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Captain’s Message
The aerospace industry is among the fastest-growing industries worldwide. In 2025, the market size was estimated at 402.75 billion USD and is projected to double by 2034.
At Queen’s Aerospace Design Team (QADT), we are dedicated to pushing boundaries with the development of high performance & autonomous UAVs for national and international competitions in Canada, Europe, and the United States. With the continued growth in industry aerospace applications in recent years, QADT has seen an unparalleled expansion, and our dedicated team of more than 150 undergraduate students has not disappointed.
This year, the AEAC technical team developed 2 UAVs from the ground up to compete at the AEAC 2026 student competition hosted in Ottawa. Including a 3D printed airframe VTOL to map for urban fires, as well as a heavy-lift quadcopter designed to autonomously extinguish fires indoor and outdoor using a water gun. The AIAA technical team developed a fully carbon fiber fixed wing aircraft optimized for long range cargo flights and banner towing. While in parallel, the QADT research team wrote two research papers for submission to the IMAV conference paper call and the VFS student design competition. Respectively, these papers focused on the application of compliant airfoils on efficiency gains in flight and conversion of a tilt rotor aircraft to a hybrid electric engine to prove the feasibility of electrifying the aerospace industry.
QADT offers a unique opportunity for development and growth for students in any discipline, including gaining technical experience in Aeromechanics, Electrical, and Software, and the opportunity to conduct research in a variety of unique fields, as well as the chance to gain experience in business and management. QADT is looking to continue its rapid growth and expansion by taking on like-minded and motivated individuals to not just continue the development of advanced drone technology, but push the boundaries of what student teams are capable of.
We eagerly await your application.
‘Aviation is proof that given the will, we have the capacity to achieve the impossible.’
— Eddie Rickenbacker, WWI flying ace
 Erin Payne Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering ‘28 |  Purujit Kantiya Mechatronics & Robotics Engineering ‘28 |
Welcome to the Structures Team at QADT! The Structures team is responsible for designing, analyzing, and manufacturing the aircraft structure for the 2026 – 2027 SAE Aero competition. The team focuses on creating a lightweight, durable, and manufacturable aircraft capable of meeting competition requirements while withstanding the loads experienced throughout flight. Structure's at QADT is about turning a conceptual aircraft into a physical vehicle that can be built, tested, and flown successfully.
The SAE Aero Structures team is co-led by two Managers who work together with separate sub-teams. Within the application, applicants can rank which position is their top choice, but one application will consider each applicant for both positions. The definitions of each role are listed below, however, responsibilities may evolve throughout the year, and there will be significant collaboration between both positions.
Structures Manager - Airframe Structures Manager
- Leads the design, analysis, and manufacturing of the aircraft structure, including the fuselage, wing structure, and mounting systems. Focuses on structural integrity, weight optimization, manufacturability, and integration with aerodynamic design.
Structures Manager - Payload Structures Manager
- Leads the design and development of the payload system and all mission-specific structural components. Focuses on payload integration, deployment mechanisms, and ensuring that the payload system meets competition requirements while remaining reliable and lightweight.
This year, the team will be focused on designing, manufacturing, and validating QADT's entry for the 2026 – 2027 SAE Aero competition. As members of the executive team, the Structures Managers will oversee all Structures sub-team operations and co-lead the aircraft development process from initial design through manufacturing and flight testing. They can expect to work closely with the Aero-Mechanics team and Testing Manager to deliver a competitive, flight-ready aircraft.
The Structures Managers can expect to gain skills in the areas of:
- CAD Design
- Finite Element Analysis & Structural Simulation
- Composite Manufacturing
- Technical Documentation & Design Review Processes
- Technical Leadership
- Project Management
Application & Interview Details
We do not look at your resume as a deciding factor. We weigh it the least compared to your written application and interview.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: June 27th, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
Interviews will occur online after the deadline. We are happy to provide accommodation for these interviews, so please reach out to us and let us know how we can make the process more accessible for you!
Contact Information
Please email any questions or concerns to aero @engsoc.queensu.ca or text @queensaero on Instagram!