We are seeking a highly motivated graduate student for an internship with a focus on CFD analysis. You will setup models describing the behavior of our propellants under microgravity conditions and verify the validity of these models by comparison to results available in literature. You will then perform analyses as directed by the in-space propulsion team and report your findings. Your contribution will be essential in refining the design of our propulsion systems.

Responsibilities

You will be in charge of CFD modeling, analysis, simulation, verification of the behavior of propellants in spacecraft propellant tanks:
- under microgravity
- exposed to thermal loads
- interacting with capillary management features
Set up and execute verification cases.
Documentation of all of the work performed and results generated.

• Experience with open or commercial CFD packages
• Knowledge of general fluid dynamics and internal flows specifically
• Knowledge of conductive and convective heat transfer
• Knowledge of multiphase flows with understanding of surface tension forces
• Knowledge of thermodynamics of phase change
• Currently enrolled in a relevant MSc or PhD program
• Strong analytical skills

Preferred experience

• Experience with ANSYS Fluent and/or Simcenter Star-CCM+ and/or OpenFoam
• Knowledge of microgravity fluid dynamics and spacecraft propellant management

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 the first campaign utilising rocket engines. 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.

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. For any questions you might have before applying or if you would like to have a general conversation about Dawn Aerospace, you can contact our Recruiter, Anna Thouvenin at a.thouvenin@dawnaerospace.com.