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.
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We are seeking a full-time Aircraft Systems Engineer 2 for Garmin's Salem, OR location. In this role, you will be responsible for leading in the design aspects of avionics systems installations.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Lead the design or analysis of avionics and flight control systems installations and assist in the development of documentation for avionics system installations
- Generate, review, or interpret wiring diagrams, wire routing schematics, installation and component/part drawings, and other required type design data and documentation needed to support Garmin STC projects
- Review and provide input for STC certification plans for simple projects
- Coordinate with project leads, installation technicians, and team as needed to complete assigned tasks
- Assist technicians in troubleshooting installation and wiring issues
- Lead the preparation and verification of documentation required for certification
- Generate, review, or provide input for ground and bench tests plans/reports and provide input and assist in the creation of reports, analyses, and other compliance data
- Interface with purchasing department/suppliers for parts specification and manufacturing
- Perform advanced troubleshooting or analyses using proper engineering tools and techniques, thoroughly document work in an organized manner, and offers suggestions to improve processes
- May serve as project and/or certification lead for basic projects or projects of medium complexity
- Demonstrate basic understanding of Federal Aviation Regulations, STC certification processes, and associated regulatory topics
- Work effectively with technicians and engineers to support test/evaluation of equipment
- Provide reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques
- Serve as a mentor to less experienced engineers (Aircraft Systems Engineer 1)
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule)
- Detailed working knowledge of aircraft manuals and drawings and the content required for FAA certification
- Good understanding of FAA regulations and ability to design for compliance
- Demonstrated solid understanding of commercial avionics interface standards and their installation
- Proficient use of software specific to job functions (Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, FaultTree+, etc.)
- Advanced understanding of avionics, electrical/mechanical design, installation and certification
- Must be detail-oriented, work proactively and effectively with supervision coaching, and can prioritize and multi-task in a flexible, fast paced and challenging environment
- Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge in one or more of the following technical areas: Electrical Systems, Structures, Mechanical Systems, System Safety, HIRF/Lightning, or Aircraft Certification
Desired Qualifications:
- Solid experience with aircraft avionics system integration
- Electrical or RF Engineering education background
- RTCA DO-160 sections 20-23 test methods
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 Aircraft Systems Engineer 2 for Garmin's Salem, OR location. In this role, you will be responsible for leading in the design aspects of avionics systems installations.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Lead the design or analysis of avionics and flight control systems installations and assist in the development of documentation for avionics system installations
- Generate, review, or interpret wiring diagrams, wire routing schematics, installation and component/part drawings, and other required type design data and documentation needed to support Garmin STC projects
- Review and provide input for STC certification plans for simple projects
- Coordinate with project leads, installation technicians, and team as needed to complete assigned tasks
- Assist technicians in troubleshooting installation and wiring issues
- Lead the preparation and verification of documentation required for certification
- Generate, review, or provide input for ground and bench tests plans/reports and provide input and assist in the creation of reports, analyses, and other compliance data
- Interface with purchasing department/suppliers for parts specification and manufacturing
- Perform advanced troubleshooting or analyses using proper engineering tools and techniques, thoroughly document work in an organized manner, and offers suggestions to improve processes
- May serve as project and/or certification lead for basic projects or projects of medium complexity
- Demonstrate basic understanding of Federal Aviation Regulations, STC certification processes, and associated regulatory topics
- Work effectively with technicians and engineers to support test/evaluation of equipment
- Provide reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques
- Serve as a mentor to less experienced engineers (Aircraft Systems Engineer 1)
Qualifications
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule)
- Detailed working knowledge of aircraft manuals and drawings and the content required for FAA certification
- Good understanding of FAA regulations and ability to design for compliance
- Demonstrated solid understanding of commercial avionics interface standards and their installation
- Proficient use of software specific to job functions (Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, FaultTree+, etc.)
- Advanced understanding of avionics, electrical/mechanical design, installation and certification
- Must be detail-oriented, work proactively and effectively with supervision coaching, and can prioritize and multi-task in a flexible, fast paced and challenging environment
- Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge in one or more of the following technical areas: Electrical Systems, Structures, Mechanical Systems, System Safety, HIRF/Lightning, or Aircraft Certification
Desired Qualifications:
- Solid experience with aircraft avionics system integration
- Electrical or RF Engineering education background
- RTCA DO-160 sections 20-23 test methods
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
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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 visa.
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.
Frequently 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.