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.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a full-time Aviation Systems Integration & Test Engineer at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area to develop innovative solutions that delight our customers across aviation market segments. Working in close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams, you will apply your systems integration and test skills to create superior avionics products and services. Check out these behind the scenes videos: Part 1 & Part 2.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Define and maintain system requirements, system architectures, and technical documentation for avionics systems and functions
- Plan and execute integration testing to verify system requirements and validate functionality against customer expectations
- Troubleshoot complex bench and simulator issues to identify root cause and suggest corrective action
- Clearly communicate issues observed during testing and recommend solutions to engineering teams
- Demonstrates broad understanding of Garmin’s aviation products and services, including customer experience across market segments
- Proactively improve systems integration and test processes, procedures, and tools
- Exemplify Garmin’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Quality Policy and proactively work to improve Garmin’s image and culture
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another relevant technical field 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)
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge in one or more of the following technical areas:
- Systems Integration,
- System Safety
- System Requirements
- System Security
- Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude and work well with others
- Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree in an Engineering field
- Outstanding academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.5)
- Demonstrated passion for and involvement in the aviation community
- Operational knowledge of Garmin or competitive avionics (e.g pilot's certificate with instrument rating)
- Experience with Avionics certification standards and guidance such as ARP 4754B or 4761A
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.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a full-time Aviation Systems Integration & Test Engineer at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area to develop innovative solutions that delight our customers across aviation market segments. Working in close collaboration with cross-functional engineering teams, you will apply your systems integration and test skills to create superior avionics products and services. Check out these behind the scenes videos: Part 1 & Part 2.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Define and maintain system requirements, system architectures, and technical documentation for avionics systems and functions
- Plan and execute integration testing to verify system requirements and validate functionality against customer expectations
- Troubleshoot complex bench and simulator issues to identify root cause and suggest corrective action
- Clearly communicate issues observed during testing and recommend solutions to engineering teams
- Demonstrates broad understanding of Garmin’s aviation products and services, including customer experience across market segments
- Proactively improve systems integration and test processes, procedures, and tools
- Exemplify Garmin’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Quality Policy and proactively work to improve Garmin’s image and culture
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or another relevant technical field 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)
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge in one or more of the following technical areas:
- Systems Integration,
- System Safety
- System Requirements
- System Security
- Must be team-oriented, possess a positive attitude and work well with others
- Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree in an Engineering field
- Outstanding academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.5)
- Demonstrated passion for and involvement in the aviation community
- Operational knowledge of Garmin or competitive avionics (e.g pilot's certificate with instrument rating)
- Experience with Avionics certification standards and guidance such as ARP 4754B or 4761A
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 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.