Aircraft Maintenance Technician

Overview

Dawn Aerospace is pioneering next-generation space access with its Mk-II Aurora, a reusable rocket-powered spaceplane designed for frequent and responsive operation akin to conventional aircraft. As the program scales, the Aircraft Maintenance Technician will be integral in preparing, maintaining, inspecting, and operating the spaceplane alongside its ground support systems.

Role Description

This hands-on position suits individuals who thrive on working directly with aerospace hardware and troubleshooting at the point of application. Serving as a vital member of the Flight Operations team, you will manage daily maintenance and contribute to evolving operational procedures in readiness for higher flight cadence. This role collaborates closely with the Flight Operations Team Lead and cross-functional stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-flight, post-flight, turnaround, and ground operations tasks, including propellant filling and related system support on the Mk-II spaceplane.
• Perform inspections, servicing, and recovery maintenance activities.
• Adhere to approved checklists, work instructions, and safety protocols during flight test operations.
• Detect and report potential issues impacting aircraft readiness or safety to prevent operational risks.
• Communicate effectively with both flight and ground crew throughout operations.
• Ensure availability, serviceability, and readiness of tools, equipment, consumables, and ground support apparatus.
• Maintain precise records of maintenance and ground operations in designated logbooks and documentation.
• Provide actionable feedback from maintenance and operational experiences to improve protocols and procedures.
• Support the creation and refinement of maintenance manuals and training materials for the Mk-II program.
• Participate in evaluations of lessons learned from testing, maintenance faults, and operational feedback.
• Lead assembly and production efforts including wire harnessing, structural component fabrication, and test rig preparation.
• Execute scheduled and unscheduled maintenance aligned with the Maintenance Programme.
• Collaborate with design engineers for procedure enhancements including inspections, checklists, and maintenance workflows.
• Assist with defect investigations, rectifications, functional checks, and clearing aircraft for return to service.
• Contribute to maintenance planning by reviewing task duration, tooling needs, access challenges, and risk factors.
• Uphold rigorous standards in housekeeping, tool management, configuration control, and overall maintenance discipline.
• Proactively identify methods to minimize maintenance errors, accelerate turnaround times, and enhance aircraft operability and maintainability.

Candidate Profile

• Strong safety orientation with the ability to halt and escalate when operational anomalies arise.
• Ability to work flexibly across multiple technical domains including software, avionics, structures, propulsion, and systems.
• Hands-on experience in aircraft or space system maintenance and assembly, ideally involving flight test, R&D, UAV, experimental aviation, or similarly complex environments.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a consistent habit of thorough and accurate documentation.
• Capability to comply with established procedures while identifying potential for procedural improvements.
• Comfort operating in a dynamic environment with evolving systems and responsibilities.
• Keen interest in aerospace, flight testing, and emerging technologies is advantageous.
• Familiarity with aviation regulatory standards such as CAA Part 102 or equivalent for uncrewed aircraft maintenance is preferred.
• Possession of an existing Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) qualification is required.

Diversity and Inclusion

Dawn Aerospace values diverse perspectives and backgrounds, fostering an inclusive culture where all individuals can excel and innovate.

About Dawn Aerospace

Dawn Aerospace is devoted to transforming space transportation by providing sustainable and scalable solutions, currently focusing on three primary areas:

• In-space propulsion: a leading provider of eco-friendly propulsion units operating on over 40 satellites, with additional units producing.
• In-space servicing: developing satellite refueling services to extend mission lifespans and promote space sustainability.
• Spaceplane development: crafting high-speed, high-altitude rocket-powered aircraft to enable affordable and frequent sub-orbital access.

Our teams are internationally located across the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, and the USA.

Additional Information

If you meet most criteria but are uncertain about every requirement, Dawn Aerospace encourages you to apply. Recruitment agencies are not accepted and unsolicited resumes will not be considered.