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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 Testing & Propulsion Team at QADT! The Testing & Propulsion team is responsible for ensuring that QADT's SAE Aero aircraft are both flight-ready and competition-ready. The team oversees the development and validation of the aircraft propulsion system while leading the testing plan that verifies every subsystem before competition. From selecting motors and designing PDBs to conducting flight tests and analyzing performance data, the Testing & Propulsion team plays a critical role in turning a design into a proven aircraft.
For the 2026 – 2027 SAE Aero competition, the team will be responsible for developing a reliable propulsion system capable of meeting mission requirements while also designing and executing a comprehensive testing program. SAE Aero rewards teams that can demonstrate not only strong aircraft performance, but also a thorough understanding of how their aircraft was validated. A successful test campaign is often the difference between an aircraft that performs as expected and one that encounters issues on competition day.
As a member of the executive team, the Testing & Propulsion Manager will oversee all Testing & Propulsion sub-team operations throughout the design cycle. They will work closely with the Avionics and Autonomy teams to coordinate system-level testing, evaluate aircraft performance, and ensure the final aircraft meets all competition requirements. The manager will also be responsible for guiding propulsion system selection, integration, and validation.
- The Testing & Propulsion Manager can expect to gain skills in the areas of:
- Test Plan Development & Execution
- Data Analysis
- Verification & Validation
- Flight Operations & Safety Protocols
- Power System Component Selection and Testing
- Power System Integration & Battery Management
- 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!