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Engineers in Motion

Today's Students... Tomorrow's Mobility Engineers

Join the WVU SAE Student Chapter
WVU car number 99 crests the hill during the hill climb event at the 2018 Baja SAE Competition.
WVU Formula SAE and Baja SAE Competition Images shows students competitng in the Formula SAE and baja SAE Competitions

About SAE International®

SAE International® is a global association of engineers and technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries whose missions is to advance mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. SAE International® is the ultimate knowledge source for transportation and mobility industry with over 138,000 members world-wide. SAE International's core mission is to connect and educate mobility industry professionals while promoting safe, clean and accessible transportation technologies and solutions. The engagement opportunities facilitated through SAE International® services include:

  • SAE Standards - SAE International® develops and publishes consensus automotive, aerospace and commercial standards on a wide range of topics such as safety, testing procedures, manufacturing, vehicle performance, reliability, environment, design and styling.
  • Publications - SAE International® offers vast library of scholarly journals, books and technical papers on state-of-the art research and development in the aerospace, automotive and commercial vehicle industries. The SAE Mobilus® publications databas is available through the WVU Libraries.
  • Technical Conferences and Expositions - SAE International® host conferences, symposia and expositions on a wide array of automotive, aerospace and mobility topics throughout the world where industry experts present and discuss cutting-edge research and innovations.
  • Professional Section Meetings - SAE International® Professional Sections are located throughout the United States and Canada and host monthly technical meetings, seminars, workshops, plant tours and special educational activities. The WVU SAE Collegiate Chapter is sponsored by the SAE International®  Pittsburgh Section.
  • Collegiate Chapters - Collegiate Chapters are a way for SAE International® Student Members to engage with automotive aerospace and mobility industry by organizing plant tours, guest speakers and local community and outreach events. Participating in your SAE Student Chapter helps you develop leadership, time management, communications, organization, planning budgeting and finance skills. Collegiate Chapters also support the activities of SAE Collegiate Design Competition teams.
  • Collegiate Design Competitions - SAE International's Collegiate Design Competitions give students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills they learn in the classroom to design, build, and test the performance of a real vehicle and then compete with other students from around the globe in exciting and intense competitions. By participating students gain exposure to recruiters from leading companies in the mobility industry to help land their first engineering job after graduation. WVU participates in the Formula SAE® and Baja SAE® Competitions.

The WVU SAE International® Student Chapter

The mission of the West Virginia University Collegiate Chapter of SAE International® is to provide opportunities for students to gain broader insight into the engineering profession. The SAE Student Chapter invites practicing engineers to campus to present seminars, arranges field trips to research and engineering establishments, and participates in local Pittsburgh Professional Section activities. WVU students participate annually in the Formula SAE® and Baja SAE® Collegiate Engineering Design Competitions. 

  • Students who participate in the WVU Formula SAE® and Baja SAE® Competition Teams must be members of SAE International® and the WVU SAE International® Student Chapter in order to attend the competition events.
  • Student Membership in SAE International®  costs $25/year. 
  • The WVU SAE International® Student Chapter meets approximately once a month to organize and plan upcoming events such as plant tours, recruiting events, guest speakers and participation in Statler College recruiting and outreach events.
  • The WVU SAE International® Student Chapter actively participates in the Statler College Student Advisory Council (SAC) activities by providing support for Statler College recruiting and outreach events. By participating in  SAC activities, the WVU SAE International® Student Chapter is eligible for SAC Funding to support Chapter activities. SAC funding is allocated based on the number of volunteer hours accrued by SAE members.

Why Join SAE?

Mark Ziegler, Cecilia Girolami and Justin Kachel push car 87 driven by Jared Churbuck out of the fueling area during the 2017 Formula SAE® Michigan Competition.
The WVU Baja car at catches air over a mogul at the 2011 Baja SAE®  Competition.
  • Gain Leadership Experience
Formula SAE Team Project Manager, Mark Ziegler, delivers the design presentation at the 2017 Formula SAE Michigan Competition.
  • Develop Project Management, Communications, Budget and Finance Skills
2018 SAE President Justin Kachel and Treasurer Tyler Babik plan SAE chapter activities.
  • Network with industry Professionals
Students networking with engineering professionals from Proterra at the SAE World Congress Experience
  • Improve your Technical Knowledge
Students working on a vehicle wiring harness
  • Enhance your Resume
A student talks to a recruiter at the Statler College Career Fair

Join SAE

Featured Links

The Mountaineer Racing Powertrain team Team pose with the 2017 Formula SAE race car and the engine dynamometer built with funds donated by DENSO North America Foundation

WVU Race Team Receives Award from DENSO Foundation

West Virginia University's Mountaineer Racing team recently received a $30,000 award from the   DENSO North America Foundation in support the development of an engine dynamometer testing facility. The facility will be used to test and tune the team's racing engines.




Read About this Donation
Mark Ziegler reviews race data with Rooster Hall Racing Driver Johan Schwartz.

Mark Ziegler Will Join Roush Fenway Racing

Upon graduation in December, Mark Ziegler, a mechanical and aerospace engineering major from Glen Allen, Virginia, will officially join the team at Roush Fenway Racing in January 2019, working as an aerodynamics design engineer, working mostly with RFR’s NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series cars.



Read About Mark Ziegler
Dan and Betsy Brown

Donation from WVU Alumni to Benefit Formula SAE Team.

The latest gift from longtime West Virginia University supporters Dan and Betsy Brown will help fund activities related to the WVU Formula SAE® racing team in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. The significant donation will be used by the WVU Formula SAE team in preparation for 2019 Formula SAE Michigan competition. 

Read About This Partnership
Photo of Dr. Ken Means WVU Baja Team Faculty Advisor

Means named 2018 Heebink Award Recipient.

Kenneth Means, professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has received the 2018 Heebink Award for Distinguished Service to West Virginia. The Heebink award is given to a faculty or staff member who has “used the unique resources of the university” and their own professional expertise to provide an educational or public service activity to the citizens of the state.

Read More About Dr. Means

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The Formula SAE Car is pictured against a picturesque sky at the 2017 Formula SAE Michigan Competition.