Mechanical Propulsion Engineer

Description

We are seeking a highly motivated Mechanical Propulsion Engineer to join our Inspace Propulsion team. This role will focus on the design, analysis, testing, and integration of thruster components and subsystems. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of high-performance, reliable propulsion solutions for small to medium-sized satellites.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop mechanical components and assemblies for satellite thrusters, including valves, tanks, feed systems, and structural supports.
• Perform mechanical analysis, including stress, thermal, and vibration analysis, to ensure components meet performance and reliability requirements.
• Collaborate with systems, electrical, and software engineers to integrate propulsion subsystems into satellite platforms.
• Support component and subsystem testing, including test planning, execution, data analysis and test setup development and construction.
• Participate in manufacturing and supply chain activities to ensure components are producible, maintainable, and compliant with quality standards.
• Contribute to documentation, including design reports, test plans, and technical presentations.
• Support continuous improvement and innovation in mechanical design and manufacturing processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in mechanical design, preferably in aerospace, propulsion, or fluid systems.
• Strong CAD skills (SolidWorks, CATIA, or equivalent).
• Experience with mechanical analysis tools preferred (FEA, thermal analysis, CFD is a plus).
• Knowledge of materials, tolerances, and manufacturing processes (DFMA)
• Understanding of fluid dynamics and pressure-fed propulsion systems is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Desired Experience

• Experience with satellite propulsion systems, chemical or electric thrusters.
• Hands-on experience with assembly, integration, and test of flight hardware.
• Familiarity with ESA, NASA, or other international aerospace standards and requirements.

Why Join Dawn Aerospace:

• Work in a fast-paced, innovative environment at the forefront of sustainable space propulsion.
• Collaborate with a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team.
• Opportunity to see your designs operate in orbit.

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.