Aerospace Jobs for OPT Students
Aerospace engineering roles are among the most OPT-friendly in STEM, qualifying for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Most positions require a degree in aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering. Defense contractors and aviation manufacturers frequently sponsor H-1B visas, making this a strong field for long-term work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Work with a Top 20 CPA and advisory firm that Accounts for Anything. Aprio has 40 U.S. office locations, as well as international office locations and more than 3,200 team members that speak 60+ languages across the globe. By bringing together proven expertise, deep understanding, and strategic foresight for fast-growing industries, Aprio ensures clients are prepared for wherever life or business may take them. Discover a top-rated culture, vast growth opportunities and your next big career move with Aprio.
Join Aprio's Aerospace, Defense, and Government team and you will help clients maximize their opportunities. Aprio is a progressive, fast-growing firm looking for an Associate to join their dynamic team.
Join a group of former business owners and executives with real-world experience in growing and selling businesses. We apply innovative and proven methods to increase the value of our clients’ organizations in a cost-effective manner. We provide our clients with the level of care, energy, and commitment required to meet their business objectives and maximize their market value.
Position Responsibilities:
- Process accounts payable from invoice entry thru check-cutting
- A/R - billing of customer invoices and collection of customer payments
- Job Costing for government contracts
- Daily accounting for all cash deposits
- Monthly Bank Reconciliations
- Process payroll and entering payroll journal entry and update vacation balances
- General ledger account reconciliations
- Assist with preparing financials and updating forecast schedules
- Closing Process/Cycle
- Mastering budgeting and forecasting process including identifying areas of concern (e.g. indirect tab; variances)
- Financial Reporting, as needed
- Working knowledge of indirect rates and basic pricing skills
- Organize and maintain all vendor and accounting records
- Prepare and update spreadsheets weekly
- Research items; handle inquiries and information requests
- Monitors cash flow in accordance with client needs
- Responsible for meeting deliverables and client satisfaction for assigned clients
- Support assigned clients with cost-effective, accurate, and compliant accounting services
- Assist with training of Junior Accountants, as needed
Qualifications:
- Experience working for or with government contractors and Unanet, CostPoint, and/or Quickbooks is required. This is a great opportunity for the highly motivated individual. We seek a results-oriented, energetic person with superior accounting skills.
- 4-6 years of progressive accounting experience required; proficiency with general ledger, job costing, GAAP compliance a must
- Highly organized. Tedious about record-keeping, file organization, etc.
- Able to handle competing deliverables with various levels of complexity
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Extremely computer literate, strong MS Excel, MS Word skills are a must
- Understanding of Government contracting including Familiarity with the FAR and indirect rate structures
- Motivated – A self-starter with the ability to multi-task, problem-solve, and take initiative
- Strong working knowledge of accounting software, as required
- Overall, candidates must be highly accurate, have superior written and oral communication skills, and be extremely organized. We value our clients and this individual must offer great customer service.
The salary range for this opportunity is stated above. As such, an actual salary may fall closer to one or the other end of the range, and in certain circumstances, may wind up being outside of the listed salary range.
Why work for Aprio:
Whether you are just starting out, looking to advance into management or searching for your next leadership role, Aprio offers an opportunity to grow with a future-focused, innovative firm.
Perks/Benefits we offer for full-time team members:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance on the first day of employment
- Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account
- 401k with Profit Sharing
- 9+ holidays and discretionary time off structure
- Parental Leave – coverage for both primary and secondary caregivers
- Tuition Assistance Program and CPA support program with cash incentive upon completion
- Discretionary incentive compensation based on firm, group and individual performance
- Incentive compensation related to origination of new client sales
- Top rated wellness program
- Flexible working environment including remote and hybrid options
What’s in it for you:
- Working with an industry leader: Be part of a high-growth firm that is passionate for what’s next.
- An awesome culture: Thirty-one fundamental behaviors guide our culture every day ensuring we always deliver an exceptional team-member and client experience. We call it the Aprio Way. This shared mindset creates lasting relationships between team members and with clients.
