We are seeking a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to join our aerospace manufacturing team, working on the production of precision components for advanced flight and propulsion systems.

This is a practical, shop-floor focused engineering role where you will be responsible for setting up, operating, and refining CNC and manual machining processes to produce high-accuracy aerospace components. You will work across both prototype and production environments, helping bridge the gap between design intent and manufacturable, repeatable hardware.

The role is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with machines, solving real manufacturing problems, and continuously improving how complex parts are made.

What you will do

• Set up and operate CNC machining equipment to manufacture precision components
• Develop, adjust, and optimise CNC programs and CAM toolpaths
• Prove out new programs from first setup through to stable, repeatable production
• Select and configure tooling, fixtures, and workholding systems for machining operations
• Monitor machining processes to ensure parts meet engineering drawings and tight tolerances
• Manufacture components across prototype, development, and production stages
• Inspect finished parts using precision measurement tools to ensure full compliance
• Troubleshoot machining and tooling issues and implement practical solutions
• Support transition of parts from prototype to repeatable production processes
• Work closely with engineers to improve manufacturability and production efficiency
• Contribute to continuous improvement of machining methods, tooling, and processes

About you

We are looking for someone who is practical, detail-focused, and comfortable working in a high-precision manufacturing environment.

You will likely have:

• Strong experience in CNC machining and/or precision manufacturing
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications
• Hands-on experience with machine setup, tooling, and workholding
• Confidence working with tight tolerances and quality-critical parts
• Experience with CAM programming and CNC toolpath development
• A proactive mindset for solving machining and production challenges
• Ability to work across prototype and production environments

Nice to have:

• Experience in aerospace or high-performance manufacturing
• Exposure to DFM (Design for Manufacture) feedback and collaboration with design engineers
• Experience improving machining processes or production repeatability

Example work you might do

• Improve thread consistency in valve components by refining machining strategy and updating CNC programs to improve repeatability
• Modify component geometry in collaboration with design engineers to reduce burr formation and improve manufacturability
• Develop and stabilise machining processes that move parts from prototype into repeatable production

What we offer

• Work on real aerospace systems that are built, tested, and flown
• High-impact engineering environment with direct visibility of your work in flight hardware
• Opportunity to work across prototype, development, and production lifecycle
• Close collaboration with design, propulsion, and systems engineering teams
• Fast-paced, hands-on environment where practical engineering decisions matter

Diversity & Inclusion

At Dawn Aerospace, we believe that diverse teams build better solutions. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued and supported to do their best work.

About Dawn Aerospace

Dawn Aerospace is a space transportation company with a purpose.
Our mission is to enable the next generation of space users by providing more sustainable and scalable ways to access and move around in space. We believe this access, in the form of a transportation network, will fundamentally change what’s possible from space. We currently focus on three areas of space transportation:

• In-space propulsion
  We're a leading supplier of turnkey green propulsion systems for various classes of satellites. Our systems utilise safe, accessible propellants and we have over 170 of these propulsion units on more than 40 operational satellites already. A further 200 units are in production.
• In-space servicing
  Coupled with our propulsion expertise, we are ensuring that our customers' satellites are refuellable. In the coming years, Dawn will offer a refueling service to enable life extension of customer satellites. This new market is aligned with our sustainability goal to ensue a clean and safe space for everyone!
• Spaceplane
  We are developing the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever to take off from a runway, combining the extreme performance of rocket propulsion with the reusability of conventional airplanes to enable high-frequency, low-cost access to sub-orbital space.

Our international teams are distributed across four locations: the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and the USA.

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Important!

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

To all recruitment agencies: Dawn Aerospace does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our job’s alias, our employees, or any other company location. Dawn Aerospace will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.