Full-Time

Machinist

Updated on 9/10/2026

Specter Aerospace

Specter Aerospace

51-200 employees

Develops plasma-assisted propulsion for aerospace defense

No salary listed

No H1B Sponsorship

Peabody, MA, USA

In Person

US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

Category
Manufacturing & Production Operations (1)
Required Skills
SolidWorks

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Requirements
  • High School or Vocational School Diploma or equivalent job experience.
  • At least 1 year of experience working with both manual and computer numerical control mills and lathes.
  • Understanding of calculations for feeds, speeds, and tool selection.
  • Comfort with project autonomy and fast-paced, quick-turn work environments.
  • Proficiency in computer-aided manufacturing software and working from engineering drawings.
  • Must be a United States citizen with the ability to obtain a Secret-level security clearance.
Responsibilities
  • Program, set up, and operate various computer numerical control machines.
  • Use manual milling and turning equipment.
  • Inspect finished components to ensure they meet tolerance requirements.
  • Work with engineering teams to advise on design for manufacture.
  • Select appropriate fixtures and tooling for parts.
  • Assist with equipment maintenance and workplace housekeeping.
  • Work with both safety and efficiency in mind.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing software, including SolidWorks, HSMWorks CAM, and FeatureCAM.
  • Familiarity with Haas controls.
  • Experience with precision measuring equipment.

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

Cleveland, Ohio

Founded

2013

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Specter plans a plasma-assisted supersonic missile test in 2026.
  • Management is hiring principal GNC talent and co-ops across 2026 programs.
  • Updated August 2026 site activity signals active development, not dormant IP licensing.

What critics are saying

  • Flight-test failure in 2026 would cripple customer confidence and future DoD awards.
  • Specter depends on scarce government funding; budget shifts freeze contracts within months.
  • Clearance-gated hiring slows execution; competitor primes can poach engineers and absorb programs.

What makes Specter Aerospace unique

  • Plasma-assisted combustion technology targets unstable high-speed combustion problems directly.
  • Specter Aerospace combines hypersonic propulsion R&D with Pentagon-backed programs.
  • Its Boston engineering base and clearance-ready hiring attract scarce defense talent.

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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

-3%
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,...