Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Jobs in California
California is the center of U.S. aerospace and defense, home to contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and Boeing across hubs in Los Angeles, El Segundo, San Diego, and the Antelope Valley. F-1 students on STEM OPT in engineering, computer science, and physics-related disciplines will find that many California aerospace employers have established processes for supporting OPT authorization.
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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 looking for a passionate engineer that can join our growing team. This is a multidisciplinary position that provides the engineer a chance to interact with many of the key teams within the company. The Systems Engineers will own the architecture, integration, and life-cycle success of a single or multiple aircraft systems, ranging from requirements management, development, certification, and entry into service. Systems Engineers will coordinate between the various departments; Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software, Flight Test, Manufacturing, and Operations as necessary to ensure the technical success of their systems. The Systems Engineers will work very closely with FAA Engineers and Joby DERs to ensure their responsible systems comply with all federal airworthiness regulations.
This position requires a basic understanding of aircraft systems, system development, and industry specific certification processes. The most important traits at Joby are a positive attitude towards the project, strong work ethic, and being able to self-manage and learn new skills. Forward thinking and the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment are a must.
The Senior Systems Engineer, Energy Storage and Distribution will be responsible for some or all systems related to:
* Energy storage, with a focus on the Battery Management System
* Distribution systems (electrical systems interconnects)
Responsibilities
- Involvement in writing, conducting validation analyses and reviews, and validating all levels of the system requirements
- Supporting design teams in trade studies, subsystem interface definition, requirements flow-down, development analyses, modeling and simulation activities, and assessment of results
- Leading and performing system integration activities including:
- Verification test plan definition
- Test case development and review
- Detailed test procedure development and review
- Automated and manual Verification test execution
- Data reduction and analyses
- Problem reporting, resolution, and tracking issue to closure
- Writing Test Reports
- Creating, analyzing, and managing issues, technical risks, and opportunities for subsystems using enterprise tools
- Preparing artifacts and briefing material for internal and external technical meetings design reviews, program reviews, and safety-of-flight reports for the aircraft
- Assists in creating Type Certification documents and reports for the Regulatory Authorities
Required
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics required; Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering preferred
- Understanding and application of disciplined systems engineering processes
- Familiarity with requirements management
- Familiarity with safety assessment concepts
- 3-5 years of experience working with energy storage equipment, including batteries and/or battery management systems.
- Excellent verbal and technical writing skills in English language
- Ability to work collaboratively, with self-starter skills that enables self-sufficiency
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Docs
Desired
- Minimum 5 years of Aerospace industry experience in primary flight and propulsion control
- Electric vehicle technology experience
- Experience (5+ years) integrating and testing complex, highly integrated systems in a laboratory environment
- Understand and have applied development assurance processes per SAE ARP4754A
- Familiar with safety assessment process, methods, and analyses (FHA, FMEA/FMECA, FTA, CCA) used in safety assessments (PSSA, SSA) per SAE ARP4761
- Working knowledge of DO-160G environmental qualification
- Familiarity and experience with FAA Part 23, Part 25, Part 27, and/or Part 29 Certification Regulations (Part 23 is highly desired)
- Use of Requirements Management tools (working knowledge of Siemens Polarion is a plus)
- Experience using Atlassian tools including Jira, Confluence, and Crucible
- Familiar with Dassault Systems Engineering and Management tools (Enovia)
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $158,600 - $205,100/yr. 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 looking for a passionate engineer that can join our growing team. This is a multidisciplinary position that provides the engineer a chance to interact with many of the key teams within the company. The Systems Engineers will own the architecture, integration, and life-cycle success of a single or multiple aircraft systems, ranging from requirements management, development, certification, and entry into service. Systems Engineers will coordinate between the various departments; Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software, Flight Test, Manufacturing, and Operations as necessary to ensure the technical success of their systems. The Systems Engineers will work very closely with FAA Engineers and Joby DERs to ensure their responsible systems comply with all federal airworthiness regulations.
This position requires a basic understanding of aircraft systems, system development, and industry specific certification processes. The most important traits at Joby are a positive attitude towards the project, strong work ethic, and being able to self-manage and learn new skills. Forward thinking and the ability to adapt quickly to a fast-paced environment are a must.
