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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Get Access To All JobsAbout Wing:
Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing's fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on two continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us.
About the Role:
Wing is looking for a Lab Generalist to join our Wing Engineering Labs team. This role is onsite based in Palo Alto, CA. As a member of the Wing Lab team, you will provide critical hands-on operational and technical support to Wing's Hardware Engineering teams. In this role, you will assist with prototype builds, board bring-up, lab inventory organization, and electromechanical rework including fine-pitch soldering, BGA rework, and wire harness fabrication. We are looking for an adaptive, detail-oriented individual eager to solve problems, support cutting-edge drone development, and maintain high standards of lab safety and organization.
What You'll Do:
- Assemble and disassemble prototype devices and electromechanical sub-assemblies in support of hardware engineering builds.
- Perform board-level modifications and rework on prototype printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), including fine-pitch soldering, SMT, and BGA components.
- Fabricate and modify custom cable assemblies and wiring harnesses according to engineering schematics.
- Maintain and organize laboratory workbenches, calibration schedules, safety equipment, tools, and shared workstations.
- Procure and track consumable lab supplies, hardware stock, electronic components, and tools to ensure uninterrupted lab operations.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to execute assigned tasks efficiently under established lab procedures and safety protocols.
What You'll Need:
- 2+ years in a hardware engineering, electronics lab, or technical prototyping environment (including relevant vocational training, military, or internship experience).
- Associate degree in Electronics / Electrical Technology, relevant trade certification, or equivalent practical experience.
- Hands-on experience with PCB soldering, fine-pitch SMT component rework, and wire harness assembly.
- Demonstrated understanding of standard laboratory safety protocols, ESD prevention, and 5S/housekeeping practices.
- Ability to read and follow technical assembly instructions, wiring diagrams, and rework procedures under direction.
- Basic familiarity with electronic test equipment (e.g., multimeters, DC power supplies) and ECAD/schematic viewers.
Wing is an equal opportunity employer and it is Wing's policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. Employment at Wing is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Wing does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.
If you have a need that requires accommodation during the interview process due to a disability or special need, please let us know by completing our Candidate Accommodations Request Form.
About Wing:
Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing's fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on two continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us.
About the Role:
Wing is looking for a Lab Generalist to join our Wing Engineering Labs team. This role is onsite based in Palo Alto, CA. As a member of the Wing Lab team, you will provide critical hands-on operational and technical support to Wing's Hardware Engineering teams. In this role, you will assist with prototype builds, board bring-up, lab inventory organization, and electromechanical rework including fine-pitch soldering, BGA rework, and wire harness fabrication. We are looking for an adaptive, detail-oriented individual eager to solve problems, support cutting-edge drone development, and maintain high standards of lab safety and organization.
What You'll Do:
- Assemble and disassemble prototype devices and electromechanical sub-assemblies in support of hardware engineering builds.
- Perform board-level modifications and rework on prototype printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), including fine-pitch soldering, SMT, and BGA components.
- Fabricate and modify custom cable assemblies and wiring harnesses according to engineering schematics.
- Maintain and organize laboratory workbenches, calibration schedules, safety equipment, tools, and shared workstations.
- Procure and track consumable lab supplies, hardware stock, electronic components, and tools to ensure uninterrupted lab operations.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to execute assigned tasks efficiently under established lab procedures and safety protocols.
What You'll Need:
- 2+ years in a hardware engineering, electronics lab, or technical prototyping environment (including relevant vocational training, military, or internship experience).
- Associate degree in Electronics / Electrical Technology, relevant trade certification, or equivalent practical experience.
- Hands-on experience with PCB soldering, fine-pitch SMT component rework, and wire harness assembly.
- Demonstrated understanding of standard laboratory safety protocols, ESD prevention, and 5S/housekeeping practices.
- Ability to read and follow technical assembly instructions, wiring diagrams, and rework procedures under direction.
- Basic familiarity with electronic test equipment (e.g., multimeters, DC power supplies) and ECAD/schematic viewers.
Wing is an equal opportunity employer and it is Wing's policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. Employment at Wing is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. Wing does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.
If you have a need that requires accommodation during the interview process due to a disability or special need, please let us know by completing our Candidate Accommodations Request Form.
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.