Alumni Spotlight

What do designing a vertical farm, analyzing fuel cell test stations and supporting community energy efficient projects have in common? 

In Kaylee Meschke's mind, they are all part of the same story — turning sustainable engineering ideas from early concepts into practical systems that enhance users' experience in the real-world.

Graduating from the SEE program, Kaylee built a strong interdisciplinary foundation across electrical systems, mechanical systems and renewable energy technologies. One of the most formative parts of that experience was her Capstone project, which challenged students to solely make technical decisions, justify their approach and stand behind their work. Through project-based learning, Kaylee boosted her confidence while navigating team dynamics and contributing not only as a problem solver but also as a collaborator and emerging leader. 

Beyond the academic side, Kaylee was actively involved in extracurricular activities that became some of her favourite memories at SFU. After receiving the Rising Star Award in Women in Clean Tech’s Integrated Sustainable Building Design Competition, Kaylee and her team travelled to Atlanta to attend an ASHRAE conference. She also competed in the annual SFU Engineering Competition in junior and senior design categories, where working under pressure, presenting ideas and defending design decisions strengthened her technical skills.

Through the co-op program, Kaylee transitioned from a Detail Design Engineer to a Test and Service Engineer at Greenlight Innovation Corp., a role she had been interested in during co-op. In this position, she worked on fuel cell and electrolyzer systems, troubleshooting technical issues. These responsibilities allowed her to apply concepts from the renewable energy coursework while building the technical depth needed to succeed in the clean energy sector. 

Today, Kaylee is a Project Engineer in the Grant and Energy Study Department at Polar Engineering. In her role, she works with community centers and recreational facilities to evaluate existing HVAC and arena mechanical systems. By analyzing electrical and natural gas consumption data, Kaylee helps develop recommendations for energy efficiency upgrades and heat recovery opportunities that can reduce operating costs and support more sustainable building improvements. 

Looking back, Kaylee recognizes the importance of communicating your interests and taking initiative. During co-op, she realized that repetitive tasks were not where she thrived. By proactively discussing with her supervisor, she was able to take on more engaging responsibilities. In the workplace, there are lots of opportunities that you can create by taking the initiative rather than relying on others.

Immersed in a fast-paced, project-driven environment where both technical and professional skills are essential, Elena Soboleva built a solid foundation in engineering throughout the interdisciplinary program at the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering. 

One of the most cherished memories of Elena’s journey was the eight-month Capstone project, which brought her team together through every stage of the engineering process. From early design and analysis to the final presentation of their prototype, she worked closely with her teammates and received valuable guidance and mentorship from an industry sponsor. The project not only enriched Elena’s real-world experiences, but also provided lasting growth in her technical confidence, resilience and collaboration skills. 

Beyond the classroom, the involvement in Team Phantom played a critical role in shaping Elena’s hands-on experience. Starting with limited experience in her first year, she gradually took on system integration challenges, embedded programming and leadership roles. These hands-on experiences opened doors to more co-op opportunities and helped her become a more capable and well-rounded engineer. 

During her co-op at Greenlight Innovation Corp., Elena worked across multiple roles, including software engineering, detailed design and manufacturing support engineering. Moving between these positions gave her invaluable exposure to the full product development lifecycle and deepened her understanding of how individual components interact within a larger system. 

Now working as a systems engineer at Hyfluence, Elena draws on the skills developed during her co-op and academic experiences to anticipate integration challenges early and adapt effectively within a fast-paced startup environment.

“We may encounter challenging moments, but overcoming those, often become the most meaningful memories that ultimately shape us into well-rounded individuals.” Elena believes curiosity leads to creativity, growth and unexpected opportunities. Cultivating an open mind helped Elena step outside of her comfort zone and embrace new opportunities. 

Meet Danielle Arciaga, who joined the first cohort at SFU’s Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) program established in 2019. As part of the program in its early stages, Danielle describes her academic and co-op experiences at FAS as providing a solid foundation for her career today. 

Many of Danielle’s meaningful experiences at FAS were shaped by the close bonds she formed with the SEE cohort. One significant milestone was the SEE’s first Iron Ring ceremony, which marked both the students' completion of their degree and the program's accreditation. Danielle also expresses gratitude to Professor Mehran Ahmadi, who presented the rings and inspired her to pursue a career in the building performance sectors.

Danielle credits the SEE curriculum with introducing her to fields such as energy management and power systems, broadening her understanding of real-world applications. Reflecting on her journey, she highlights her co-op experience at Metro Vancouver’s Liquid Waste Water Services, where she was introduced to a modelling software that simulated the entire wastewater network in Metro Vancouver. This experience sparked her interest in modelling and simulation, leading her to enroll in building energy modelling courses upon returning to campus and shaping her path towards joining RJC Engineers. 

Now working as a Building Performance Engineer, Danielle focuses on energy modelling and whole building life cycle assessments (WBLCA), areas she first explored during her undergraduate studies. Last year, she collaborated with colleagues across RJC’s Canadian offices on a case study examining embodied carbon in structural building projects and presented the work at a professional conference in Victoria. 

Looking back, Danielle emphasizes the importance of getting involved — whether by joining a club, participating in a student society, or competing in competitions. These experiences help build connections that can lead to unexpected opportunities.