We recruit once a year at the beginning of the fall semester. The application consists of a general questionnaire and team-specific technical challenges. The technical challenges are designed to be difficult, so all we are looking for is your best effort. You do not have to get everything correct to get into the club. We also have info sessions and office hours in place to help.
The application cycle for the 2025-26 Academic Year has finished, but we will update this page with new application openings.
FAQ
We design, build, and test aerial robotics. Each year we construct multiple electric aircrafts for competition while learning about aviation innovation as a team. We provide members with hands-on experience and direct industry connections.
Operations:
- Project management across subteams to keep the club on track
- Marketing the club to sponsors and other external groups
- Organizing socials to foster community in the club
- Community outreach to spread a spirit of innovation
Mechanical:
- Designing and manufacturing the airframe, payload, and structural components
- Prototyping and testing mechanisms for performance and reliability
- Integrating mechanical systems with electrical and software teams
- Optimizing designs for weight, strength, and competition success
Software:
- Developing autonomous flight, navigation, and mission-planning algorithms
- Building computer vision and perception systems for mission objectives
- Creating ground station software for monitoring and control
- Testing and validating software through simulation and flight experiments
Electrical:
- Ensuring reliable electrical systems through testing and debugging
- Integrating sensors, avionics, and onboard electronics
- Developing embedded firmware for real-time control and communication
- Be a part of something awesome
- Gain invaluable hands-on technical skills
- Build working experience in a welcoming setting similar to industry
- Collaborate with and learn from talented and inspiring individuals across disciplines and experiences
- Direct industry connections to top companies (SpaceX, Cadence, Leonardo Helicopters, Zipline, etc) through alumni and recruiting events
- Join a community built on friendship, dedication, and innovative spirit
- Have fun at social events (with provided food)
- Have fun making things fly (and crash)
- Make contributions to innovative designs pushing the edge of aerial robotics
- Travel to competition for a fun and meaningful expereince
- Resume-builder
Not really. We are looking for a strong willingness to learn in our members. Basic knowledge about the subteam you are trying to join would be helpful, but we will provide learning opportunities. You can join the team and learn everything from scratch if you are willing to put in the work.
~6 hours per week, including 2 hour build sessions Wednesdays 7-9pm and 4 hour build sessions Saturdays 2-6pm. Flexible hours can be coordinated with your team leads. Optional build session hours ramp up as we get closer to competition in second semester.
You will get out as much as you put in. 🤗
Sure thing, go-getter! If you are accepted to multiple subteams, be aware of possible overlaps or additional time-commitments across subteams. You can also choose to commit to only one team after acceptance.
Feel free to email us at board@pennaerial.com
