OPT Aerospace Jobs
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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Proposed Faculty Rank Assistant/Associate/Professor (Lecturer)
Department 00068 - Mechanical Engineering
City Salt Lake City, UT
Track Non Tenure Track
New Position to Begin 07/01/2027
Details
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah invites applications for a career-line faculty position at the Assistant, Associate, or Professor (Lecturer) rank focused on aerospace engineering with a particular interest in aerospace structures. We are looking for candidates with exceptional teaching ability at both undergraduate and master’s level in the subject areas. The position has a multiyear contract and an option to teach summer courses.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering currently has a Master of Science program in Aerospace Engineering (MSAE). The MSAE started in Fall 2025 and includes a BS/MS integrated program. The primary role of this career line position is supporting growth and longer-term development in the MSAE. The ideal candidate would be able to:
- Develop and teach a new core course in the MSAE program. The person will be expected to work with fellow faculty in developing and teaching an introductory graduate course in aerospace structures.
- Create new graduate aerospace elective courses according to their area of expertise. These can be in any area, but space systems, rockets, and aircraft design are of particular interest.
- Demonstrate experience developing and teaching these subject areas as university courses.
- Demonstrate excellence in teaching rigorous engineering courses at the advanced undergraduate and graduate technical elective level.
- Contribute to the departmental teaching needs until the MSAE grows sufficiently large to merit a full aerospace course load. The department has a full undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum and has related Masters degree programs in systems engineering and engineering management as well as the MSAE program.
The MSAE program is an on-campus degree program; however, we anticipate substantial off-campus (remote) enrollment in select classes from students currently professionally employed in Utah. The department currently supports remote enrollment through a mixture of specifically online courses and on-campus courses recorded and broadcast. The ideal candidate will have experience in both traditional and remote formats and be interested in teaching in a hybrid environment. The Department draws extensive industry enrollment in MS programs. The student body in these programs is heavily professional and so the ability to interact with local industry will be valuable. An ability to develop synergistic courses and relationships between the MSAE and our other programs would be valuable.
The State of Utah has a strong aerospace and defense industry with impact on GDP well above the national average. The career-line faculty member will be expected to be active in department, university, and professional service activities. Aerospace engineering and its related fields are active areas of research in the department. The position does not carry a research expectation, but all faculty are encouraged to collaboratively contribute to the department’s research goals.
Successful candidates should have a Ph.D. in a related field, preferably with aerospace structures experience. Candidates with a track record of high-quality teaching are especially encouraged to apply. Industry experience is welcome.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.
Notice
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates
Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026 and will continue until the position closes. Applications must be submitted electronically and should include: (1) a 1-pg cover letter highlighting the applicant’s qualifications, including related experiences in aerospace and system design and development and/or teaching of aerospace or related engineering courses, (2) a current curriculum vitae, (3) a 2-pg teaching statement, (4) student reviews of taught courses (if available) and (5) contact information for a minimum of three references.
Open Date 09/28/2026
Close Date 01/15/2027
Open Until Filled No
Requisition Number PRN01596CF
Type Faculty
Position Information
Proposed Faculty Rank Assistant/Associate/Professor (Lecturer)
Department 00068 - Mechanical Engineering
City Salt Lake City, UT
Track Non Tenure Track
New Position to Begin 07/01/2027
Details
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah invites applications for a career-line faculty position at the Assistant, Associate, or Professor (Lecturer) rank focused on aerospace engineering with a particular interest in aerospace structures. We are looking for candidates with exceptional teaching ability at both undergraduate and master’s level in the subject areas. The position has a multiyear contract and an option to teach summer courses.
The Department of Mechanical Engineering currently has a Master of Science program in Aerospace Engineering (MSAE). The MSAE started in Fall 2025 and includes a BS/MS integrated program. The primary role of this career line position is supporting growth and longer-term development in the MSAE. The ideal candidate would be able to:
- Develop and teach a new core course in the MSAE program. The person will be expected to work with fellow faculty in developing and teaching an introductory graduate course in aerospace structures.
- Create new graduate aerospace elective courses according to their area of expertise. These can be in any area, but space systems, rockets, and aircraft design are of particular interest.
- Demonstrate experience developing and teaching these subject areas as university courses.
- Demonstrate excellence in teaching rigorous engineering courses at the advanced undergraduate and graduate technical elective level.
- Contribute to the departmental teaching needs until the MSAE grows sufficiently large to merit a full aerospace course load. The department has a full undergraduate mechanical engineering curriculum and has related Masters degree programs in systems engineering and engineering management as well as the MSAE program.
The MSAE program is an on-campus degree program; however, we anticipate substantial off-campus (remote) enrollment in select classes from students currently professionally employed in Utah. The department currently supports remote enrollment through a mixture of specifically online courses and on-campus courses recorded and broadcast. The ideal candidate will have experience in both traditional and remote formats and be interested in teaching in a hybrid environment. The Department draws extensive industry enrollment in MS programs. The student body in these programs is heavily professional and so the ability to interact with local industry will be valuable. An ability to develop synergistic courses and relationships between the MSAE and our other programs would be valuable.
The State of Utah has a strong aerospace and defense industry with impact on GDP well above the national average. The career-line faculty member will be expected to be active in department, university, and professional service activities. Aerospace engineering and its related fields are active areas of research in the department. The position does not carry a research expectation, but all faculty are encouraged to collaboratively contribute to the department’s research goals.
Successful candidates should have a Ph.D. in a related field, preferably with aerospace structures experience. Candidates with a track record of high-quality teaching are especially encouraged to apply. Industry experience is welcome.
EEO/Non-Discrimination Information
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number, can be located at https://www.utah.edu/nondiscrimination/.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu.
Notice
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
Special Instructions for Candidates
Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2026 and will continue until the position closes. Applications must be submitted electronically and should include: (1) a 1-pg cover letter highlighting the applicant’s qualifications, including related experiences in aerospace and system design and development and/or teaching of aerospace or related engineering courses, (2) a current curriculum vitae, (3) a 2-pg teaching statement, (4) student reviews of taught courses (if available) and (5) contact information for a minimum of three references.
Open Date 09/28/2026
Close Date 01/15/2027
Open Until Filled No
Requisition Number PRN01596CF
Type Faculty
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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.
Understand H-1B timing relative to your OPT expiration
STEM OPT can last up to three years total, covering multiple H-1B lottery cycles. Map your OPT expiration date against the April H-1B lottery and October start date so you know exactly how many attempts you have before authorization lapses.
Aerospace OPT: Frequently 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.