CNC Machinist - Christchurch

Matchbox; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Dawn Aerospace in New Zealand is seeking an experienced CNC Machinist to own machining jobs from programming to finished components, collaborating with engineers and production teams to turn designs into high-precision hardware.

You will work across aluminium, stainless steel, titanium and Inconel, developing machining strategies, tooling and fixturing, proving out new processes, and inspecting parts to maintain tight tolerances.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience as a CNC machinist.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings with GD&T.
• Knowledge of machining processes, tooling and workholding.
• Experience with precision measuring equipment.
• Proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• CNC programming, setup and operation.
• Developing machining strategies, tooling and fixturing solutions.
• Machining precision components in aluminium, stainless steel, titanium and Inconel.
• Proving out new processes and transitioning them into production.
• Inspecting components and maintaining tight tolerances.
• Identifying opportunities to improve quality, repeatability and cycle times.
• Collaborating with engineers to solve manufacturing challenges.

Skills

CNC machining

Programming & setup

GD&T readings

Precision measurement

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Job description

Build hardware that goes to space.

At Dawn Aerospace, we're building the future of space transportation.

We supply green propulsion systems to satellites operating in orbit today while developing the world's fastest-climbing spaceplane. As demand for our products grows, we're expanding our manufacturing capability and looking for an experienced CNC Machinist to join the team.

This is an opportunity to machine complex aerospace components using modern CNC equipment, working across everything from flight hardware development to production manufacturing.

What you'll do

You'll take ownership of machining jobs from programming through to finished component, working closely with engineers and production teams to turn designs into high-precision hardware.

Key responsibilities include:

• CNC programming, setup and operation.
• Developing machining strategies, tooling and fixturing solutions.
• Machining precision components in aluminium, stainless steel, titanium and Inconel.
• Proving out new processes and transitioning them into production.
• Inspecting components and maintaining tight tolerances.
• Identifying opportunities to improve quality, repeatability and cycle times.
• Collaborating with engineers to solve manufacturing challenges.

What you'll bring

• 5+ years' experience as a CNC Machinist.
• Strong CNC programming, setup and machining experience.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T.
• Strong understanding of machining processes, tooling and workholding.
• Experience using precision measuring equipment.
• High attention to detail and pride in producing quality work.
• A proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement.

Bonus experience

• Fusion 360, TopSolid or SolidCAM.
• Fanuc or Heidenhain controllers.
• Multi-axis machining and mill-turn equipment.
• DMG MORI NTX 1000, NLX 2000 or DMU50 machines.
• HAAS VM2 or VF2 machining centres.

Why Dawn?

• Build products that fly in space.
• Work with modern CNC equipment and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Take ownership of challenging technical problems.
• Join a high-performing team with a high degree of autonomy and responsibility.
• Have a direct impact on the future of space transportation.

If you're excited by precision manufacturing and want to build hardware that pushes the boundaries of aerospace engineering, we'd love to hear from you.

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 propulsionWe'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 servicingCoupled 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!
• SpaceplaneWe 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.