What Is QUT Motorsport, and What Is Design Camp?
QUT Motorsport is a student-run team that designs, builds, manufactures, and markets a single-seat electric race car. It provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom learning to real-world engineering and industry practices.
The team competes in the FSAE-A competition in Adelaide, alongside Formula Student teams from across the Australasian region.
The QUT Motorsport Design Camp 2027 will run from 18 January to 12 February 2027. During this four-week period, the team operates as a full-time engineering organisation, with working hours from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Students from Engineering, IT, Science, Business, Creative Industries, and other disciplines collaborate to design and develop the foundations of our 2027 competition vehicle.
WIL Applications and Eligibility
For Engineering students, the QUT Motorsport Design Camp may contribute up to 20 days towards the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements required for graduation, subject to the relevant faculty’s approval and eligibility requirements.
For non-engineering students, the Design Camp offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in IT, Business, Creative Industries, and other non-engineering disciplines. Participants can apply their classroom knowledge to real-world projects while developing practical skills and industry experience.
Mechanical
Our Mechanical Department encompasses the Composites, Structures, and Vehicle Performance sub-teams. The department provides the strength, precision, and structural integrity behind our car, constantly innovating to push the boundaries of strength, efficiency, and performance.
– Composites: Craft lightweight, high-performance components.
– Structures: Design components that ensure structural integrity, durability, and reliability.
– Vehicle Performance: Define and optimise the vehicle’s performance philosophy.
– Design and Simulation: Use advanced software and tools, including CAD (SolidWorks), FEA and CFD (Ansys), and Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing
business
Our Business Department encompasses the Media and Marketing, Events, and Branding sub-teams. As the creative force and organisational backbone of our team, the department helps shape our public image and ensures the successful delivery of team activities.
– Create portfolio-worthy work and develop industry-ready skills while contributing to the team’s success both on and off the track.
– Media and Marketing: Produce engaging reels, posts, and stories while developing creative marketing strategies.
– Events: Coordinate events and manage logistical challenges.
– Branding: Strengthen our visual identity through merchandise, graphics, and the design of our 2027 livery.
– Open to all faculties: Students from Business, Design, Creative Industries, Engineering, and other disciplines are encouraged to apply.
– Hands-on experience: Develop practical skills in content creation, event logistics, marketing, and design.
software
Our Software Department encompasses the Electric Vehicle (EV) Systems and Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Systems sub-teams. The department is the brain behind our car, developing the software and intelligence that power our vehicle systems.
– Collect and analyse live track data while developing the software backbone of our car with the EV Systems sub-team.
– Push the boundaries of autonomous driving through LiDAR-powered navigation with the AV Systems sub-team.
– Work with Python, MATLAB, C, ROS 2, and other technologies to bring data, code, and vehicle control together.
electrical
Our Electrical Department encompasses the Powertrains and Control Systems sub-teams. The department delivers the power and precision behind our car. From the drivetrain to data collection, the Electrical Department ensures that the vehicle operates safely, reliably, and efficiently.
– Gain hands-on experience with electric motors, inverters, and custom vehicle control units.
– Explore high-voltage lithium-ion battery design, printed circuit board (PCB) design, and vehicle wiring harnesses.
– Use tools such as Altium Designer and RapidHarness while learning comprehensive electrical systems design applicable to future industry projects.
There will be two application rounds for the 2027 Design Camp:
Round 1: 21 October – 1 December 2026
Round 2: 1 January – 8 January 2027
Engineering Students Seeking WIL
Engineering students seeking WIL hours are asked to submit a cover letter and résumé to our Faculty Advisor, Dr David Holmes, at d.holmes@qut.edu.au, and to our 2027 executive team at exec@qutmotorsport.com.
(Jack McKenna, Team Principal | Ashley Willard, Vice-Principal | Chloe Barron, Project Manager).
Non-wil students
Please submit your résumé and/or portfolio to team@qutmotorsport.com.
Further inquiries
If you have any questions about the Design Camp or the application process, please email team@qutmotorsport.com.
