Smith Engineering Hyperloop - Research & Development Team - 2025-26

ABOUT US:

Smith Engineering Hyperloop (formerly Queen's Hyperloop Design Team) is an internationally acclaimed student team that seeks to innovate the future of green transportation. Each year, we push ourselves and the boundaries of global transformation, participating in regional and international competition. We seek a path of continuous growth and are constantly searching for new talents to build our team. If you are curious, learning-driven, and looking to make real change in the world, Smith Engineering Hyperloop is the place for you.

Our team consists of 4 unique branches:

Technical Branch – Work on designing and building our Hyperloop pod prototype.

Research and Development Branch – Develop and publish Hyperloop technologies beyond just the Hyperloop pod.

Business and Logistics Branch – Strategically grow and manage the team’s assets.

Tunneling and Boring Branch – Design and build a tunnel-boring machine (TBM) for Hyperloop infrastructure development.

Each branch consists of multiple subteams which focus on specific aspects of the branch.

At Smith Engineering Hyperloop, we believe that anybody can be a part of any branch. Our learning-first culture enables members to develop the skills necessary to succeed in any branch regardless of their academic background. If you have curiosity and passion for any area of Hyperloop, we have the resources to help you develop them!

THE POSITIONS:

Business Competitions Specialists:

conduct research into the economic, strategic, and societal factors shaping the future of Hyperloop development. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Analyze global trends in the hyperloop industry and evaluate thier socio-economic impacts
• Collaborate with technical R&D teams to assess the economic feasibility of engineering innovations
• Explore business strategies that address scalability, market entry, and long-term adoption of Hyperloop systems

Infrastructure Specialists:

Infrastructure Specialists conduct research into optimized infrastructure and advanced navigation techniques to enhance the accuracy, reliability, and safety of Hyperloop systems. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Investigate how the controlled environment (vacuum tubes, extreme speeds, enclosed spaces) affects the performance of traditional navigation systems and structural integrity of Hyperloop infrastructure
• Explore the integration of multiple positioning technologies (i.e. Topological Map Matching and Inertial Navigation System) to develop a robust navigation system for Hyperloop

To succeed in Research and Development roles, we are searching for individuals with the following qualities:

• Curiosity and passion for immerging sustainable technologies
• Strong interest in interdisciplinary work, where various fields of engineering, business, and design intersect
• Drive to learn and develop new skills, whether it's programming, CAD modeling, or presenting on an international scale

Our applications are due Wednesday, September 17 @ 11:59pm EST. Successful candidates will be contacted for an interview. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email us at hyperloop @ engsoc.queensu.ca. We look forward to seeing your application!

Best,

Smith Engineering Hyperloop