Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Jobs in Kansas

Kansas anchors significant aerospace and defense activity through companies like Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita and Garmin's aviation division, both active F-1 STEM OPT employers. Engineering, systems, and software roles in Wichita's aircraft manufacturing corridor regularly qualify for STEM OPT authorization, making the state a practical target for F-1 graduates in aerospace-related degree programs.

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Overview

Open Jobs26+
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationWichita, KS
Most JobsSpirit AeroSystems

Showing 5 of 26+ Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Jobs in Kansas

Fuselage Repair Workflow Manager
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Added 2d ago
Fuselage Repair Workflow Manager
Airbus
Wichita, Kansas
Project & Program Management
Specialized Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Associate Structural / Mechanical / Quality Test Engineer
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Added 2w ago
Associate Structural / Mechanical / Quality Test Engineer
Spirit AeroSystems
Wichita, Kansas
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
$75k - $115k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer
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Added 6mo ago
Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer
Shield AI
Wichita, Kansas
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Aerospace Engineering
$150k - $230k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
11-50

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Software Certification Engineer
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Added 8mo ago
Software Certification Engineer
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
Wichita, Kansas
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Embedded Systems Engineering
$70k - $110k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
51-200

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Nuclear Engineer
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Added 8mo ago
Nuclear Engineer
Westinghouse Electric Company
Burlington, Kansas
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Nuclear Engineering
$69k - $87k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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STEM OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Kansas

Specialized Engineering16 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)16 jobs
Manufacturing Engineering9 jobs
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering9 jobs
Quality Control7 jobs
Mechanical Engineering7 jobs
Project & Program Management6 jobs
Industrial Engineering5 jobs
Project Management4 jobs
Electrical Engineering4 jobs

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Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kansas: Frequently Asked Questions

Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Kansas?

Spirit AeroSystems, Textron Aviation, and Garmin are among the largest Kansas employers with documented histories of hiring F-1 STEM OPT workers in engineering and technical roles. BEECHCRAFT-legacy programs under Textron and Boeing's Wichita-area supplier network also contribute to sponsorship activity. Reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data by employer name gives the clearest picture of which companies have filed for STEM-related roles.

Which cities in Kansas have the most aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?

Wichita accounts for the overwhelming share of Kansas aerospace and defense sponsorship activity. Known as the Air Capital of the World, it concentrates aircraft manufacturing, MRO operations, and avionics development. Overland Park and the Kansas City metro fringe host defense technology and systems integration employers. Outside those corridors, aerospace sponsorship opportunities are limited, so most F-1 STEM OPT job seekers focus their search on Wichita first.

How do I find aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kansas?

Migrate Mate filters aerospace and defense roles in Kansas by STEM OPT eligibility, showing employers with verified sponsorship histories sourced from DOL filing data. Search by occupation code or job title to surface positions at Wichita-area manufacturers and defense contractors. Narrowing results to aerospace engineering, avionics software, and systems integration roles yields the highest concentration of STEM OPT-compatible openings in the state.

What types of aerospace and defense roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kansas?

Roles most commonly qualifying include aerospace engineering, mechanical design, avionics software development, systems integration, and quality assurance engineering. These positions typically require degrees in aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science, all of which appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. Manufacturing process engineering and structural analysis roles at Wichita-based airframe producers also frequently meet STEM OPT eligibility criteria under O*NET occupation classifications.

Are there any Kansas-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in aerospace and defense?

Many Kansas defense contractors hold federal contracts requiring security clearance eligibility, which can limit roles available to F-1 visa holders. ITAR compliance requirements at some Wichita manufacturers also restrict certain positions to U.S. persons. Before applying, confirm that a specific role does not carry a U.S. citizenship or permanent residency requirement, as these restrictions are common in Kansas defense work and are independent of STEM OPT authorization itself.