Spaceplane Maintenance Technician - Flight Ops

Dawn Aerospace; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Dawn Aerospace in Christchurch, New Zealand, is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Technician to support the Mk‑II Aurora spaceplane and its ground systems. This role emphasizes hands‑on maintenance, inspections, and operating procedures to enable high‑cadence flight operations.

You will work within the Flight Operations team, maintaining records, following safety controls, and contributing to maintenance manuals and training material as Dawn scales its operations in a fast‑moving aerospace

Qualifications

• Safety-focused mindset and willingness to stop, question, and escalate when needed.
• Ability to work across software, avionics, structures, propulsion, and systems with competing needs.
• Hands‑on aircraft and/or space system maintenance/assembly experience, ideally in flight‑test or R&D.
• Excellent attention to detail and a strong habit of completing documentation correctly.
• Ability to follow procedures carefully while also identifying where procedures need improvement.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑changing environment where systems are still being developed.
• Strong interest in aerospace, flight test, and novel technology is highly beneficial.
• CAA Part 102 or equivalent uncrewed aircraft maintenance standards experience.
• Existing LAME qualification.

Responsibilities

• Carry out pre‑flight, post‑flight, turnaround, and ground operations tasks on the Mk‑II spaceplane and related systems.
• Perform inspections, servicing, and recovery activities.
• Follow approved checklists, procedures, and safety controls during flight test operations.
• Identify, report, and help resolve issues affecting readiness or safety.
• Maintain clear communication with flight and ground crews during operations.
• Ensure tools, equipment, consumables, and ground support are ready for use.
• Record maintenance activities in logbooks and documentation.
• Provide practical feedback into procedural updates and training materials.
• Participate in lessons learned reviews from flight testing and maintenance errors.

Skills

Safety mindset

Cross‑discipline collaboration

Hands‑on maintenance

Attention to detail

Follow procedures with improvement

Adaptability

Aerospace enthusiasm

Education

LAME qualification

Job description

Dawn Aerospace in Christchurch, New Zealand, is seeking an Aircraft Maintenance Technician to support the Mk‑II Aurora spaceplane and its ground systems. This role emphasizes hands‑on maintenance, inspections, and operating procedures to enable high‑cadence flight operations.

You will work within the Flight Operations team, maintaining records, following safety controls, and contributing to maintenance manuals and training material as Dawn scales its operations in a fast‑moving aerospace