“Working hard, having fun, helping students”
Volunteer with ESRA
Our Volunteers
ESRA is operated entirely by unpaid volunteers from all over the world. ESRA is always looking for highly motivated volunteers who have some free time to support our mission. Hosting the International Rocket Engineering Competition takes a lot of work. This year ESRA welcomed 115 in-person volunteers to Midland, Texas, not counting those working in a hybrid capacity.
Our volunteers love helping and supporting their communities. (Having an interest in rockets is not a requirement.) We can use everything from judges to runners, logistics to legal, livestream technicians and camera operators. Below are just a few examples of ways to help.
If you are interested in learning more, click the link below and complete the form to tell us about your interest and skills. One of our volunteer staff members will reach out to you and get you started. Welcome to ESRA!
Current Volunteer Positions:
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Do you have an interest in learning or have experience hosting livestream events? Do you have UAS experience or want to work in front of or behind the camera? Perhaps you want to monitor livestream feeds and ensure the back end is running smoothly? We have a need for you! Livestreaming began for ESRA during the 2022 Spaceport America Cup and we are looking to grow our capacity.
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ESRA is always seeking new judges with experience in rocketry, engineering, electronics, structures, chemistry, etc. A judging panel with diverse experience benefits the students. Therefore, not every judge need be an expert in rocket propulsion. This is a great opportunity to recruit top talent for your company.
Judges may be either remote or onsite. Activity level begins in April and can be very time consuming in May. Onsite judges will be busy every day and attendance at the final evaluations on Saturday afternoon is required. -
We are looking for individuals and judges to help facilitate operations, make sure teams use the correct rails, teach those unfamiliar with the ESRA rails how to use them, and make sure teams follow proper safety practices at the pad. Any NAR, Tripoli, or other high power rocket (HPR) experience is greatly desired.
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This role is very specific to safety inspection and evaluating team projects for launch success criteria. We are always looking for strong high power rocketry experts and industry engineers/leaders with expertise in solid, hybrid and liquid motor design, development and testing. Tripoli or NAR Level 3, TAP or L3CC credentials are greatly desired.
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Student teams are required to have an experienced L3 Flyer of Record (FoR) to compete. This is a great way to attend the event while sharing your knowledge of rocketry.
Check out the flyer for more details:
2026 Call for Flyers of Record and/or Mentors
Updated October 15, 2025 by jem.
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This team specializes in event scheduling, coordination, student/volunteer registration and overall event logistics. Communications and organizational skills are very much required for this role
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Direct support and assistance of the 100+ ESRA Volunteers. Ensuring that all of our volunteers are hydrated and well fed helps keep the team healthy, happy and productive. Hundreds of cases of water, Gatorade and lots of snacks. Delivering breakfast and lunch meals to the teams and driving golf carts all around the launch areas.
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We have long desired to establish a well run online store for ESRA and IREC merchandise as well as in-person sales to support the mission of ESRA. If you have skills or want to learn how to support sales and logistics, join our team of dedicated volunteers!
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The Chair of the Academic Advisory Board plays a crucial leadership role ensuring the global academic and industry relevance of ESRA programs and the International Rocket Engineering Competition. Collaborating with academic and industry experts, the Chair leads the advisory board in providing ESRA with strategic guidance, fostering opportunities for publishable student research, and maintaining IREC as a premier, globally recognized competition for hands-on STEM learning that effectively prepares students for impactful careers in the aerospace sector and academia.
