TEAM CULTURE
We value the overall culture and bonding of our team members over everything else. A team that can't get along outside of the shop won't get along in high-pressure scenarios or when trying to solve a difficult problem. We all experienced team members in group projects that sucked to work with; as a team, we may be forced to address these problems. They can be difficult at the time, but with a common goal, we all get along at the end of the day and have pride in our work.
Being a part of an FSAE team gives everyone a new community of friends that is hard to identify elsewhere.
Cultural Focuses
Strong Sense of Community
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We often feel like a second family, spending late nights in the shop, traveling/camping together, and celebrating wins (and fixing failures) as a group.
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We build deep friendships across majors and class years, not just in the classroom.
Shared Passion & Identity
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Everyone is drawn in by the same excitement for cars, racing, and engineering.
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Creates a “we’re in this together” spirit that bonds people, even outside the shop.
Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing
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Upperclassmen pass down skills, tricks, and lessons learned.
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Younger members get fast-tracked into technical and leadership roles thanks to this hands-on mentorship loop.
Professional Yet Fun Environment
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Mix of serious engineering and lighthearted moments, joking in the shop, traditions before competition, team meals, etc.
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Balances professionalism with camaraderie and fun, which makes long hours more enjoyable.
High-Performance, High-Trust Culture
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Everyone relies on each other; if one sub-team fails, the whole car suffers.
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Builds accountability, trust, and pride in contributing to something bigger than yourself.
Competition Spirit
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The thrill of working toward a shared, high-stakes goal fosters motivation and focus.
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Competing internationally reinforces a sense of belonging to a global engineering community.
Personal Development Environment
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We gain confidence and leadership by taking ownership of meaningful tasks.
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We encourage team members to step outside their comfort zone, whether that’s speaking to sponsors, machining parts, or presenting to judges. We are here to learn.
Lifelong Connections
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Many teammates remain friends, colleagues, or even business partners well after graduation.
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Alumni often come back to support or mentor, keeping the culture strong year to year.
TEAM STRUCTURE
Faculty Advisors
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Notifies team of EH&S/University guidelines/responsibilities
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Coordinates facility access to appropriate individuals
Technical Director
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Has chief ownership of the project
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Manages the overall project
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Maintains project schedule
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Develop design goals with sub-team leads and handoff members
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Enforces yearly team design goals
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Organizes (if decided) overall team meetings
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Has final say on overall design items
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Holds the team responsible for design rules
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Assembles the overall design review presentation
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Coordinates SAE competitions
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Settle membership disputes with Advisor, Business Team Lead, and Development Director
Business Team Lead
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Handles sub-team direction
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Approve purchases with the Technical Director and the Faculty advisor
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Handles AIC, MME, & PNC funds
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Handles communication for design reviews
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Manages University events (hoco parade, involvement fairs)
Engineering Sub-Team Leads
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Handles sub-team design direction
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Maintains sub-team schedule
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Organizes sub-team meetings
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Work with trusted advisors assigned to the sub-team
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Enforce engineering manual completion
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Holds the sub-team responsible for design rules
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Responsible for organizing sub-team design review documentation
Development Director
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Oversees long-term/underclassmen projects
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Organizes yearly handoff
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Delegates core team functions (recruitment/onboarding, maintains truck/trailer, EH&S standing, car management)
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Manages team roster
(business lead supports when needed) -
Coordinates non-SAE competitions
Business Team
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Maintains team finances
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Coordinates fundraising opportunities
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Maintains website/social media
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Sponsor outreach/appreciation
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Plan social activities/award banquet
Design Class Members
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Design assigned component(s)
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Coordinate manufacturing in conjunction with the sub-team lead
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Thoroughly document the design process in a notebook/applicable item
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Abide by the rulebook during design, sign off on applicable items
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Complete weekly hours report/submit new notebook entries
Team Members
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Support team activities
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Expand future team knowledge base and skillset
Trusted Advisors
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Collects and ensures document handover between years for the assigned subteam
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Advises on designs where applicable
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Helps complete core team functions
THE COMPETITION
Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) is a series of competitions where universities compete to design and manufacture the best-performing racecars.
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"The concept behind Formula SAE is that a fictional manufacturing company has contracted a design team to develop a small Formula-style race car. The prototype race car is to be evaluated for its potential as a production item. Each student team designs, builds and tests a prototype based on a series of rules whose purpose is both to ensure onsite event operations and promote clever problem solving." - SAE International
