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. 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, SHDT 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 SHDT, 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!

Position Description

The Mechanical Director is responsible for leading the design, development, manufacturing, and testing of all mechanical systems within the Smith Engineering Hyperloop Design Team (SHDT). This role oversees the Mechanical Subteam, coordinates project planning and technical execution, and ensures that designs meet performance, safety, and competition requirements. The Mechanical Director manages subsystem leads and team members, facilitates design reviews, supports manufacturing and assembly activities, maintains technical documentation, and promotes engineering best practices throughout the design process. They work closely with other technical branches to ensure successful system integration while fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment that supports the successful delivery of SHDT's engineering projects.

Position Qualifications

  • Collaborative
  • Leadership
  • Detail-oriented
  • Strong Communicator
  • Passionate
  • Motivational
  • Strong time management
  • Inclusive
  • General technical knowledge/understanding of cross-functional team management

We do not look at your resume as a deciding factor. We weigh it the least compared to your written application, interviews, and previous involvement on the team.

The Application & Interview

DEADLINE TO APPLY: June 27th, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT)

Interviews will occur in-person or online after the deadline for all applicants. We are very happy to provide accommodations for these interviews, so please reach out to us and let us know how we can make the process more accessible for you! Based on number of applicants, group interviews or multiple rounds of interviews may occur.

Contact Information

Don't hesitate to contact us at hyperloop at engsoc.queensu.ca. or @queenshyperloop on Instagram!

'Dare to dream and design the future. We were not on top of the world because of our strength or intelligence. Rather, we were on top of the world because we cared - about our members and their dreams.'