- A great team: Work with a high-energy, passionate, caring and ambitious team of professionals in a collaborative culture.
- Entrepreneurship: Have the freedom to innovate and bring your ideas to help us grow to become the CPA firm of choice nationally.
- Growth opportunities: Grow professionally in an environment that fosters continuous learning and advancement.
- Competitive compensation: You will be rewarded with competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits and a flexible work environment to enjoy work/life balance.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Aprio is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; national origin; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity and/or expression; age; disability; genetic information, citizenship status; military service obligations or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Aprio, LLP and Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, operate in an alternative business structure, with Aprio Advisory Group, LLC providing non-attest tax and consulting services, and Aprio, LLP providing CPA firm services.
INTRODUCTION
Work with a Top 20 CPA and advisory firm that Accounts for Anything. Aprio has 40 U.S. office locations, as well as international office locations and more than 3,200 team members that speak 60+ languages across the globe. By bringing together proven expertise, deep understanding, and strategic foresight for fast-growing industries, Aprio ensures clients are prepared for wherever life or business may take them. Discover a top-rated culture, vast growth opportunities and your next big career move with Aprio.
Join Aprio's Aerospace, Defense, and Government team and you will help clients maximize their opportunities. Aprio is a progressive, fast-growing firm looking for an Associate to join their dynamic team.
Join a group of former business owners and executives with real-world experience in growing and selling businesses. We apply innovative and proven methods to increase the value of our clients’ organizations in a cost-effective manner. We provide our clients with the level of care, energy, and commitment required to meet their business objectives and maximize their market value.
Position Responsibilities:
- Process accounts payable from invoice entry thru check-cutting
- A/R - billing of customer invoices and collection of customer payments
- Job Costing for government contracts
- Daily accounting for all cash deposits
- Monthly Bank Reconciliations
- Process payroll and entering payroll journal entry and update vacation balances
- General ledger account reconciliations
- Assist with preparing financials and updating forecast schedules
- Closing Process/Cycle
- Mastering budgeting and forecasting process including identifying areas of concern (e.g. indirect tab; variances)
- Financial Reporting, as needed
- Working knowledge of indirect rates and basic pricing skills
- Organize and maintain all vendor and accounting records
- Prepare and update spreadsheets weekly
- Research items; handle inquiries and information requests
- Monitors cash flow in accordance with client needs
- Responsible for meeting deliverables and client satisfaction for assigned clients
- Support assigned clients with cost-effective, accurate, and compliant accounting services
- Assist with training of Junior Accountants, as needed
Qualifications:
- Experience working for or with government contractors and Unanet, CostPoint, and/or Quickbooks is required. This is a great opportunity for the highly motivated individual. We seek a results-oriented, energetic person with superior accounting skills.
- 4-6 years of progressive accounting experience required; proficiency with general ledger, job costing, GAAP compliance a must
- Highly organized. Tedious about record-keeping, file organization, etc.
- Able to handle competing deliverables with various levels of complexity
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Extremely computer literate, strong MS Excel, MS Word skills are a must
- Understanding of Government contracting including Familiarity with the FAR and indirect rate structures
- Motivated – A self-starter with the ability to multi-task, problem-solve, and take initiative
- Strong working knowledge of accounting software, as required
- Overall, candidates must be highly accurate, have superior written and oral communication skills, and be extremely organized. We value our clients and this individual must offer great customer service.
The salary range for this opportunity is stated above. As such, an actual salary may fall closer to one or the other end of the range, and in certain circumstances, may wind up being outside of the listed salary range.
Why work for Aprio:
Whether you are just starting out, looking to advance into management or searching for your next leadership role, Aprio offers an opportunity to grow with a future-focused, innovative firm.
