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Dawn Aerospace is developing the Aurora spaceplane, a rapidly reusable, rocket-powered aircraft designed to make routine access to space a reality. As a Structural Analyst on the Spaceplane team in Christchurch, you will perform critical structural analysis and validation work on composite and metallic airframe structures and components that directly influence design, testing, and flight outcomes.
Key responsibilities include:
- Perform structural analysis and validation of composite and metallic airframe structures and components
- Develop analytical and finite element models to predict structural performance under flight, ground, and test loading conditions
- Evaluate static strength, stiffness, stability, fatigue, and damage tolerance of composite and metallic structures
- Develop structural load cases and certification substantiation approaches
- Plan and execute materials testing programmes to characterize and validate material properties
- Support structural test planning, execution, and correlation activities, including investigation of structural anomalies and failures
- Collaborate with design engineers to optimize structures for weight, performance, and manufacturability
- Support design reviews and technical decision-making throughout the product lifecycle
- Contribute to development and continuous improvement of structural analysis methods, design processes, tools, and engineering standards
- Work across disciplines to deliver integrated vehicle solutions from concept through flight
This is a fast-moving environment where your work has direct impact on real hardware and flight outcomes. You will work alongside world-class engineers across aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, systems, composites, and manufacturing to solve some of the toughest structural challenges in aerospace.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Appropriate qualification in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or related discipline
- At least 3 years' professional experience performing structural analysis in aerospace, aviation, motorsport, or another high-performance engineering environment
- Strong understanding of composite materials, laminate theory, and manufacturing processes
- Proficiency with structural analysis software such as 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA/SIMULIA (preferred), Abaqus, Ansys, or equivalent
- Experience with structural testing of composite and metallic materials, components, or assemblies
- Familiarity with aerospace structural verification, validation, and certification methodologies
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience working in a rapid development, prototype, or flight-test environment
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Experience assessing defect and damage tolerance of composite structures and dispositioning hardware non-conformances
- Experience in linear and non-linear buckling analysis
- Experience in composite joint design
- Experience with sensor selection, data acquisition, and interpretation of structural test data (load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges, LVDTs)
