QSET - Chief Operations Officer

The Queen's Space Engineering Team (QSET) is a large multi-disciplinary team consisting of students from all engineering disciplines, in addition to the Faculty of Arts and Science. QSET designs a prototype Mars Rover for participation in the University Rover Challenge (for more information please visit ). The team also designs a Satellite to enter the Canadian Satellite Design Challenge (for more information please visit ). The goal for this team is to launch a project into orbit to perform an actual mission in outer space.

If selected as the Chief Operations Officer, you will be responsible for developing and implementing processes that support the operations of QSET, and that support the executive team in executing projects and events. The primary focus of the COO is to work alongside the captain to ensure the short and long-term financial health of QSET. Ensuring financial health for QSET involves developing and maintaining budgets, approving team purchases, grant research, grant writing, and securing additional revenue sources. The ideal candidate will have an interest in finance/business with an eye for detail and strong written communication skills. The COO will work closely with the captain to identify areas within the team's operations that can be improved and develop systems and processes that increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the team. The team may need additional operations support in the following areas: onboarding, gathering/assessing team feedback, sub-team operations, and room management. This role provides a unique opportunity to tackle real problems in a diverse team. The successful applicant will work closely with the outgoing COO and incoming captain and oversee QSET's operations in a senior management role that intersects business concepts and engineering design.

The Queen's Space Engineering Team encourages applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, Persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. If you require accommodations during the interview process, please contact qset@

APPLY BY: February 25th, 2026 at 10:00pm EST

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of budgets with sub-team managers over the summer.
• Maintain accurate budget actuals throughout the year.
• Revise budget during the course of the year if needed.
• Approve all team purchasing, submit cheque requisitions, ensure that members are reimbursed by EngSoc.
• Lead and delegate grant writing (Dean's Donation (Fall/Winter), Shell Experience Grant, etc.)
• Work with the logistics managers to implement large operations initiatives. What these joint efforts would be is up to discretion of the incoming executive team.

Requirements

• One year of experience on a design team, or within an operations role for the Engineering Society. Prior experience as a member of QSET is ideal.
• Strong written communication skills. Applicants may benefit from experience with writing formal reports, grants, process documents, etc.
• Organization and time management skills. The COO should be self-driven and detail oriented.
• An interest in the financial aspects of large engineering design projects.