Composites Design Engineer - Spaceplane (New Zealand)

Dawn Aerospace; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Dawn Aerospace in Christchurch, New Zealand, is seeking a Composites Design Engineer to help design primary and secondary composite airframe structures such as fuselage, wings, and control surfaces.

You will develop laminate schedules, manufacturing drawings, tooling concepts and documentation, performing sizing, trade studies, and design optimisation while collaborating with teams across engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations.

Qualifications

• A degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a related field.
• At least 3 years of professional experience designing composite structures in high-performance environments.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, laminate theory and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CAD software such as CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks or equivalent.
• Experience producing detailed drawings and managing design releases.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and communication skills.
• Experience collaborating with suppliers and external manufacturing partners.
• Experience operating in rapid development, prototype or experimental settings.

Responsibilities

• Design primary and secondary composite airframe structures, including fuselage, wings, control surfaces and internal support structures.
• Develop laminate schedules, manufacturing drawings, tooling concepts, assembly fixtures and documentation.
• Perform structural sizing, trade studies and optimisation using analytical and numerical methods.
• Work with manufacturing, test and flight operations to ensure practical, manufacturable designs.
• Support structural testing, qualification activities and flight campaigns.
• Collaborate with aerodynamics, systems, avionics and propulsion engineers for integrated vehicle solutions.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering processes, methodologies and standards.

Skills

Composite materials

Laminate theory

CAD (CATIA/Siemens NX/SolidWorks)

Engineering drawings

Structured problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Aerospace/Mechanical Eng or Physics

Tools

CATIA

Siemens NX

SolidWorks

Job description

Dawn Aerospace in Christchurch, New Zealand, is seeking a Composites Design Engineer to help design primary and secondary composite airframe structures such as fuselage, wings, and control surfaces.

You will develop laminate schedules, manufacturing drawings, tooling concepts and documentation, performing sizing, trade studies, and design optimisation while collaborating with teams across engineering, manufacturing, and flight operations.