Dawn Aerospace builds reusable, high-cadence space transportation systems. Since 2021, we have delivered non-toxic, refuellable propulsion systems to customers globally, with hardware now operating on over 50 spacecraft. Concurrently, our rocket-powered spaceplanes are actively breaking aviation records and being delivered to government programs across the USA and Europe.

We have achieved these goals through a culture of relentless innovation and a drive to deliver results for our customers, while expanding the value we all get from space.

The Role

To support our expansion in Germany, we are establishing a presence in Dusseldorf or Bremen and are seeking a talented Head of Defence Sale in Germany to lead this strategic initiative. This is a unique opportunity to combine technical insight with strategic commercial leadership in one of the most exciting and fast-growing sectors of the space industry.

This role reports to the Chief Revenue Office, based in Delft, The Netherlands.

Key Responsibilities

Regional Business Development

Own the commercial rollout for Dawn Aerospace in Germany and be accountable for signed contract value, pipeline quality, and long-term market position.

Engage directly with prospective customers and industry partners to understand their challenges and identify where Dawn can deliver value. Identify, qualify, and prioritize opportunities in commercial, national security, and research sectors.

Understand and articulate the technical capabilities of the Dawn products. Translate customer needs into technically viable and cost-effective mission or vehicle acquisition proposals.

Activate and expand senior-level relationships across major government programs, prime contractors, and research institutions.

Lead complex, multi-stakeholder deal cycles involving high-volume component and services sales, and sovereign capability development.

Strategic Growth

Establish Dawn Aerospace as a recognized capability within German national security, civil, and research agencies.

Identify and establish strategic operating locations, partners, and facilities for sovereign operations.

Drive negotiation of commercial, technical, and governance terms alongside legal, engineering, and operations teams.

Feed regional market intelligence directly into Dawn Aerospace’s global product road map and fleet-expansion strategy.

Requirements

10-15 years of experience in business development, sales, or mission management in aerospace, aviation, deep-tech, or a closely related sector.

Ability to obtain and maintain a German national security clearance (Ü2/Ü3)

Established Network with major stakeholders, including Rheinmetall, OHB, DEU SpCmd, BAAINBw and DLR

Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills with a customer-first mindset

Proven track record leading complex, long-cycle programmes involving government, institutional, or prime contractor stakeholders.

University degree in management, business, or a related field.

In-depth knowledge of local regulations.

Ability to work independently and make strategic decisions.

Fluency in German and English (written and spoken).

Preferred Skills

Experience working directly with customers in aerospace research, defense, or government space agencies.

An existing or past security clearance in Germany or other NATO country

Background working with primes, Tier-1 suppliers, or sovereign capability programmes.

A strong understanding of general aerospace principles such as flight mechanics, mission planning, and project lifecycles.

Familiarity with HubSpot, or similar CRM suite.

Ability and willingness to travel both domestically and internationally

Experience in leadership roles.

What We Offer

A senior role establishing a new category of scalable and sustainable space transportation, focused on delivering solutions to empower German and European strength and resilience.

A fast-paced, collaborative team environment with a shared vision for the future of space access.

This role offers a competitive executive compensation package, including participation in Dawn Aerospace’s equity incentive plan. This is a unique opportunity to join a high-growth space startup at an early stage and share in the creation of substantial long-term value, with equity structured to reflect the seniority, responsibility, and market-building impact of the role.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Dawn Aerospace, we believe that diverse teams build better solutions. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued and supported to do their best work.

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 three 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
We are 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 international teams are distributed across four locations: the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, 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.

To all recruitment agencies: Dawn Aerospace does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our job’s alias, our employees, or any other company location. Dawn Aerospace will not be responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

About the company

Dawn Aerospace develops space launch vehicles and non-toxic, storable satellite propulsion systems that let customers operate in space without relying on traditional launch infrastructure. Its propulsion uses green, non-toxic propellants stored for long periods and integrated into satellites or orbital vehicles to provide precise thrust for maneuvers and deorbiting. The company differentiates itself by prioritizing safe-to-handle propellants and combining aircraft and orbital vehicle designs, along with reusable-spaceflight concepts, to shorten turnaround times and reduce costs. Its goal is to lower the barriers to space access by offering safer, easier-to-operate propulsion and vehicle solutions that bypass the need for specialized launch facilities.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$46.5M

Headquarters

Christchurch, New Zealand

Founded

2017

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Revenue exceeded $15 million by FY26, and the company says operations are cash-flow positive.
ANA's June 2026 investment expands Japan access and validates Dawn's commercial aviation positioning.
Twenty-one satellites on Transporter-18 in October 2026 extend Dawn's propulsion footprint across four customers.

