Aerospace & Defense F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in North Carolina
North Carolina's aerospace and defense sector spans Fort Liberty, the Research Triangle, and manufacturing hubs like Greensboro, anchoring employers such as L3Harris, Spirit AeroSystems, and Northrop Grumman. F-1 students with STEM OPT authorization can pursue roles in systems engineering, avionics, and defense electronics at companies with established sponsorship track records in this state.
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We are seeking a full-time C/C++ Embedded Software Engineer 2 on our Wireless Protocol software team in our Cary, NC location.
As a member of the Networking Technology team, you will deliver software features for a diverse set of innovative products such as next generation dashcams, fishfinders, chartplotters, bike computers, handheld 2-way radios, and other personal navigation devices tailored for off-roading, racing, trucking, and recreation. We push the limits of wireless connectivity to deliver advanced features such as remote device monitoring, media streaming, automated cloud storage uploads, automatic software and map updates, and many more unique capabilities.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Design and deliver high-quality embedded C and C++ software on embedded Linux and real time operating systems (RTOS)
- Prototype and productize software features in a fast-paced environment
- Analyze, debug, and resolve Wi-Fi and LTE performance and interoperability issues using wireless protocol analyzers as well as tenacity and ingenuity
- Collaborate with stakeholders across Garmin to implement innovative product use-cases and to enhance existing designs to meet new requirements
- Integrate, maintain, and contribute to third-party and open source software projects
- Utilize software engineering tools such as configuration management systems, build processes, and debuggers in the software development process
- May perform as a technical leader or Lead Software Engineer for derivative software project
- Collaborate and add value through participation in peer code reviews, providing comments and suggestions
- Provide reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques
- Perform technical root cause analysis and outline corrective action for given problems
- Contribute to technical research on new technologies
- Estimate level of effort, evaluate new options of similar technology, offer suggestions to improve processes, and provide feedback on some electrical design aspects
- Serve as a mentor to less experienced software engineers (Software Engineer 1)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Math, Physics or related field AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience (not including internships or co-ops) OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule)
- Demonstrated proficiency and experience necessary to develop moderately complex software in embedded C/C++, preferable on Linux or RTOS
- Proficient knowledge, utilization and mastery of relevant software engineering tools (configuration management systems, build processes, debuggers, emulators, simulators and logic analyzers)
- Collaborative and flexible, eager to learn
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Outstanding academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.5)
- Python scripting experience
- Experience with networking or communications across the internet including streaming audio or video
- Experience with wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and LTE
Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
Overview:
We are seeking a full-time C/C++ Embedded Software Engineer 2 on our Wireless Protocol software team in our Cary, NC location.
As a member of the Networking Technology team, you will deliver software features for a diverse set of innovative products such as next generation dashcams, fishfinders, chartplotters, bike computers, handheld 2-way radios, and other personal navigation devices tailored for off-roading, racing, trucking, and recreation. We push the limits of wireless connectivity to deliver advanced features such as remote device monitoring, media streaming, automated cloud storage uploads, automatic software and map updates, and many more unique capabilities.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Design and deliver high-quality embedded C and C++ software on embedded Linux and real time operating systems (RTOS)
- Prototype and productize software features in a fast-paced environment
- Analyze, debug, and resolve Wi-Fi and LTE performance and interoperability issues using wireless protocol analyzers as well as tenacity and ingenuity
- Collaborate with stakeholders across Garmin to implement innovative product use-cases and to enhance existing designs to meet new requirements
- Integrate, maintain, and contribute to third-party and open source software projects
- Utilize software engineering tools such as configuration management systems, build processes, and debuggers in the software development process
- May perform as a technical leader or Lead Software Engineer for derivative software project
- Collaborate and add value through participation in peer code reviews, providing comments and suggestions
- Provide reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques
- Perform technical root cause analysis and outline corrective action for given problems
- Contribute to technical research on new technologies
- Estimate level of effort, evaluate new options of similar technology, offer suggestions to improve processes, and provide feedback on some electrical design aspects
- Serve as a mentor to less experienced software engineers (Software Engineer 1)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Math, Physics or related field AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience (not including internships or co-ops) OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule)
- Demonstrated proficiency and experience necessary to develop moderately complex software in embedded C/C++, preferable on Linux or RTOS
- Proficient knowledge, utilization and mastery of relevant software engineering tools (configuration management systems, build processes, debuggers, emulators, simulators and logic analyzers)
- Collaborative and flexible, eager to learn
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Outstanding academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.5)
- Python scripting experience
- Experience with networking or communications across the internet including streaming audio or video
- Experience with wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and LTE
Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in North Carolina
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in North CarolinaAerospace & Defense Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in North Carolina?
North Carolina hosts several aerospace and defense employers with documented F-1 STEM OPT hiring patterns, including L3Harris Technologies in Raleigh, Spirit AeroSystems in Kinston, and contractors supporting Fort Liberty. Larger prime contractors and their Tier 1 suppliers tend to have structured international hiring programs, though sponsorship availability varies by business unit, active contract volume, and current headcount needs.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Research Triangle area, covering Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, concentrates defense technology and engineering roles connected to nearby federal installations and research universities. Charlotte supports aerospace manufacturing and MRO operations, while Fayetteville and the Fort Liberty corridor generate demand for defense systems and cybersecurity talent. Greensboro and Winston-Salem also host aerospace manufacturing facilities tied to global supply chains.
What types of aerospace and defense roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify generally require a degree in a STEM field designated by the Department of Education. In aerospace and defense, these commonly include systems engineering, software engineering, avionics and embedded systems, mechanical and structural engineering, electrical engineering, and data science applied to defense applications. The position must directly relate to the student's qualifying degree field, and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify as required by STEM OPT regulations.
How do I find aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search, letting you filter aerospace and defense roles in North Carolina by STEM OPT sponsorship eligibility rather than manually screening hundreds of postings. Beyond the platform, reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data shows which North Carolina employers have historically filed for international workers in engineering and defense occupations, helping you prioritize outreach to companies with active sponsorship track records.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in North Carolina's aerospace sector?
Security clearance requirements are a meaningful factor in North Carolina's defense-heavy market. Many roles supporting Fort Liberty or prime contractors require U.S. citizenship for clearance eligibility, which restricts F-1 students from certain positions even when STEM OPT is otherwise valid. Focus on unclassified engineering, software, and manufacturing roles at commercial aerospace divisions or cleared contractors with international hiring programs. North Carolina's proximity to major military installations means clearance requirements appear more frequently than in civilian aerospace hubs.