Mechanical Engineer I – Janelle
High-tech innovator
Not many people have seen how wind, hydro, natural gas and coal plants produce power, but Janelle Gunderson has seen it all.
Whether she's using high-tech equipment or determining specifications for replacement parts for SaskPower facilities, every day holds a new surprise for mechanical engineer Janelle Gunderson.
As a mechanical engineer, Gunderson's main responsibilities are troubleshooting at coal, hydro, wind and natural gas facilities, organizing upgrades and replacements for SaskPower infrastructure, and researching innovative new technologies.
"I like the work I do, it's not monotonous in any way, shape or form," she says. "I don't just work on the coal plants and I don't just work in the hydro plants, I cover all of it."
The perfect job
It's the perfect job for a tech head like Gunderson.
"One of my favourite projects was using the online monitoring equipment out at the hydro-electric station at Coteau Creek," says Gunderson. "It turned out be kind of a unique problem with vibrations in one of the units, so it was a little more difficult to find."
Why SaskPower?
"It's nice to get out in the field and actually see the entire process."
Making sure SaskPower facilities are running smoothly also requires a lot of travelling across the province, a definite perk for the adventurous Gunderson.
"It's nice to get out in the field and actually see the entire process, how we produce power from coal, natural gas, hydro and wind. I get to see it all."
