Job Summary:
Specter Aerospace is seeking a Vehicle Design Engineer II to join our growing design team. In this role, you will contribute to the development of components and systems for hypersonic flight vehicles, taking ownership of mechanical subsystems and all up vehicles. The ideal candidate is a motivated engineer with a strong passion for aerospace and hands-on design work.
About Specter Aerospace:
Specter Aerospace is building the next generation of hypersonic vehicles for defense applications. Specter is headquartered in Peabody, MA, just north of Boston, where it leverages its advanced propulsion technologies, manufacturing, and testing capabilities to rapidly develop supersonic and hypersonic systems. Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations, commercial customers, and private funding, Specter is a growing aerospace and defense startup. Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight testing and full-scale production.
Role & Responsibilities:
- Work in a fast-paced environment, designing systems and parts for hypersonic flight vehicles
- Be the Responsible Engineer for a complete hypersonic vehicle and/or major systems on a vehicle
- Perform preliminary analysis at the component and system level
- Perform architecture/concept trade studies for vehicle/mechanical systems
- Create drawings for manufacturing release
- Ownership of vehicle systems
- Analysis of components within a flight vehicle
- Work between disciplines to efficiently design and optimize novel flight systems to meet internal and customer performance requirements
- Integrate subsystems into bigger systems ensuring fit and functionality
Job Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or aerospace engineering, or related fields
- 3+ years of prior professional work experience
- Proficiency using CAD software with a PLM platform (SolidWorks preferred)
- Comfort with project autonomy and fast-paced work environments
- Strong collaborative skills and a drive to produce quality work
- Fundamental understanding of mechanical engineering principles (statics, dynamics, materials, thermo/fluids, etc…)
- Available for up to 10% travel for test activities
- Ability to obtain a DoD security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required)
Desired Skills:
- Previous hands-on experience in a technical shop, lab, or a student organization
- Familiarity with GD&T
- Prior aerospace experience
- Prior FEA/CFD experience
- Familiarity with DFM/DFAM
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Boston Tech Scene
Key Facts About Boston Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 269,000; 9.4% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Toast, Klaviyo, HubSpot, DraftKings
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, robotics, software, aerospace
- Funding Landscape: $15.7 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Summit Partners, Volition Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, MassVentures, Highland Capital Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: MIT, Harvard University, Boston College, Tufts University, Boston University, Northeastern University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, National Bureau of Economic Research, Broad Institute, Lowell Center for Space Science & Technology, National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories

