This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to an exciting, fast-growing company in the aerospace industry and develop world-leading technology. In this role you will primarily be responsible for the design and testing and post-test analysis of the main propulsion system and its subsystems of our Spaceplane.

Your experience and good engineering judgement will be valuable contributors to design discussions and trade-offs. Your knowledge in the design, testing and data analysis will be of great value in bringing Dawn's young and dynamic propulsion team to the next level. You'll get the unique opportunity to work on both suborbital and orbital vehicles.

You must have the ability and desire to work in a young company. If you want a smooth and routine role, this is not for you. We believe in giving you the tools you need, then getting out of your way.

Initially, this role will predominantly involve core engineering. In future, there is the opportunity for the right candidate to grow into a programme, product and/or department leadership position. We are looking for someone who can take initiative and work with minimal direction.

What you will do:

• Support assembly, testing and post-test analysis of the main engine for the Mk-II spaceplane.
• Rapidly trouble shoot issues found during manufacturing, assembly and testing to come to a timely solution.
• Support mechanical, electrical, and fluid integration of propulsion subsystems including liquid rocket engines, propellant tanks, and ancillary systems.
• Design, analysis, manufacture, integration and testing of propulsion system componentry.
• Writing of documentation, assembly manuals, design reports, test procedures, and test reports.

What you have is...

• A degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering or similar.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in a relevant position covering rocket engine design and testing aspects (student project team and internship experience qualifies).

• Knowledge of mechanical systems, fluid systems, fittings, pipes etc.
• Hands on background with mechanical systems.
• Supplier liaison for components and parts.
• Strong communication skills in both written and spoken English
• Experienced with Solidworks or similar CAD software.
• Experience with finite element analysis software (ANSYS preferred).
• MS Office tools, full proficiency expected.

It would be great if you also had…

• Experience with numerical analysis tools (eg. Matlab or Python).
• Experience with CFD.
• Experience in design for additive manufacturing / 3D printing.

About Dawn Aerospace

We are a purpose-driven company focused on delivering real solutions to current problems while building in the key ingredients of long-term success - reusability and sustainability. Our long-term vision shapes how we act, build teams, and treat each other. With the long term always in mind, we make decisions that benefit us all.

We are developing vehicles to provide responsive, reusable, and low-cost space flight. The current single/low-use rockets for small satellite launches are expensive and infrequently available, and we believe that our vehicles will fundamentally change that.

As a leading provider of green propulsion systems for CubeSat, ESPA, and ESPA Grande-class satellites, we possess space-heritage and an understanding of how to achieve challenging engineering – one step at a time.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment with Dawn is decided based on merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any other manner.

Dawn Aerospace is an Accredited Employer with Immigration New Zealand.

Important! If you think you have what it takes but are unsure that you check every box, we still want to hear from you.