Apply to Our Team!

Thanks for your interest in joining the Cal Poly CubeSat Lab! No experience is required to apply; the only requirement is that you are a current student at Cal Poly SLO!

Keep scrolling for a description of the work done by our different discipline teams.

Applications are currently closed for Winter 2026.

Please check out the FAQs to learn more about the application process.

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Assembly, Integration, Testing

What we do:

  • Writing assembly, integration, and test procedures

  • Thermal vacuum (TVAC) and Vibration testing

  • Assembly & integration in cleanroom and lab space

Technologies used:

  • MATLAB

  • Facilities: TVAC, cleanroom, vibration tables

Systems Engineering & Analysis

What we do:

  • Orbit simulations

  • Space environments analysis

  • High level mission design covering all disciplines

  • Requirements development, concepts of operations, and other systems engineering documentation

Technologies used:

  • MATLAB

Ground Station & Operations

What we do:

  • Spaceflight operations

  • Ground segment maintenance

  • Communication with satellites in orbit

Technologies used:

  • MATLAB, Python, Linux terminal, Software defined radio

  • Facilities: Antennae on the roof of the ATL and Engineering IV

Avionics Team

What we do:

  • Integrate and test flight hardware

  • Design custom hardware solutions for CubeSat bus and payload integration

  • Design various PCBs for external aerospace projects (e.g. Propulsion Power Production Unit, Educational Satellite Simulator)

Technologies used:

  • ECAD software (i.e. Altium)

  • Oscilloscopes, digital signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, etc.

  • Soldering irons and reflow ovens

  • Embedded Linux compatible hardware

  • Microcontroller hardware

Structures & Mechanisms Team

What we do:

  • Design structures and mechanisms for CubeSats

  • Prototype with additive manufacturing

  • Manufacture structures in house

Technologies used:

  • SolidWorks

  • Additive manufacturing - 3D printers

  • Subtractive manufacturing - CNC mill

Software Team

What we do:

  • Write and test satellite flight software using C

  • Integrate to embedded Linux systems and microcontroller environments

  • Provide software support other projects and teams like ADCS (Attitude Determination and Control System)

  • Maintain a semi-autonomous ground station network to communicate with satellites and gather data

Technologies used:

  • Mostly C! some Python, database, and web development

Education and Outreach

What we do:

  • Collaborate with the university for internal events and marketing

  • Web and graphic design

  • Social media and outreach management

  • Public relations with external companies and schools