Structural Analyst (Space Launch New Zealand)

Our Mission: Fly to Space Twice in a Day

At Dawn Aerospace, we're building a future where access to space is as routine as air travel. Our Aurora spaceplane programme is developing a rapidly reusable, rocket-powered aircraft capable of transforming how humanity reaches space.

About the Role

We're looking for a Structural Analyst to join our Spaceplane team in Christchurch. You'll play a key role in developing and validating the structures that enable routine, scalable and sustainable access to space, working alongside world-class engineers across aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, systems, composites and manufacturing to solve some of the toughest structural challenges in aerospace while contributing directly to hardware that flies.

What You Will Do

• 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 the 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 characterise and validate material properties in support of structural analysis, optimisation and certification activities
• Support structural test planning, execution and correlation activities, including investigation of structural anomalies and failures
• Collaborate closely with design engineers to optimise structures for weight, performance and manufacturability
• Support design reviews and technical decision-making throughout the product lifecycle
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of structural analysis methods, design processes, tools and engineering standards

Your Capabilities

• An appropriate qualification in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a 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
• Experience working in a rapid development, prototype or flight-test environment

Additional Desired Skills and Experience

• 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, including load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges and LVDTs

About Dawn Aerospace

Dawn Aerospace is a space transportation company with a purpose, focused on in-space propulsion (a leading supplier of turnkey green propulsion systems, with over 170 units on more than 40 operational satellites and a further 200 in production), in-space servicing, and the spaceplane programme — developing the fastest and highest-flying aircraft ever to take off from a runway. Our international teams are distributed across the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and the USA.