Recruitment Process

  1. Pre-Application - A list of positions the team is recruiting for is provided in the following section. Please review the list to see which sub-teams and positions are of interest to you.

  2. Application Submission - Please fill out this form. This form allows the team to learn more about your skills and experiences. In order to gain a better understanding of your experiences, we request a cover letter and Resume/CV. Although not required for all positions, applicants are encouraged to submit a portfolio with past work/relevant projects.

  3. Application Review - Following submission, MIST will review applications. Applicants of interest will be invited to attend an interview to assess compatibility for the team. Applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript. For those with grade points below 4.0 on the McMaster grade scale, please submit additional supporting documents such as project files, portfolios, etc.

  4. Applicant Acceptance - Successful applicants will be notified via email and given a time period to accept the offer and begin the onboarding process.

 

Recruiting will be open from Feb 18th to Mar 2nd at 11:59 P.M.

Current Openings

Updated 2025-02-18

(Click on the team name to view detailed descriptions)

 

Operations Team

  • Webmaster (1 position, posted 2025-02-18)
  • Science Communicator (1 position, posted 2025-02-18)
  • Event Coordinator (1 position, posted 2025-02-18)

Altitude Determination & Control System Team

  • Simulation Specialist (2-3 positions, posted 2025-02-18)
  • Software Specialist (1-2 positions, posted 2025-02-18)
  • Mechanical Specialist (1 position, posted 2025-02-18)

Radio Communications Team

  • Ground Station Specialist (2 positions, posted 2025-02-18)
  • RF Hardware Specialist (2 position, posted 2025-02-18)

Mission Operation and Control Team

  • Software Developer (1 position, posted 2025-02-18)

Payload Team

  • Sr. Firmware Specialist (2 positions, posted 2025-02-18)
 
 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Q: When is the deadline?

A: MIST recruits on a bi-monthly basis (ie. every other month), where the form will be open for a week. If the positions are listed above, it means that we are still actively recruiting for the role!

Q: What is the time commitment for the team?

A: You will be required to join weekly meetings with your designated sub-team (1-2 hours), where the sub-team leader(s) will assign tasks to you and check in on your progress. You will also be encouraged to join weekly general and/or systems engineering meetings (1-2 hours), which consist of team-wide discussions and decision-making. As you get to know more about the team projects, your tasks will become more complex, which will require additional time commitments outside weekly meetings.

Q: Do I need to available on campus?

A: No. Weekly meetings are either fully virtual or hybrid, allowing members to join from anywhere. Sometimes our members will need to access our labs and facilities for in-person development and testing, but this can be arranged for those who are available.

Q: Do you recruit lower/upper year students?

A: We recruit a mix of upper and lower year students. While upper year students bring more experience, lower year students are able to stay on longer and grow with the team. All passionate students are welcome to apply! However, we do require that you have finished your first year of studies to ensure that you can keep up with your academics.

Q: What can I do to increase my chances of being selected?

A: We are always looking for passion, commitment, problem solving and critical thinking skills, so make sure you demonstrate that in your application! For example, this means that we look for personal projects and experiences in addition to coursework. Also, research into the team's goals and projects goes a very long way, especially if you can come up with good questions to ask of the team.

Q: What is the interview process?

A: If selected, you will be interviewed by two or more team leaders for 30-60 minutes depending on the requirements of the role. You will be asked several non-technical questions related to your interest and availability, then several technical questions based on your past projects and experiences. Finally, you will get a chance to ask any questions you may have for the team.

Q: Will I receive support and mentorship after I join?

A: Absolutely! Your sub-team leaders will introduce you to the rest of the team and guide you through the onboarding process. As a team, we write extensive documentation and training materials to facilitate knowledge trasfer. And if you have any questions, everyone on the team will be eager to help you out!

 

Operations Team

 

The Operations Team is responsible for the management of internal and external communications for the NEUDOSE team. Our focus is on maintaining a strong social media presence, running events to share our love for space with the McMaster community, and ensuring that the team has what they need for a successful launch. We are also responsible for the recruitment, onboarding, and offboarding of all team members.

 

Webmaster

1 POSITION

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Do you enjoy working on websites? Are you looking for website management experience? The MIST team uses our website to post a whole array of team information. We're looking for someone who's interested in helping us manage, update, and improve our website platform. You may also help with IT projects and collaborate with other sub-teams. If that's you, this position could be yours. If you have neat ideas to improve our website platform, they're always welcome for consideration too!

