Spaceplane - Product & Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

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

Job summary

A pioneering aerospace company in Christchurch, New Zealand, is looking for a dynamic professional to join their Spaceplane Maintenance Team. This multifaceted role involves product engineering, aircraft technician duties, and ground operations support. You will ensure optimal manufacturing, maintenance, and safety compliance of aerospace systems. Ideal candidates possess hands-on experience in mechanical or aerospace settings, CAD proficiency, and a strong focus on safety. Join a passionate team dedicated to changing how space is accessed.

Qualifications

• Hands-on mechanical or aerospace experience (aircraft, high-performance vehicles, or precision hardware).
• Experience with assembling, fitting, or maintaining mechanical or structural systems.
• Strong focus on safety, cleanliness, and procedural compliance.

Responsibilities

• Advise design teams on materials, processes, and tooling.
• Fit and remove components and assemblies.
• Carry out propellant filling and draining during operations.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Manufacturing methods

Design for manufacturability

Technical drawing interpretation

Component fitting and maintenance

Safety compliance

Education

Relevant technical qualification (apprenticeship, trade certificate, or engineering degree)

Tools

Mechanical hand tools

Workshop equipment

Job description

About the Role

This is a dynamic, multi-disciplinary (Product engineering, Aircraft Technician and Ground operations) role embedded within the Spaceplane Maintenance Team at Dawn Aerospace. The focus is to ensure that all parts and components are efficiently manufactured and optimised for maintainability, assembly, and disassembly. You’ll also be responsible—alongside the Maintenance Manager—for ensuring all new products are supported with clear maintenance, installation, and removal instructions. The Production Engineer will work across teams, supporting design, operations, and hands-on activities to keep our systems flight-ready and maintainable.

Product Design Engineer

Support the development of flight hardware that’s practical to manufacture, service, and operate.

Responsibilities

• Advise design teams on materials, processes, and tooling
• Ensure parts are designed with serviceability in mind
• Fabricate and test parts, components, and jigs
• Assist in managing outsourced manufacturing and logistics
• Review and refine technical documentation
• Develop internal design standards for maintainability
• Maintain workshop equipment and ensure readiness

Skills & Experience

• Experience with CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar)
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods (machining, composites, sheet metal, additive manufacturing)
• Familiarity with design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for maintainability (DFx)
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation
• Experience developing jigs, fixtures, or ground support equipment (preferred)

Aircraft Technician

Play a key role in keeping the spaceplane's hardware flight-ready.

Responsibilities

• Fit and remove components and assemblies
• Perform scheduled maintenance and system checks
• Inspect parts for conformity
• Enforce hangar safety, cleanliness, and procedural standards

Skills & Experience

• Practical experience in fitting, assembling, and maintaining mechanical or aviation systems
• Understanding of aircraft maintenance practices (scheduled/unscheduled)
• Competence with mechanical hand tools and workshop equipment
• Ability to inspect parts for conformity and troubleshoot issues
• Experience working under regulatory or quality standards (EASA Part 145, ISO, or equivalent is a plus)

Ground Operations & Safety Crew

Support flight campaigns and ground-based testing.

Responsibilities

• Carry out propellant filling and draining during operations
• Prepare and maintain the propulsion trailer for flight readiness
• Perform pre- and post-flight inspections
• Assist with onsite systems testing

Skills & Experience

• Hands-on experience supporting test or flight operations (fuel handling, system prep, or similar)
• Strong focus on workplace and operational safety
• Comfortable following checklists and enforcing procedural compliance
• Willingness to support campaigns in varied environments (hangar, test site, airfield)

Minimum Requirements

• Hands-on mechanical or aerospace experience (aircraft, high-performance vehicles, or precision hardware)
• Competence with workshop tools and safe working practices
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and manuals
• Experience assembling, fitting, or maintaining mechanical/structural systems
• Strong focus on safety, cleanliness, and procedural compliance
• Comfortable working in a team and following structured checklists
• Relevant technical qualification (apprenticeship, trade certificate, or engineering degree) or equivalent industry experience

Nice-to-Have Experience

• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar)
• Background in design for manufacturability/maintainability (DFM/DFx)
• Experience with composites, machining, additive manufacturing, or tooling
• Knowledge of aerospace maintenance practices (e.g. EASA Part 145, FAA Part 43, or similar)
• Prior involvement in ground or flight operations (fueling, pre-flight checks, system testing)
• Experience with technical documentation, manuals, or maintenance instructions
• Familiarity with quality or regulatory environments (ISO, AS9100, aerospace standards)
• Previous exposure to startup, R&D, or prototype development environments

We're a tight-knit, cross-functional team with a passion for building things that matter. If you're ready to be part of a bold, hands-on engineering challenge that’s changing how space is accessed—let’s talk. And even if you think you have what it takes but are unsure that you check every box, we still want to hear from you.

Please also note this role involves access to controlled/secure technology. Appointment is conditional on passing background/security vetting and, where required, obtaining any necessary export-control authorisations. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis with reference to clearance and licensing requirements.