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.
Find OPT Flight Test Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 11+ Flight Test Engineer jobs
See all Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Flight Test Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS"), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Flight Test Engineer to join our Flight Test and Operational Safety team in support of Halo and Thunder — Archer's dual-use autonomous VTOL aircraft. This role will plan and execute ground and flight test campaigns, lead safety risk management activities, and mentor junior engineers as we advance Halo and Thunder toward first flight.
- Prepare development and Company ground and flight test plans supporting Halo and Thunder flight test campaigns
- Run flight test cards through sim with remote/ground control station operators and autonomy engineers for optimization
- Participate in all aspects of the Flight Test Safety Risk Management process
- Prepare test operating limitations and advisories in collaboration with the appropriate engineering disciplines
- Collaborate closely with engineering, certification, and quality teams to ensure test objectives are clearly defined and achieved
- Monitor and document test article configuration, maintenance activities, and modifications during Halo and Thunder test campaigns
- Participate in safety risk management activities and help maintain compliance with applicable safety standards
- Help maintain flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, supporting accurate data collection
What You Need
- Bachelor's/Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, or a related field
- 4+ years of experience in flight test operations, aerospace testing, or a related technical role
- Experience with safety risk management processes related to flight testing or complex operational testing
- Proficiency in configuration management and planning/executing ground and flight tests within certification or military projects
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams or organizations within a test or development environment
- Exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment
Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.
At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $120,400 - $165,600. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
INTRODUCTION
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, California, Archer is a leader in the next-gen aerospace sector building an end-to-end advanced air mobility platform that delivers air taxis, unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS"), aviation-related physical artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions, and other technologies to customers worldwide across the commercial aerospace and defense sectors.
Our sights are set high and our problems are hard, and we believe that diversity in the workplace is what makes us smarter, drives better insights, and will ultimately lift us all to success. We are dedicated to cultivating an equitable and inclusive environment that embraces our differences, and supports and celebrates all of our team members.
Position Summary
We are seeking a Senior Flight Test Engineer to join our Flight Test and Operational Safety team in support of Halo and Thunder — Archer's dual-use autonomous VTOL aircraft. This role will plan and execute ground and flight test campaigns, lead safety risk management activities, and mentor junior engineers as we advance Halo and Thunder toward first flight.
- Prepare development and Company ground and flight test plans supporting Halo and Thunder flight test campaigns
- Run flight test cards through sim with remote/ground control station operators and autonomy engineers for optimization
- Participate in all aspects of the Flight Test Safety Risk Management process
- Prepare test operating limitations and advisories in collaboration with the appropriate engineering disciplines
- Collaborate closely with engineering, certification, and quality teams to ensure test objectives are clearly defined and achieved
- Monitor and document test article configuration, maintenance activities, and modifications during Halo and Thunder test campaigns
- Participate in safety risk management activities and help maintain compliance with applicable safety standards
- Help maintain flight test instrumentation and data acquisition systems, supporting accurate data collection
What You Need
- Bachelor's/Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Engineering, or a related field
- 4+ years of experience in flight test operations, aerospace testing, or a related technical role
- Experience with safety risk management processes related to flight testing or complex operational testing
- Proficiency in configuration management and planning/executing ground and flight tests within certification or military projects
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary teams or organizations within a test or development environment
- Exceptional collaboration and interpersonal skills
- Highly organized with strong attention to detail
- Able to thrive in a fast-paced environment
Please note that this job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and does not include an exhaustive list of responsibilities and qualifications.
At Archer, we aim to attract, retain, and motivate talent with the skills and leadership needed to grow our business. We drive a pay-for-performance culture and reward performance that supports the Company's strategy. For this position, we are targeting a base pay range of $120,400 - $165,600. Actual compensation offered will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Archer is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants with physical or mental disabilities, and those with sincerely held religious beliefs. Applicants who may require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should provide their name and contact information to Archer's People Team at people@archer.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Information collected and processed as part of any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Archer's Candidate Privacy Policy.
Certain positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship.
Archer is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All aspects of employment are decided on the basis of merit, qualifications, and business needs. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Archer Aviation does not engage with external recruiting agencies/individual recruiters with whom it does not have a prior written agreement. Archer reserves the right to make use of any unsolicited resumes that it receives and bears no responsibility for payment of any fees asserted from the use of unsolicited resumes. If you are a recruiting agency or individual recruiter wishing to do business with Archer, please reach out to People@archer.com. All employment processes are managed by the Archer People Team.
See all OPT Flight Test Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Flight Test Engineer Jobs.
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.