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Specter Aerospace

Develops plasma-assisted propulsion for aerospace defense

Vehicle Structures Analyst 2

Full-Time
No salary listed
Mid
Bachelor's
Peabody, MA, USA
Remote
Aerospace EngineeringMaterials & Structures
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • Two to five years of relevant full-time experience in aerospace or related industries.
  • A strong foundation in engineering principles, including hand calculations and first-principles analysis.
  • Proficiency with finite element analysis tools such as Femap with NX Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys, or similar.
  • Experience with structural analysis of various material systems, including steel, titanium, Inconel, composites, and ceramics.
  • Proficiency in MATLAB and Python for tool development and automation.
  • Experience with dynamic analysis and/or coupled thermal-mechanical analysis.
  • Ability to obtain a Department of Defense security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct advanced hand calculations and classical analysis of primary and secondary structural elements.
  • Create, validate, and refine finite element models for linear and nonlinear static and dynamic analyses using Nastran, Abaqus, Ansys, or similar tools.
  • Write and review margins for stress, fatigue, and fracture mechanics, including damage tolerance, analysis.
  • Prepare and present structural reports to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Develop and maintain analysis tools in Python and MATLAB to streamline workflows.
  • Lead planning, instrumentation selection, and data analysis for structural and material testing.
  • Perform material selection and author test plans for material property testing using current standards.
  • Support and lead coupled thermal-structural analysis efforts.
  • Take ownership of deliverables and drive projects to completion.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with high-speed aerospace systems, missiles, or launch vehicles.
  • Knowledge of additive manufacturing, including DMLS and DED.
  • Familiarity with solid mechanics, fatigue analysis, fracture mechanics, structural dynamics, and/or aeroelasticity.
  • Experience with composite structures and developing design allowables.
  • An active Department of Defense security clearance.

About the company

Specter Aerospace develops propulsion technologies for aerospace and defense, focusing on plasma-assisted combustion and hypersonic propulsion. The company designs advanced propulsion systems to improve jet engine efficiency and performance for high-speed flight. Its approach uses plasma to assist combustion, enabling more stable and efficient engine operation at high speeds, which is especially valuable for hypersonic vehicles. Unlike many competitors, Specter Aerospace emphasizes partnerships and contracting with government agencies (notably the DoD) and collaborates with other aerospace players, supported by both government funding and venture capital. The company aims to advance practical, propulsion-powered capabilities for defense and aerospace needs, driving more efficient engines and enabling reliable hypersonic performance.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Early VC

Total Funding

$14.4M

Headquarters

Peabody, Kansas

Founded

2013

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • September 15, 2026 partnership targets scalable hypersonic munitions for the Department of War.
  • June 13, 2023 funding added $9.5 million from DoD, CS Ventures, and Mandala Ventures.
  • March 25, 2026 nTop collaboration and August 25, 2026 Massachusetts hosting signal strong ecosystem momentum.

What critics are saying

  • The hypersonic factory is not built; site, funding, and timeline remain unresolved.
  • No disclosed contract value or production-rate targets leave the VulcanForms deal commercially unproven.
  • GE Aerospace’s DIU hypersonic test-bed win intensifies competition for future Pentagon programs.

What makes Specter Aerospace unique

  • Specter’s plasma-assisted combustion targets hypersonic engines with nearly decade-long test and build experience.
  • September 15, 2026 VulcanForms partnership adds additive manufacturing and all-up-round integration depth.
  • Boston-area defense pedigree and DoW relationships strengthen credibility in mission-driven propulsion work.

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Benefits

  • Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

1%

2 year growth

0%
PR Newswire
Sep 15th, 2026
VulcanForms and Specter Aerospace partner to scale US hypersonic munitions manufacturing

VulcanForms and Specter Aerospace have announced a strategic partnership to manufacture airbreathing hypersonic weapons at scale for the US Department of War. The collaboration will establish a dedicated hypersonic manufacturing facility integrating VulcanForms' 3D printing and high-volume manufacturing capabilities with Specter's nearly decade-long experience building hypersonic missiles. The partnership aims to produce low-cost hypersonic munitions, interceptors and cruise missiles to meet national security requirements. Both companies are conducting a nationwide site evaluation for the future production facility whilst leveraging their existing production-ready facilities. Specter Aerospace CEO Felipe Gomez del Campo said the partnership responds to the urgency of delivering hypersonic munitions to the US Joint Force. VulcanForms Executive Vice President Matthew Rose emphasised the importance of partnerships that embrace physical AI and leverage lessons from commercial industries.

PR Newswire
Jun 13th, 2023
Specter Aerospace Receives $9.5 Million in Funding from the Department of Defense (DoD) and Investment Firms, CS Ventures and Mandala Ventures

/PRNewswire/ -- Specter Aerospace, a Boston area defense contractor, specializing in the field of plasma-assisted combustion and hypersonic propulsion,...