Aerospace & Defense F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in New York
New York's aerospace and defense sector spans Long Island's historic aviation corridor, Upstate defense contractors near Rome and Syracuse, and Manhattan-area defense technology firms. Employers like Northrop Grumman, L3Harris Technologies, and Lockheed Martin have established STEM OPT hiring pipelines for engineering, systems analysis, and software roles that meet F-1 STEM OPT eligibility requirements.
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Get Access To All JobsEngineer Associate
As an Associate Engineer you will contribute to the design, analysis, implementation, and continuous improvement of engineering solutions within a collaborative team environment. This role applies foundational engineering principles to moderately complex problems, supports project execution, prepares technical documentation, and participates in cross-functional initiatives while continuing to develop technical depth, judgment, and independent problem-solving capability.
Location: Lansing, NY
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000
Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in NY. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.
We Take Care of Our People
- Paid Time Off
- 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing
- Health and Wellness Benefits
- Learning and Development Opportunities
- Referral Program
- Competitive Pay
- Recognition
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Inclusive & Supportive Culture
Your Challenge
- Contribute to engineering design and development efforts by supporting moderately complex projects, applying foundational engineering principles, and assisting with solution validation and implementation.
- Perform technical analysis, research, modeling, and problem solving to support design decisions, root cause investigations, and corrective action activities.
- Assist with material testing, especially pertaining to more complex test setups and procedures.
- Prepare, review, and maintain technical documentation such as drawings, reports, specifications, test plans, and analyses in accordance with engineering and quality standards.
- Support project execution and cross-functional collaboration by assisting with planning, scheduling, estimation, risk assessment, and coordination across engineering, operations, and quality teams.
- Ensure compliance with safety requirements, quality standards, and company policies while identifying and recommending process or product improvements and supporting continuous learning and skill development.
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 1–3+ years of relevant engineering experience in an industrial, manufacturing, R&D, or comparable technical environment.
- Proficiency with engineering tools, software, and documentation practices applicable to the discipline.
- Demonstrated ability to independently solve moderately complex technical problems using sound engineering judgment.
- Working knowledge of applicable industry standards, codes, regulatory requirements, and safety practices.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with experience collaborating in cross-functional teams.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities with limited supervision.
- Motivation to continue developing technical expertise, professional judgment, and career progression in a dynamic engineering environment.
Who We Are
Our Values
Environmental, Social and Governance
Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies ("CWST") is the group name for the collective technical services provided by the legacy companies of Metal Improvement Company("MIC"), E/M Coating Services, Everlube Products, FW Gartner Thermal Spraying, Para Tech Coating, Component Coating & Repair Services, Bolt's Metallizing, Keronite, and IMR Test Labs.
CWST is a Division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets.
To learn more, please visit us at Surface Treatment and Metal Improvement | CWST
This location is one of our IMR Test Labs. To learn more, please visit us at Materials Testing Services | IMR Test Labs
Please note, benefits are country specific and may vary from location to location.
No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.
Compliance Statement
This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.
Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.
For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information.
If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.
Engineer Associate
As an Associate Engineer you will contribute to the design, analysis, implementation, and continuous improvement of engineering solutions within a collaborative team environment. This role applies foundational engineering principles to moderately complex problems, supports project execution, prepares technical documentation, and participates in cross-functional initiatives while continuing to develop technical depth, judgment, and independent problem-solving capability.
Location: Lansing, NY
Salary: $65,000 - $75,000
Please note that the salary range information provided is a general guideline only, reflecting a position based in NY. Criteria such as the candidate’s qualifications and relevant experience, the scope of the specific position, as well as market and business considerations will be evaluated when extending an offer.
We Take Care of Our People
- Paid Time Off
- 401K with Employer Match and Profit Sharing
- Health and Wellness Benefits
- Learning and Development Opportunities
- Referral Program
- Competitive Pay
- Recognition
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Inclusive & Supportive Culture
Your Challenge
- Contribute to engineering design and development efforts by supporting moderately complex projects, applying foundational engineering principles, and assisting with solution validation and implementation.
- Perform technical analysis, research, modeling, and problem solving to support design decisions, root cause investigations, and corrective action activities.
- Assist with material testing, especially pertaining to more complex test setups and procedures.
- Prepare, review, and maintain technical documentation such as drawings, reports, specifications, test plans, and analyses in accordance with engineering and quality standards.
- Support project execution and cross-functional collaboration by assisting with planning, scheduling, estimation, risk assessment, and coordination across engineering, operations, and quality teams.