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Attend weekly meetings
  • Work with the team to make updates and changes to the website
  • Manage our team roster, recruitment, and blog pages
  • Re-design our website to encompass the scope of our missions
  • Share progress and handle website updates

Requirements

  • Website coding experience
  • Project management experience
  • Well-organized, highly motivated, and willing to learn!
  • Works well with others
  • Minumum starting level 2 academic year - any program at McMaster University

Preferences

  • Experience working with Squarespace or equivalent
  • Website design

Science Communicator

1 POSITION

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Do you enjoy creating science content? Have you ever wanted to create content for a space team? The MIST Team needs someone who can lead our social content creation. This will include graphic design for external posts and internal team needs. The science communicator will help us keep our posting frequency to maintain our social presence about our mission and team. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, then consider applying to join the team.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Attend weekly meetings
  • Manages written blog posts (technical and non-technical)
  • Put together instagram posts using current templates
  • Graphic design for social media and internal needs
  • Reaches out to other teams to get hardware blog posts filled out
  • Creates content to be posted on weekly basis (social media and/or website)

Requirements

  • Well-organized, highly motivated, and willing to learn!
  • Good writing and communication skills
  • Works well with others
  • Comfortable working with document management, Microsoft Office Suite, and Google Suite
  • Minimum starting level 2 academic year - any program at McMaster University

Preferences

  • Experience working in leadership on clubs/teams/volunteer activities
  • Graphic design and social media management

Event Coordinator

1 POSITION

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Do you enjoy coordinating events and leading outreach activities? The MIST Team needs someone who can help organize team socials, events involving the wider McMaster community and large-scale outreach activities. If this sounds like something you'd like to be a part of, then consider applying to join the team.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Attend weekly meetings
  • Coordinate minimum twice a semester team socials
  • Work with Team Lead to coordinate larger events

Requirements

  • Well-organized, and demonstrates strong time management skills
  • Good communication skills
  • Works well with others
  • Minimum starting level 2 academic year - any program at McMaster University

Preferences

  • Experience working in leadership on clubs/teams/volunteer activities
  • Experience with outreach and event coordination
 

Systems Team

 

Systems Engineering is the most critical subteam of a space mission. We oversee all high-level design and implementation decisions and guide other subteams through each mission phase: concept development, preliminary design, critical design, AIT (assembly, integration, and testing), launch and operation. We focus on maintaining technical documentation and standards along with reviewing and approving design submissions (mechanical, electrical, and software) to ensure that subteams are working together towards a polished and consistent final product that meets all requirements and constraints from internal and external sources.

 

Attitude Determination & Control System Team

 
 

The Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) Team is an integral part of the university CubeSat team. Members of the ADCS team are responsible for designing, implementing, and operating a robust attitude control system for the CubeSat. With work in engineering, control systems, and astrodynamics, the ADCS Team ensures accurate pointing, stabilization, and other capabilities to fulfill the mission objectives. Furthermore, other tasks include system design, attitude determination, control algorithm development, calibration, validation, real-time monitoring, and collaboration with other subsystems.

Simulation Specialist

2-3 POSITIONS

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Join our Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) subteam as a simulation specialist and contribute to the cutting-edge development of our school's satellite project! ADCS is crucial for maintaining and adjusting a satellite's orientation in space, relying on principles of physics, such as dynamics and kinematics, as well as advanced engineering techniques. This role requires a solid understanding of control theory, rotational mechanics, orbital physics, and sensor fusion, alongside proficiency in MATLAB for simulating and testing our control and determination algorithms. If you're passionate about space technology, eager to apply your analytical skills, and excited to work in a collaborative environment, our ADCS subteam is the perfect place for you to make a significant impact. Previous experience is not required but is highly desirable.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Use Simulink and Matlab to perform simulations of maneuvers to be performed by the satellite while in orbit using magnetic actuators
  • Engineer and design control algorithms
  • Communicate simulation techniques and test results to the team

Requirements

  • Enrolled in Software Engineering, Engineering Physics, Physics, Mathematics, or have other relevant experience
  • Minimum starting level 2 academic year (preferred level 3+)

Preferences

  • Proficiency in MATLAB/Simulink
  • Proficiency in Python
  • Experience with scientific computing, simulations, analysis
  • Strong foundation of rotational and orbital dynamics, electromagnetism, linear algebra, and numerical methods
  • Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
  • Familiarity with software development best practices, including version control, testing, and documentation