What critics are saying

Aurora still lacks routine 100-kilometer flights, risking slips beyond 2027 Oklahoma commitments.
Loop needs widespread DFT adoption before 2029; one-off refueling demos do not build a market.
Spaceplane failure or delayed cadence would undermine Dawn's reusable-transport thesis and stall customer trust.

What makes Dawn Aerospace unique

Dawn sold $25 million Series B at $195 million valuation in June 2026.
Aurora targets runway-based, twice-daily Kármán-line flights from Oklahoma in 2027.
DFT ports standardize refueling across SatDrive systems, creating a servicing-first satellite platform.

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Benefits

Training Programs

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

2 year growth

-3%

Evertiq

Aug 3rd, 2026

Dawn Aerospace raises $25M Series B to scale reusable space transportation

Dawn Aerospace has closed a $25 million Series B funding round at a $195 million post-money valuation, led by Balerion Space Ventures. The New Zealand-Dutch company will use the capital to scale its commercial and operational teams in the US and Europe. Dawn has become a leading provider of non-toxic chemical propulsion, with 200 thrusters operating in space across more than 50 satellites. The company has also achieved supersonic flight with its Aurora suborbital spaceplane. Revenue grew from under $3 million in FY22 to over $15 million. The funding round included participation from Mana Ventures, ANA Future Frontier Fund, Green Eight Capital, and individual investors including Tim Ferriss.

SUAS News

Jun 18th, 2026

Dawn Aerospace closes US$25 million Series B to accelerate global expansion of reusable space transportation.

Dawn Aerospace closes US$25 million Series B to accelerate global expansion of reusable space transportation. * Capital raise led by Balerion Space Ventures * Aurora spaceplane set to be the first vehicle to fly twice-daily to Kármán line in 2027 * Loop refueling network targeting in-orbit demonstration in 2028 Dawn Aerospace today announced the close of its Series B funding round, raising $25 million at a $195 million post-money valuation. The round was led by US-based VC, Balerion Space Ventures. Since its Series A in 2022, Dawn Aerospace has become the leading provider of non-toxic chemical propulsion worldwide with 200 thrusters in space on more than 50 satellites. Dawn has also flown supersonic with the Aurora suborbital spaceplane, making it the first privately developed aircraft to fly supersonic since the Concorde, and one of only two supersonic UAVs operating globally today. These feats are all part of the New Zealand-Dutch company's mission to build scalable, sustainable space transportation to unlock the economic potential of space and solve critical national security challenges. Commercially, revenue has grown from less than $3 million in FY22 to well over $15 million with growth of over 90% in the last 12 months and cash-flow positive operations. "As a cash-flow positive company, raising capital is about accelerating the growth of programs we have extremely high conviction in, and that our customers are desperate for," said Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace. This financial momentum coincides with a global surge in aerospace and defense investment. The United States' and Europe's defense and space budgets have hit historic highs - European NATO members have pushed average defense spending past the 2% GDP threshold, and the European Space Agency (ESA) secured a record €22.3 billion budget with a renewed mandate for space security. As space architectures, hypersonics, and advanced drone technologies rapidly evolve under these expanded budgets, Dawn Aerospace is positioned to bring aircraft-like reusability to these critical sectors. "Dawn is doing what few in this category have: building real commercial revenue and a spiral path from in-space propulsion and refueling, to a hypersonic spaceplane, to aircraft-like payload delivery to orbit, all with extraordinary capital efficiency," said Dan Wallman, Partner at Balerion Space Ventures and incoming Series B board member. "As the US and its closest allies build joint capability in space and hypersonics, the West needs partners who can deliver reusable, responsive access across the air and space domain. Dawn is one of them." Dawn's technologies now support over two dozen missions, predominantly for US, European, and Japanese customers, such as satellite constellations and lunar programs. These missions span a range of operator types, from commercial Earth observation providers to government customers such as the Royal Netherlands Air Force, the US Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and the Royal New Zealand Navy. In the next 12 months, Aurora is expected to become the first vehicle to fly above the Kármán line twice in a day. Dawn will deliver this Mach 3.7 capability to the State of Oklahoma, with operations beginning in 2027 under a $17 million partnership signed last year. In 2028, Dawn will demonstrate in-orbit refueling of its satellite propulsion systems. The service, dubbed "Loop," is central to the company's broader vision for reusable in-space logistics, and already has backing from multiple companies with Dawn refueling ports aboard Royal Netherlands Air Force satellites. This Series B funding will directly finance Dawn's global rollout, scaling commercial and operational teams in the US and Europe to support its expanding international customer base. With satellite propulsion, reusable spaceplanes, and in-space refueling all accelerating in parallel, Dawn Aerospace is executing on its mission to make space transportation scalable and sustainable. "We've built a highly capital-efficient company by focusing on delivering real hardware and generating revenue, rather than burning capital on hype," said Powell. "That discipline comes entirely from the relentless hard work of our team and a ruthless focus on execution. This investment is our mandate to double down on our mission for scalable and sustainable space transportation, ultimately to unlock the economic potential of space and solve critical national security challenges at home and with our closest allies." Signaling a major phase of international expansion for the company, the Series B was backed by a global syndicate of investors. Participants include Mana Ventures (US), ANA Future Frontier Fund (general partner: Global Brain Corporation) (JP), Green Eight Capital (US), Seven Peak Ventures (US), NZVC (NZ), Alpha Funds (US), Gaingels (US), Crosscourt (US), and individual investors including Tim Ferriss, Michael Hohenester, Markus Hildinger, and Yishan Wong, as well as existing investors Icehouse Ventures, Aera Climate and Frontier Fund, GD1, and Shasta Ventures.

