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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Overview

Open Jobs113+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type96% On-site
Median Salary$106K
Top LocationSan Carlos, CA
Most JobsJoby Aviation

Showing 5 of 113+ Aviation jobs

Delta Air Lines
Entry-Level Aviation Planner
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Delta Air Lines
Added 4d ago
Entry-Level Aviation Planner
Delta Air Lines
Richmond, Virginia
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Barge Design Solutions, Inc.
Aviation Planner
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Barge Design Solutions, Inc.
Added 1w ago
Aviation Planner
Barge Design Solutions, Inc.
Nashville, Tennessee
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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HDR
Aviation Civil Engineer
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HDR
Added 2w ago
Aviation Civil Engineer
HDR
Columbus, Ohio
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
$79,870/yr - $114,100/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Ardurra
Staff Engineer - Aviation
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Ardurra
Added 3w ago
Staff Engineer - Aviation
Ardurra
Cody, Wyoming
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Construction Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$65,000/yr - $80,000/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Keville Enterprises, Inc.
Aviation Project Scheduler
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Keville Enterprises, Inc.
Added 3w ago
Aviation Project Scheduler
Keville Enterprises, Inc.
Austin, Texas
Project & Program Management
Construction Management
Project Management
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips 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.

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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.

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