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Dawn Aerospace is building a space transportation network with aviation-like frequency and reliability. The Aurora spaceplane programme is developing the world's first rapidly reusable, rocket-powered aircraft capable of routine access to space. As a Composites Design Engineer, you will design primary and secondary composite airframe structures including fuselage, wings, control surfaces, and internal support structures that will enable this ambitious programme.
You will develop laminate schedules, manufacturing drawings, tooling concepts, assembly fixtures, and comprehensive engineering documentation. Your responsibilities include performing structural sizing, trade studies, and design optimization using analytical and numerical methods. You'll work closely with manufacturing, test, and flight operations teams to ensure designs are practical, manufacturable, and robust. You will support structural testing, qualification activities, and flight campaigns, collaborating with aerodynamics, systems, avionics, and propulsion engineers to deliver integrated vehicle solutions. Additionally, you'll contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, methodologies, and standards.
This role offers the rare opportunity to see your designs move rapidly from concept through manufacture, test, and flight. You'll work alongside a highly capable team in a fast-moving environment where engineering excellence is balanced with speed of execution. The company operates across four international locations (Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and USA) and is focused on sustainable space transportation, including in-space propulsion systems (170+ units already operational on satellites) and in-space servicing capabilities.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related field
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience designing composite structures in aerospace, aviation, motorsport, or other high-performance engineering environments
- Strong understanding of composite materials, laminate theory, and manufacturing processes
- Proficiency with CAD software (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 rapid development, prototype, or experimental environments
BONUS QUALIFICATIONS:
- Aerospace certification, qualification, or flight-test programme experience
- FEA tools experience for structural analysis of composite structures
- Hands-on composites manufacturing, tooling, or build experience
- Flight hardware development experience
