Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in California
California is one of the strongest states for aerospace and defense F-1 OPT jobs, with major employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, and SpaceX operating across the state. Engineering, systems analysis, and defense technology roles in Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and the Inland Empire regularly hire international students on OPT authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Here, we craft excellence together. Your mission? Making the journey the most enjoyable part of the trip.
Join our first-class team to reinvent in-flight experience. In the role of Configuration Engineer, you will play a pivotal part on our Engineering team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Configuration Engineer 1 (CE1) performs configuration related-activities for a small program or portion of larger program. The CE1 prepares, reviews change requests, administer CCB activities and drive notification and approval with customer. CE1 reports to the Configuration Engineering Manager.
Summary of Duties:
- Create and maintain master configuration documents for the program.
- Review and evaluate document change requests for relevance, completeness, impact, and compliance with the configuration management policy and standards.
- Works with Engineering to classify changes as major or minor.
- Input and update engineering configuration information and ensure its accuracy.
- Collect, compile and analyze impacts for changes from affected disciplines.
- Assure electronic transmittal of program data in accordance with program requirements.
- Author configuration reports of product baselines, engineering changes, and change proposals and their applicable status for the program.
- Prepare and review documentation required to define and control engineering data and configurations.
- Drive Configuration Change Board (CCB) activities.
- Perform CCB activities to include capturing minutes and action items, tracking action items to closure, and distributing change notifications to program team members.
- Review change activity to ensure compliance with configuration management policies.
- Maintain database records, prepare forms, and verify information related to configuration management activities.
- Author and submit configuration management information to and from the customer.
- Review engineering data in SmarTeam workflows for configuration management related aspects.
- Drive amendment process and ensure physical implementation of the amendment process for changes.
- Perform CM training for other engineering members.
- Provide CM deliverables during Master Engineering Review process.
- Coordinate with external customers to drive approval and completion of change notifications.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications
Computer Skills:
- Intermediate/proficient knowledge Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Some knowledge of PLM (Product Life Management) such as Smarteam Enovia
Other Skills:
- Able to read and understand engineering drawings and change notices
- Effective oral and written communications skills
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and assignments with attention to detail
- Problem solving and organization skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Additional Preferred Skills: (not required)
- Experience within an aerospace/manufacturing environment
- MS Excel macro programming a plus
- Some knowledge of relational databases a plus.
LOCATION
Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States
COMPENSATION
Salary range: $70,310 - $83,500
YOUR BENEFITS
Our suite of comprehensive benefits include health care (medical, dental and vision), life insurance, 401(k) savings plans with company match, paid time off, and employee discounts & rewards for consumer products/services and more!
COMPANY INFORMATION
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Cabin designs, certifies, manufactures and supports innovative aircraft cabin interiors, equipment and systems, providing airlines and OEM Customers with distinctive aircraft branding, and their passengers with a safe, comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.
EEO STATEMENT
At Safran Cabin, we provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability/medical condition, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic characteristics or information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.
INTRODUCTION
Here, we craft excellence together. Your mission? Making the journey the most enjoyable part of the trip.
Join our first-class team to reinvent in-flight experience. In the role of Configuration Engineer, you will play a pivotal part on our Engineering team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Configuration Engineer 1 (CE1) performs configuration related-activities for a small program or portion of larger program. The CE1 prepares, reviews change requests, administer CCB activities and drive notification and approval with customer. CE1 reports to the Configuration Engineering Manager.
Summary of Duties:
- Create and maintain master configuration documents for the program.
- Review and evaluate document change requests for relevance, completeness, impact, and compliance with the configuration management policy and standards.
- Works with Engineering to classify changes as major or minor.
- Input and update engineering configuration information and ensure its accuracy.
- Collect, compile and analyze impacts for changes from affected disciplines.
- Assure electronic transmittal of program data in accordance with program requirements.
- Author configuration reports of product baselines, engineering changes, and change proposals and their applicable status for the program.