Software Specialist

1-2 POSITIONS

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Join our Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) subteam as a software specialist and play a pivotal role in the PRESET mission by helping to develop ADCS flight software! This opportunity involves translating complex control and determination algorithms into efficient, reliable software to control our satellite’s orientation in space. You'll need strong skills in software development, including experience with embedded systems, real-time programming, and proficiency in languages like C or Python. If you're passionate about space exploration, eager to tackle challenging coding problems, and excited to see your work come to life in an actual satellite mission, our ADCS subteam is the perfect place for you to make a significant impact.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Program the ADCS on-board computer to read magnetic fields, control actuators, send data to other systems
  • Implement tested control algorithms into software infrastructure
  • Collaborate with the Command & Data Handling subteam to ensure mission success

Requirements

  • Experience with microcontrollers and embedded C programming
  • Familiarity with CANBUS, I2C, and other communication protocols
  • Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and meet deadlines.
  • Familiarity with software development best practices, including version control, testing, and documentation
  • Please highlight your experience in these domains in your resume and cover letter!

Preferences

  • Proficiency in standard programming languages (Python, C++)
  • Enrolled in Mechatronics, Software, or Computer Engineering, or have other relevant experience
  • Experience reading wiring diagrams (e.g. Altium)
  • Proficiency in STM32 programming
  • PCB Design and Circuit Theory Knowledge

Mechanical Specialist

1 POSITION

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Are you a Sci-Fi fan? Have you ever wondered how your spacecrafts are controlled? Look no further; Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) could be the right team for you! ADCS is an interdisciplinary sub-team that works on attitude determination in orbit, control algorithms for satellite stabilization, mechanical design, manufacturing, as well as software and hardware development/testing.

As an ADCS Mechanical Specialist, you will be involved in the development of a mission-critical project involving deployable solar panels for satellite deorbiting. You will help fabricate and design mechanical systems for facilitating the storage, restraint, and deployment of this hardware, and will work with other ADCS and MIST members to receive feedback and integrate your designs. You will also be involved in testing and manufacturing ADCS-specific hardware like magnetic torquers.

If you have a mechanical background and are interested in learning more about ADCS, please apply!

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Assist in mechanical design using SolidWorks and Bild
  • Source components from various manufacturers
  • Assist in any manufacturing projects, which may involve attending the MIST lab
  • Attend weekly meetings and take part in group discussions

Requirements

  • Enrolled in Mechanical Engineering or have equivalent mechanical design and modeling experience.
  • Must have experience creating engineering drawings and CAD modeling
  • Must have good teamwork, communication, and presentation skills and provide updates on work when needed
  • Basic understanding of statics and dynamics

Preferences

  • Have some experience using Solid Works
  • Previous involvement in mechanical projects
  • Previous manufacturing and testing experience
 

Radio Communications Team

 

The Radio Communications Team is the backbone of establishing and maintaining a communications link between MIST on Earth and the spacecraft. A communication link allows for the wireless transfer of data through electromagnetic waves, specifically in the radio and microwave frequency bands. Establishing this link enables the team to obtain data from the scientific payload, monitor the health of subsystems on the spacecraft, and send telecommands to the satellite to update its operational state. Join now to learn how we make space communication possible with our custom-designed UHF/VHF radio and ground station on the McMaster Campus. You will also get the opportunity to train and obtain an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate, which will allow you to operate our radios in the amateur frequency bands.

Ground Station Specialist

2 POSITIONS

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Wait... STOP! You are skipping over this posting! It is probably the best one on here (Disclaimer: Some bias may be present). Have you ever wondered how antennas work? What about designing some high frequency (radio-frequency and microwave) technology you hear about but never really experienced? Communications is the home to all this and you are one application away.

The communications team is responsible for establishing and maintaining a wireless communication link to the satellite once deployed into orbit some 500km above the Earth's surface. The communication team is broken down into two sub-teams consisting of a space segment team and a ground station team. As a Ground Station Specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring reliable communication with the satellite by maintaining and upgrading the ground station infrastructure.

If you are a keen individual looking for some hardware and software experience please apply. You will get the opportunity to be trained and write the Basic Amateur Radio Operator Certificate (https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01862.html) which allows a user to operate the ground station. As well as learn what it takes to establish these wireless connections we take for granted every day!

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Source components and conduct testing for UHF transmission.
  • Update the flowgraph for UHF transmission.
  • Perform overall system testing.
  • Implement and test integration with the SatNOGS network.
  • Update the ground station operating system.
  • Operate the ground station as a satellite operator
  • Attend weekly meetings and take part in group discussions

Requirements

  • Enrolled in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, the Bachelor of Technology or have equivalent embedded software experience
  • Any students passionate about hardware and software development

Note: We do not expect strong technical skills from lower-level applicants (level I/II) but expect a willingness to learn, interest and dedication.

