Smith Engineering Hyperloop - Technical 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:

Electrical Design – Hardware Engineers (Control Systems):

Hardware Engineers will focus on developing the next version of our modular control system which consists of a leader and follower board. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Develop PCB design skills on Altium, and technical skills such as both hand soldering and hot air soldering
• Learn and apply about electronic circuits and components such as MOSFETS, as well as clock circuitry
• Test and trouble shoot the control boards integration with the power electronics

Electrical Design – Software Engineers (Control Systems):

Software Engineers will focus on developing the next version of the sense and control algorithm. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Working with both an STM32 and a Raspberry Pi, coding in C
• Use CAN bus programming to integrate the control system with the rest of the electronics
• Learn coding skills and CAN bus on Arduinos, and then apply those skills to the control algorithm

Electrical Design – Power Systems Engineers:

Power Systems Engineers will focus on working with both high voltage and low voltage battery packs, both Lithium Polymer and Lithium-Ion batteries. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Design, manufacture, and test a motor control system (inverter) and battery management system
• Wire the entirety of the pod connecting control systems
• Develop PCB design skills on Altium, and technical skills such as soldering and spot welding
• Model and 3D print battery casing and mounts for any of the electrical components

Electrical Design – Linear Induction Motor (LIM) Engineers:

LIM Engineers will design, manufacture, and test the next generation of the linear induction motor and revolutionize our propulsion system! Further responsibilities include the following:

• Complete simulations to optimize the LIM’s design
• Collaborate with power systems to test and control the LIM with the electronic speed controller
• Collaborate with chassis to plan the implementation of the LIM that is still compatible with the DC motors
• Learn and apply physics, electronics, and mechanical skills such as electromagnetism, electronic circuits, 3D modeling, and manufacturing

Mechanical Design – Chassis Engineers:

Chassis Engineers will design, manufacture, and assemble upgrades to the chassis system. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Designing, manufacture, and assemble a new carbon fibre aeroshell with a 3D printed mold
• Designing and producing mounts, holders, attachments etc. for essential components
• Execute Finite Element Analysis on the chassis to prove it is capable of enduring all forces imparted to it during operation
• Execute and verify results from computational fluid dynamics analysis of aeroshell using Ansys

Mechanical Design – Braking Engineers:

Braking Engineers will focus on designing a functional and safe braking system for our Hyperloop pod. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Rebuilding and refining the associated pneumatic system for the braking system
• Perform leak testing on the pneumatic system and verify functionality
• Ensure entire braking system is fail-safe and properly test all fail-safe procedures

Mechanical Design – Propulsion Engineers:

Propulsion Engineers will focus on designing, assembling, and manufacturing a direct drive motor system using both linear-induction motors and conventional motors. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Perform calculations to determine the torque necessary to accelerate at a specific rate
• Execute feasibility assessment on drive wheels and load testing to ensure proper function at maximum speed
• Prove mechanical power transmission enclosure is capable of withstanding the force impacts of any moving components within the enclosure
• Perform leak testing on cooling circuits and calculate necessary flow rates and heat flux for safe operation of the motors
• Ensure any vibration produced during operation of the propulsion system can be handled by the pod

Mechanical Design – Suspension Engineers:

Suspension Engineers will focus on designing, manufacturing, and assembling upgrades to the current suspension system and wheels. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Execute a feasibility assessment on a suspension system that can easily attach to the bottom of the chassis
• Calculate heat transferred to the track from the suspension system
• Ensure all components are secured and do not possess any chance of coming loose

Mechanical Design – Systems Design Engineers:

Systems Design Engineers will focus on aiding the engineering design process and trying to minimize the potential for error and design complications before they happen. Further responsibilities include the following:

• Responsible for the integration and placement of all mechanical sub-systems within the Hyperloop pod
• Quality control on all mechanical CAD models and prototypes
• Optimization of pod performance, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, and safety analysis of the entire pod

To succeed in Technical branch roles, we are searching for individuals with the following qualities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships within the team for collaborative design
• Passionate about learning more and self-motivated with a results-driven approach
• Have a safety-oriented design mindset and strong time-management skills
• Ability to work independently and implement proper procedures as required
• Reflective and committed to continuous improvement within the team’s design and with one’s self-development

Our applications are due Wednesday, September 17, 2025 @ 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