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Specter Aerospace

Specter Aerospace

Develops plasma-assisted propulsion for aerospace defense

Aerospace Engineer 1/2

Full-Time
No salary listed
Entry, Junior, Mid
Bachelor's, Master's
Boston, MA, USA
In Person
No H1B Sponsorship
US Citizenship, US Top Secret Clearance Required

About the job

Requirements
  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or another related discipline.
  • 0–3 years of relevant full-time experience.
  • Interest in or experience conducting high-speed numerical simulations of aerospace vehicles.
  • Interest in or experience using CFD tools including FUN3D, US3D, Cart3D, CFD++, OVERFLOW, or Vulcan.
  • Interest in or experience using grid preparation software such as Pointwise or GridPro.
  • Interest in or experience using Python, BASH, or MATLAB scripting languages to aid in analysis.
  • Interest in or experience conducting wind tunnel tests at academic, government, or private wind tunnels.
  • Interest in or experience using low-fidelity methods for aerodynamic estimation.
  • Ability to obtain a Department of Defense security clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.
Responsibilities
  • Conduct aerodynamic and aerothermal numerical simulations of high-speed flight systems.
  • Utilize varying levels of fidelity to support model buildup.
  • Support wind tunnel test preparation and execution.
  • Coordinate with the design team to provide feedback on system design.
  • Support trajectory optimization and analysis efforts using three-degree-of-freedom and six-degree-of-freedom methods.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the company.
Desired Qualifications
  • Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
  • 2+ years of relevant full-time experience.
  • Experience developing high-fidelity aerodynamic models for use in six-degree-of-freedom simulations.
  • Experience leading or conducting aerodynamic wind tunnel campaigns.
  • Experience conducting aerothermal analyses to inform material selection and survivability.
  • 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

Cleveland, Ohio

Founded

2013

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • AFRL awarded FA869026CB003 in January 2026, up to $1.999 million.
  • MDA’s September 2025 Phase II contract runs to September 2027 with full burn.
  • Specter’s March 2026 hiring shows active execution across GNC, software, and air vehicle work.

What critics are saying

  • Q3 2026 SNC flight tests decide Specter’s credibility with prime contractors and DoD buyers.
  • Specter depends on government R&D; one missed milestone can choke follow-on funding.
  • A failed 2027 hypersonic campaign could trap Specter as a contract-only lab business.

What makes Specter Aerospace unique

  • Specter Aerospace owns plasma-assisted combustion IP for ramjet and scramjet operability.
  • SNC partnership in February 2026 validates Specter’s propulsion technology for flight systems.
  • MDA and AFRL contracts through 2027 fund proprietary high-speed airbreathing testbed development.

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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,...