I thought so too, but then there is also this line:
> At some point, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies will likely have to shift from this work-when-you-can-but-don't-expect-money model to something a bit more conventional with, you know, employees.
So no one is actually full time.
I'm thrilled to see people working on this, but the article seems like a mess.
The "nearly all of them have day jobs" seems to clearly refer to the 100 engineers mentioned earlier in the paragraph. I think trose's description of them as working professionals is probably correct.
The 25 students would not be considered engineers -- in fact, it doesn't even sound like they're studying to be engineers.
It was my understanding that those 25 UCLA students work at the UCLA lab mentioned in the text and are essentially just an out-sourced free design agency. In addition to the 100 "engineers etc":
> A lot of the work is being done by 25 UCLA students.
Huh? So at least 25% of the group are students, but "nearly all" are employed by name-brand companies?