SpaceWatch.Global

Jun 17th, 2026

Dawn Aerospace closes US$25m Series B to accelerate global expansion of reusable space transportation.

Dawn Aerospace closes US$25m Series B to accelerate global expansion of reusable space transportation. Dawn Aerospace has closed its Series B funding round, raising $25 million at a $195 million post-money valuation, led by... Dawn Aerospace has closed its Series B funding round, raising $25 million at a $195 million post-money valuation, led by US-based VC, Balerion Space Ventures. The funds will help Dawn build scalable, sustainable space transportation to unlock more of space's economic potential while solving critical national security challenges. Membership required. You must be a member to access this content. Joshua Faleti. Kofoworola Joshua Faleti is the News Editor. He enjoys talking and learning about space and wants to talk about space to anyone who cares to listen. Joshua is interested in Space Law and Policy and how Space can positively impact human lives. Joshua is also a big music lover.

EPR Network LLC

Jun 17th, 2026

ANA HOLDINGS invests in Dawn Aerospace to support reusable space transportation and in-orbit refuelling technologies.

ANA HOLDINGS invests in Dawn Aerospace to support reusable space transportation and in-orbit refuelling technologies. (IN SHORT) ANA HOLDINGS has invested in Dawn Aerospace through its ANA Future Frontier Fund, supporting the New Zealand startup's development of reusable space transportation, green satellite propulsion systems and in-orbit refuelling services. Dawn Aerospace has already commercialised green satellite propulsion technologies used on more than 50 satellites and is developing "Loop," an in-orbit refuelling service planned for a demonstration in 2028. The company is also developing "Aurora," a reusable spaceplane that has achieved supersonic flight and is planned to fly to space twice in one day in 2027. The investment builds on ANA Group's broader "Next stop, space" initiative and follows a 2025 memorandum of understanding between All Nippon Airways Trading and Dawn Aerospace to bring space demonstration services to Japan. ANA aims to support Dawn Aerospace's expansion in Japan and Asia by combining the group's aviation operations expertise, aerospace trading network and corporate venture capital backing. (PRESS RELEASE) TOKYO, Japan, 2026-Jun-17 - /Travel PR News/ - ANA HOLDINGS has invested in Dawn Aerospace through its corporate venture capital fund, ANA Future Frontier Fund, supporting the New Zealand-based startup's work to develop reusable space transportation technologies and in-orbit refuelling services. Dawn Aerospace is building a sustainable and scalable space transportation network designed to connect economic activity on Earth with future activity in space. The company has already commercialised green satellite propulsion systems that offer advantages in safety, performance and cost, and its technology has been used in operations on more than 50 satellites. Building on its satellite propulsion experience, Dawn Aerospace is developing "Loop," an in-orbit refuelling service that is expected to make its first refuelling demonstration in 2028. The service is intended to support the development of refuellable satellite propulsion systems and help extend the operational flexibility of satellites in orbit. The company is also developing "Aurora," a reusable spaceplane that combines rocket-like performance with aircraft-style operations. Dawn Aerospace has already achieved supersonic flight with the vehicle and is planning to fly to space twice in a single day in 2027. The ANA Group has been expanding its activities in the space sector under the theme "Next stop, space." As part of these efforts, All Nippon Airways Trading, which serves as the ANA Group's aerospace trading-company function, signed a memorandum of understanding with Dawn Aerospace in 2025. The two companies are working to