What we do

UMSAE is a student run organization made up of four design teams based out of the Engineering and Information Technology Complex (EITC) on the University of Manitoba's Fort Garry campus.

Each of these teams designs and builds a vehicle to bring to international competitions hosted by SAE International. At competition, these vehicles are judged in a variety of different manners ranging from design and performance to their marketability and cost. These vehicles must meet a strict set of rules regarding their design.

More than just engineers

The most common misconception about our design teams is that they are only for engineers. UMSAE behaves just like a business, and because of that we need a variety of members to be successful. In addition to engineering, we also need people to help with media, business, and outreach. If you think you would be an asset to our team, contact us and we can find a way to put your talent to use.

No experience required

Any post-secondary student can join, whether you're in your undergrad, graduate studies, or getting your diploma. Most of the skills you need will be learned from your section mates and other members. All we ask are that our engineers:

  • Have initiative and a desire to learn

  • Are dedicated to the team

  • Are free for monthly meetings

Get hired by the best

In addition to the many great companies within Winnipeg, being an active member of an SAE design team makes you desirable to many prestigious employers internationally. We've had multiple members graduate to work for Tesla and Apple, as well as others compete in IndyCar and Formula 1. Here are some of our success stories:

 
 
 
 

Learn about the teams you can join

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UMSAE Aero is a team that designs, builds, and flies an R/C aircraft to compete in the annual SAE Aero Design competition. The team's main objective is to design an aircraft that lifts the most payload and carries the most passengers represented by tennis balls. In effect, the team is tasked to replicate a real life airliner but in a much smaller scale. The team is currently just starting off its competition year, so there's plenty of opportunities to learn about the team and its structure from the ground up!

As a new member, you will have the opportunity to get involved with:

  • Manufacturing several components of the airplane including:

    • Wing

    • Fuselage

    • Empennage

  • Aiding section heads with research and design projects, SolidWorks CAD modelling or FEA analysis

  • Writing sections of the design report as per competition rules

  • Participating in section meetings and aiding in flight testing

What you can get out of UMSAE Aero:

  • Opportunity to learn actual workings of an airplane, and factors that affect aircraft performance

  • Technical knowledge of various manufacturing methods employed by real full-scale aircraft

  • Experience with establishing testing methods and conducting experiments in wind tunnels and compression testing equipment

  • Rewarding personal small scale projects during build shifts

  • Teamwork experience that is recognized by employers,and opportunity to represent the university at an international competition

  • Well developed communication, teamwork and time-management skills

The main skill we're looking from an incoming member is willingness to learn and participate. Communication and thorough teamwork skills are also something we'd consider but no previous knowledge of aircraft theory or aerodynamics is required. If you've ever glued two pieces of wood together, and you're looking to make things fly, then UMSAE Aero is perfect for you! 
- Jasjyot Barmi, UMSAE Polar Bear Aero Team Lead

 

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The UMSAE Baja team designs, builds, and races an off-road vehicle in an international competition against other universities. The overall goal of the team is to design and build a single-seat, all terrain vehicle, equipped with a roll cage, that is durable and lightweight. The start of the year consists of a design phase, with the build season starting after Christmas. New members can be expected to be a part of the entire process, learning the design challenges as well as the build process.

Expectations:

  • Contribute to the design phase of the vehicle

  • Attend system/team meetings

  • Complete all necessary safety training

  • Participate in the manufacturing of the vehicle

  • Contribute to various required report

Technical Skills Learned:

  • SolidWorks 3D programming

  • Design of various vehicle systems which include:

    • Powertrain

    • Frame and Body

    • Suspension and Steering

    • Electrical

    • Driver controls

  • Testing methods and data analysis

  • Various manufacturing methods

Soft Skills Learned:

  • Teamwork

  • Written/Oral Communication

  • Meeting deadlines

-Jonathan Comeau, UMSAE Red Lion Racing Team Lead

 

 
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The Formula Electric SAE team designs and manufactures an all-electric formula style vehicle to compete against other universities in the international Lincoln Electric competition. The Electric team has a strong focus on member integration and learning, documentation and record-keeping, and organizational structure. Hence, the team routinely issues several iterative documents including a design report, project management report, and more every year. These serve to aide new members in learning the team structure and design process. Currently, the team is on a two-year build of its current vehicle, and the 2018 vehicle is nearly complete. Once it is complete, an in-depth testing phase will begin, after which further improvements based on test data will be made to the vehicle before the 2018 competition in June.

Expectations:

  • Learn the team's organizational structure

  • Learn the team's design process

  • Attend System meetings and team meetings

  • Perform various tasks and design work as part of designated System

  • Perform manufacturing work for vehicle

  • Perform all work in accordance with safety regulations

  • Complete High Voltage Electrical Safety Training

  • Complete sections of written competition deliverables

  • Seek to participate in one's own professional development

Technical Skills Learned (strongly dependent on System):

  • Design of Systems of vehicle:

    • Frame and Body

    • Suspension

    • Powertrain

    • Driver Interface

    • Braking and Uprights

    • Accumulator

    • Circuitry

    • Software

  • Conceptual design process

  • Design analysis (simulations, hand calculations, modelling)

  • Design analysis software:

    • SolidWorks

    • OptimumKinematics

    • Optimum Lap

    • Altium Designer

    • MATLAB

    • LTSpice

  • Testing of designs

Soft Skills Learned:

  • Teamwork

  • Organization

  • Record-keeping

  • Time management

  • Written communication

  • Oral communication

- Atlanta Geleta, UMSAE Polar Bear Racing Electric Team Lead

 

 
 

The Formula SAE team designs and manufactures a combustion-powered formula style (open-wheeled) vehicle to compete against other universities from across the world in two competitions held in the United States. The Formula team has a strong focus this year on member integration, knowledge transfer, documentation, record-keeping, and organizational structure. The car that the team designs is unique in that the frame is a carbon fiber monocoque ansd utilizes numerous parts produced by cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. Currently, the team is completing the build of their 2017 car that is going to be tested during the fall and taken to competition at the Michigan International Speedway in May. They are also working towards completing designs for their 2018 car which will feature a new chassis design.

Expectations:

  • Learn the rules of the competition

  • Learn the team's organizational structure

  • Learn the team's design process

  • Attend System meetings and team meetings

  • Perform various tasks and design work as part of designated System

  • Perform manufacturing work for vehicle

  • Perform all work in accordance with safety regulations

  • Seek to participate in one's own professional development

  • Willingness to ask questions to further knowledge

Technical Skills Learned (strongly dependent on System and involvement):

  • Design of Systems of vehicle:

    • Frame and Body

    • Suspension

    • Powertrain

    • Driver Interface

    • Braking and Uprights

    • Circuitry

    • Software

  • Composite structure design (like carbon fiber)

  • Design for additive manufacturing (3D printing)

  • Conceptual design process

  • Component testing

  • Design analysis (simulations, hand calculations, modelling)

  • Design analysis software:

    • SolidWorks

    • OptimumKinematics

    • OptimumLap

    • OptimumTire

    • OptimumDynamics

    • Altair Hyperworks

    • Star CCM+

    • Altium Designer

    • MATLAB

    • LTSpice

  • Composite (carbon fiber) part construction

  • Testing of designs

  • Data acquisition and analysis

  • Race vehicle maintenance

  • Vehicle set-up

  • Marketing

Soft Skills Learned:

  • Teamwork

  • Organization

  • Budgeting

  • Record-keeping

  • Time management

  • Written communication

  • Oral communication

  • Professionalism

- Mark Kublick, UMSAE Polar Bear Racing Team Lead