OPT Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Flight Test Engineer jobs on OPT require employers comfortable with STEM OPT extensions, since most roles involve ITAR-controlled aircraft programs or defense work. Your 12-month standard OPT period can extend to 36 months in STEM fields like aerospace engineering, giving you a meaningful runway to prove your value before H-1B visa sponsorship becomes a conversation.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Oversees and manages the operational aspects of ongoing projects and serves as liaison between Vice President of Flight test & Operations and line management, the customer, and internal stakeholders. Reviews status of projects and budgets; manages schedules and prepares status reports. Assesses project issues and develops resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and client-satisfaction goals and objectives. Develops mechanisms for monitoring project progress and for intervention and problem solving with project managers, line managers, and clients.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous professional engineering experience and proven success working independently as well as in teams to successfully deliver against multiple priorities
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with Lockheed Martin's engineering processes and procedures
- Experience with project management tools and methodologies
- A track record of producing high-quality work under tight deadlines for various projects
- Ability to influence multi-functional and cross organizational teams
- Forward thinker, able to anticipate future needs, willing to go above and beyond with focus on organizational success
PAY INFORMATION
Full-Time Salary Range: $158700.00 - $294700.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills as well as market (work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
BENEFITS OFFERED
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10)
- 401(k) match
- Paid time off
- Holidays
- Parental Leave
- EAP
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Education Assistance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full-time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
INTRODUCTION
Oversees and manages the operational aspects of ongoing projects and serves as liaison between Vice President of Flight test & Operations and line management, the customer, and internal stakeholders. Reviews status of projects and budgets; manages schedules and prepares status reports. Assesses project issues and develops resolutions to meet productivity, quality, and client-satisfaction goals and objectives. Develops mechanisms for monitoring project progress and for intervention and problem solving with project managers, line managers, and clients.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Previous professional engineering experience and proven success working independently as well as in teams to successfully deliver against multiple priorities
- Bachelor's degree in a related discipline
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiarity with Lockheed Martin's engineering processes and procedures
- Experience with project management tools and methodologies
- A track record of producing high-quality work under tight deadlines for various projects
- Ability to influence multi-functional and cross organizational teams
- Forward thinker, able to anticipate future needs, willing to go above and beyond with focus on organizational success
PAY INFORMATION
Full-Time Salary Range: $158700.00 - $294700.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills as well as market (work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
BENEFITS OFFERED
- Medical, Dental, Vision
- Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10)
- 401(k) match
- Paid time off
- Holidays
- Parental Leave
- EAP
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Education Assistance
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full-time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
See all OPT Flight Test Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Flight Test Engineer
Target STEM OPT-eligible degree fields
Flight test engineering typically qualifies under aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering STEM designations. Confirm your degree program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since STEM OPT extension eligibility hinges on that classification, not your job title.
Understand ITAR before your interview
Most flight test programs involve ITAR-controlled aircraft and systems, which restricts access for non-U.S. persons. Research which programs at each employer are ITAR-restricted versus export-licensed, so you can address the question confidently rather than being caught off guard.
Prioritize commercial aviation and general aviation employers
Manufacturers focused on commercial transport aircraft, business jets, or rotorcraft often have active export licenses that permit OPT hires. Defense-only contractors are the hardest employers to crack without a security clearance pathway.
File your STEM OPT extension early
Submit your STEM OPT extension application to USCIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Processing delays are common, and your 60-day automatic cap-out protection only applies if you filed on time through your school's DSO.
Demonstrate test methodology knowledge, not just design experience
Employers hiring flight test engineers need candidates who understand instrumentation, data acquisition, and flight envelope expansion methods. Highlight any test flight involvement, even academic, since design experience alone won't differentiate you in this highly specialized candidate pool.
Ask employers directly about their OPT hiring history
Many aerospace companies have sponsored OPT students before but don't advertise it. Asking during informational interviews whether the engineering team has worked with OPT candidates signals self-awareness and often surfaces honest guidance about whether sponsorship is realistic at that organization.
Flight Test Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Flight Test Engineers at major aerospace companies?
Yes, but eligibility depends on the employer's specific programs. Companies like Boeing, Textron, and Gulfstream work on both ITAR-restricted defense programs and commercial aircraft that may accommodate OPT hires under an export license or Technology Control Plan. Roles tied exclusively to classified defense programs are generally inaccessible without U.S. person status. Confirming program eligibility before applying saves significant time.
Does a Flight Test Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
In most cases, yes. Flight test engineering draws on aerospace, mechanical, or electrical engineering degree programs, which are recognized STEM fields eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months. Your DSO must confirm your degree program's CIP code appears on the STEM designated degree program list maintained by ICE before filing the extension.
Where can I find Flight Test Engineer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students, so the job listings there are filtered for employers open to work authorization situations like yours. Rather than sorting through thousands of postings with no sponsorship context, Migrate Mate surfaces roles where OPT eligibility is already a known factor for the hiring team.
How does the 60-day grace period affect a Flight Test Engineer job search?
If your OPT employment ends before your authorized period expires, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer schools, or depart the U.S. You cannot work during this window. Given how specialized flight test roles are and how long aerospace hiring cycles typically run, starting your job search well before any employment gap is strongly advisable.
Do Flight Test Engineer employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Sponsorship depends heavily on the employer's size, budget, and program needs. Large aerospace manufacturers with established international workforces, such as Boeing, Joby Aviation, or Honeywell Aerospace, have H-1B visa sponsorship infrastructure in place. Smaller test houses and boutique flight sciences firms are less predictable. Asking about the company's prior H-1B filings during the offer stage is a reasonable and professional question.