Perks/Benefits we offer for full-time team members:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance on the first day of employment
- Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account
- 401k with Profit Sharing
- 9+ holidays and discretionary time off structure
- Parental Leave – coverage for both primary and secondary caregivers
- Tuition Assistance Program and CPA support program with cash incentive upon completion
- Discretionary incentive compensation based on firm, group and individual performance
- Incentive compensation related to origination of new client sales
- Top rated wellness program
- Flexible working environment including remote and hybrid options
What’s in it for you:
- Working with an industry leader: Be part of a high-growth firm that is passionate for what’s next.
- An awesome culture: Thirty-one fundamental behaviors guide our culture every day ensuring we always deliver an exceptional team-member and client experience. We call it the Aprio Way. This shared mindset creates lasting relationships between team members and with clients.
- A great team: Work with a high-energy, passionate, caring and ambitious team of professionals in a collaborative culture.
- Entrepreneurship: Have the freedom to innovate and bring your ideas to help us grow to become the CPA firm of choice nationally.
- Growth opportunities: Grow professionally in an environment that fosters continuous learning and advancement.
- Competitive compensation: You will be rewarded with competitive compensation, industry-leading benefits and a flexible work environment to enjoy work/life balance.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Aprio is an Equal Opportunity Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; national origin; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity and/or expression; age; disability; genetic information, citizenship status; military service obligations or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Aprio, LLP and Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, operate in an alternative business structure, with Aprio Advisory Group, LLC providing non-attest tax and consulting services, and Aprio, LLP providing CPA firm services.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Aerospace
Target STEM OPT-eligible degree fields
Aerospace roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in aerospace, mechanical, aeronautical, or electrical engineering. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work window.
Prioritize contractors with established visa programs
Large defense and aerospace contractors like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman have dedicated immigration teams and file H-1B petitions annually. These employers understand OPT timelines and are significantly more likely to sponsor long-term than smaller firms.
Address security clearance requirements early
Many aerospace roles require U.S. security clearances, which F-1 OPT holders generally cannot obtain. Filter for positions that do not require clearance and confirm this explicitly before applying to avoid wasting time on roles you cannot legally fill.
Apply with your OPT start date clearly stated
Aerospace hiring timelines can stretch three to six months. Apply before your OPT begins so your authorization is active when an offer is made. Communicate your exact start date and EAD card receipt timeline upfront to prevent confusion during background checks.
Leverage university research and co-op connections
NASA, JPL, and major contractors actively recruit from aerospace engineering programs. Alumni working at these organizations understand OPT restrictions firsthand and can refer you to hiring managers who are already familiar with sponsoring international engineers. Use your university network actively.
Aerospace jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work in aerospace without a security clearance?
Yes, many aerospace roles do not require clearance. Commercial aviation, space systems, research and development, and civil aircraft manufacturing frequently hire OPT holders without clearance requirements. Defense-specific roles tied to classified programs are typically off-limits. When searching on Migrate Mate, look for roles that explicitly state no clearance is required.
Does an aerospace engineering degree qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Aerospace and aeronautical engineering degrees are listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, which means graduates qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12 months. That gives you up to 36 months of post-graduation work authorization. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
Which types of aerospace employers are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas?
Large defense contractors, commercial aircraft manufacturers, satellite and space companies, and aerospace research organizations file the highest volumes of H-1B petitions in this sector. Companies that already employ large numbers of engineers are most likely to have internal immigration counsel, making the sponsorship process smoother and faster for both sides.
How does the 60-day grace period affect aerospace job searching?
If your OPT employment ends before your EAD expiration date, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer to another status, or depart the U.S. Aerospace hiring cycles can be long, so starting your job search well before any employment gap begins is strongly recommended to avoid running out of time.
What should I include in my aerospace job application to address OPT status?
Be direct in your application or cover letter: state that you are authorized to work on OPT, specify your EAD expiration date, and confirm whether your degree qualifies for the STEM extension. Aerospace recruiters familiar with international hiring will appreciate the clarity. Avoid leaving work authorization fields blank or vague, as this often screens candidates out before a human reviews the application.
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