Payload-Mechanical Lead Application

Summary

The University of Toronto Aerospace Team (UTAT) Space Systems Division is recruiting a new Payload-Mechanical Lead for the FINCH CubeSat mission! In this role, you will be leading the Payload-Mechanical Team through the end of detailed-level design, simulations, manufacturing, and physical testing. As this role is interdisciplinary, you will be working closely with other systems - including the Mechanical, Optics, and Thermal sub-teams. The work at this stage is very adaptive - as the payload is interested upon, we must quickly adjust and re-validate designs and be very proactive about prototyping.

UTAT Space Systems is a strong, diverse, multi-disciplinary design team made up of students across faculties, degree levels, years, and personal backgrounds. All students at the University of Toronto are welcome and encouraged to apply regardless of background. The role descriptions below are guidelines, but not requirements; although prior experience is valuable, it is not required, and passion, curiosity, a willingness to learn and grow, and interest are of equal importance. We encourage any interested individuals to apply, even if you don’t meet every requirement below!

Being a lead is an incredibly valuable opportunity to learn a lot in a short period of time, and to obtain both a holistic and a very detailed understanding of the entire satellite and the payload itself. It provides a great chance to learn about the larger-scale interactions (including stakeholder involvement) of engineering and professional teams, and provides the excellent opportunity to develop project management skills, collaboration skills working closely with other subteams, and an understanding of systems engineering, all the while while developing skills in the technical area of optomechanical design.

Responsibilities

The Payload-Mechanical lead is generally responsible for the following list of items. It’s alright if you are not familiar or proficient in these areas immediately – this is a learning opportunity, and learning by doing is a large part of being a UTAT lead! Ksenya will be available and eager to help for as long as needed to on-board and aid in the transition.

Commitment:

• Approximately 4-10 hours a week, flexible week to week (more time may be required around major milestones such as design reviews)
• 1-3 meetings per week, including Leads meetings, Systems meetings, Payload-Mechanical meetings
• Duration at least to the end of 2025 (two semesters)

Technical Work Responsibilities:

• Present team progress at design reviews
• Gain technical knowledge in optomechanical design, GD&T, AIT
• Provide guidance to team members and onboard onto new projects
• Work alongside the Mechanical Lead to create low and high fidelity prototypes, perform FEA analysis, and manage the BOM, mass budget, and volume budget
• Oversee discussions with manufacturers to receive quotes and test manufacturability of design
• Work closely with the Optics Lead and design optomechanics for test builds, manage requirements and risks in the payload design, and conduct tolerance analysis.
• Coordinate payload integration with other sub-teams (i.e. Mechanical, Optics, Thermal)