Structural Analyst (Space Launch New Zealand)

Dawn Aerospace; Christchurch (VA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Dawn Aerospace is seeking a Structural Analyst to join its Spaceplane team in Christchurch. You will develop and validate the structures that enable routine, scalable access to space, collaborating with aerodynamics, propulsion and manufacturing teams.

You will assess composite and metallic structures, build FE models, and support test plans and certification activities through the product lifecycle. Strong communication and rapid development mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• A relevant aerospace or mechanical engineering degree.
• At least 3 years of structural analysis experience in high‑performance engineering.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, laminate theory and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with major structural analysis tools and aerospace verification methods.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analysis and validation of airframe structures and components.
• Develop finite element models to predict structural performance under flight, ground and test loading.
• Evaluate strength, stiffness, fatigue and damage tolerance of composite and metallic structures.
• Plan and execute materials testing programmes to support analysis and certification.
• Collaborate with design engineers to optimise structures for weight and manufacturability.

Skills

Structural analysis

Aerospace environment

Communication

Education

Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Physics

Tools

3DEXPERIENCE CATIA/SIMULIA

Abaqus

Ansys

Job description

Our Mission: Fly to space twice in a day.

At Dawn Aerospace, we're building a future where access to space is as routine as air travel. Our Aurora spaceplane programme is developing a rapidly reusable, rocket-powered aircraft capable of transforming how humanity reaches space.

This isn't a programme for people who want to spend years analysing a small part of a large aircraft. This is an opportunity to work on flight-critical structures for one of the most ambitious aerospace projects in the world, seeing your analysis directly influence the design, testing and flight of real hardware.

We're looking for a Structural Analyst to join our Spaceplane team in Christchurch. You'll play a key role in developing and validating the structures that enable routine, scalable and sustainable access to space.

Working alongside world‑class engineers across aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics, systems, composites and manufacturing, you'll help solve some of the toughest structural challenges in aerospace while contributing directly to hardware that flies.

What you will do

• Perform structural analysis and validation of composite and metallic airframe structures and components.
• Develop analytical and finite element models to predict structural performance under flight, ground and test loading conditions.
• Evaluate the static strength, stiffness, stability, fatigue and damage tolerance of composite and metallic structures.
• Develop structural load cases and certification substantiation approaches.
• Plan and execute materials testing programmes to characterise and validate material properties in support of structural analysis, optimisation and certification activities.
• Support structural test planning, execution and correlation activities, including investigation of structural anomalies and failures.
• Collaborate closely with design engineers to optimise structures for weight, performance and manufacturability.
• Support design reviews and technical decision‑making throughout the product lifecycle.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of structural analysis methods, design processes, tools and engineering standards.
• Work across disciplines to help deliver integrated vehicle solutions from concept through to flight.

Your Capabilities

• An appropriate qualification in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics or a related discipline.
• At least 3 years' professional experience performing structural analysis in aerospace, aviation, motorsport or another high‑performance engineering environment.
• Strong understanding of composite materials, laminate theory and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software such as 3DEXPERIENCE CATIA/SIMULIA (preferred), Abaqus, Ansys or equivalent.
• Experience with structural testing of composite and metallic materials, components or assemblies.
• Familiarity with aerospace structural verification, validation and certification methodologies.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience working in a rapid development, prototype or flight‑test environment.

Additional Desired Skills and Experience

• Experience assessing defect and damage tolerance of composite structures and dispositioning hardware non‑conformances.
• Experience in linear and non‑linear buckling analysis.
• Experience in composite joint design.
• Experience with sensor selection, data acquisition and interpretation of structural test data, including load cells, accelerometers, strain gauges and LVDTs.

About You

You are an engineer who enjoys solving difficult problems and turning analysis into real‑world engineering decisions. You thrive in fast‑moving environments where your work has a direct impact on hardware, testing and flight outcomes.

You enjoy working across disciplines, challenging assumptions and tackling problems that don't have established answers. You take ownership, communicate clearly and are comfortable balancing engineering rigour with rapid development.

If you're looking for a highly structured organisation with narrow responsibilities and lengthy development cycles, this role probably isn't for you.

If you're excited about helping build the future of space transportation, 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 propulsion
  We'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 servicing
  Coupled 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!
• Spaceplane
  We 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.