STEM OPT Aviation Jobs
Aviation roles in aerospace engineering, air traffic systems, and flight operations align with STEM degree requirements for OPT extension eligibility. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies when your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree maps to an approved CIP code. Aviation employers across defense, commercial, and research sectors actively hire STEM OPT graduates.
Find STEM OPT Aviation JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 39+ Aviation jobs










See all 39+ Aviation Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Aviation roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
At Corgan we are passionate about great design. We are also passionate about great people, whether they’re clients, consultants, or coworkers. Corgan creates opportunities for personal and professional growth that bring out the best in ourselves and those around us by sharpening skills, leveraging technology, and encouraging communication. Our strength lies in our people, and those people consistently exceed expectations.
Corgan is actively recruiting a knowledgeable Aviation Planner to join the firm. This position is open to be located in Dallas, Toronto or London locations. The firm is currently working on innovative and challenging projects throughout the U.S. and is pursuing new opportunities overseas. Our firm offers unique opportunities for both personal and professional growth by offering a wide-range of project responsibilities and team leadership roles.
Responsibilities
- Knowledge of current aviation industry regulations pertaining to airport terminal planning
- Familiarity with all terminal, landside and airside components and possess recent experience on terminal facility planning design, phasing and implementation projects
- Assists Senior Aviation Planner with defining problems and recommending viable solutions to Studio
- Provides technical assistance and written recommendations on Aviation planning studies to project team
- Develops conceptual layouts, exhibits, presentations and descriptive reports in the context of airport master plans, airport planning studies, feasibility studies, project books and project reports as requested
- Supports development of Aviation planning studies in diverse geographical and cultural environments
- Researches and builds working knowledge of existing and future trends in the Aviation industry
- Compiles and analyzes data and prepares documentation for feasibility studies, environmental assessments, airport alternative analyses, integrated noise models, land acquisition, capital improvement plans, benefit cost analyses, and creation of airport layout plan drawing sets as directed
- Executes project directives, outlines, projections, schedules and strategies over the course of the project
- Produces major components of a thorough set of project documentation
- Executes coordination and integration of architectural and consultant documents
- Grasps key issues quickly and develops credibility with consulting experts as a respected technical professional
- Seeks progressively more responsible assignments involving airport terminal planning, facility requirements analysis, conceptual design, and systems integration including baggage handling, passenger boarding bridges, aircraft parking layouts, and other related terminal systems
QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidates must have a professional degree in aviation planning, architecture, engineering or another aviation-related degree; Master’s degree preferred
- 1 to 3 years of experience in the aviation field with recent terminal planning assignments
- Comfortable working in a collaborative environment with project teams to ensure delivery of high-quality project deliverables
- Candidates should be proficient with AutoCAD, Word, Excel, and other graphics related programs. Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp or other 3-D modeling programs is a plus
- Must be able to travel
This position is designated as full-time on-site and requires the employee to be physically present at the assigned office location Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Regular, reliable on-site attendance is an essential function of this role.
Corgan creates opportunities for personal and professional growth that bring out the best in ourselves and those around us by sharpening skills, leveraging technology, and encouraging communication. Our commitment to the highest standards of professional ethics is unwavering. Our passion, drive for excellence, and abiding curiosity guide us each day in our interaction with our clients, partners, associates, and with each other. Corgan promotes a healthy work-life balance by removing obstacles and allowing you to focus on what you love doing, both inside and outside the office.
Join Corgan and help make amazing places at a place that makes you amazing!
Only applications received through our website will be considered. For design positions, please also be sure to upload your portfolio or review of your application will be delayed.
EOE/M/F/Disability/Vet
LI-LW1
See all 39+ STEM OPT Aviation Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Aviation Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Aviation
Verify your CIP code before applying
Aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science degrees carry CIP codes that qualify for STEM OPT. Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting aviation roles to confirm your 24-month extension eligibility.
Target FAA-regulated employers enrolled in E-Verify
Commercial airlines, defense contractors, and FAA-certified MRO facilities must be E-Verify participants to employ you on STEM OPT. Search E-Verify's employer search tool to confirm enrollment before submitting applications to avoid losing authorization mid-onboarding.
File your I-983 training plan early
Your I-983 must be signed by your aviation employer before your STEM OPT extension begins. Defense and aerospace hiring timelines run long, so request the training plan from HR as soon as you receive an offer, not after your start date is confirmed.
Use OFLC Wage Search to anchor salary conversations
Aviation roles like aerospace engineer and avionics technician fall under specific SOC codes with DOL prevailing wages. Pull the wage level for your job title and location using OFLC Wage Search so you enter offer negotiations knowing the federally benchmarked figure for your role.
Search Migrate Mate for E-Verify aviation employers
Use Migrate Mate to filter aviation job listings by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. This cuts the research time of manually vetting defense contractors, aerospace firms, and airline operators one by one.
Check O*NET before writing your training plan objectives
O*NET occupation profiles for pilots, aerospace engineers, and air traffic coordinators list the core tasks and technical skills tied to each SOC code. Pull your role's profile and align your I-983 learning objectives directly to those tasks to satisfy DSO review without revision requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which aviation roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Roles tied to STEM-designated degree programs qualify. Aerospace engineering positions, avionics systems roles, air traffic control technology jobs, and aviation safety analysis positions typically align with qualifying CIP codes under degrees like aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science. Confirm your specific degree's CIP code against the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Purely non-technical aviation roles, such as cabin crew or gate operations, generally do not qualify.
Does my aviation employer have to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for any employer hiring you on a STEM OPT extension. This applies to commercial airlines, defense contractors, aerospace manufacturers, and government-adjacent aviation firms. You can confirm enrollment through E-Verify's employer search before accepting an offer. If your employer is not enrolled, your STEM OPT extension cannot be authorized regardless of how well the role matches your degree.
How does the I-983 training plan work for aviation jobs?
Your I-983 documents the formal training relationship between you and your aviation employer. It must identify your learning objectives, supervision structure, and how the role relates to your STEM degree. Use O*NET to align your listed objectives to your SOC code's core tasks. Your employer's authorized representative signs the form, and your DSO must approve it before your extension period begins. Your employer is also required to report material changes to your training plan.
Can I work for an airline or defense contractor while on STEM OPT?
Yes, provided the employer is enrolled in E-Verify and the role ties to your STEM degree. Defense contractors operating under federal contracts are frequently E-Verify participants by requirement. Commercial airlines vary by carrier and subsidiary. Verify enrollment through E-Verify's employer search before signing an offer. Some defense roles also require security clearances, which have separate timelines that can affect your practical start date even after authorization is confirmed.
Where can I find aviation employers that hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists aviation roles from employers with E-Verify enrollment and a history of hiring international students on work authorization. Filtering by role type and employer verification status narrows the field faster than manually researching aerospace firms and airline subsidiaries. You can also cross-reference DOL LCA filings to see which aviation employers have sponsored work authorization in your specific occupation, giving you a practical signal of sponsorship willingness beyond just job postings.