Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Jobs in Oregon
Oregon's aerospace and defense sector, anchored by employers such as Precision Castparts, Boeing's Portland-area operations, and a growing cluster of defense contractors in the Willamette Valley, hires engineers, scientists, and analysts across disciplines that commonly qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship. Portland and the surrounding metro draw the largest share of these roles, with additional activity in Beaverton and Hillsboro.
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Overview:
We are seeking a full-time Quality Engineer 1 in our Salem, OR location. In this role, you will be responsible for understanding and implementing basic quality tools and methods and contributing to ECO implementation.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Understands and implements basic quality tools and methods
- Understands and contributes to ECO implementation
- Participates in design reviews with Senior Quality Engineers
- Demonstrates ability to complete well defined basic tasks and/or projects
- Identifies and resolves defects of basic scope using proper engineering tools and techniques
- Learns to use/apply engineering tools relevant for performing the essential functions of this job description
- Communicates status of work clearly providing visibility to supervisor or mentor
- May be responsible for planning own technical work
- Thoroughly documents work in an organized manner
- Works collaboratively and professionally in a team environment and shares information and ideas freely with Garmin associates to achieve goals
- Accepts and acts on constructive criticism
- Cleanliness zone area requirements: This position requires Garmin provided personal protective equipment including SD shoes (Static Dissipative Footwear) to be always worn for an entire shift to minimize the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD) and meet specified standards
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, or another related engineering discipline OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Excellent academics (cumulative GPA greater than or equal to 3.0 as a general rule) with the demonstrated ability to apply learned knowledge
- Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Demonstrated capability for applying industry standards and procedures to develop, implement, and document operational processes
- Ability to learn how to use and apply engineering tools
- Must demonstrate the capability to perform basic troubleshooting & debugging
- Demonstrates understanding of lean tools and methods
Desired Qualifications:
- Awareness of IATF 16949/VDA, AS 9100, APQP, and Customer Specific Requirements
- Experience with Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs) and Gage R&R studies
- Prior use of measuring tools such as: calipers, micrometers, go/no go gauges, and height and depth gauges
- Experience reading engineering drawings and interpreting tolerances
- Experience using measuring tools such as calipers, micrometers, and gages
- Experience with SPC software, Minitab, Excel, and data analysis
- Knowledge of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T)
- Excellent written and verbal skills for cross-functional teams
- Good analytical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
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 Employment Benefits
STEM OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Oregon
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in OregonAerospace & Defense STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Oregon: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Oregon?
Precision Castparts Corp, headquartered in Portland, is one of Oregon's largest aerospace employers and has a documented history of hiring engineers in STEM-eligible roles. Boeing maintains operations in the Portland metro, and defense-focused manufacturers and suppliers concentrated in the Willamette Valley also appear in DOL Labor Condition Application records. Sponsorship practices vary by role, department, and hiring cycle, so confirming current participation directly with each employer matters.
Which cities in Oregon have the most aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Portland concentrates the greatest share of aerospace and defense STEM OPT-eligible roles in Oregon, driven by large manufacturers and their supplier networks. Beaverton and Hillsboro, part of the broader Portland metro, also host engineering and defense technology positions. Eugene sees some activity tied to materials and manufacturing, while Bend has a smaller but emerging advanced manufacturing base. Most competitive candidates target the Portland metro area first.
What types of aerospace and defense roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify generally require a STEM-designated degree and involve direct application of that field. In aerospace and defense, this commonly includes mechanical, electrical, materials, and systems engineering positions, as well as software engineering roles supporting avionics or defense systems, quality assurance engineering, and manufacturing process engineering. The role's Standard Occupational Classification code must map to a STEM-designated field on the DHS STEM OPT extension list for the authorization to apply.
How do I find aerospace and defense F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Oregon?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa type and industry, making it straightforward to identify Oregon aerospace and defense employers who have active F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history. Rather than scanning general job boards and guessing at sponsorship eligibility, Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have a verifiable record of supporting work authorization for STEM OPT candidates, which is particularly useful in a specialized sector like aerospace and defense.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Oregon's aerospace sector?
Oregon does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal obligations, but aerospace and defense employers often have security clearance requirements that can affect hiring timelines for international candidates. Some defense contracts limit access to cleared positions, which may reduce the pool of STEM OPT-eligible openings at a given employer. Oregon's aerospace supply chain skews toward commercial aerospace manufacturing, where security restrictions are typically less restrictive than on classified defense programs.