Aerospace & Defense CPT Jobs in California
California is one of the strongest states for aerospace and defense F-1 CPT roles, with major employers like Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, Raytheon Technologies, and Lockheed Martin operating large facilities across the state. Engineering, systems analysis, and research positions at these companies frequently align with CPT-eligible university programs, particularly near Southern California's dense defense corridor.
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Get Access To All JobsCOMPANY 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 enthusiastic Product Support Engineering Intern to join our growing Product Support Engineering Team. This role focuses on developing our OEM support infrastructure inclusive of technical support, maintenance programs, spares and repairs, and aftermarket services. The position will be based in our Santa Cruz or Marina, CA location and will actively work cross-functionally with teams within Joby to deploy and execute aftermarket initiatives. This is an opportunity to support the organizational evolution towards commercial launch and assist in securing planned operations.
Full-time internship from September-December.
Responsibilities:
- Support execution of strategies across the product support portfolio with cross-functional teams
- Work closely with the team to develop and maintain timelines and project schedules related to the aftermarket portfolio
- Assist in driving long-term initiatives ensuring critical deliverables are identified and completed
- Develop workflows which standardize short-term support, including developing dashboards in support of spares management, shipping, repair management, and technical troubleshooting
- Collect and communicate project risks and roadblocks and assist in solution management
REQUIRED:
Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or equivalent, and entering Junior or Senior year (or above) by the start of the internship
Demonstrated interest in aviation or aerospace
Ability to manage and balance both short-term urgent tasks and long-term strategic projects
Self-starter who is comfortable navigating problems in a dynamic environment
Strong communication skills with the ability to liaise with internal and external teams
DESIRED:
Experience or coursework related to project management or integrated product development
Comfortable working in an evolving organization with change management procedures
Understanding of commercial aspects of business or support strategies
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Relocation Assistance: This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense.
The pay range for undergraduate interns, which includes junior to senior level students, is $22 - $31/hr. The pay range for graduate interns with a Bachelor's, Master's, and/or Ph.D. degree in progress or completed is $5,550 - $7,800/month. Individual pay is determined by internship role, department, experience, job-related skills, and level of education.
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 enthusiastic Product Support Engineering Intern to join our growing Product Support Engineering Team. This role focuses on developing our OEM support infrastructure inclusive of technical support, maintenance programs, spares and repairs, and aftermarket services. The position will be based in our Santa Cruz or Marina, CA location and will actively work cross-functionally with teams within Joby to deploy and execute aftermarket initiatives. This is an opportunity to support the organizational evolution towards commercial launch and assist in securing planned operations.
Full-time internship from September-December.
Responsibilities:
- Support execution of strategies across the product support portfolio with cross-functional teams
- Work closely with the team to develop and maintain timelines and project schedules related to the aftermarket portfolio
- Assist in driving long-term initiatives ensuring critical deliverables are identified and completed
- Develop workflows which standardize short-term support, including developing dashboards in support of spares management, shipping, repair management, and technical troubleshooting
- Collect and communicate project risks and roadblocks and assist in solution management
REQUIRED:
Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, or equivalent, and entering Junior or Senior year (or above) by the start of the internship
Demonstrated interest in aviation or aerospace
Ability to manage and balance both short-term urgent tasks and long-term strategic projects
Self-starter who is comfortable navigating problems in a dynamic environment
Strong communication skills with the ability to liaise with internal and external teams
DESIRED:
Experience or coursework related to project management or integrated product development
Comfortable working in an evolving organization with change management procedures
Understanding of commercial aspects of business or support strategies
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Relocation Assistance: This position does not offer relocation assistance. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense.
The pay range for undergraduate interns, which includes junior to senior level students, is $22 - $31/hr. The pay range for graduate interns with a Bachelor's, Master's, and/or Ph.D. degree in progress or completed is $5,550 - $7,800/month. Individual pay is determined by internship role, department, experience, job-related skills, and level of education.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer
CPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in California
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in CaliforniaAerospace & Defense CPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace & defense companies sponsor F-1 CPT visas in California?
Companies with significant California operations that have historically taken on F-1 CPT students include Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, Raytheon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, L3Harris, and Aerojet Rocketdyne. CPT authorization comes from your university, not the employer, so the key factor is whether the role constitutes a required part of your academic program. Confirm this with your DSO before accepting any offer.
Which cities in California have the most aerospace & defense F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs?
Southern California dominates aerospace and defense hiring in the state. El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Long Beach, and Palmdale host major facilities for companies like Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Lockheed Martin. The San Diego area is a hub for defense contractors and naval systems firms. Northern California, particularly the Bay Area and Sacramento, also has relevant roles in space systems and defense electronics.
What types of aerospace & defense roles typically qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship?
Roles that most commonly align with CPT eligibility include systems engineering internships, propulsion and structural engineering co-ops, software engineering positions supporting defense systems, data analysis roles, and research assistant positions tied to government contracts. The position must be directly related to your major field of study and authorized by your university as curricular practical training before you begin work.
How do I find aerospace & defense F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and lists aerospace and defense positions in California where employers have indicated openness to F-1 CPT candidates. You can filter by visa type and industry to see relevant openings without sorting through roles that won't work for your status. Beyond Migrate Mate, your university's career center and on-campus recruiting events with defense contractors are also reliable channels.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 CPT in California's aerospace & defense sector?
Many California aerospace and defense roles involve work on federally controlled programs, which can require security clearances. F-1 students are generally not eligible for U.S. security clearances, which may limit access to certain classified positions. Roles on unclassified programs or in research and development divisions are typically more accessible. Discuss security clearance requirements with any potential employer early in the process, and confirm CPT eligibility with your DSO.