OPT Corporate Pilot Jobs
Corporate Pilot jobs on OPT require FAA certification, a valid work authorization period, and an employer willing to sponsor your future visa. Most roles want ATP-certified pilots with turbine time. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, needs to align with hiring timelines at charter operators and flight departments.
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Get Access To All JobsImagine how your ideas and expertise can change a patient’s life. Our Quality teams help shape the development of groundbreaking technologies to ensure each stage of our innovation process is held to the highest standards of integrity and safety. You’ll bring your passion for problem solving and partner with various teams to influence decision-making for a product’s entire lifecycle. Your work will involve you optimizing product development to impact patients around the world with pioneering technology. In this role, you will apply your knowledge of quality engineering principles and methods to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and Edwards' systems/procedures to optimize product development, internal and external device manufacturing, and device distribution.
How you will make an impact:
- Investigate moderately complex manufacturing product quality and compliance issues (e.g., CAPA, non-conformances, audit observations) for all production processes prior to final product release based on engineering principles; analyze results, make recommendations and develop reports.
- Optimize moderately complex Manufacturing processes using engineering methods (e.g., SIX Sigma and LEAN methods) for design for manufacturing and for continuous process improvement. Identify opportunities for re-design/design of basic equipment, tools, fixtures, etc. to improve manufacturing processes, and reduce risk.
- Develop, update, and maintain technical content of risk management files.
- Develop training and documentation materials for production (e.g., work instructions) to enable the seamless knowledge transfer of project and manufacturing processes.
- Assign support tasks; gives instruction to technicians on conducting tests; trains technicians and provides feedback; and may coordinate technician work.
- Other incidental duties assigned by Leadership.
What you'll need (Required):
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Scientific field, 2 years’ experience related work experience or
- Master's Degree or equivalent in and internship, senior projects or thesis in Engineering or Scientific field including either industry or industry/education.
What else we look for (Preferred):
- Good documentation, communication and interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills.
- Basic understanding of statistical techniques.
- Previous experience working with lab/industrial equipment required.
- Solid understanding and knowledge of principles, theories, and concepts relevant to Engineering.
- Solid problem-solving, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Solid understanding of processes and equipment used in assigned work.
- Knowledge of and adherence to Quality systems.
- Strict attention to detail.
- Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast paced environment.
- Must be able to work in a team environment, including the ability to manage vendors and project stakeholders.
- Ability to build productive internal/external working relationships.
- Adhere to all company rules and requirements (e.g., pandemic protocols, Environmental Health & Safety rules) and take adequate control measures in preventing injuries to themselves and others as well as to the protection of environment and prevention of pollution under their span of influence/control.
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families. For California, the base pay range for this position is $87,000 - $123,000 (highly experienced). The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
COVID Vaccination Requirement
Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.
Imagine how your ideas and expertise can change a patient’s life. Our Quality teams help shape the development of groundbreaking technologies to ensure each stage of our innovation process is held to the highest standards of integrity and safety. You’ll bring your passion for problem solving and partner with various teams to influence decision-making for a product’s entire lifecycle. Your work will involve you optimizing product development to impact patients around the world with pioneering technology. In this role, you will apply your knowledge of quality engineering principles and methods to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and Edwards' systems/procedures to optimize product development, internal and external device manufacturing, and device distribution.
How you will make an impact:
- Investigate moderately complex manufacturing product quality and compliance issues (e.g., CAPA, non-conformances, audit observations) for all production processes prior to final product release based on engineering principles; analyze results, make recommendations and develop reports.
- Optimize moderately complex Manufacturing processes using engineering methods (e.g., SIX Sigma and LEAN methods) for design for manufacturing and for continuous process improvement. Identify opportunities for re-design/design of basic equipment, tools, fixtures, etc. to improve manufacturing processes, and reduce risk.
- Develop, update, and maintain technical content of risk management files.
- Develop training and documentation materials for production (e.g., work instructions) to enable the seamless knowledge transfer of project and manufacturing processes.
- Assign support tasks; gives instruction to technicians on conducting tests; trains technicians and provides feedback; and may coordinate technician work.
- Other incidental duties assigned by Leadership.
What you'll need (Required):
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or Scientific field, 2 years’ experience related work experience or
- Master's Degree or equivalent in and internship, senior projects or thesis in Engineering or Scientific field including either industry or industry/education.
What else we look for (Preferred):
- Good documentation, communication and interpersonal relationship skills including negotiating and relationship management skills.
