Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Maryland
Aerospace & defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Maryland are concentrated around the Baltimore-Washington corridor, where major employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Leidos maintain significant engineering and technical operations. The state's proximity to federal agencies including NASA Goddard and the Department of Defense creates consistent demand for OPT-eligible engineers, analysts, and scientists.
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Join Axon and be a Force for Good.
At Axon, we're on a mission to Protect Life. We're explorers, pursuing society's most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.
Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you'll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.
Your Impact
Axon is transforming public safety through technology, and our people are at the heart of that mission. As a Senior Compensation Analyst, you'll play a key role in shaping how we attract, reward, and retain top talent globally. You'll partner across HR, Talent Acquisition, and business leadership to design and implement data-driven compensation strategies that support Axon's growth and performance culture. In this role, you'll blend analytical rigor with creative problem-solving — using tools like AI, automation, and advanced data visualization to modernize how we deliver compensation insights. You'll help scale our global Total Rewards programs, ensure equity and competitiveness, and contribute directly to our mission to protect life.
Location: This role will require relocation to Boston and being in the office 4 days per week (Tuesday-Friday)
Office Location:
- Boston: 131 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA, 02116
- Serve as the Compensation Partner for a specific line of business, collaborating closely with that vertical's HR Leader to advise on all compensation-related topics, including offers, promotions, pay structures, and retention strategies.
- Own and lead major compensation programs such as Axon's annual pay equity analysis, year-end compensation cycle, and/or XSP stock processes, ensuring rigor, equity, and flawless execution.
- Design, develop, and communicate global compensation programs that are market-competitive, scalable, and aligned to Axon's business strategy.
- Conduct job evaluations, job leveling, and provide salary recommendations ensuring internal equity and external competitiveness across all regions.
- Partner with HR Business Partners and Talent Acquisition on complex internal and external offers; guide leaders with clear compensation storytelling and market context.
- Lead or support key annual processes — including salary planning, incentive design, and equity reviews — partnering with HRIS, Payroll, and Stock teams.
- Use AI and automation tools to improve compensation analytics, streamline reporting, and enhance decision-making — e.g., building dashboards, modeling market trends, and summarizing data-driven insights.
- Contribute to the development and governance of Axon's job architecture, career frameworks, and pay structures that reward performance and impact.
- Analyze effectiveness and competitiveness of existing programs and model alternative scenarios to support business planning.
- Manage compliance with relevant pay regulations and maintain audit-ready documentation for global programs.
What You Bring
- Bachelor's in analytical fields such as finance, accounting, business administration, or economics
- 4-6 years of progressive compensation and/or HR partner experience with increasing levels of responsibility orchestrating end-to-end compensation offerings from innovative strategy and design to effective implementation and continuous improvement, with a focus on automated solutions and the employee experience.
- Advanced analytical (Excel) and problem-solving skills
- Proficient with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
- Experience managing highly complex projects
- Excellent time management
- Strong interpersonal and communication (written and verbal) skills
- International compensation experience is a plus
- Exposure to and/or interest in Benefits projects
Benefits that Benefit You
- Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
- Discretionary paid time off
- Paid parental leave for all
- Medical, Dental, Vision plans
- Fitness Programs
- Emotional & Mental Wellness support
- Learning & Development programs
- And yes, we have snacks in our offices
Don't meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long-term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you're excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Important Notes
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.
Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.
We collect personal information from applicants to evaluate candidates for employment. You may request access, deletion, or exercise other CCPA rights at axongreenhousesupport@axon.com or via our Axon Privacy Web Form. For more information, please see the Your California Privacy Rights section of our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice.
Axon's mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Axon's impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.
We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We're committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email recruitingops@axon.com. Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.
Phishing alert: Axon will never ask you to pay for any part of the hiring process, including training, equipment, or background checks. We do not make job offers via text message, WhatsApp, or instant messaging platforms without a formal interview process. All legitimate job openings are listed on our official careers page at https://www.axon.com/careers. If you receive a suspicious offer or outreach from an email address that is not @axon.com, or if you are asked for sensitive personal information (bank details, Social Security Number) prematurely, please ignore the message and report it to recruitingops@axon.com.
Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Maryland
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in MarylandAerospace & Defense Jobs in Maryland: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace & defense companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Maryland?
Maryland's aerospace and defense sector includes several established OPT sponsors. Northrop Grumman operates major facilities in Linthicum and Annapolis Junction. Leidos and Booz Allen Hamilton are headquartered in the state and regularly hire OPT-eligible technical staff. Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems also maintain Maryland presences. Smaller government contractors in the Aberdeen Proving Ground and Fort Meade corridors also post OPT-eligible roles, particularly for engineering and systems analysis positions.
Which cities in Maryland have the most aerospace & defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Baltimore-Washington corridor concentrates most of Maryland's aerospace and defense OPT hiring. Linthicum and Hanover near BWI Airport host Northrop Grumman and several defense contractors. Bethesda and Rockville attract firms supporting federal agencies in the National Capital Region. Aberdeen, home to Aberdeen Proving Ground, generates demand for engineering and R&D roles. Greenbelt and Beltsville see activity from contractors supporting NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
What types of aerospace & defense roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles in aerospace systems engineering, software development, cybersecurity, signals intelligence analysis, mechanical and electrical engineering, and data science commonly appear in Maryland OPT-eligible postings. Mission systems analysts and radar or RF engineers are also in demand. Most qualifying positions require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field, consistent with USCIS specialty occupation guidelines. STEM OPT extension eligibility is common in engineering and computer science disciplines within defense contracting.
How do I find aerospace & defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Maryland?
Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for aerospace and defense employers in Maryland with verified F-1 OPT sponsorship history, so you can focus on companies that have actively filed for OPT workers rather than cold-applying broadly. Maryland's defense contractor density means many postings require security clearance eligibility, so filtering by OPT-compatible roles is especially useful. Migrate Mate surfaces employer-level sponsorship data drawn from DOL Labor Condition Application filings, giving you a clearer picture of which Maryland employers are realistic targets.
Are there any Maryland-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in aerospace & defense?
Many Maryland aerospace and defense positions involve work on federal government contracts, which can create additional hiring constraints. Some roles require U.S. security clearances that OPT holders are not eligible to obtain, narrowing the available pool of positions. Focusing on commercial aerospace divisions, unclassified R&D programs, or contractors with explicit OPT sponsorship history improves your chances. Maryland's proximity to agencies like DARPA and NASA Goddard also generates demand for research-oriented roles where OPT eligibility is more commonly accommodated.