Propulsion Engineer – Space Plane
Company Details
Dawn Aerospace was founded to redefine near-space transportation. Redefine how we deliver assets to space, position satellites on orbit, and return things down to Earth to enable the vibrant and circular space economy of the future. To do this, we build scalable, accessible, and sustainable spaceflight technologies – technologies that are sustainable for not just the foreseeable future, but the unforeseeable future.
Description
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 Space Plane.
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.
Requirements
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
Dawn Aerospace was founded to redefine near-space transportation. Redefine how we deliver assets to space, position satellites on orbit, and return things down to Earth to enable the vibrant and circular space economy of the future. To do this, we build scalable, accessible, and sustainable spaceflight technologies – technologies that are sustainable for not just the foreseeable future, but the unforeseeable future.
The company has achieved a series of significant milestones in the past 12 months, including launching 27 propulsion units to space from Europe, the USA, and Russia, and completing the successful first flights of the suborbital spaceplane, the Dawn Mk-II Aurora. Dawn was named Hi-Tech Startup Company of the Year (2020) and won the Supreme Award for medium/large business at the Westpac Champion Business Awards 2021.
Current customers include the likes of D-Orbit, the Indonesian Space Agency, and a large number of yet-to-name constellations. Dawn’s satellite propulsion business is forecast to more than double during 2022. Based on current units in space and in production, we’re fast on track to become the number one supplier of green-chemical propulsion systems globally.
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.
