Mechanical Engineering Internship - Summer 2025

We are seeking a highly motivated Engineering Intern to support the enhancement of our Structural Models (SM) and Structural Thermal Models (STM) of SatDrive propulsion systems. These models are delivered to our customers and represent the flight configuration of the propulsion system. In this role, you will start with the requirements on the SM/STMs and design building blocks of the models that represent the flight hardware as accurately as needed. You will work with manufacturing to optimize ease of production and write the design documentation of the SM/STMs. Responsibilities Review the SM/STM requirements.  Perform trade-off on the best way to produce the SMs/STMs in a quick and easy way, while being as accurate as required.  Design mass dummies of SatDrive building blocks (e.g. tanks, thrusters, electronics) in CAD and make technical drawings.  Work with manufacturing to ensure manufacturability of the building blocks.  Verify that the designs meet the specified requirements, both on part level and assembled level.  Write the design documentation of the SM/STMs building blocks.  Be willing and eager to perform hands-on work in our workshops, such as performing tests and inspections of parts.  Be able and willing to occasionally meet with colleagues in New Zealand in mornings or evenings.  Qualifications Currently enrolled in a BSc or MSc degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering or a related field.  Internship duration of 4 months or longer fulltime.  Experience with computer-aided design (CAD), preferably SolidWorks.  Hands-on engineering experience.  Strong interest in aerospace technology.  Excellent organizational and time management skills.  Ability to work effectively in both independent and team settings.  Good English communication skills, both written and verbal.  Desired experience Experience with technical drawings of machined parts.  Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA), preferably in Ansys.  Manufacturing and production experience.  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're a leading supplier of turnkey green propulsion systems for various classes of satellites. Our system utilise safe, accessible propellants and we have over 50 of these propulsion units on 12 operational satellites already. A further 200 units are in production. - Space launch Our Mk-II Aurora spaceplane 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 three locations: New Zealand, the Netherlands, and the USA. Important! If you think you have what it takes but are unsure that you check every box, we still want to hear from you.