Baja SAE Lab

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A dedicated fabrication lab and design workspace make the Baja SAE Laboratory a central hub for hands-on vehicle development and student innovation. Founded in 2005, the designs, builds, tests, and races single-seat off-road vehicles for national competitions sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

The laboratory supports student-driven engineering across all stages of vehicle development and serves as a collaborative environment for applied learning in mechanical design, manufacturing, and testing. Today, the team is primarily female-led, fostering an inclusive culture that empowers women in the traditionally male-dominated fields of vehicle design and assembly.

The space features four dedicated workstations focused on the vehicle’s major subsystems — Drivetrain, Suspension, Brakes, and Ergonomics — each with organized storage for components and tools. A fully equipped welding and fabrication area supports chassis construction and part manufacturing, while an adjoining office area is used for design development and engineering analysis.

The Baja SAE Laboratory is heavily utilized by students in the High-Performance Vehicles track of the Mechanical Engineering senior design program, as well as by team members from a variety of academic disciplines. This interdisciplinary environment allows students to apply engineering principles to real-world challenges while developing practical, industry-relevant skills.

This space is card-access controlled, enabling student researchers to work independently with faculty permission and supporting flexible, project-based learning throughout the academic year.