Spaceplane – Avionics Team Lead

Overview

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’re looking for a Leader to lead the development of mission-critical avionics for our next-generation spaceplane. This is not your average electronics or leadership role. You’ll lead a hands-on, multi-disciplinary team designing flight-ready hardware that will leave the atmosphere—and come back. You’ll combine technical depth, leadership, and real-world problem solving to take complex electronics from concept through to orbit-capable systems, if this appeals to you — keep reading.

What You\'ll Do

• Lead the design and delivery of electronic flight systems from concept to flight.
• Build, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of avionics and electronics engineers.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and communication with other stakeholders, internally and externally.
• Drive timely delivery of avionics team products through design, manufacture, and testing.
• Translate system-level requirements into robust, testable hardware architecture.
• Oversee integration and test of hardware / software systems for mission-readiness.
• Help define and scale our avionics architecture and engineering practices.

About You

You’re a systems thinker who thrives on building both people and hardware. You lead from the front, make bold decisions grounded in engineering logic, and enjoy solving hard problems with a hands-on approach.

What You Bring

Bonus Points For

About Us

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.

Compliance

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.

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