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 Jobs28+
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationWichita, KS
Most JobsSpirit AeroSystems

Showing 5 of 28+ Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Jobs in Kansas

Spirit AeroSystems
Associate Production Control Analyst
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Spirit AeroSystems
New 8h ago
Associate Production Control Analyst
Spirit AeroSystems
Wichita, Kansas
Manufacturing Operations
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Project Management
$57k - $87k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Axon
Software Technical Account Manager
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Axon
Added 3w ago
Software Technical Account Manager
Axon
Wichita, Kansas
Customer Success
Technical Product & Program Management
Customer Service & Support
Data Science & Analytics
Account Management
Customer Support
On-Site
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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Shield AI
Flight Test Instrumentation Engineer
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Shield AI
Added 1mo 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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Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
Software Certification Engineer
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Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
Added 3mo 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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Westinghouse Electric Company
Nuclear Engineer
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Westinghouse Electric Company
Added 4mo 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 Engineering10 jobs
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering10 jobs
Project & Program Management6 jobs
Project Management5 jobs
Electrical Engineering5 jobs
Industrial Engineering5 jobs
Manufacturing Operations5 jobs
Quality Control4 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.