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Specter Aerospace

Develops plasma-assisted propulsion for aerospace defense

Full Stack Developer Co-op - Spring 2027

Spring 2027
No salary listed
Internship
Bachelor's
Boston, MA, USA
In Person
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Pursuing a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or an equivalent field.
  • Familiarity with fundamental software development principles and object-oriented programming.
  • Experience programming in Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, or a comparable language.
  • Familiarity with databases, application programming interfaces, data processing, or full-stack application development.
  • Familiarity with user-interface design and data visualization.
  • Experience with software testing, debugging, and technical documentation.
  • Comfort working independently in a fast-paced environment with changing requirements.
  • Strong collaborative skills and a drive to produce high-quality work.
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
  • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
Responsibilities
  • Develop Python code to post-process, analyze, and visualize engine and test data.
  • Develop software that connects programmable logic controller systems, databases, data servers, and user interfaces.
  • Process and manage large engine and facility datasets.
  • Work with controls and propulsion engineers to define software interfaces, data requirements, and system functionality.
  • Support dashboards and other tools used to monitor facility operations and review engineering data.
  • Develop testing protocols for software shakedown, debugging, and validation.
  • Participate in technical meetings and take ownership of assigned projects from implementation through testing and documentation.
Desired Qualifications
  • Previous applicable professional, research, or student-team experience.
  • Experience using Python to post-process, analyze, or visualize engineering data.
  • Experience storing, processing, or visualizing large datasets.
  • Experience developing front-end applications using JavaScript, TypeScript, React, or a comparable framework.
  • Experience developing back-end services or application programming interfaces using Python, Node.js, or similar technologies.
  • Experience integrating software applications with programmable logic controllers, databases, or data servers.
  • Familiarity with time-series databases such as InfluxDB, relational databases, or industrial data systems such as supervisory control and data acquisition.
  • Experience with version-control systems such as Git.
  • Comfort writing technical documentation regarding internal code development, system integration, and user procedures.

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

↓ -3%

1 year growth

↑ 1%

2 year growth

↓ -3%
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,...