STEM OPT Aircraft Engineer Jobs
Aircraft Engineer roles in aerospace, defense, and MRO qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must align with an approved STEM CIP code in aeronautical, mechanical, or aerospace engineering.
See All Aircraft Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 13+ Aircraft Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all Aircraft Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Aircraft Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsMust Have Technical/Functional Skills
- Strong experience in aircraft loads analysis and flight physics
- Ability to define flight and ground load cases and load envelopes
- Knowledge of aeroelastic effects and rigid body load calculations
- Experience in generating external load distributions and cross-plots
- Proficiency in MATLAB / Python for load calculations and data analysis
- Understanding of aerodynamics, mass properties, and structural interactions
- Familiarity with FAR/CS-25 certification requirements for loads
- Experience in loads validation using flight test and wind tunnel data.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Define and develop aircraft load cases and load envelopes for flight and ground conditions
- Perform loads analysis considering rigid body and aeroelastic effects
- Generate external load distributions and cross-plots along aircraft axes
- Define gust, maneuver, landing, and ground load cases
- Integrate data from aerodynamics, mass properties, and structural models
- Provide accurate loads input to Stress and Structures teams for sizing and validation
- Validate loads using flight test data, wind tunnel results, and analytical methods
- Develop and maintain loads databases with traceability and configuration control
- Ensure compliance with airworthiness and certification standards (FAA/EASA)
- Participate in design reviews, certification reviews, and technical discussions
- Collaborate with Aerodynamics, Dynamics, Stress, and Flight Test teams
- Contribute to continuous improvement of loads methodologies and tools.
General Managerial Skill
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Ability to work in multi-disciplinary engineering environments
- Effective communication and technical reporting skills
- Self-driven with strong ownership and accountability
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and tight timelines
Base Salary Range: $120,000 to $140,000 Per Annum
TCS Employee Benefits Summary:
- Discretionary Annual Incentive.
- Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Medical & Health, Dental & Vision, Disability Planning & Insurance, Pet Insurance Plans.
- Family Support: Maternal & Parental Leaves.
- Insurance Options: Auto & Home Insurance, Identity Theft Protection.
- Convenience & Professional Growth: Commuter Benefits & Certification & Training Reimbursement.
- Time Off: Vacation, Time Off, Sick Leave & Holidays.
- Legal & Financial Assistance: Legal Assistance, 401K Plan, Performance Bonus, College Fund, Student Loan Refinancing.
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Job Function
TECHNOLOGY
Role
Senior Engineer
Job Id
409512
Desired Skills
Matlab
Salary Range
$120,000-$140,000 a year
Qualifications
BACHELOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
Must Have Technical/Functional Skills
- Strong experience in aircraft loads analysis and flight physics
- Ability to define flight and ground load cases and load envelopes
- Knowledge of aeroelastic effects and rigid body load calculations
- Experience in generating external load distributions and cross-plots
- Proficiency in MATLAB / Python for load calculations and data analysis
- Understanding of aerodynamics, mass properties, and structural interactions
- Familiarity with FAR/CS-25 certification requirements for loads
- Experience in loads validation using flight test and wind tunnel data.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Define and develop aircraft load cases and load envelopes for flight and ground conditions
- Perform loads analysis considering rigid body and aeroelastic effects
- Generate external load distributions and cross-plots along aircraft axes
- Define gust, maneuver, landing, and ground load cases
- Integrate data from aerodynamics, mass properties, and structural models
- Provide accurate loads input to Stress and Structures teams for sizing and validation
- Validate loads using flight test data, wind tunnel results, and analytical methods
- Develop and maintain loads databases with traceability and configuration control
- Ensure compliance with airworthiness and certification standards (FAA/EASA)
- Participate in design reviews, certification reviews, and technical discussions
- Collaborate with Aerodynamics, Dynamics, Stress, and Flight Test teams
- Contribute to continuous improvement of loads methodologies and tools.
General Managerial Skill
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Ability to work in multi-disciplinary engineering environments
- Effective communication and technical reporting skills
- Self-driven with strong ownership and accountability
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and tight timelines
Base Salary Range: $120,000 to $140,000 Per Annum
TCS Employee Benefits Summary:
- Discretionary Annual Incentive.
- Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Medical & Health, Dental & Vision, Disability Planning & Insurance, Pet Insurance Plans.
- Family Support: Maternal & Parental Leaves.
- Insurance Options: Auto & Home Insurance, Identity Theft Protection.
- Convenience & Professional Growth: Commuter Benefits & Certification & Training Reimbursement.
- Time Off: Vacation, Time Off, Sick Leave & Holidays.
- Legal & Financial Assistance: Legal Assistance, 401K Plan, Performance Bonus, College Fund, Student Loan Refinancing.
Location
Cincinnati, OH
Job Function
TECHNOLOGY
Role
Senior Engineer
Job Id
409512
Desired Skills
Matlab
Salary Range
$120,000-$140,000 a year
Qualifications
BACHELOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
See all Aircraft Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Aircraft Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Aircraft Engineer
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Check that your aeronautical, aerospace, or mechanical engineering degree maps to an approved STEM CIP code before applying. O*NET lists the standard occupational classification for Aircraft Engineers, which your DSO will reference when endorsing your STEM OPT extension on your I-20.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Aerospace and defense contractors frequently hold classified facility clearances but aren't always enrolled in E-Verify. Ask HR to confirm their E-Verify Company ID before signing an offer. An employer without active E-Verify enrollment cannot legally support your STEM OPT extension.
Target FAA-certificated and DOD-contracted employers
Employers holding FAA repair station certificates or active DOD contracts file LCAs regularly and are accustomed to STEM OPT paperwork. Filter your search on Migrate Mate to surface employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and recent engineering LCA filings in the aerospace sector.
Build a complete I-983 training plan before day one
Your employer must sign a Form I-983 outlining specific learning objectives tied to your aerospace engineering degree. Draft the training plan before your start date, mapping each objective to an aircraft systems or certification task. A vague plan risks rejection by your DSO.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Aircraft Engineer prevailing wages vary by geographic area and experience level. Run the OFLC Wage Search for SOC code 17-2011 in your target metro before negotiating. STEM OPT doesn't require prevailing wage compliance, but knowing the DOL benchmark protects you from underpayment that could complicate a future H-1B.
Time your STEM extension filing to avoid gaps
Submit your STEM OPT extension application to USCIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. If you're inside a cap-gap window due to an H-1B petition, your work authorization continues automatically, but your I-983 must remain current and on file with your DSO.
Aircraft Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Aircraft Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does an aerospace engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree maps to an approved STEM CIP code. Aeronautical engineering (CIP 14.0201), aerospace engineering (CIP 14.0201), and mechanical engineering (CIP 14.1901) all qualify. Your DSO verifies the CIP code on your I-20 when endorsing the extension. If your degree has a non-STEM title, ask your DSO to confirm the underlying CIP classification before you apply.
Can I work as an Aircraft Engineer for a defense contractor on STEM OPT?
Yes, provided the contractor is enrolled in E-Verify. Defense contractors with active DOD contracts are common STEM OPT employers in aerospace, but E-Verify enrollment is a separate compliance requirement that not every contractor has completed. Verify the employer's E-Verify Company ID directly with HR before accepting any offer, since security clearance status doesn't substitute for E-Verify enrollment.
What goes into a valid I-983 training plan for an Aircraft Engineer role?
Your I-983 must identify specific learning objectives directly tied to your STEM degree, a designated supervisor, and a plan for evaluating your progress. For Aircraft Engineer positions, objectives typically cover aircraft systems analysis, airworthiness compliance, or engineering design tasks. Generic job descriptions aren't sufficient. Both you and your employer must sign the form, and your DSO must keep a copy on file throughout your extension.
How does cap-gap protection affect my Aircraft Engineer job if my H-1B petition is pending?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue working in your Aircraft Engineer role during this period. Your I-983 must remain active and current with your DSO for the entire cap-gap window, not just the initial OPT period.
Where can I find Aircraft Engineer employers enrolled in E-Verify who hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters Aircraft Engineer job listings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and documented engineering LCA filing history, so you're not manually cross-checking each company. Aerospace employers who file LCAs regularly for engineering roles are already familiar with STEM OPT paperwork requirements, which reduces friction during onboarding and I-983 preparation.
See which Aircraft Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Aircraft Engineer Jobs