Front-End Software Developer Co-Op - Spring 2027

Job Description

Job Description

Role Summary  

Specter Aerospace is seeking a Front-End Software Developer Co-op (4-6+ month cycle) to contribute to the development of user interfaces, data dashboards, and facility control applications for propulsion operations. This role offers hands-on experience across the front-end software development lifecycle, including requirements development, user-interface design, implementation, data integration, testing, and documentation. A successful candidate will work closely with controls and propulsion engineers to develop systems that support Specter’s experimental and flight vehicle programs. 

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 Front-End Software Developer will be based in our Boston (Seaport) 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  

• Design and implement user interfaces for monitoring propulsion operations and interacting with engine test facility control systems. 

• Participate in design and usability decisions for data dashboards, facility HMIs, and operator workflows. 

• Coordinate with controls and propulsion engineers to develop new features for existing engine facility-control GUIs. 

• Collaborate with responsible engineers to develop the charts, figures, and other visualizations needed to display critical diagnostic data. 

• Develop and maintain interfaces between front-end services and facility databases. 

• Support the integration of front-end applications with time-series and relational databases used to store and serve engine facility data. 

• Develop testing protocols for software shakedown, debugging, and validation of control-system interfaces and associated data pipelines.. 

• Participate in technical meetings, engage in technical discussions, and contribute perspectives on software design and usability. 

• Take ownership of assigned projects from initial concept through implementation, testing, and documentation. 

Required Qualifications  

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or an equivalent field. 

• Familiarity with fundamental software development principles. 

• Experience developing front-end applications using JavaScript, TypeScript, React, or a comparable framework. 

• Understanding of object-oriented programming. 

• Familiarity with front-end development concepts, including user-interface design, data visualization, and application workflows. 

• 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. 

Preferred Qualifications  

• Previous applicable professional, research, or student-team experience. 

• Experience with HTML, CSS, responsive user-interface design, or modern web application development. 

• Experience programming in Python or another programming language. 

• Experience integrating software applications with PLCs and/or databases. 

• Previous experience storing, processing, visualizing, or otherwise handling large datasets. 

• Familiarity with data-visualization libraries such as Plotly, D3.js, or similar tools. 

• Experience developing automated software tests or validation procedures. 

• Comfort writing comprehensive documentation regarding internal code development and user-facing guides. 

• Experience with version-control systems such as Git. 

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.