QSET - Rover Drone Lead

The Queen's Space Engineering Team (QSET) is a large multi-disciplinary team consisting of students from all programs within Queen’s University. QSET designs a prototype Mars Rover for participation in the University Rover Challenge (for more information please visit urc.marssociety.org/home).

If selected as the Drone Lead, you will lead the design, integration, and operation of a reconnaissance drone. You will oversee airframe selection, flight controller configuration, and mission planning software to extend situational awareness. To keep updated with the project, the Drone Lead must coordinate and attend weekly meetings with its drone team. The rover management team will be at each of these meetings helping both in technical and managerial capacity.

The Queen’s Space Engineering Team encourages applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please contact qset@ engsoc.queensu.ca.

Application Due Date: July 10, 2025 at 10 PM

• Select or design a lightweight airframe.
• Configure autopilot firmware and integrate telemetry links.
• Develop waypoint scripts tied to rover GPS.
• Coordinate flight test campaigns and maintain regulatory compliance.
• With the help of the rover management team run weekly drone meetings with general members, working towards furthering the state of the arm.
  

• Interest in unmanned aircraft systems.
• Critical thinking and decision making, with a passion for engineering and design.
• Effective communication and time management skills.
• Understanding of RF telemetry and video downlink basics.
• Experience with autopilot tuning or MAVLink is helpful.
• Willingness to pursue required RPAS certification.