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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Get Access To All JobsPosition Summary:
The Junior Network & Cybersecurity Engineer provides advanced technical, cybersecurity, and information assurance expertise to sustain, secure, and enhance laboratory networks, IT systems, and mission‑critical infrastructure supporting Government operations. This role integrates network engineering, cybersecurity, RMF/DIACAP accreditation support, and IT lifecycle management within complex lab and project environments.
*** This position is contingent on contract award ***
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Sustain, maintain, and upgrade laboratory networks, servers, and standalone IT systems.
- Provide daily IT, network, cybersecurity, and system administration support.
- Implement and validate operating system, database, and cybersecurity patches.
- Install and configure end‑user hardware including computers, printers, scanners, and lab devices.
- Maintain software and hardware inventories, license records, lifecycle data, and accreditation information.
- Support RMF/DIACAP accreditation activities, including documentation, POAM updates, network diagrams, and security artifacts.
- Conduct cybersecurity audits, assessments, security planning, COOP support, and implementation of security tools/products.
- Ensure compliance with Army IAVM, AR 25‑2, and DAA‑directed cybersecurity policies.
- Assist with system upgrades, procurement recommendations, and technology selections for lab environments.
- Coordinate installation, commissioning, configuration, and operational support for lab and IT equipment.
- Provide technical guidance for secure information storage, transfer, and collaboration.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 2 years of combined experience in Network and CyberSecurity engineering.
- Extensive experience planning, implementing, and executing RMF certification/accreditation for DoD IT systems and infrastructure.
- Strong knowledge of DoD cybersecurity requirements, IAVM compliance, AR 25‑2, and accreditation processes.
- Experience with information system audits, security plans, COOP, architectural development, and cybersecurity product maintenance.
- Hands‑on experience with IT system installation, network support, patching, system sustainment, and secure configuration.
- Ability to work onsite under TS/SCI requirements and offsite under SECRET requirements.
Preferred:
- Experience supporting RDT&E laboratories or specialized military lab environments.
- Advanced cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CASP, CISSP, CISM, CEH).
- Knowledge of DoD enterprise networks, ticketing systems, and large‑scale accreditation processes.
- Knowledge of defense, government contracting, and operational support environments.
- Experience coordinating travel, meetings, and security requirements.
Education and Certification Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field.
- Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level III certification and 4 to 10 years of technical IA experience.
- Information Assurance Management (IAM) Level III certification and 4 to 10 years of management experience in DoD DIACAP/RMF accreditation processes.
Special Note:
The position is contingent upon candidate’s ability to meet physical and medical requirements as needed by the position; including compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local jurisdictional requirements.
Benefits and Compensation:
At MAG Aerospace, we value your contributions providing our employees with a robust Total Rewards package that supports your total well-being. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 30 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in MAG's Total Rewards programs. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits as well as paid leave, professional development, and tuition assistance. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our Total Rewards Program by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site: https://www.magaero.com/benefits/. Salary at MAG Aerospace is determined by various factors including but not limited to location, the particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $80,000 to $105,000 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of MAG's total compensation package for employees.
Position Summary:
The Junior Network & Cybersecurity Engineer provides advanced technical, cybersecurity, and information assurance expertise to sustain, secure, and enhance laboratory networks, IT systems, and mission‑critical infrastructure supporting Government operations. This role integrates network engineering, cybersecurity, RMF/DIACAP accreditation support, and IT lifecycle management within complex lab and project environments.
*** This position is contingent on contract award ***
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Sustain, maintain, and upgrade laboratory networks, servers, and standalone IT systems.
- Provide daily IT, network, cybersecurity, and system administration support.
- Implement and validate operating system, database, and cybersecurity patches.
- Install and configure end‑user hardware including computers, printers, scanners, and lab devices.
- Maintain software and hardware inventories, license records, lifecycle data, and accreditation information.
- Support RMF/DIACAP accreditation activities, including documentation, POAM updates, network diagrams, and security artifacts.
- Conduct cybersecurity audits, assessments, security planning, COOP support, and implementation of security tools/products.
- Ensure compliance with Army IAVM, AR 25‑2, and DAA‑directed cybersecurity policies.
- Assist with system upgrades, procurement recommendations, and technology selections for lab environments.
- Coordinate installation, commissioning, configuration, and operational support for lab and IT equipment.
- Provide technical guidance for secure information storage, transfer, and collaboration.
Requirements:
- Minimum of 2 years of combined experience in Network and CyberSecurity engineering.
- Extensive experience planning, implementing, and executing RMF certification/accreditation for DoD IT systems and infrastructure.
- Strong knowledge of DoD cybersecurity requirements, IAVM compliance, AR 25‑2, and accreditation processes.
- Experience with information system audits, security plans, COOP, architectural development, and cybersecurity product maintenance.
- Hands‑on experience with IT system installation, network support, patching, system sustainment, and secure configuration.
- Ability to work onsite under TS/SCI requirements and offsite under SECRET requirements.
Preferred:
- Experience supporting RDT&E laboratories or specialized military lab environments.
- Advanced cybersecurity certifications (e.g., CASP, CISSP, CISM, CEH).
- Knowledge of DoD enterprise networks, ticketing systems, and large‑scale accreditation processes.
- Knowledge of defense, government contracting, and operational support environments.
- Experience coordinating travel, meetings, and security requirements.
Education and Certification Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related technical field.
- Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level III certification and 4 to 10 years of technical IA experience.
- Information Assurance Management (IAM) Level III certification and 4 to 10 years of management experience in DoD DIACAP/RMF accreditation processes.
Special Note:
The position is contingent upon candidate’s ability to meet physical and medical requirements as needed by the position; including compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local jurisdictional requirements.
Benefits and Compensation:
At MAG Aerospace, we value your contributions providing our employees with a robust Total Rewards package that supports your total well-being. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 30 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in MAG's Total Rewards programs. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits as well as paid leave, professional development, and tuition assistance. Individuals that do not meet the threshold are only eligible for select offerings not inclusive of health benefits. We encourage you to learn more about our Total Rewards Program by visiting the Resource page on our Careers site: https://www.magaero.com/benefits/. Salary at MAG Aerospace is determined by various factors including but not limited to location, the particular combination of education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected compensation range for this position is $80,000 to $105,000 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of MAG's total compensation package for employees.
OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Maryland
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in MarylandAerospace & Defense OPT Sponsorship 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.