Mechanical Engineer

Dawn Aerospace; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace company based in Christchurch, New Zealand, is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to join their Tanks & Structures Team. This role involves designing and building pressurized components and structural hardware. Candidates should have 2–3 years of mechanical engineering experience, strong design-for-manufacture skills, and proven ability in validating designs. Opportunities for growth and learning are emphasized.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience delivering designs in the real world.
• Proven ability to validate designs through analysis and hands-on testing.
• Strong design-for-manufacture (DFM) skills.

Responsibilities

• Design, analyse, build, test, and document mechanical components and assemblies.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to deliver high-quality products.
• Identify, justify, and implement improvements to designs and processes.

Skills

Mechanical engineering experience

Design-for-manufacture skills

Team-oriented

Ability to validate designs

Job description

About Us

Dawn Aerospace designs and builds propulsion systems for satellites of all sizes. We create hardware that flies in space, enabling missions around the world. We’re looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Tanks & Structures Team, designing and building pressurised components and structural hardware.

Aerospace experience is not required.

What You’ll Do

• Design, analyse, build, test, and document mechanical components and assemblies.
• Collaborate with internal and external teams to deliver high-quality products.
• Identify, justify, and implement improvements to designs and processes.

What We’re Looking For

• 2–3 years of mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience delivering designs in the real world.
• Proven ability to validate designs through analysis and hands-on testing.
• Strong design-for-manufacture (DFM) skills.
• Team-oriented with a desire to learn and grow professionally.

Nice to Have

• FEA experience (static, modal, thermal).
• Experience planning or running mechanical tests.
• Familiarity with scripting or automation tools to support design and testing.

Why Dawn Aerospace

Dawn Aerospace is 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.

Even if you don’t tick every box, please reach out.

Note:

This role involves access to controlled technology. Appointment is conditional on passing security vetting and obtaining any required export-control authorisations.