Aerospace & Defense Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California leads the nation in aerospace and defense innovation, with major contractors like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon maintaining significant operations across the state. From Los Angeles County's Space Coast to Silicon Valley's defense tech startups, California offers extensive visa sponsorship opportunities for international professionals in engineering, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing roles.
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Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking an experienced Water Jet Technician to cut parts for fixtures, jigs, test articles, and flight components in collaboration with our Fabrication and Machine Shop teams. An ideal candidate is passionate, self-motivated, adaptable, possesses complimentary machining experience who is comfortable working closely with our internal engineering and planning teams. Due to our rapid prototype environment, a flexible, technical and hands-on attitude is important for thinking through various possible approaches to complete jobs on time. We aim to attract, motivate, develop and retain individuals that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our team and bring our EVTOL aircraft to new heights.
Responsibilities
- Setup, program, and operate waterjets (Flow and Omax) safely and efficiently.
- Able to diagnose and maintain water jets from daily and weekly basic items to pump rebuilds.
- Work with a wide variety of raw materials and achieve high quality precision parts.
- Handle raw materials from rough stock to post processed finished parts.
- Ability to shift priorities and juggle multiple projects sidelining some to expedite others.
- Strong ability to communicate with team members, management and engineers in a rapid prototyping environment.
- Willing to juggle multiple projects often sidelining some projects to expedite others.
- Communicate job progress through a variety of channels, verbally, Jira (job tickets), Slack, and other process tracking platforms.
- Perform a variety of manual post machining operations (Deburring, tapping, burnishing, tumblers, knee mill, lathe, etc).
- Perform a variety of basic platework CNC post machining operations including Prototrak and Haas 3 axis.
- Demonstrate ability to select appropriate tooling and fixturing for projects based on available tooling library, part material, geometry, features, and tolerances.
- Collaborate with team members to improve standardized processes.
- Use of inspection equipment such as calipers and micrometers.
- Lift and maneuver heavy plate materials safely utilizing a forklift and other means of handling.
- Interpret GD&T, 3D CAD software, design documents and verbal design instructions to meet engineering requirements.
- Follows inventory management requirements.
- Perform basic preventive maintenance servicing and repairs on equipment.
- Keep the work area clean, organize and label raw material stock, and keep outgoing parts in order.
Required
- HS Diploma or GED equivalent.
- 5+ Years experience in relevant work as a Machinist or Water Jet Technician.
- Ability to safely operate, program and set up water jets.
- Ability to safely operate manual knee mills and lathes with CNC controls.
- Ability to safely operate handheld equipment, drill presses, saws, grinders, sheet metal fabrication equipment.
- Experience in post processing platework with hand tools and other equipment.
- Follows all Joby safety procedures and standards, including Team Standards.
- Available to work overtime and weekends.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs unaided.
- Able to interpret GD&T, blueprints, technical drawings, specifications and follow written instructions.
Desired
- Forklift experience.
- 10+ years of working experience in relevant industry.
- Prior experience with the following: CNC laser, plasma cutter, water jet, router, mill, press brakes.
- Familiarity with waterjet programming softwares, (Flow OR OMAX/Protomax, preferred).
- Familiarity with ProtoTrak (or other conversational programming) knee mills.
- Familiarity with Haas 3 axis (2004 Controller).
- Basic understanding of G code editing.
- Prior Fabrication experience.
- Familiarity with 5S organization and standards.
- Familiarity with CAD/CAM software (Fusion360, HSM Works, Solidworks, Catia).
- Familiarity with sheet metal software (SigmaBend preferred).
- Familiarity with CNC Fiber laser cutters.
The target base pay for this position is $56-$67/hour. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking an experienced Water Jet Technician to cut parts for fixtures, jigs, test articles, and flight components in collaboration with our Fabrication and Machine Shop teams. An ideal candidate is passionate, self-motivated, adaptable, possesses complimentary machining experience who is comfortable working closely with our internal engineering and planning teams. Due to our rapid prototype environment, a flexible, technical and hands-on attitude is important for thinking through various possible approaches to complete jobs on time. We aim to attract, motivate, develop and retain individuals that possess the skills and leadership necessary to grow our team and bring our EVTOL aircraft to new heights.
Responsibilities
- Setup, program, and operate waterjets (Flow and Omax) safely and efficiently.
- Able to diagnose and maintain water jets from daily and weekly basic items to pump rebuilds.
- Work with a wide variety of raw materials and achieve high quality precision parts.
- Handle raw materials from rough stock to post processed finished parts.