- Prepare and review documentation required to define and control engineering data and configurations.
- Drive Configuration Change Board (CCB) activities.
- Perform CCB activities to include capturing minutes and action items, tracking action items to closure, and distributing change notifications to program team members.
- Review change activity to ensure compliance with configuration management policies.
- Maintain database records, prepare forms, and verify information related to configuration management activities.
- Author and submit configuration management information to and from the customer.
- Review engineering data in SmarTeam workflows for configuration management related aspects.
- Drive amendment process and ensure physical implementation of the amendment process for changes.
- Perform CM training for other engineering members.
- Provide CM deliverables during Master Engineering Review process.
- Coordinate with external customers to drive approval and completion of change notifications.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications
Computer Skills:
- Intermediate/proficient knowledge Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Some knowledge of PLM (Product Life Management) such as Smarteam Enovia
Other Skills:
- Able to read and understand engineering drawings and change notices
- Effective oral and written communications skills
- Demonstrated ability to handle multiple projects and assignments with attention to detail
- Problem solving and organization skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Additional Preferred Skills: (not required)
- Experience within an aerospace/manufacturing environment
- MS Excel macro programming a plus
- Some knowledge of relational databases a plus.
LOCATION
Location: Costa Mesa, California, United States
COMPENSATION
Salary range: $70,310 - $83,500
YOUR BENEFITS
Our suite of comprehensive benefits include health care (medical, dental and vision), life insurance, 401(k) savings plans with company match, paid time off, and employee discounts & rewards for consumer products/services and more!
COMPANY INFORMATION
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Cabin designs, certifies, manufactures and supports innovative aircraft cabin interiors, equipment and systems, providing airlines and OEM Customers with distinctive aircraft branding, and their passengers with a safe, comfortable and enjoyable flying experience.
EEO STATEMENT
At Safran Cabin, we provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, disability/medical condition, military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic characteristics or information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws.
OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in California
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in CaliforniaAerospace & Defense OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in California?
Several large California-based contractors have established histories of hiring F-1 OPT candidates, including Northrop Grumman (El Segundo and Redondo Beach), Lockheed Martin (Palmdale and Sunnyvale), Raytheon Technologies (El Segundo), Boeing (Long Beach and Huntington Beach), SpaceX (Hawthorne), and Aerojet Rocketdyne (Sacramento). Many mid-size defense suppliers and aerospace engineering firms across the state also participate in OPT hiring, though availability varies by role and clearance requirements.
Which cities in California have the most aerospace and defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Los Angeles metropolitan area, including El Segundo, Hawthorne, Torrance, and Long Beach, is the densest cluster of aerospace and defense employers in California. San Diego has a strong naval defense and unmanned systems presence. The San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento corridor host satellite, space launch, and propulsion employers. Palmdale and the Antelope Valley are home to major aircraft development and test facilities.
What types of aerospace and defense roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly align with F-1 OPT authorization in this industry include systems engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, electrical and avionics engineering, software engineering for flight and defense systems, propulsion engineering, structural analysis, and manufacturing engineering. Research and development positions tied to STEM-eligible degrees can also qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, which is particularly relevant in California's aerospace sector.
How do I find aerospace and defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters aerospace and defense roles in California by visa type, including F-1 OPT. Rather than manually screening hundreds of postings, you can search directly for positions where employers have indicated OPT sponsorship. Migrate Mate also surfaces companies with established hiring patterns for F-1 candidates in the California aerospace market, saving significant time in your job search.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in California aerospace and defense?
Security clearance is a significant factor in California's defense sector. Many positions with major defense contractors require a U.S. government security clearance, which F-1 OPT holders are generally not eligible to obtain, as clearances require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency in most cases. This narrows the pool of available roles, so targeting commercial aerospace, space launch, satellite, and unclassified engineering positions typically yields more F-1 OPT opportunities in California.