Composites Design Engineer (Space Launch New Zealand)

Our Mission: Fly to Space Twice in One Day

At Dawn Aerospace, we're building a space transportation network with the frequency and reliability of aviation.

Our Aurora spaceplane programme is developing the world's first rapidly reusable, rocket-powered aircraft capable of routine access to space. Every day, we are pushing the boundaries of aerospace engineering, designing, building, testing, and flying vehicles at a pace rarely seen in the industry.

We're looking for a Composites Design Engineer to help design the structures that will make this possible.

This is role where your designs will be realised. You'll see your work move rapidly from concept to manufacture, test and flight, working alongside a highly capable team building one of the world's most ambitious aerospace programmes.

What You'll Do

Design primary and secondary composite airframe structures, including fuselage, wings, control surfaces and internal support structures.

Develop laminate schedules, manufacturing drawings, tooling concepts, assembly fixtures and engineering documentation.

Perform structural sizing, trade studies and design optimisation using analytical and numerical methods.

Work closely with manufacturing, test and flight operations teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable and robust.

Support structural testing, qualification activities and flight campaigns.

Collaborate with aerodynamics, systems, avionics and propulsion engineers to deliver integrated vehicle solutions.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering processes, methodologies and standards.

About You

You're a practical engineer who enjoys turning ideas into hardware. You thrive in fast-moving environments, take ownership of your work, and enjoy solving difficult problems alongside other high-performing engineers.

You are comfortable working across disciplines, engaging directly with manufacturing and testing, and balancing engineering excellence with speed of execution.

Your Capabilities

A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a related field.

At least 3 years of professional experience designing composite structures within aerospace, aviation, motorsport or another high-performance engineering environment.

Strong understanding of composite materials, laminate theory and manufacturing processes.

Experience using CAD software such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks or similar.

Experience producing detailed engineering drawings and managing design releases.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Experience working with suppliers and external manufacturing partners.

Experience operating in a rapid development, prototype or experimental environment.

Bonus Points For

Experience with aerospace certification, qualification or flight-test programmes.

Experience using FEA tools for structural analysis of composite structures.

Hands-on composites manufacturing, tooling or build experience.

Experience developing flight hardware.

Why Join Dawn?

Design hardware that flies.

Work on one of the world's most advanced spaceplane programmes.

See designs move rapidly from concept to flight.

Collaborate with an exceptional multidisciplinary engineering team.

Take ownership of challenging technical problems with real-world impact.

Help build the future of space transportation.