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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About Delta Airport Consultants, Inc.
At Delta, we geek out about all things aviation-related. In fact, we like to call ourselves “Aviation enthusiasts”. Supporting clients ranging from large hub commercial airports to general aviation facilities, we provide full-service airport consulting. We’re a group of enthusiastic, creative, challenge-the-status-quo self-starters who go above and beyond to exceed customer expectations.
As a Delta employee, you map your own adventure through diverse project opportunities, ongoing personal and professional development and a culture that supports you through every step. We offer our staff competitive compensation packages and excellent benefits including health, dental, vision and life insurance as well as paid vacation and holidays. The best part about working with us? You get to do work that makes a difference. Our energetic employees volunteer their time in big ways (like coaching sports teams and serving on non-profit boards) and smaller ways (like participating in community fundraising and making career day presentations).
Here, the sky’s the limit. If you’re up for soaring to new heights with us, keep reading!
Job Description (The awesome work you’ll get to do):
- Work in a team environment and contribute to delivering projects – on airports!
- Engage in projects at all stages – Planning, Design, Bidding and Construction
- Deliver high quality work products and project reports
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Assist in the preparation and delivery of various planning documents and materials, including, but not limited to:
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Airport Layout Plans
- Airport Master Plans
- Airport Capital Improvement Plans
- Environmental Assessments & Impact Studies
- Feasibility Studies
- Airspace & Obstruction Identification Studies
- Site Selection Studies
- Benefit Cost Analysis Studies
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Other maps, exhibits, presentation materials, and reports, as assigned
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Collaborate with engineers, clients, government agencies, and other stakeholders
Job Requirements (The awesome experience you bring):
- B.S. or M.S. in Aviation Planning or Management, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, or related major, or High School Diploma and 2 or more years of experience working in airport planning
- AICP, PE, LEED, CM, or other planning or aviation certifications preferred, but not required
- Proficiency with AutoCAD, Excel, and GIS preferred, but not required
- Knowledge of FAA regulations, federal laws related to airport planning, and state-funded airport programs (preferred, but not required)
- Passion for or interest in aviation preferred, but not required
Job Personality Traits for Success (The awesome qualities you possess):
- Keenly interested in learning more about the exciting aviation industry
- Customer focused – Keeps customer requirements at top of mind
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Analytical – Can review data and information to make informed recommendations
- Conscientious with keen attention to detail
- Ability to work under pressure and against deadlines
- Team Player pitching in to meet our deadlines and coach others
- Enthusiasm for aviation planning and development work
Anticipated start date by June 2026
Delta Airport Consultants, Inc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
If this role seems like a good fit and you’re ready to learn more, apply now!
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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.
Aviation jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Aviation JobsFrequently 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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