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Spacecraft Propulsion Systems Engineer; R&D

Job in 2600, Delft, South Holland, Netherlands
Listing for: Rotterdam Innovation City
Full Time, Contract position
Listed on 2026-02-23
Job specializations:
  • Engineering
    Aerospace / Aviation / Avionics, Systems Engineer, Electrical Engineering
Salary/Wage Range or Industry Benchmark: 40000 - 60000 EUR Yearly EUR 40000.00 60000.00 YEAR
Job Description & How to Apply Below
Position: 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 Sat Drive and Cube Drive product lines. You will work on introducing new or improved components, technologies, tools, or 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
  • 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.
  • Execute grant and subsidy work.
Qualifications
  • An MSc. in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or similar.
  • 2+ 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.
  • Able to view the “big-picture” perspective of a system and its processes.
  • Experience with computer-aided design (CAD), preferably Solid Works.
  • Experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to solve problems spanning different disciplines.
Desired Experience
  • Previous engineering experience in the one of the domains: electrical engineering, fluidic engineering, or software.
  • Experience with spacecraft propulsion systems, chemical or electrical.
  • Experience with spacecraft launch campaigns.
  • Experience with MATLAB, Python or similar.
  • Manufacturing and hardware production experience.
  • Working in a geographically widespread team.

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 two areas of space transportation:

  • In-space propulsion - We are a leading supplier of turnkey green propulsion systems for various classes of satellites. Our system utilise safe, accessible propellants and we have over 111 propulsion units on 16 operational satellites already. A further 200 units are in production.
  • Space launch - Our Mk-II Aurora space plane demonstrator has completed 50 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.

Apply for this Job

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.

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