Engineering Competition Teams | Engineering

Engineering Competition Teams: Where Grit Meets Gears

From off-road Baja cars and high-powered rockets to remote-controlled aircraft and steel bridges, our students dive into national competitions that demand real engineering under real pressure. Events like SAE Baja, where teams design and race rugged single-seat vehicles through grueling terrain, or Rocket Club’s high-altitude launches, test not only technical skill but resilience. When parts fail or systems falter—as they often do—students rally as a team to troubleshoot, adapt, and keep pushing. These intense, hands-on experiences sharpen problem-solving, collaboration, and leadership far beyond the classroom.

More details on each team is found below. Please contact the Dean of Engineering for additional information.

SAE Aero Design

Each year, Union’s Aero Team designs, builds, and flies a custom remote-controlled aircraft for the international SAE Aero Design competition—facing off against over 100 university teams worldwide. From aerodynamics and CAD modeling to electronics and final flight tests, students tackle every phase of the aircraft’s construction and pre-competition testing. It's hands-on, high-stakes engineering that blends classroom theory with real-world pressure. Along the way, team members sharpen technical and leadership skills, connect with industry pros, and often land internships or jobs !
SAE Baja

Union’s Baja Team designs and builds a rugged, single-seat off-road vehicle to compete in SAE’s international Baja SAE series—where student-built cars tackle brutal terrain, steep climbs, and a grueling four-hour endurance race. Using a standardized engine, teams focus on innovation in suspension, drivetrain, and chassis design to outperform the competition. Along the way, students gain hands-on experience in mechanical design, fabrication, project management, and real-world problem-solving under pressure.

Sustainability statement from the team: The Union Baja SAE team is committed to sustainable engineering practices. We actively reuse parts from previous vehicles and optimize design to minimize material waste. When new purchases are necessary for the development of the car, we make them thoughtfully, prioritizing durability and efficiency while considering environmental impact. With the support of Union’s machinists, we also recycle old parts, giving materials a second life in new projects.
Rocket Club

Union’s Rocket Club brings together students across majors to explore the thrill of rocketry—from 3D modeling and payload design to hands-on building and fabrication. While currently focused on experimentation and skill-building, the team is actively considering participating in an upcoming national competition—Battle of the Rockets—targeting a 2026 debut.
ASCE Steel Bridge Competition

Our students are gearing up to compete in the ASCE/AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition, with plans to enter the Northeast regional contest in 2026.