introduce space demonstration services to the Japanese market using Dawn Aerospace's supersonic spaceplane. Through the new investment, ANA HOLDINGS aims to combine the strengths of the ANA Group with Dawn Aerospace's technologies to help build a sustainable foundation for space mobility and support the creation of new value in the space business sector. Stefan Powell, CEO of Dawn Aerospace, said the company is pleased to welcome ANA Future Frontier Fund as an investor. He said the investment reflects confidence in Dawn Aerospace's technical capabilities and its vision for scalable, reusable space transportation. Powell added that ANA's expertise and experience will support the company's growth and help build a strong relationship between the two organisations. Yoshiaki Tsuda, Executive Vice President and Director of Future Creation at ANA HOLDINGS, said ANA decided to invest because it highly values Dawn Aerospace's technology and execution capabilities, as well as its vision of building a sustainable space transportation network. He said ANA will use its long-standing aviation operations expertise, together with ANA Trading's aerospace trading-company functions and network, to support Dawn Aerospace's business expansion in Japan and across Asia. Tsuda added that ANA sees potential for new services enabled by Dawn Aerospace's reusable suborbital spaceplanes and refuellable satellite propulsion technologies, which could help make access to space more seamless in the future. Dawn Aerospace, founded in October 2017 and headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, develops and provides green satellite propulsion systems, reusable spaceplanes and in-orbit refuelling services. ANA Future Frontier Fund was established in April 2024 with a fund size of JPY 8 billion and a 10-year term. Its main investment areas include next-generation mobility, space, drones, air mobility, MaaS platforms, customer-base-utilisation businesses, carbon neutrality-related technologies, aviation services and operations, robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving technologies. The fund's general partner is Global Brain Corporation, while ANA HOLDINGS is its limited partner. About ANA HOLDINGS Inc. Established in 2013, ANA HOLDINGS Inc. (ANA HD) is the largest airline group holding company in Japan, comprising 72 companies. The group includes full-service carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Peach Aviation Limited, the leading low-cost carrier in Japan. ANA HD oversees a diverse portfolio of businesses centered on air transportation, including passenger and cargo operations and companies that support the broader aviation industry. Through its group companies, ANA HD is focused on delivering safe, high-quality air travel, advancing sustainable growth and maintaining operational excellence. The group's commitment to superior service is reflected in ANA's SKYTRAX 5-Star rating, awarded annually since 2013, making it the only Japanese airline to earn this prestigious designation for 13 consecutive years. ANA HD has been recognized by Fortune as one of the World's Most Admired Companies. The group has also been included in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index for nine consecutive years and the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Asia Pacific Index for ten consecutive years, reflecting its commitment to responsible business practices.

NBR

Jun 16th, 2026

Dawn Aerospace raises $43M Series B at $195M valuation, turns investors away

Dawn Aerospace has raised $43.1 million in a Series B round led by US-based Balerion Space Ventures, doubling its valuation to $195 million from four years ago. The space transportation company secured backing from a global syndicate of investors. The funding marks a significant milestone for Dawn Aerospace as it continues to develop its space transportation technology.

Dawn Aerospace

Head of Defence Sales

About the job