  • C/C++, Python programming experience (Data migration and monitoring)
  • Autonomous system control
  • Knowledgeable in Linux environments and server deployments
  • Basic understanding of electrical theory and circuits (digital and analog)
  • Knowledgeable in hardware design for complex, multifaceted systems.
  • Must have good teamwork and communication skills, presentations and updates on work is required

Preferences

  • Understanding of basic communication protocols (Ethernet, TCP/IP, USB, etc.)
  • Experience with hardware integrations
  • Experience with server hardware and software maintenance
  • Knowledge of data protection and risk management
  • Knowledge and/or interest in Electromagnetics, Microwaves and Communication
  • Basic understanding of electromagnetic theory, radio frequency (RF) design and/or antenna design
  • Experience with hardware assembly and testing
  • Comfortable working with test equipment such as Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Power Supplies, Etc.
  • Previous mechanical design experience
  • Previous manufacturing or testing experience

RF Hardware Specialist

2 POSITIONS

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Wait... STOP! You are skipping over this posting! It is probably the best one on here (Disclaimer: Some bias may be present). Have you ever wondered how antennas work? What about designing some high frequency (radio-frequency and microwave) technology you hear about but never really experienced? Communications is the home to all this and you are one application away.

The communications team is responsible for establishing and maintaining a wireless communication link to the satellite once deployed into orbit some 500km above the Earth's surface. The communication team is broken down into two sub-teams consisting of a space segment team and a ground station team. As a Hardware Specialist, you will be responsible for continuing development of the antenna module printed-circuit board, and related technologies. This will involve working with radio and microwave frequency components, electric circuit design, and more!

If you are a keen individual looking for some hardware experience please apply. You will get the opportunity to be trained and write the Basic Amateur Radio Operator Certificate (https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf01862.html) which allows a user to operate the ground station. As well as learn what it takes to establish these wireless connections we take for granted every day!

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Test communication hardware and antennas for performance and reliability.
  • Develop electrical part of deployment mechanism for solar panels
  • Further develop the antenna module, including PCB design and fabrication.
  • Develop comprehensive test plans for communication systems.
  • Perform Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) for communication and antenna modules.
  • Prepare and deliver the communications module for flight on HASP 2025.
  • Attend weekly meetings and take part in group discussions

Requirements

  • Enrolled in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, the Bachelor of Technology or have equivalent electrical/hardware experience.
  • Basic understanding of electrical theory and circuits (digital and analog)
  • Altium or related CAD software experience
  • Knowledgeable in hardware design for complex, multifaceted systems.
  • Must have good teamwork and communication skills, presentations and updates on work is required

Preferences

  • Knowledge and/or interest in Electromagnetics, Microwaves and Communication
  • Basic understanding of electromagnetic theory, radio frequency (RF) design and/or antenna design
  • Experience with hardware assembly and testing
  • Comfortable working with test equipment such as Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Power Supplies, Etc.
  • Previous mechanical design experience
  • Previous manufacturing or testing experience
 
 

Command and Data Handling Team

 

The CDH team oversees the handling of the satellite’s data. This includes processing, storing and moving data around to various subsystems. CDH is the interface between ground crews and all other components of the satellite in addition to monitoring the health and state of the satellite.

 
 

Electrical Power System Team

 

A fundamental aspect of every space mission is the generation and management of on-board electrical power. The EPS system must generate, store, and distribute adequate power for all electrical systems on the satellite. This includes ensuring a stable power supply throughout the lifetime of the mission and monitoring consumption and state to ensure continued operation as well as completion of tasks crucial for the mission.

Are you ready to take your passion for electronics and space to the next level? Apply now to join the EPS team and be a part of an exciting journey to revolutionize Canada’s space industry!

 
 

Mission Operation and Control Team

 

The Mission Operations and Control team is responsible for building the software infrastructure for our ground station. This software will allow us to send commands to the satellite, and receive/visualize data transmitted from our satellite to the ground. All of the data received from the satellite will be displayed in our Grafana dashboard, along with data from a variety of sensors monitoring our ground station

 

Software Developer

1 POSITION

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

Have you ever imagined yourself in the NASA mission control room, waiting with excitement for the launch of a rocket or deployment of a satellite? Then this is the position for you!! Were building our very own mission control center right here on McMaster's campus and we need your help!!

The Mission Operations & Control team is responsible for building the software infrastructure for our ground station. This software will allow us to send commands to the satellite, and receive/visualize data transmitted from our satellite to the ground. All of the data received from the satellite will be displayed in our Grafana dashboard, along with data from a variety of sensors monitoring our ground station.

