Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer (R&D)

Description

Dawn Aerospace is looking for a propulsion systems engineer to join our R&D Team in Delft. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an exciting, fast-growing company in the space industry and develop world-leading in-space propulsion technology for small- and medium-sized satellites.

This role will involve the development, improvement, and qualification of spacecraft propulsion systems in the SatDrive, CubeDrive and in-orbit refueling product lines. You will work on introducing new or improved technologies, tools, and processes for these systems, working together with other subsystem teams.  The goals of these updates can be increased reliability, lower costs or faster system integration. A heavy focus is on qualification testing.

We are looking for result-oriented and detail-focused candidates who can take the initiative, multi-task and work with minimal direction. You must be willing to go the extra mile and have a practical can-do attitude. You also have a bigger picture view and can identify and execute improvements that affect the business as a whole, not just one domain.

Responsibilities

Participate in development of propulsion systems and in-orbit refuelling systems.

Take ownership of managing key systems, components or interfaces. This means being responsible for the complete development cycle, including developing design documentation, qualification, tracking non-conformances, and actioning engineering changes.

Requirements identification, definition, and management.

Managing interfaces and other aspects of systems engineering.

Support the development of manufacturing specifications and Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities of products.

Occasionally meet with colleagues in New Zealand in mornings or evenings.

Provide technical support to projects and customers.

Qualifications

An MSc. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar.

5+ years of experience in design and development of space systems.

Demonstrated experience with at least 1 space product or space project from initial design all the way to customer delivery, with heavy focus on (environmental) qualification testing campaign.

Be willing and eager to perform hands-on work in our workshops, such as developing test setups, performing (R&D) tests and inspections of parts. If something is ambiguous, test it.

Experience with computer-aided design (CAD), preferably SolidWorks.

Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.

Able to view the “big-picture” perspective of a system and its processes.

Demonstrated ability to solve problems spanning different disciplines.

Desired Experience

Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems, chemical or electrical.

Experience with spacecraft launch campaigns.

Experience with MATLAB, Python or similar.

AIT and hardware production experience.

Working in a geographically widespread team.

Experience with rapid development cycles – design, build, test in 3 months.

Note that the role is a permanent position that will start with a fixed-term contract of 12 months. 

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! 

Space launch
Our Mk-II Aurora spaceplane demonstrator has completed over 60 successful flights and we recently completed campaigns utilising our in-house rocket engine. Mk-II is unique in that it combines the performance of a rocket and the rapid reusability and economic model of an aircraft.

Our international teams are distributed across four locations: the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and the USA.

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Important!

If you think you have what it takes but are unsure that you check every box, we still want to hear from you.

To all recruitment agencies: Dawn Aerospace does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our job’s alias, our employees, or any other company location. Dawn Aerospace will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.