Work with a purpose: Consulting engineer designs energy-efficient buildings

"Your engineering degree is very powerful and can open a lot of doors."

Diego Sanchez

Job: Mechanical Engineer, CHA Consulting

Diego Sanchez started out in science but switched to engineering for something more hands-on and less theoretical. After completing the joint UNBC-UBC environmental engineering program, he launched his career in geothermal systems, consulting with commercial clients who want to move away from fossil-fuel-based solutions.

 

What got you interested in engineering?

I started out at UBC Vancouver in Science, but I didn’t find the courses very inspiring. I wanted something that was not so theoretical or focused on memorization – something more hands-on and where there was a more obvious career path. I wanted a career where I could take what I was learning and apply it to solve real-world problems. That led me to engineering!

 

How did you choose environmental engineering?

I have always been interested in environmental issues. I ended up doing the joint UNBC/UBC environmental engineering program where you do two years at UNBC in Prince George, two years at UBC in Vancouver, and then a final half-year in Prince George.

I thought it would be interesting to experience life in a smaller place like Prince George. While my first-year engineering courses were harder than what I’d taken in my first-year science courses, I really enjoyed the tightknit community and the opportunities for personal interactions with professors.

UNBC/UBC environmental engineering program

 

What were some highlights of your undergraduate experience?

Students in the joint environmental engineering do a capstone-type project in the second year of the program. There’s a lot of flexibility and you can pick projects that interest you. My group worked on a feasibility design for using underwater turbines to generate energy at a location just off the coast near Campbell River.

As I’ve moved into professional practice, I can see the value of those types of projects as they really prepare you for what the work world is like.

It provided great experience at report writing, group collaboration and the overall design process.

Looking back, I also value the broad scope of topics covered in the program, from thermodynamics to ethics.

 

Tell us about your career since you graduated.

While a student, I did two internships in mechanical engineering, primarily focused on geothermal systems and HVAC design. After I graduated, I moved to New York to work for Dandelion Energy, a company that did residential retrofitting work. I conducted in-home audits to determine the compatibility of existing HVAC systems with a geothermal system and then overseeing the design and change.

In the summer of 2024, the company laid off the entire engineering staff and I made the transition to my current position at CHA Consulting. It’s a great company that is well-established in the area and I feel lucky to be working with senior engineers who have been working in mechanical engineering and geothermal for most of their careers.

My work focuses on the design of commercial geothermal systems, which involves feasibility studies, design drawings, energy modelling and large-scale data analysis.

 

What do you like best about your job?

The actual work is meaningful: we are creating more efficient buildings that are less reliant on fossil-based heating and cooling systems. I also like the hustle and fast-paced environment. It’s not for everyone, but I like the challenge of multiple deadlines and needing to get things done. I also just really enjoy the details of the actual work, whether that’s document drafting or modelling pipes and ducts.

Finally, I chose environmental engineering because of my passion for the environment. While I am working more on the mechanical engineering side, I always do what I can to prioritize environmental concerns. That might look like seeing to reduce pollution when doing site surveys or exploring strategies for soil and groundwater control.

 

Any advice for new students?

Engineers are known for liking a linear path, and I was no exception. You need to embrace that there are going to be ups and downs in any career, and it’s really about how you react to them.

Also, don’t be afraid to try something new or pursue opportunities that are out of scope from what you’ve done or studied before. Your engineering degree is very powerful and can open a lot of doors.

UBC environmental engineering students taking a reading in an urban creek.

Environmental Engineering

As one of the most beautiful places anywhere, British Columbia is an ideal location to pursue an Environmental Engineering degree. UBC offers two Environmental Engineering Programs...

Environmental Engineering

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