Spaceplane - Flight Operations Engineer

Dawn Aerospace is 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 flagship aircraft, the Mk-II Aurora spaceplane, is designed to push the boundaries of aviation into space, providing a scalable and cost-effective platform for microgravity research, atmospheric studies, and aerospace innovation. In 2024, the Aurora rocket powered aircraft broke the sound barrier, reaching Mach 1.12 at 82,500 feet, and set a record for the fastest climb to 20 kilometres (65,600 feet).

We need someone to join our flight operations team to help us build the next-generation reusable aerospace systems from the ground up. If you are a technically sharp, execution-focused, and risk-aware individual who wants to test real hardware and operate cutting-edge aircraft — keep reading.

**Role Overview**

You’ll be part of the team responsible for the planning of safe ground-test, flight-test and mission execution of our Mk-II sub-orbital rocket powered aircraft. You will be embedded in a fast-paced team of engineers, operators, and maintainers bringing a novel aircraft into regular, real-world use. In this role, you will drive mission planning and readiness, developing plans, procedures, and processes that ensure effective testing and results.

**What You’ll Do**
- Plan the preparation and execution of sub-orbital flight tests with our current and future rocket powered aircraft.
- Support and develop comprehensive test plans, risk assessments, and mission planning documents (e.g., Aircraft Flight Manual checklists, CONOPs, SOPs).
- Prepare and facilitate mission readiness reviews, challenge sessions, test briefing and debriefing.
- Develop tooling that improves flight test analysis and processes.
- Organise and co-ordinate logistics for offsite testing.
- Engage with external stakeholders to support test site development and infrastructure requirements.

**You Should Have**
- Tertiary qualification in a relevant Engineering field, Flight Testing, Physics, or a related field.
- 2+ years industry experience.
- Excellent written & verbal communication with engineers, operators, and external stakeholders. This includes reporting and presenting.
- Demonstrated ability to make effective decisions where there is no set precedent or established guidance.
- Ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities.
- Demonstrate honesty, responsibility, and integrity.

**Highly Desirable**
- Proven experience generating test plans, procedural documentation, and coordinating mission readiness.
- Background in mission or flight operations.
- Knowledge of configuration or document control systems.
- Familiarity with flight test environments, rocket-powered aircraft testing, or unmanned systems.

No passengers. Just engineers, pilots, and doers.

**About Us - Dawn Aerospace**

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 that due to our current customer base and the nature of our industry and technology, we are required to conduct background checks that are undertaken for security reasons. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that the Employee be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by domestic and foreign regulations. Under these regulations, an employee may be ineligible for a role in our New Zealand office if they do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union or a country that is part of NATO, or if they hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality.