GNC Engineer 1/2
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another related discipline is required.
- Zero to three years of relevant full-time experience is required.
- Experience developing modeling and simulation tools, including six-degree-of-freedom simulations of high-speed systems, is required.
- Proficiency in Python or MATLAB is required.
- Understanding of GNC fundamentals and their applications to high-speed flight is required.
- Experience with both classical and modern control methods is required.
- The ability to obtain a Department of Defense security clearance is required, and U.S. citizenship is required.
- Support development of six-degree-of-freedom simulations using C++.
- Design and evaluate GNC algorithms for controlling high-speed airbreathing vehicles.
- Perform GNC-related analyses of high-speed airbreathing vehicles to assess flight performance.
- Develop software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop capabilities to support the design, analysis, and verification of high-speed systems.
- Support three-degree-of-freedom and six-degree-of-freedom trajectory optimization and analysis efforts.
- Coordinate with the modeling and simulation team to support survivability and employment analyses in a classified setting.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the company.
- A master's degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Two or more years of relevant full-time experience.
- Experience transitioning guidance algorithms from development to flight.
- Experience with C++.
- Experience supporting ground and flight test efforts, including software-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the-loop activities.
- 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