Aerothermal Engineer Co-Op – Spring 2027 at Specter Aerospace

Role Summary: 

Specter Aerospace is seeking an Aerothermal Engineer Co-op (4-6+ month cycle) to conduct aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic studies on hypersonic vehicles. You will have the opportunity to break into the aerospace industry and work with cutting-edge technologies from ideation to flight. A successful candidate will have prior experience or interest in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for aerospace systems. 

About Specter Aerospace: 

Specter Aerospace is building the next generation of hypersonic vehicles for U.S. Forces and Allies. With offices in Boston and Peabody, MA, Specter leverages its advanced propulsion technologies, manufacturing, and testing capabilities to rapidly develop supersonic and hypersonic systems. Our Aerothermal Engineer Co-Op will be based in our Peabody office. Funded by a mix of government R&D organizations and private funding, Specter is expanding its team in preparation for flight testing and full-scale production.

Specter offers a wide diversity of tasks, projects, and technical exposure, all while providing co-ops with the same resources and project ownership as our full-time staff members. Our co-ops work closely with experienced engineers and scientists to complete projects that are critical to the mission of the company.

Role Responsibilities 

• Conduct detailed aerodynamic and aerothermodynamic studies 

• Conduct a variety of computational analyses relating to aerodynamic and aerothermodynamics 

• Perform flight performance assessments and trajectory optimization of hypersonic vehicles 

• Take part in technical meetings, engage in technical discussions, and contribute perspective 

• Complete meaningful engineering on federally funded research projects in collaboration with major research institutions 

• Actively participate in bringing the company closer to its goal of achieving hypersonic flight with plasma-assisted combustion technology 

Required Qualifications: 

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline relevant to this role 

• Interest or experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) 

• Experience scripting with MATLAB or Python to create analysis tools and post-processing data 

• Experience working in a Linux computing environment 

• Comfort with project autonomy, uncertainty, and fast-paced work environments 

• Strong collaborative spirit, working well with team members in addition to other companies, laboratories, and universities 

• Eligible to obtain and maintain a U.S. Secret security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required) 

• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• CFD experience using Cart3D, OVERFLOW, FUN3D or other CFD solvers 

• Grid generation for CFD simulations using Pointwise, GridPro 

• Prior experience with fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, gas dynamics, combustion, and/or plasma sciences 

• Background in numerical methods/FEA/CFD 

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.