The Senior Systems Engineer, Energy Storage and Distribution will be responsible for some or all systems related to:
* Energy storage, with a focus on the Battery Management System
* Distribution systems (electrical systems interconnects)
Responsibilities
- Involvement in writing, conducting validation analyses and reviews, and validating all levels of the system requirements
- Supporting design teams in trade studies, subsystem interface definition, requirements flow-down, development analyses, modeling and simulation activities, and assessment of results
- Leading and performing system integration activities including:
- Verification test plan definition
- Test case development and review
- Detailed test procedure development and review
- Automated and manual Verification test execution
- Data reduction and analyses
- Problem reporting, resolution, and tracking issue to closure
- Writing Test Reports
- Creating, analyzing, and managing issues, technical risks, and opportunities for subsystems using enterprise tools
- Preparing artifacts and briefing material for internal and external technical meetings design reviews, program reviews, and safety-of-flight reports for the aircraft
- Assists in creating Type Certification documents and reports for the Regulatory Authorities
Required
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Physics, or Mathematics required; Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace Engineering preferred
- Understanding and application of disciplined systems engineering processes
- Familiarity with requirements management
- Familiarity with safety assessment concepts
- 3-5 years of experience working with energy storage equipment, including batteries and/or battery management systems.
- Excellent verbal and technical writing skills in English language
- Ability to work collaboratively, with self-starter skills that enables self-sufficiency
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Google Docs
Desired
- Minimum 5 years of Aerospace industry experience in primary flight and propulsion control
- Electric vehicle technology experience
- Experience (5+ years) integrating and testing complex, highly integrated systems in a laboratory environment
- Understand and have applied development assurance processes per SAE ARP4754A
- Familiar with safety assessment process, methods, and analyses (FHA, FMEA/FMECA, FTA, CCA) used in safety assessments (PSSA, SSA) per SAE ARP4761
- Working knowledge of DO-160G environmental qualification
- Familiarity and experience with FAA Part 23, Part 25, Part 27, and/or Part 29 Certification Regulations (Part 23 is highly desired)
- Use of Requirements Management tools (working knowledge of Siemens Polarion is a plus)
- Experience using Atlassian tools including Jira, Confluence, and Crucible
- Familiar with Dassault Systems Engineering and Management tools (Enovia)
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $158,600 - $205,100/yr. 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
STEM OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in California
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in CaliforniaAerospace & Defense STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace & defense companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in California?
Major California aerospace and defense contractors with documented OPT hiring include Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Boeing, SpaceX, Aerojet Rocketdyne, and L3Harris. Mid-size firms such as Rocket Lab and Joby Aviation also hire STEM OPT candidates. Sponsorship practices vary by division, role, and current contract requirements, so confirming directly with each employer's recruiting team is important.
Which cities in California have the most aerospace & defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Los Angeles metro, including El Segundo, Hawthorne, and Long Beach, concentrates the largest share of California aerospace employment. San Diego is a major hub for defense electronics and space systems, while the Antelope Valley cities of Palmdale and Lancaster anchor aircraft production and testing. Sacramento and Silicon Valley also host defense-adjacent roles in software, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems.
What types of aerospace & defense roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, software engineering, avionics, propulsion, structural analysis, and data science positions. These occupations typically appear under STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs codes. Candidates should confirm that their specific degree CIP code aligns with the role through their Designated School Official before accepting an offer.
How do I find aerospace & defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers with verified F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history in the aerospace and defense sector across California. Rather than manually reviewing company career pages or sorting through general job boards, you can search by visa type, industry, and state in one place. Migrate Mate surfaces roles from contractors and primes that have actively supported OPT candidates in engineering and technical disciplines.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT in California aerospace jobs?
Many California aerospace and defense positions require access to export-controlled technology under International Traffic in Arms Regulations or Export Administration Regulations, which can restrict employment of non-U.S. persons regardless of work authorization status. Candidates should ask employers early whether a role requires U.S. citizenship or a security clearance, as STEM OPT authorization alone does not satisfy those requirements. This is distinct from visa sponsorship eligibility.