How To Apply

Applications are now closed. We will be opening up for applications again for Winter 2023. We will be leaving the page content up for future reference. (Updated 29 November 2022)

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept more applications as we are limited by CanSat Competition rules to a maximum of 10 students.

Please send your resume and a statement of interest to cansatuci@gmail.com. Include the word “Application” in the email subject. The statement of interest should be at most one page (a couple paragraphs is fine).

Requirements for All Positions

• 1. Minimum GPA: 3.3

  2. Strong work ethic and commitment to team goals

  3. Undergraduate AND graduate students of any major and year may apply!

  4. Good writing and communication skills. All teammates participate in preparing the CanSat Preliminary Design Review, Critical Design Review, and Post-Flight Review, project posters, and MAE 189 reports. Update 9/19/2018: Weekly check-in meetings are now required for MAE senior project teams. The meetings will be scheduled at a time all team members can attend. You will need to attend the meeting and participate in presenting to the TA's.

Update 9/19/2018: A syllabus has been posted by the MAE senior project coordinators. It is attached at the bottom of this page. Please read it carefully. Even if you do not plan to take units, we request all members participate in documentation and design reviews.

Expected Time Commitment

CanSat holds a weekly team meeting. This will be scheduled so everyone can attend without missing class.

Update 9/19/2018: Weekly check-in meetings are now required for MAE senior project teams. The meetings will be scheduled at a time all team members can attend, and will last 50 minutes.

Project documentation will also need to be prepared and submitted throughout the year. We haven't been provided a precise schedule regarding the timing or quantity of documentation. Last year there were two reports required per quarter.

We also schedule engineering work time in 2 or 3-hour increments. These will be separated by subsystem (Controls, Ground Station, Mechanical, Electrical). Expect to attend at least 1 session per week to work on hardware or software. You’re also encouraged to work independently when no sessions are scheduled. In general, please estimate 4 hours per week, per MAE 189 unit (most students take 2 units, or put in the equivalent hours).

Note on Competition Logistics

The CanSat Competition is held the weekend before UCI spring finals. Attending the competition is not required. If you are interested in attending, please be aware of the following issues:

• 1. You may need to reschedule an exam if you have one during week 10 or on Monday of finals week. Or, you can leave the competition early.

  2. During the 2017-2018 year, we received partial funding for travel; however teammates had to purchase flights to and from the competition. This totaled about $360 per person.

Open Positions

GROUND STATION

Work with Ground Station teammate in the development and testing of the Ground Station System (GCS), which must display telemetry data in real-time and log it to a CSV file. The GCS team's first task will be to determine what software to use this year. Candidates include Mango Automation and LabView.

One of the Software students will need to take on the role of Software lead starting this winter, as our current lead is graduating.

Required Skills:

• 1. Previous programming experience or coursework

  2. Willingness to learn new software or programming languages as necessary

CONTROLS

Develop code to run on the CanSat microprocessor, which will be an Arduino or similar. Collaborate with Electrical to design a test bench which can simulate sensor inputs over I2C or SPI to the CanSat. This will be used for testing the CanSat’s response to various sensor readings and conditions.

One of the Software students will need to take on the role of Software lead starting this winter, as our current lead is graduating early.

Required Skills:

• 1. Experience with Arduino, C, or C++

  2. MAE Majors: Completed MAE 60 (or EECS 70A) and MAE 106, or equivalent experience with circuits and closed loop control. Computer Science and EECS students are also encouraged to apply!

MECHANICAL

Work with Mechanical teammate to design, assemble, and test the mechanical structure and mechanisms of the CanSat. Ensure the mechanical structure meets requirements for weight, shock and impact resistance, and thermal performance.

Required Skills:

• 1. SOLIDWORKS

  2. 3D-printing and laser-cutting experience preferred (or plans to complete FabWorks training)

  3. Previous design experience, for example in ENGR 7A/B, MAE 106, MAE 188, MAE 195, or other projects.

  4. Machine shop or sheet metal shop training is useful, although not required

ELECTRICAL HARDWARE

Select battery and other power components to support all sensors and mechanical hardware. Design the CanSat PCB. Manage PCB manufacturing, assembly, and testing, likely in collaboration with IEEE@UCI.

Required Skills:

• 1. Experience with Eagle or another electrical design program (or willingness to learn quickly)

  2. Good soldering and electrical troubleshooting skills; experience using lab equipment such as oscilloscopes and function generators.

  3. Students with previous electrical design and manufacturing experience will be preferred

SENSORS AND WIRELESS DATA

During fall quarter, select sensors, XBees, and antennas for wireless data transmission. During winter and spring, test and troubleshoot wireless data transmission between the CanSat and ground station computer. Collaborate with Electrical Hardware teammates to design a test bench for CanSat electrical hardware and software.

One of the Software students will need to take on the role of Software lead starting this winter, as our current lead is graduating early.

Required Skills:

• 1. Experience with Arduino, C, or C++

  2. MAE Majors: Completed MAE 60 (or EECS 70A) and MAE 106, or equivalent experience with circuits and closed loop control.

  3. Computer Science and EECS students are encouraged to apply!