Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Michigan

Michigan's aerospace and defense sector spans commercial aviation suppliers, defense contractors, and advanced manufacturing firms concentrated in metro Detroit, Grand Rapids, and the Lansing corridor. Companies like L3Harris, Kaman Aerospace, and Spirit AeroSystems have Michigan operations that have historically hired F-1 OPT candidates in engineering, systems integration, and technical program roles.

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Overview

Open Jobs11+
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$65K
Top LocationCovert, MI
Most JobsHoltec International

Showing 5 of 11+ Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Michigan

AMI Industries, Inc
Human Resources Coordinator
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AMI Industries, Inc
Added 1mo ago
Human Resources Coordinator
AMI Industries, Inc
Cass City, Michigan
Human Resources
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Compensation & Benefits
$65,000/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Holtec International
Licensing Engineer III
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Holtec International
Added 3mo ago
Licensing Engineer III
Holtec International
Covert, Michigan
Compliance & Legal
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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TRUMPF North America
Field Service Engineer
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TRUMPF North America
Added 6mo ago
Field Service Engineer
TRUMPF North America
Plymouth, Michigan
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Technical Product & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Holtec International
Mechanical Design Engineer
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Holtec International
Added 4mo ago
Mechanical Design Engineer
Holtec International
Covert, Michigan
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Holtec International
Nuclear Systems Engineer
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Holtec International
Added 4mo ago
Nuclear Systems Engineer
Holtec International
Covert, Michigan
Engineering (Non-Software)
Nuclear Engineering
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Michigan

Engineering (Non-Software)5 jobs
Compliance & Legal4 jobs
Specialized Engineering4 jobs
Compliance & Risk3 jobs
Corporate Training & Learning Development3 jobs
Project & Program Management3 jobs
Audit2 jobs
Corporate Training2 jobs
Learning & Development2 jobs
Nuclear Engineering2 jobs

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Aerospace & Defense OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Michigan hosts operations from defense and aviation suppliers including L3Harris Technologies, Kaman Aerospace, DRS Technologies, and numerous Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to major prime contractors. Many of these firms work on government contracts and have established OPT sponsorship pathways, particularly for engineering and technical roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role, project, and current headcount needs, so verifying directly with each employer is recommended.

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

Metro Detroit, including Dearborn, Sterling Heights, and Troy, concentrates the highest density of aerospace and defense employers in Michigan, partly because of the region's advanced manufacturing ecosystem. Grand Rapids supports aerospace component suppliers, while Lansing and Kalamazoo host defense-adjacent manufacturing firms. Selfridge Air National Guard Base and surrounding communities in Macomb County also generate civilian contractor roles that occasionally support OPT candidates.

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

Roles requiring a degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, systems engineering, computer science, or materials science are the most common OPT-eligible positions in Michigan's aerospace and defense sector. Quality assurance engineers, avionics technicians with relevant degrees, defense systems analysts, and manufacturing process engineers also appear frequently. Positions tied to classified projects may impose U.S. citizenship or permanent residency requirements that exclude OPT candidates entirely.

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

Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for aerospace and defense employers in Michigan that have documented F-1 OPT sponsorship activity, saving significant research time compared to general job searches. Because defense employers don't always advertise sponsorship status prominently, using a platform that cross-references OPT hiring history against open roles is particularly helpful in this sector. You can also review OFLC Wage Search data to identify Michigan-based employers with recent LCA filings in relevant occupations.

Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Michigan's aerospace and defense sector?

A significant portion of Michigan aerospace and defense work involves government contracts with security clearance requirements, which legally restrict certain roles to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. F-1 OPT candidates are generally ineligible for positions requiring a Secret or Top Secret clearance. Michigan's proximity to automotive manufacturing also means some posted aerospace roles blend automotive and defense work, so reviewing the specific program and contract type before applying is important to assess OPT eligibility.