Preparing for Takeoff
Running pre-flight checks and calibrating control surfaces…
Running pre-flight checks and calibrating control surfaces…
Meet the passionate engineers and designers behind our success
Faculty advisors and graduate student mentors guiding our journey

Academic Advisor
Professor, Production Engineering • Faculty

Hardware Lead
Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering • Senior
Manages sensor integration and power regulation hardware for the avionics stack.
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Compumissions Lead
Computer and Communication Engineering • Junior
Develops computer vision, image processing, and ML models for mission-specific tasks.
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Autonomous & R&D Lead
Computer and Communication Engineering • Junior
Manages telemetry systems and flight controller development. Leads R&D initiatives for electrical systems.
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Fuselage Lead
Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering • Junior
Designs and analyzes fuselage structures to balance payload capacity with aerodynamic efficiency.
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Wing & R&D Lead
Electromechanical Engineering • Junior
Creates high-lift wing geometries and coordinates airfoil selection. Leads R&D initiatives for mechanical systems.
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Propulsion Lead
Computer and Communication Engineering • Junior
Develops powertrains, propeller selections, and performance models for reliable thrust.
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Tail Lead
Electrical Power and Machines Engineering • Junior
Designs tail structures, control surfaces, and empennage layout to ensure aircraft stability and control.
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Simulation and Validation Lead
Electromechanical Engineering • Senior
Conducts structural simulations, validation testing, and performance analysis to ensure aircraft integrity.
LinkedInOur graduate student mentors are former team members who continue to guide and support the team with their expertise and experience.

Mechanical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Mechanical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Electrical Mentor
Biomedical Engineering • Graduate

Electrical Mentor
Mechatronics Engineering • Senior

Mechanical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Mechanical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Mechanical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Mechanical Mentor
Mechanical Engineering • Graduate

Mechanical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Senior

Mechanical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Electrical Mentor
Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering • Senior

Electrical Mentor
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Mechanical Mentor
Mechanical Engineering • Graduate

Team Member
Electromechanical Engineering • Junior

Team Member
Electromechanical Engineering • Senior

Team Member
Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering • Junior

Team Member
Electromechanical Engineering • Senior

Team Member
Mechatronics Engineering • Sophomore

Team Member
Computer and Communication Engineering • Sophomore

Team Member
Electrical Power and Machines Engineering • Junior

Team Member
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering • Freshman

Team Member
Mechatronics Engineering • Freshman

Team Member
Electromechanical Engineering • Senior

Team Member
Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering • Freshman

Team Member
Electromechanical Engineering • Graduate

Team Member
Electromechanical Engineering • Senior

Team Member
Electrical Power and Machines Engineering • Junior

Team Member
Electrical Power and Machines Engineering • Junior

Team Member
Computer and Communications Engineering • Sophomore

Team Member
Mechatronics Engineering • Sophomore

Team Member
Computer and Communication Engineering • Freshman

Team Member
Mechanical Engineering • Sophomore

Team Member
Mechatronics Engineering • Senior

Team Member
Mechatronics Engineering • Freshman

Team Member
Communication Engineering • Sophomore

Team Member
Computer and Communication Engineering • Junior
Each squad focuses on a clear mission area so we can iterate quickly and show up to competitions with a fully integrated aircraft.
Leads: Electrical Head, Vice Electrical Head
Responsible for avionics, telemetry, power electronics, and autonomous systems that keep our aircraft smart and fly-by-wire ready.
Hardware
PCB layout, sensor suites, and power regulation that connect every onboard component.
Compumissions
Ground station software, communications links, and mission scripting for competition.
Autonomous
Guidance, navigation, AI-assisted flight modes, and embedded autonomy experiments.
R&D
Research and development initiatives for electrical systems and innovative technologies.
Simulation and Validation
Testing, validation, and simulation of electrical systems to ensure reliability and performance.
Leads: Mechanical Head, Vice Mechanical Head
Designs, simulates, and manufactures every structural element from fuselage shells to propulsion systems.
Fuselage
Airframe layout, payload integration, and crashworthy structures.
Wing
High-lift planforms, structural spars, and aerodynamic optimization.
Tail
Empennage design, control surface authority, and stability tuning.
Propulsion
Powertrain sizing, propeller selection, and efficiency testing.
R&D
Research and development initiatives for mechanical systems and structural innovations.
Simulation and Validation
Testing, validation, and simulation of mechanical systems to ensure structural integrity and performance.
Capturing moments from competitions, workshops, and team activities

SAE Aero Design Competition West
April 2016
Are you passionate about aerospace engineering? We're always looking for talented and dedicated students to join our team. Whether you're interested in design, manufacturing, testing, or project management, there's a place for you.
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