As the maintenance engineer for the Menihek Generating Station, in Labrador, I’m responsible for planning and tracking maintenance work for the facility and I coordinate with my team to help ensure the smooth operation of the plant as it supplies power to communities in Quebec. I get to travel to Menihek several times a year to support the execution of our maintenance work which has been a great learning opportunity!

My day-to-day tasks can vary depending on the time of year and what is going on at site. Leading up to the spring/summer season, I spend most of my time planning critical maintenance work for the plant. Then, during the maintenance season, I’m on site with my team, working with contractors to answer any questions and provide any technical support they may need.

What made you want to come to work at Hydro?

Working for Hydro was especially appealing to me as I can physically see the direct impact of our work everyday when I use electricity. I’m also very interested in renewable energy and being a part of a company that is forward thinking – with Hydro, I was confident it would be a great learning experience, especially as a new graduate.

What’s something about your job that you think most people may not know?

As Menihek is very remote, we have to travel to site by train or helicopter!

What role do you and your team play in ensuring Hydro can provide safe, reliable power to our customers?

My team is responsible for the safe and reliable operation of the Menihek Generating Station. We work together to ensure the site is well maintained and the work being conducted is safe and well planned. A lot of effort and coordination goes into ensuring our maintenance work is executed safely and that everything is properly tracked and recorded. This work ensures the assets in Menihek continue to be reliable and help us avoid any power interruptions for the customers we serve.

What’s the biggest reason you’re motivated to do your best work every day?

I know the work my team and I do has a direct impact on the lives of others. This makes my work feel very rewarding and motivates me to learn more to ensure I’m doing my best to better benefit our customers.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your job?

The most rewarding thing about my job is the opportunity to meet and work with new and interesting people. The working atmosphere at Hydro is a very positive one. Whether it’s in the office or at site, I have met so many people that I have been able to learn from. As a new graduate, I always feel comfortable asking questions and everyone is eager to share their knowledge and help in any way they can. This positive learning environment has allowed me to grow and develop my skill set as a new engineer.

Want to learn more about the Menihek Generating Station? Click here.