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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We are seeking a full-time Flight Test Engineer 2 at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area at our hangar in New Century, KS. In this role, you will be responsible for performing moderately complex flight-testing activities including developing ground and flight test plans, coordinating, and executing flight tests, documenting results and ensuring resolution to issues identified during flight testing.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Drafts ground/flight test plans and reports for moderately complex test programs derived from previous programs
- Coordinates and executes moderately complex flight tests as part of a flight test crew, including acting as test director
- Defines, documents, and maintains moderately complex test aircraft and equipment configurations, and coordinates with engineering teams
- Operates flight test tools, conducts real time data analysis, and post processes flight test data
- Identifies root cause and verifies that issues identified during flight test are resolved
- Prepares moderately complex avionics system installation data for test aircraft
- Leverages basic understanding of certification process and associated regulations in performance of role
- Offers suggestions to improve processes and the safety of the flight test organization
- Provides reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques and applies a sense of urgency, commitment and focus on the right priorities in developing solutions in a timely fashion
- Serves as a mentor to less experienced flight test engineers (Flight Test Engineer 1)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrates proficient use of engineering and flight test tools
- Demonstrates basic understanding of certification processes and associated regulations
- Demonstrates strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Must demonstrate the capability to perform advanced troubleshooting skills on moderately complex avionics installations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Private pilot license with instrument rating
- Commercial pilot and/or multi-engine license preferred
- Previous experience using general aviation products
- Experience with revision control tools, mobile application development, audio/video recording tools, or database tools
Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
Overview:
We are seeking a full-time Flight Test Engineer 2 at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area at our hangar in New Century, KS. In this role, you will be responsible for performing moderately complex flight-testing activities including developing ground and flight test plans, coordinating, and executing flight tests, documenting results and ensuring resolution to issues identified during flight testing.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Drafts ground/flight test plans and reports for moderately complex test programs derived from previous programs
- Coordinates and executes moderately complex flight tests as part of a flight test crew, including acting as test director
- Defines, documents, and maintains moderately complex test aircraft and equipment configurations, and coordinates with engineering teams
- Operates flight test tools, conducts real time data analysis, and post processes flight test data
- Identifies root cause and verifies that issues identified during flight test are resolved
- Prepares moderately complex avionics system installation data for test aircraft
- Leverages basic understanding of certification process and associated regulations in performance of role
- Offers suggestions to improve processes and the safety of the flight test organization
- Provides reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques and applies a sense of urgency, commitment and focus on the right priorities in developing solutions in a timely fashion
- Serves as a mentor to less experienced flight test engineers (Flight Test Engineer 1)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrates proficient use of engineering and flight test tools
- Demonstrates basic understanding of certification processes and associated regulations
- Demonstrates strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Must demonstrate the capability to perform advanced troubleshooting skills on moderately complex avionics installations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Private pilot license with instrument rating
- Commercial pilot and/or multi-engine license preferred
- Previous experience using general aviation products
- Experience with revision control tools, mobile application development, audio/video recording tools, or database tools
Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
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.