As a MOC software developer and automation engineer, your role will involve developing scripts to automate the collection and processing of data from a variety of sensors on our ground station, as well as data from devices on the cubeSAT. You will be responsible for the development and maintenance of systems and tools related to the mission, with a focus on data visualization, scripting, and Linux server management.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

Design and develop reliable, high quality software related to:

  • Data Collection and Processing
  • Automation of processes
  • Mission Control Dashboards
  • Simulations/test procedures
  • Ensuring all work is thoroughly documented !!!

Communicate updates at weekly meetings

Requirements

  • Enrolled at McMaster University
  • Experience with Python and Javascript/Typescript
  • Ability to effectively use git
  • Experience working in Linux environments
  • Experience with databases and backend API development

Preferences

  • Experience working in a Linux based environment
  • Experience with SQL / NoSQL databases
  • Familiar with docker
  • Experience with Grafana or similar data visualization tools
  • Proficiency in Bash scripting and other scripting languages
  • Experience with continuous-integration/development practices
  • Familiarity with software development best practices, including version control, testing, and documentation
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
 

Mechanical Team

 

The mechanical team is responsible for the design, manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing of the mechanical structure of the satellite, the central payload, and its deployment mechanisms which include the satellite's antenna and deployable magnetometer.
Do you want to be part of a first-of-its-kind mission at McMaster University, working on a satellite that will launch into orbit and conduct meaningful science? Do you have a passion for mechanically designing elements that need to survive the space environment?

 
 

Payload Team

 

The Payload team is responsible for the scientific payload of NEUDOSE, which is the Charged and Neutral Particle Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter (CNP-TEPC). The CNP-TEPC is an advanced radiation monitoring instrument being developed to separately measure the interaction of charged particles and neutrons in low Earth orbit in real-time (for the first time). This is essential to our mission of studying the effects of ionizing radiation on the human body.

As a member of the team, you will have the unique experience of being part of a fully self-sustaining sub-system capable of functioning both within the satellite and as an independent instrument outside the satellite in places like a High Altitude Balloon.

 

Sr. Firmware Specialist

2 POSITIONs

Start Time: Immediately

Posted: 2025-02-18

The Payload (MAG) team is responsible for the collection and processing of magnetometer data. As a member of the team, you will have the unique experience of being part of a fully self-sustaining sub-system capable of functioning both within the satellite and as an independent instrument outside the satellite in places like a High Altitude Balloon. As a Sr. Firmware Specialist, you will be responsible for developing and deploying firmware that will autonomously control the data acquisition of the instrument, as well as the packetizing and transmission of the science data to other teams. This development includes working on custom-designed hardware with low-level embedded programming. Expect to learn more about embedded C, FreeRTOS, and hardware/software communication.

McMaster Interdisciplinary Satellite Team is a student team that puts real satellites into space. We are looking for applicants who share our work ethic and commitment to aid us in this endeavour.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

  • Take part in the software design of the Payload Data Acquisition Module (DAM) or Power Distribution Module (PDM) on-board the satellite and/or a High Altitude Balloon (applications, APIs, device drivers, designing software architecture, etc.).
  • Review and test code from other team members.
  • Following the coding standard developed by the team in all aspects of software development.
  • Documentation of your software through the unified modelling language (UML) set out by the team.
  • Attend weekly meetings and take part in group discussions.
  • Ability to work independently and with an interdisciplinary team.
  • Ability to assess, propose, and commit to complex design decisions within the scope of firmware development.

Requirements

Enrolled in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, and the Bachelor of Technology or have equivalent embedded software experience

** Any students passionate about software development **

Note: The expectation is to have at least 1 year of continuous, relevant experience through co-op, projects, research, or other means.

  • C/C++ programming experience, C preferred
  • Embedded system software architectures (real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, low-level chip driver development, board support packages, etc.)
  • Must have good teamwork and communication skills; presentations and updates on work are required
  • Continued availability during the summer term
  • Must have experience in STM32 software/firmware development.
  • Good task & schedule management.

Preferences

  • Interested and/or knowledgeable in embedded system software design
  • Experience in data acquisition concepts (sensing, signal conditioning, sampling & digitization, processing, and storing of data)
  • In-depth experience with the STM32 ARM architecture and initializing most of its different peripherals/functions, like ADC, DAC, TIM, DMA, SPI, UART, PLL, JTAG, CAN.
  • Experience with application task management, scheduling and queuing on lightweight hardware
  • Experience with GitHub and build servers along with hardware-in-the-loop automated software testing