- Basic understanding of statistical techniques.
- Previous experience working with lab/industrial equipment required.
- Solid understanding and knowledge of principles, theories, and concepts relevant to Engineering.
- Solid problem-solving, organizational, analytical and critical thinking skills.
- Solid understanding of processes and equipment used in assigned work.
- Knowledge of and adherence to Quality systems.
- Strict attention to detail.
- Ability to interact professionally with all organizational levels.
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast paced environment.
- Must be able to work in a team environment, including the ability to manage vendors and project stakeholders.
- Ability to build productive internal/external working relationships.
- Adhere to all company rules and requirements (e.g., pandemic protocols, Environmental Health & Safety rules) and take adequate control measures in preventing injuries to themselves and others as well as to the protection of environment and prevention of pollution under their span of influence/control.
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families. For California, the base pay range for this position is $87,000 - $123,000 (highly experienced). The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
COVID Vaccination Requirement
Edwards is committed to protecting our vulnerable patients and the healthcare providers who are treating them. As such, all patient-facing and in-hospital positions require COVID-19 vaccination. If hired into a covered role, as a condition of employment, you will be required to submit proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, unless you request and are granted a medical or religious accommodation for exemption from the vaccination requirement. This vaccination requirement does not apply in locations where it is prohibited by law to impose vaccination.
See all 33+ OPT Corporate Pilot Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Corporate Pilot Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Corporate Pilot
Lead with your ATP certificate and flight hours upfront
Corporate flight departments screen on credentials before anything else. List your ATP certificate, total flight hours, turbine PIC time, and aircraft type ratings in the first section of your resume so hiring managers don't have to hunt for them.
Target Part 91 and Part 135 operators over airlines
Private flight departments and charter operators under Part 91 and Part 135 have more hiring flexibility than major airlines. They're more likely to consider OPT candidates and initiate H-1B visa sponsorship when they find the right fit for a long-term seat.
Apply early and track your OPT expiration date carefully
Corporate aviation hiring takes months between interviews, simulator evaluations, and background checks. Apply at least six months before your OPT expires so employers have enough runway to start a sponsorship petition before your authorization lapses.
Highlight type ratings on in-demand business jet platforms
Type ratings on Gulfstream, Bombardier, or Dassault aircraft make you significantly more attractive to flight departments already operating those fleets. If you hold a rating on a commonly operated business jet, feature it prominently in every application.
Address OPT status directly in your cover letter
Don't leave employers guessing about your work authorization. Briefly state your OPT status, your expiration date, and that you're seeking H-1B sponsorship. Operators who have sponsored before will appreciate the transparency and move faster on qualified candidates.
Build relationships with chief pilots and aviation staffing contacts
Many corporate pilot openings never get posted publicly. Chief pilots hire from within their professional networks. Connecting with flight department managers at aviation conferences and through professional associations puts you in consideration before a role is ever advertised.
Corporate Pilot OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Corporate Pilot on OPT?
Yes, if you have a degree in aviation science, aeronautics, or a related field, your OPT authorizes you to work as a corporate pilot in the United States. Your employment must be directly related to your degree program. You'll need a valid EAD card before your start date, and your employer must be a legitimate U.S.-based operator.
Do Corporate Pilot employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Some do, particularly larger corporate flight departments, fractional ownership operators, and well-established Part 135 charter companies. The H-1B route for pilots requires demonstrating that the role meets the specialty occupation standard, which is more straightforward when the position requires an aviation degree. Smaller operators may be unfamiliar with the process, so you'll often need to educate them.
Where can I find Corporate Pilot jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is the best place to start. It's built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to sponsorship, so you're not wasting applications on operators who won't consider international candidates. Browse Corporate Pilot listings on Migrate Mate to find roles that match your authorization timeline and aircraft experience.
Does the 24-month STEM OPT extension apply to aviation degree graduates?
It depends on your specific degree and whether your program is on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by DHS. Some aviation programs, particularly those in aviation systems, aeronautical engineering, or aviation science with a STEM classification, do qualify. Check with your DSO to confirm whether your degree CIP code makes you eligible before counting on the extension in your job search timeline.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm furloughed or between contracts as a Corporate Pilot?
OPT allows a maximum of 90 days of unemployment for a standard 12-month period and 150 days for STEM extension holders. Contract gaps between charter assignments or seasonal slowdowns count toward that limit. If you're between employers, notify your DSO promptly and document your job search activity. Extended gaps without a new employer can jeopardize your status.