Queen’s Rocket Engineering Team (qret) - Operations Lead

Develop Leadership Skills And Shape The Future Of Student Rocketry

Bring your operational expertise and ambition to learn to the Queen's Rocket Engineering Team (QRET) as one of its next Operational Leads. QRET is excited to enter its next chapter of hybrid rocketry which presents many novel technical and operational challenges for you to solve.

The Queen's Rocket Engineering Team is a diverse team of undergraduate students with a burning passion for rocketry and all things space. Every year, the team designs, builds, tests, and launches rockets at national and international competitions. Our goal is not only to design build and safely launch rockets, but also to provide every member with the opportunity to learn about rocketry, systems, and engineering design.

As an Operational Lead on QRET, you will lead your subteam in supporting the organization and execution of team operations. Your work will directly enable the success of technical projects by ensuring the team has the resources, structure, and external support needed to achieve its goals. You will be responsible for coordinating initiatives, managing logistics, and driving projects that strengthen the team's sustainability and growth.

You will work closely with the executive team and technical leads to align operational efforts with the team's broader strategic objectives. From managing sponsorship relationships and overseeing budgets to building the team's public presence and maintaining internal infrastructure, your role will be critical to the success of QRET.

This role requires strong organizational skills, initiative, and the ability to take ownership of projects. You will drive accountability within your team, foster collaboration across subteams, and ensure that operational efforts consistently support technical progress.

As an Operations Lead, you will be responsible for:

• Leading and coordinating the efforts of your operational subteam.
• Planning and executing initiatives aligned with your team's function (marketing, business development, outreach, or equipment).
• Supporting technical teams by ensuring access to resources, funding, and infrastructure.
• Managing timelines, deliverables, and team accountability.
• Collaborating with the executive team to support strategic planning and long-term growth.

The ideal candidate:

• Is eager to grow as a leader and take on accountability for a project.
• Brings strong organizational and operational skills with a desire to learn.
• Is eager to take initiative and ownership of projects.
• Has an interest in supporting technical projects.
• Has a clear vision for team growth and success.
• Thrives in high-responsibility, fast-paced environments.

Proposed Operational Teams & Scope

• Marketing Team
  • Social Media
  • Graphic Design
  • Website
• Business Development
  • Sponsorship
  • Procurement
  • Budgeting
• Outreach Team
  • Support local Queen's and Kingston community outreach activities
• Equipment Team
  • Run the 3D printer and support technical leads and maintenance.
  • Support design bay organization and procurement of tools and supplies
  • Work closely with the team executive to maintain the design bay

Multiple leads may be hired to cover the proposed scope of each operational subteam. Please apply to all operational teams you are interested in leading.

If you are motivated by responsibility, technical applications, and ready to elevate both people and projects, this is your opportunity to develop your leadership skills and leave a lasting impact on QRET's legacy.

The Queen's Rocket Engineering Team encourages applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, Persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ2S+ community. Prior experience on the team is not required, and we welcome candidates with strong technical expertise, operational experience, or a combination of both. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact qret@engsoc.queensu.ca.

Apply by: Friday March 27th, 2026 at 11:59 pm EST