Recruitment 2024

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Why Join UBC Uncrewed Aircraft Systems?

Happy team members holding a few of the team drones

UBC UAS is a great place to get a taste of industry, develop a diverse range of technical skills, network with like-minded individuals, and work on meaningful projects. Every year we design and build new systems from the ground up for our national Aerial Evolution Association of Canada (AEAC) competition and international Student Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) competition hosted by the RoboNation. We also like to have fun - we treat our design team members like family and host regular socials.

Fall Recruitment Timeline

Upcoming Events

Application Window: August 25th - September 15th

Come visit us at one of the upcoming events to ask questions and learn more about UBC Uncrewed Aircraft Systems!

Imagine Day

  • Date: September 3rd
  • Time: 1:00 - 4:30 PM
  • Location: Main Mall
    • TBD

Info Session 1

  • Date: September 4th
  • Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
  • Info: Presentation and Q&A
  • Location: TBD

Info Session 2

  • Date: September 10th
  • Time: 6:00 - 8:00 PM
  • Info: Presentation and Q&A
  • Location: TBD

Position Openings

Table of Contents

General Member Roles

UBC UAS has three sub-teams for general members: Aircraft, Payload, and Software. Each sub-team has divisions that focus on specific skillsets within the sub-team.

Aircraft Roles

The aircraft sub-team builds innovative uncrewed aerial vehicles for our competitions. It works closely with our software and payload sub-teams to ensure proper integration between our systems. The aircraft sub-team is also responsible for the upkeep of active aircraft and ensuring flight readiness for test flights and competition.

MECH Aircraft

Design and manufacture aerodynamic and lightweight airframes as well as control surfaces and landing gear. Members will learn and apply skills in mechanical design, aerodynamics, manufacturing, control surface selection, airfoil analysis and simulation tools applicable across industries.

ELEC Aircraft

Design of electrical systems within our aircraft, working closely with software and payload to ensure proper integration between systems. Members will learn and apply skills that are essential across industries including communication systems management, power management, signal processing, soldering, PCB design, and PID tuning and sensor calibration.

Payload Roles

The payload sub-team creates mission-specific payload systems for competition. The sub-team works on projects including autonomous delivery rovers, winch mechanisms, and anything capable of interfacing with the aircraft. These projects involve the integration of multiple engineering disciplines.

MECH Payload

Work alongside electrical designers to develop enclosures and structures controlled by electrical components. You will make use of CAD, FEA software, and various manufacturing techniques including 3D printing and laser cutting. Knowledge of statics, materials, and mechanical design principles is an asset.

ELEC Payload

Design segments of payload projects with electrical aspects. You will learn to use microcontrollers to control motors and circuits, using EDA, RC, power distribution, etc. to ensure proper control and movements of the payload components.

Software Roles

The software team assigns roles based on preference and need, where members works on many different projects/programs and uses a variety of tools and languages. Members are encouraged to work on projects that they are interested in and apply their experience while learning new tools.

Software Member

All projects are up for grabs (everyone gets to choose at the start of the year what they get to work on) and the team works on a sprint-based system. Some languages and tools the team uses: JavaScript, Go, C++, Git, Angular, Python, React, Django, Docker, and Linux. Some developers may work on Payload sub-team projects, which require embedded development skills, including the use of microcontrollers, Git, control systems, telemetry, and more. Knowledge of motor control, control systems, and microcontrollers is an asset. Any knowledge with these tools and languages is a plus. Prior professional software development experience is not required but strongly recommended. Open-source contributions are also a plus.

Admin Team Roles

Events Coordinator

The events coordinator is responsible for organizing and planning team events. This includes team socials, workshops, and trips. The events coordinator will also be responsible for organizing and planning public events such as recruitment events. This role is a great opportunity to develop your leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Finance Manager

The finance manager is responsible for managing the team’s finances. This includes managing the team’s budget, applying for grants, processing purchases, and delegating finance work to executive members. This role is a great opportunity to develop your financial knowledge, leadership, and organizational skills.

Social Media Manager

Working as our social media manager, you will assist with promoting the team and its projects on social media. This includes creating content for our social media platforms, managing our social media accounts, and engaging with our followers. This role is a great opportunity to use your creativity as well as develop your communication and marketing skills.

Website Designer

The website designer is responsible for maintaining and updating the team’s website. This includes ensuring the website is visually appealing, user-friendly, and up-to-date with the latest team updates, events, and news. The role involves collaborating with other team members to ensure that content is accurately reflected on the website. This is a great opportunity to develop your web design, coding, and creative skills.

Sponsorship Manager

The sponsorship manager is responsible for identifying and securing sponsorship opportunities to support the team’s projects and events. This includes reaching out to potential sponsors, managing existing sponsorship relationships, and ensuring that sponsorship agreements are fulfilled. The role involves a lot of networking and communication, making it a fantastic opportunity to develop your negotiation, communication, and business development skills.

Videographer/Photographer

The videographer/photographer is responsible for capturing the team’s events, projects, and activities through high-quality photos and videos. This role includes shooting and editing footage for promotional materials, social media content, and documenting important milestones. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your creativity, build your portfolio, and develop your skills in video production and photography.

Content Editor

The content editor is responsible for writing and proofreading all written content produced by the team is clear, engaging, and free of errors. This includes editing social media updates any other written communications. The role involves close collaboration with the social media manager, website designer, and other team members. It’s an excellent opportunity to hone your writing, editing, and communication skills.

FAQ

You will be able to access the application through our website starting August 25th at midnight (PST).

This webpage (ubcuas.com/recruitment)! All the application details and links will be updated on August 25th.

The application process includes a general submission (with your resume, desired position, as well as some other information that will be released on August 25th). Be ready to show your eagerness and passion!

There are openings for our 3 sub-teams: Aircraft, Payload, and Software. Within the Aircraft and Payload teams, we have divisions for ELEC and MECH, with tasks within those divisions being related to their discipline:

ELEC Aircraft - ELEC skillset with preference in aircraft related ELEC tasks

ELEC Payload - ELEC skillset with preference in payload related ELEC tasks

MECH Aircraft - MECH skillset with preference in aircraft related ELEC tasks

MECH Payload - MECH skillset with preference in aircraft related ELEC tasks

Software (incl. firmware) - Software skillset with preferences that can be discussed with the software lead (firmware, web development, etc.)

We are also recruiting for our admin team which includes roles in finance, marketing, and events.

Don’t have much experience? We have your back. As a new member you can expect to be grouped with people of different levels of experience. We want to create an environment where you can learn, improve your skills, and gain valuable experience, all while doing meaningful work.

We expect our members to commit 5-8 hours per week. This includes our weekly team meeting on Saturdays where we come together to discuss, plan, and collaborate. We understand that school comes first, and we will work with you to ensure that you are able to balance your schoolwork and team work.

Once our applications open, we start reviewing applications on a rolling basis. During this period, strong applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview and, depending on the team, complete a small design challenge. Don’t worry if you don’t get a response right away, as it takes significant time and effort to go through the large number of applications we receive. After completing an interview, applicants will be notified of the results of their application. Again, this will not happen right away in most cases, so please be patient.

More questions? Send us an email at [email protected] .

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