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Mechanical Engineer (Fluid Systems) - Spaceplane

Dawn Aerospace

Dawn Aerospace

Other Engineering
Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted on Mar 4, 2026

Our Mission: Fly to space twice in a day.

Dawn Aerospace is looking for a mechanical engineer to join our team to develop our next generation spaceplane. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to an exciting, fast-growing company in the aerospace industry and develop world-leading technology. You will be designing, building and testing fluid feed systems.

Your knowledge in the manufacturing, assembling and testing will be of great value in bringing Dawn's young and dynamic airframe team to the next level. 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. For this role you are expected to take ownership of certain subsystems.

You will:

  • Take ownership of and lead the main propulsion feed system projects/work packages on our next generation spaceplane.
  • Drive communication with suppliers / sub-contractors to achieve timely delivery of the flight critical products.
  • Problem solve and manage tight deadlines on a R&D heavy project.
  • Coordinate and work across multi-functional teams including structural / airframe, propulsion, software and avionics.
  • Design, analyse and test fluid components and pressure vessels.
  • Perform design reviews with a strong focus on manufacturing principles.
  • Coordinate procurement, manufacture, assembly and integration for your projects.
  • Produce compliance reports detailing the qualification of hardware.
  • Establish new, and improve on existing processes and capabilities.

Requirements

You will have:

  • An appropriate qualification in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or similar.
  • At least 3 years’ professional experience with complex systems, in fields such as aircraft, spacecraft, automotive or marine.
  • Proven experience in design for manufacture.
  • Proven ability to appropriately consider and trade off cost, schedule, performance and risk.
  • Proficiency in 3D computer aided design (preferably Solidworks).
  • Hands on mechanical and fluid system manufacturing, assembly, integration and test experience.
  • Awareness and experience with quality control systems.
  • Experience working with and directing sub-contractors/ suppliers.
  • Excellent communication, organisational and reporting skills.
  • A positive, driven attitude with a team collaborative approach.
  • Pressure vessel and fluid components design and manufacture.

Additional desired proven skills and experience in:

  • Mechanical structural computational analysis (FEA or similar).
  • Integrated project team management (Project Engineering).

About Dawn Aerospace

Our mission is to accelerate the next generation of space users with scalable and sustainable ways to deliver the things they care about from Earth to Space, and from Space to everywhere else. We’re building a spaceplane, a cutting-edge launch vehicle that combines the performance of a rocket with the rapid reusability and economic model of an aircraft. We’re also the fastest-growing supplier of green propulsion systems for satellites in the world. Our turnkey systems manoeuvre satellites in space and deorbit them at the end of their lifetimes.

For security reasons background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access export-controlled information.