Indiana Tech engineering students compete in national robotics showcase

November 12, 2026

Electrical engineering students Alec DiGangi and Xavior Liles, under the guidance of faculty advisor Dr. Said Abushamleh, participated in the 2026 Bright Electronics Manufacturing Challenge as members of the Indiana Tech Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Warriors.

Forty-seven university teams competed in the early rounds. Indiana Tech was one of 14 to advance to the finals at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, where the PCB Warriors placed eighth overall.

Since June, DiGangi and Liles have been designing and developing a competition-ready robot for the 2026. The contest is an immersive, hands-on experience where student teams design, fabricate and test a custom printed circuit board to serve as the control center for a robot, and is run by the Surface Mount Technology Association.

In Round 1, DiGangi and Liles created a layout focused on functionality, efficiency, manufacturability and professional organization, submitting their completed design by July 31.

DiGangi, who took part in last year’s competition as well, says the experience has significantly strengthened his confidence in PCB design.

“I gained a decent amount of technical skills, such as operating Altium Designer, understanding schematics and component datasheets and optimally designing PCBs, from the Intro to Circuit Simulation and PCB Design course at Indiana Tech,” he said.

Dr. Abushamleh, an associate professor of electrical engineering at Indiana Tech, says the opportunity provided valuable exposure to real-world manufacturing challenges and allowed the students to engage with industry leaders and experts from across the nation.

“Their success showcases Indiana Tech’s commitment to experiential learning, faculty-guided innovation and preparing students to solve real-world engineering problems,” he said.

The Bright Electronics Manufacturing Challenge is organized by the Electronics Manufacturing and Assembly Collaborative (EMAC), an organization dedicated to addressing critical skills gaps in electronics manufacturing across the United States.