Internship - Systems Design

Description
Dawn Aerospace is seeking a highly motivated System Design Intern to join our Systems Design Team in Delft. This is a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of the space industry and contribute to the development of world-leading in-space propulsion technology for small and medium-sized satellites.

In this role, you will help design and build a ground demonstrator for our SatDrive product line. Unlike component-level testing, this demonstrator will be used to validate integrated systems—testing new components in a representative environment. You'll be involved in a wide range of activities from concept design to hands-on prototyping, with the potential to participate in testing, depending on the duration of your internship.

This is a versatile and exciting role for someone who enjoys working across disciplines and getting their hands dirty. If you're proactive, technically curious, and excited to learn in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, we'd love to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to systems architecture definition and requirements management
• Support interface definition across subsystems (mechanical, electrical, software, etc.)
• Assist with the detailed design of the ground demonstrator
• Participate in procurement, assembly, and integration of components
• Help develop and execute test plans, including data analysis and documentation
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Propulsion, Avionics, GNC, etc.)
• Document your work and communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a BSc or MSc in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical, Systems Engineering, or related field
• Strong interest in space systems and working in a startup environment
• Proficiency in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar)
• Practical experience with lab work, integration, or hands-on prototyping
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional hands-on experience in testing, integration, or rapid prototyping
• Experience in product or system design
• Familiarity with system-level simulation, mission analysis, or modelling tools
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or Excel for data analysis and automation

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 systems utilise safe, accessible propellants and we have over 170 of these propulsion units on more than 40 operational satellites already. A further 200 units are in production.
• In-space servicing Coupled with our propulsion expertise, we are ensuring that our customers' satellites are refuellable. In the coming years, Dawn will offer a refueling service to enable life extension of customer satellites. This new market is aligned with our sustainability goal to ensue a clean and safe space for everyone
• Spaceplane Our Mk-II Aurora spaceplane demonstrator has completed over 60 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.