Mechanical Engineer (Fluid Systems) - Spaceplane

Our mission: Fly to space twice in a day.

Dawn Aerospace is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our team developing our next-generation spaceplane. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing aerospace company building world-leading technology.

You will play a key role in the design, analysis, manufacture, and testing of fluid feed systems and related propulsion hardware. This includes pressure vessels, pumps, and fluid components that are critical for flight.

This is a hands-on role in a young, fast-moving company. If you are looking for a predictable, routine position, this is not the right fit. We provide strong ownership, the right tools, and the autonomy to deliver.

We are looking for someone with a strong sense of:

• Ownership
• Drive
• Passion
• Clear communication

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of propulsion feed system work packages for our next-generation spaceplane.
• Lead technical delivery of flight-critical fluid systems from design through to test.
• Drive communication and execution with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure timely delivery.
• Solve complex engineering problems under tight R&D schedules.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams including airframe, propulsion, software, and avionics.
• Design, analyse, and test fluid components, pumps, and pressure vessels.
• Perform design reviews with strong emphasis on manufacturability and robustness.
• Oversee procurement, manufacture, assembly, integration, and testing activities for your systems.
• Produce technical compliance and qualification documentation for flight hardware.
• Help establish and improve engineering processes and capabilities as the team scales.

Qualifications

• Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience working with complex engineered systems (e.g. aerospace, automotive, marine, or similar industries).
• Strong experience in design for manufacture (DFM).
• Proven ability to balance cost, schedule, performance, and risk in engineering decisions.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks preferred).
• Hands-on experience with mechanical and fluid systems: manufacture, assembly, integration, and testing.
• Understanding of quality control systems and engineering standards.
• Experience working with and managing suppliers or subcontractors.
• Strong communication, organisation, and technical reporting skills.
• Experience with pressure vessels and fluid system design and manufacture.

Desired Experience

• Mechanical structural analysis (FEA or equivalent).
• Experience working in integrated project teams or as a project engineer.

What success looks like

You thrive in environments where you are trusted with real ownership. You are comfortable moving between detailed engineering work and broader system-level thinking. You communicate clearly, drive work forward without being chased, and take pride in delivering hardware that flies.

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.