- Ability to shift priorities and juggle multiple projects sidelining some to expedite others.
- Strong ability to communicate with team members, management and engineers in a rapid prototyping environment.
- Willing to juggle multiple projects often sidelining some projects to expedite others.
- Communicate job progress through a variety of channels, verbally, Jira (job tickets), Slack, and other process tracking platforms.
- Perform a variety of manual post machining operations (Deburring, tapping, burnishing, tumblers, knee mill, lathe, etc).
- Perform a variety of basic platework CNC post machining operations including Prototrak and Haas 3 axis.
- Demonstrate ability to select appropriate tooling and fixturing for projects based on available tooling library, part material, geometry, features, and tolerances.
- Collaborate with team members to improve standardized processes.
- Use of inspection equipment such as calipers and micrometers.
- Lift and maneuver heavy plate materials safely utilizing a forklift and other means of handling.
- Interpret GD&T, 3D CAD software, design documents and verbal design instructions to meet engineering requirements.
- Follows inventory management requirements.
- Perform basic preventive maintenance servicing and repairs on equipment.
- Keep the work area clean, organize and label raw material stock, and keep outgoing parts in order.
Required
- HS Diploma or GED equivalent.
- 5+ Years experience in relevant work as a Machinist or Water Jet Technician.
- Ability to safely operate, program and set up water jets.
- Ability to safely operate manual knee mills and lathes with CNC controls.
- Ability to safely operate handheld equipment, drill presses, saws, grinders, sheet metal fabrication equipment.
- Experience in post processing platework with hand tools and other equipment.
- Follows all Joby safety procedures and standards, including Team Standards.
- Available to work overtime and weekends.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs unaided.
- Able to interpret GD&T, blueprints, technical drawings, specifications and follow written instructions.
Desired
- Forklift experience.
- 10+ years of working experience in relevant industry.
- Prior experience with the following: CNC laser, plasma cutter, water jet, router, mill, press brakes.
- Familiarity with waterjet programming softwares, (Flow OR OMAX/Protomax, preferred).
- Familiarity with ProtoTrak (or other conversational programming) knee mills.
- Familiarity with Haas 3 axis (2004 Controller).
- Basic understanding of G code editing.
- Prior Fabrication experience.
- Familiarity with 5S organization and standards.
- Familiarity with CAD/CAM software (Fusion360, HSM Works, Solidworks, Catia).
- Familiarity with sheet metal software (SigmaBend preferred).
- Familiarity with CNC Fiber laser cutters.
The target base pay for this position is $56-$67/hour. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in California
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in CaliforniaAerospace & Defense Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor visas in California?
Major sponsors include Boeing (El Segundo, Huntington Beach), Lockheed Martin (Palmdale, Sunnyvale), Northrop Grumman (Redondo Beach, El Segundo), Raytheon (El Segundo), SpaceX (Hawthorne), and Aerojet Rocketdyne (Sacramento). Defense tech companies like Palantir, Anduril, and Shield AI also actively sponsor H-1B and other work visas for engineering and technical roles across California's aerospace hubs.
What visa types are most common for aerospace and defense jobs in California?
H-1B visas dominate for engineering roles (aerospace, software, systems), while O-1 visas are used for senior scientists and researchers with advanced degrees. L-1 visas are common for international transfers within multinational defense contractors. E-3 visas serve Australian engineers, and TN visas are available for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying engineering positions.
Which California cities have the most aerospace and defense sponsorship opportunities?
Los Angeles County leads with El Segundo, Redondo Beach, and Hawthorne hosting major contractors and SpaceX. Orange County (Huntington Beach, Irvine) offers significant opportunities, followed by San Diego's defense corridor, Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale, Palo Alto) for defense tech, and the Antelope Valley (Palmdale, Lancaster) for aircraft manufacturing and testing facilities.
How to find aerospace & defense visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Browse Migrate Mate for California aerospace and defense positions specifically tagged for visa sponsorship. Focus on companies with active government contracts, as they typically have established sponsorship processes. Target roles in ITAR-exempt areas initially, as security clearance requirements can limit sponsorship options for non-citizens in classified defense programs.
Are there special considerations for aerospace and defense sponsorship in California?
California's high prevailing wages benefit H-1B applications, particularly in Los Angeles and San Francisco metro areas. Many positions require U.S. citizenship for security clearances, limiting sponsored roles to ITAR-exempt commercial aerospace work. Strong partnerships between companies and universities like Caltech, USC, and Stanford create pathways from F-1 OPT to H-1B sponsorship.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored aerospace & defense jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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