Structural Analyst (Space Launch New Zealand)

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.