WARG - Technical Project Manager - Systems Integration Co-op

Job Summary

**Please note that this role is unpaid**

The Waterloo Aerial Robotics Group (WARG) is an engineering student design team whose mission is to develop Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). WARG’s goal is to develop fully autonomous aircraft, which from takeoff to landing require absolutely no pilot control. We aren’t quite there yet, and that’s why we need you!

WARG is preparing for the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada Student UAS Competition, where competitors need to develop realistic air taxis to transport (simulated) passengers over long distances and in constrained environments.

https://www.aerialevolution.ca/annual-student-competition/

On the team, we hope to teach you about aircraft and project management. We will also provide you the flexibility to work alongside our Operations, Embedded Flight Software, Electrical, Computer Vision, and Mechanical sub-teams to develop exciting technical projects.

If you're interested in drones and want to learn more about what it takes to make an aerial robot, feel free to apply! At WARG learning is our primary objective, and we hope that everyone has the opportunity to develop exiting and useful skills and knowledge that they can bring with them into their careers.

For more information about our team, check out our website at: www.uwarg.com.

Due to the high degree of interaction with other sub-teams and aircraft, it is highly preferred that the co-op is hybrid in person in Waterloo. You will have very flexible hours as you desire and are free to set your own schedule, but we will expect you to be available throughout the day and for our team meetings which tend to take place in the evenings.

Job Responsibilities

By joining the systems integration team, you will have multiple responsibilities:

• Managing various ongoing projects. This includes developing technical project requirements, managing project deadlines, handling RFCs (Requests for change), communicating with project stakeholders, and performing risk assessments. Projects include:

  • IMACS (integrated monitoring and control station, our ground control system)

  • ZeroPilot 3 (our custom built flight controller board and software)

  • Competition Airframe (Maybe you could help us pick a good code name :D )

• Staging for flight tests. This includes preparing aircraft for flight, developing testing plans, standard and emergency operating procedures, setting up various technologies that might need to be flight tested, booking flight locations, and performing post-flight reports, including inventory of damage in the event of crashes. You could even get the opportunity to build air frames for yourself if it interests you.

• Integrating and testing various subsystems developed by each sub-team with other teams.

• Depending on your background and skills, you may also have opportunities to help other sub-teams (operations, embedded flight software, computer vision, mechanical, and electrical) as they develop their projects. Technical knowledge in any of these areas is a plus. Some examples of sub-team projects you could help with include:

  • PID tuning & testing our ZeroPilot software on various air frames, including debugging hardware and software when appropriate.

  • Assembly of the ZeroPilot 3 PCB, and design of interface boards for it.

  • CAD & Fabrication of various mechanical air frame components

  • Path planning and optimization algorithms to fly our aircraft efficiently at competition

  • Automation of budgeting and expense claim processing

Required Skills

Required Skills

• Strong communication skills; capable of staying in contact with various stakeholders, contributing to technical discussions and asking thoughtful questions.

• A drive to learn and contribute; design teams are all about growth and passion, and we want someone serious about achieving something they can be proud of, at WARG.

• Passion for aviation and drones!

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with software development, circuit design, mechanical design, and fabrication.

• Pilot Certificate – Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft (Basic or Advanced) operations or drone flying experience is a plus!