Kuna Engineering

👋 Meet Malia Barlow!

Malia is spending the summer with Kuna Engineering as an intern while studying Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at the University of Michigan. She'll be a junior this fall and is using her internship experience to explore potential career paths in engineering and environmental fields.

Growing up with a love for math, Malia was drawn to engineering because it offered both a challenge and endless opportunities. Today, she's discovering just how many different directions an engineering degree can take her.

As a NANA shareholder, Malia encourages younger students interested in STEM to stick with it, even when it gets difficult:

"Know that it is going to be a lot of work, but when you get to the end, everything that you did and will do will always be something that you can be proud of."

A few fun facts about Malia:
🧩 She's a serious Sudoku fan and loves tackling the hardest puzzles she can find.
🎧 She never leaves home without her headphones.
🫖 Tea is her beverage of choice.
🪚 If she could instantly master any skill, she'd choose carpentry.

We're glad to have Malia on our team this summer and can't wait to see what she accomplishes in the future!

Looking for a new opportunity? We'd love to meet you.

At Kuna Engineering, we work on projects that make a real difference in Alaska communities—from infrastructure and environmental services to architecture, planning, and beyond. We're proud of our values, our people, and the work we do together.

We're also proud to be a place where employees can grow their careers, tackle meaningful challenges, and have some fun along the way.

If you're looking for a team that values collaboration, innovation, and community, check out our current openings:

👉 https://kunaeng.com/careers/

Know someone who might be a great fit? Tag them in the comments or share this post!

#𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐎𝐮𝐫𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦

Careers | Kuna Engineering - Alaska Kuna is a great place to work and we encourage our employees to grow – professionally and personally. Our office culture and ethics are rooted in a shared understanding that employees are respected, achievements are recognized, and credit is shared.

Between STEM activities in Buckland and Kivalina, Rose Walker — who grew up in Buckland — took Miguel Villacorta shee-fishing out on the ice near Kotzebue.

Moments like these highlight the importance of local knowledge, shared experiences, and community connections across Northwest Alaska. We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn from one another both inside and outside the classroom. ❄️🐟

Kuna Engineering’s Rose Walker and Miguel Villacorta recently had the opportunity to visit Buckland and Kivalina through the BWISE Program, working with students on hands-on STEM activities focused on creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving.

From balloon-powered race cars and catapults to community mapping and engineering challenges, students brought incredible imagination and enthusiasm to every activity. We’re grateful to the schools and communities for welcoming us and allowing us to help inspire the next generation across rural Alaska. 💙

Gloves on, bags open, Alaska wind doing its usual “character building” thing.

This afternoon, ten Kuna employees, along with one awesome teenage volunteer, spent time doing roadside cleanup and helping care for our community. After a productive afternoon outdoors, the team celebrated with pizza at Pizza Plaza, where gentle ribbing and funny stories created an atmosphere of laughter and camaraderie.

Thank you to everyone who came out and represented Kuna so well.

Welcome to the team, Ashley! 🎉

We’re excited to introduce Ashley Barebo, Environmental Scientist at Kuna Engineering. Ashley brings a unique background to the team, starting her career as an exploration geologist before transitioning into environmental science. Originally from Pennsylvania, she’s spent the last four years working in Alaska and is excited to continue supporting remote rural projects across the state.

Ashley loves being outdoors, spending time in the mountains, and tackling challenging field conditions with a smile and a strong team. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, hiking with her dog Buddy, and growing giant trees inside her small house. 🌲🐕

And according to Ashley, one piece of Alaska field gear is absolutely essential: a mosquito net (bonus points for earplugs to block out the buzzing).

We’re glad to have Ashley on board and look forward to the experience and energy she brings to Kuna Engineering!

What do you do when a community’s sewer system no longer works—and the ground itself makes traditional solutions difficult?

That’s the challenge the City of Anderson is facing, about 76 miles south of Fairbanks. High groundwater and freezing conditions have caused the existing system to fail, and there’s no one-size-fits-all fix.

Kuna Engineering has been working with Village Safe Water and the City of Anderson to find a path forward—meeting with residents, walking properties, and designing wastewater solutions that fit each home’s unique conditions.

It’s hands-on work, built on listening, problem-solving, and partnership.

Take a look at what we’ve been working on 👇

Volunteering at the Citywide Cleanup kickoff event

We’re excited to welcome Samantha “Sami” Schaeffer to the Kuna team!

A NANA shareholder from Kiana, Sami brings a passion for archaeology, cultural resources, and Alaska’s communities to our environmental group. Take a look at her story below 👇

We’re excited to introduce one of our newest team members, AJ Olson!

AJ recently joined Kuna Engineering as a Civil Engineer in Training, bringing a strong foundation in structural engineering and a passion for working on projects that support Alaska communities. As an Anchorage local, he’s especially excited to contribute to work that makes a difference close to home.

We put together a quick story featuring AJ—both in the office and out enjoying one of our recent team events at Arctic Valley. Take a look and help us welcome him to the team!