- Ensure compliance with safety requirements, quality standards, and company policies while identifying and recommending process or product improvements and supporting continuous learning and skill development.
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 1–3+ years of relevant engineering experience in an industrial, manufacturing, R&D, or comparable technical environment.
- Proficiency with engineering tools, software, and documentation practices applicable to the discipline.
- Demonstrated ability to independently solve moderately complex technical problems using sound engineering judgment.
- Working knowledge of applicable industry standards, codes, regulatory requirements, and safety practices.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills with experience collaborating in cross-functional teams.
- Organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities with limited supervision.
- Motivation to continue developing technical expertise, professional judgment, and career progression in a dynamic engineering environment.
Who We Are
Our Values
Environmental, Social and Governance
Curtiss-Wright Surface Technologies ("CWST") is the group name for the collective technical services provided by the legacy companies of Metal Improvement Company("MIC"), E/M Coating Services, Everlube Products, FW Gartner Thermal Spraying, Para Tech Coating, Component Coating & Repair Services, Bolt's Metallizing, Keronite, and IMR Test Labs.
CWST is a Division of Curtiss-Wright Corporation, a global innovative company that delivers highly engineered, critical function products and services to the commercial, industrial, defense and energy markets.
To learn more, please visit us at Surface Treatment and Metal Improvement | CWST
This location is one of our IMR Test Labs. To learn more, please visit us at Materials Testing Services | IMR Test Labs
Please note, benefits are country specific and may vary from location to location.
No unsolicited agency submittals please. Agency partners must be invited to participate in a search by our Talent Acquisition Team and have signed terms in place prior to any submittal. Resumes submitted directly to any Curtiss-Wright employee or affiliate will not qualify for fee payment, and therefore become the property of Curtiss-Wright.
Compliance Statement
This position may require exposure to export-controlled information and subject to additional security screening. In the event information provided during the security screening reveals ineligibility to access export-controlled information, any offer of employment may be reconsidered or withdrawn.
Curtiss-Wright is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, age, ancestry, legally protected medical condition, family care status, marital status, religion, veteran status, national origin, or any other legally protected status. If you require accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Talent Acquisition.
For US Applicants: EEO is The Law – click here for more information.
If you require accommodation due to a disability at any time during the recruitment and/or assessment process, please contact Talent Acquisition and we will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate your request.
Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in New York
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in New YorkAerospace & Defense Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in New York?
Several major contractors with New York operations have documented F-1 STEM OPT hiring activity, including Northrop Grumman on Long Island, L3Harris Technologies in Rochester and Hauppauge, and Lockheed Martin in Owego. Smaller defense electronics and systems integration firms in the Hudson Valley and around Griffiss Technology Park in Rome also participate in STEM OPT. Employer participation varies by fiscal year and program need, so verifying E-Verify enrollment with each employer directly is important before applying.
Which cities in New York have the most aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Long Island, particularly the Bethpage and Hauppauge corridors, hosts the highest concentration of aerospace and defense STEM OPT roles in New York, driven by Northrop Grumman and L3Harris operations. Upstate cities including Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, and Owego have meaningful defense contractor footprints tied to electronics, radar, and avionics work. The New York City metro area adds defense technology and cybersecurity-adjacent opportunities at firms with government contracts.
What types of aerospace and defense roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify for F-1 STEM OPT in aerospace and defense are those requiring a degree in a STEM-designated field listed on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree program list. Common qualifying positions include systems engineers, avionics software engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, data scientists, and aerospace engineers. Roles in program management, contracts, or finance that do not directly require a STEM degree typically do not qualify for the STEM OPT extension, even at defense contractors.
How do I find aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in New York?
Migrate Mate is built specifically to surface F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship opportunities, including aerospace and defense roles in New York. You can filter by visa type and industry to find employers in Long Island, Upstate New York, and the metro area that have active STEM OPT hiring programs. Because Migrate Mate focuses on verified sponsorship data rather than unfiltered job listings, it reduces the time spent screening positions at employers who are not enrolled in E-Verify or have not sponsored STEM OPT workers previously.
Are there any New York-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT in aerospace and defense?
Defense contractors in New York frequently work on classified government programs, which can create clearance requirements that STEM OPT holders are not eligible to meet, since security clearances generally require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Applicants should confirm upfront whether a role requires a clearance, as this can disqualify otherwise STEM OPT-eligible positions. New York state also has no additional state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal USCIS rules, but employers with federal contracts must be E-Verify enrolled as a condition of STEM OPT participation.