Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's aerospace and defense sector offers F-1 OPT candidates real opportunities, anchored by major employers like Lockheed Martin in King of Prussia, Boeing in Philadelphia, and Raytheon in the Pittsburgh area. Engineering, systems analysis, and defense technology roles across these hubs regularly hire international graduates, though security clearance requirements are a key consideration specific to this industry.
Find Aerospace & Defense JobsOverview
Showing 3 of 8+ Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
See all Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania.
Get Access To All JobsAre you interested in being part of an innovative team that supports Westinghouse’s mission to provide clean energy solutions? At Westinghouse, we recognize that our employees are our most valuable asset and we seek to identify, attract and recruit the most qualified talent while recognizing and encouraging the value of diversity in the global workplace.
About The Role
As a Mechanical Engineer II you will perform calculations and develop designs for reactor mechanical components and primary system supports. You will report to the Manager of Reactor Mechanical Products for Reactor Component Engineering. This is a hybrid position at the discretion of the manager requiring 2-3 days per week on-site at the Cranberry Woods, PA facility. No relocation will be provided.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and analysis of reactor mechanical components and primary system supports
- Calculations using ASME and AISC
- Work with other departments for gathering data and developing detailed designs/drawings for upgrades and new build projects.
- Analytical calculations and evaluations using engineering tools and methods
- Design documentation for safety and non-safety related hardware like manufacturing drawings, functional and design specifications, and qualification reports
- Communicate with leads, project managers, and customers to coordinate activities associated with assigned work scope
- Occasionally travel to nuclear power plants to gather design data and support installation of plant upgrades
- Occasionally travel to customer and manufacturing vendor sites to provide on-site support, deliver presentations, and aid in issue resolution
- Lead design/analysis efforts for smaller projects with the Reactor Mechanical Product group
Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience
- BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics or recognized equivalent
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Understand design documents like drawings and calculation summaries
- Know conceptual development of design drawings
We are committed to transparency and equity in all of our people practices. The base salary range for this position, which is dependent upon experience, qualifications and skills, is estimated to be $69,200 to $86,500 per year.
Why Westinghouse?
Benefits
Our benefits package is tailored to meet the diverse needs of our employees, while also promoting wellness and career growth. The following are representative of what we offer:
- Comprehensive Medical benefits which could include medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions options
- Wellness Programs designed to support employees in maintaining their health and well-being including Employee Assistance Program providing support for our employees and their household members
- 401(k) with Company Match Contributions to support employees' retirement
- Paid Vacations and Company Holidays
- Opportunities for Flexible Work Arrangements to promote work-life balance
- Educational Reimbursement and Comprehensive Career Programs to help employees grow in their careers
- Global Recognition and Service Programs to celebrate employee accomplishments and service
- Employee Referral Program
Westinghouse Electric Company Is The Global Nuclear Energy Industry's First Choice For Safe, Clean, And Efficient Energy Solutions. We Enable Our Delivery Of This Vision By Living Our Value System
- Safety and Quality
- Integrity and Trust
- Customer Focus and Innovation
- Speed and Passion to Win
- Teamwork and Accountability
While our Global Headquarters are located in Cranberry Township, PA, we have over 11,000 employees working at locations in 19 different countries.
Westinghouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
Are you interested in being part of an innovative team that supports Westinghouse’s mission to provide clean energy solutions? At Westinghouse, we recognize that our employees are our most valuable asset and we seek to identify, attract and recruit the most qualified talent while recognizing and encouraging the value of diversity in the global workplace.
About The Role
As a Mechanical Engineer II you will perform calculations and develop designs for reactor mechanical components and primary system supports. You will report to the Manager of Reactor Mechanical Products for Reactor Component Engineering. This is a hybrid position at the discretion of the manager requiring 2-3 days per week on-site at the Cranberry Woods, PA facility. No relocation will be provided.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and analysis of reactor mechanical components and primary system supports
- Calculations using ASME and AISC
- Work with other departments for gathering data and developing detailed designs/drawings for upgrades and new build projects.
- Analytical calculations and evaluations using engineering tools and methods
- Design documentation for safety and non-safety related hardware like manufacturing drawings, functional and design specifications, and qualification reports
- Communicate with leads, project managers, and customers to coordinate activities associated with assigned work scope
- Occasionally travel to nuclear power plants to gather design data and support installation of plant upgrades
- Occasionally travel to customer and manufacturing vendor sites to provide on-site support, deliver presentations, and aid in issue resolution
- Lead design/analysis efforts for smaller projects with the Reactor Mechanical Product group
Qualifications
- 3+ years of experience
- BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Engineering Mechanics or recognized equivalent
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Understand design documents like drawings and calculation summaries
- Know conceptual development of design drawings
We are committed to transparency and equity in all of our people practices. The base salary range for this position, which is dependent upon experience, qualifications and skills, is estimated to be $69,200 to $86,500 per year.
Why Westinghouse?
Benefits
Our benefits package is tailored to meet the diverse needs of our employees, while also promoting wellness and career growth. The following are representative of what we offer:
- Comprehensive Medical benefits which could include medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions options
- Wellness Programs designed to support employees in maintaining their health and well-being including Employee Assistance Program providing support for our employees and their household members
- 401(k) with Company Match Contributions to support employees' retirement
- Paid Vacations and Company Holidays
- Opportunities for Flexible Work Arrangements to promote work-life balance
- Educational Reimbursement and Comprehensive Career Programs to help employees grow in their careers
- Global Recognition and Service Programs to celebrate employee accomplishments and service
- Employee Referral Program
Westinghouse Electric Company Is The Global Nuclear Energy Industry's First Choice For Safe, Clean, And Efficient Energy Solutions. We Enable Our Delivery Of This Vision By Living Our Value System
- Safety and Quality
- Integrity and Trust
- Customer Focus and Innovation
- Speed and Passion to Win
- Teamwork and Accountability
While our Global Headquarters are located in Cranberry Township, PA, we have over 11,000 employees working at locations in 19 different countries.
Westinghouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Pennsylvania
See all Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Pennsylvania
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in PennsylvaniaAerospace & Defense OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace & defense companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Pennsylvania?
Several major contractors operating in Pennsylvania have a documented history of hiring F-1 OPT candidates, including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Sikorsky, and BAE Systems. Smaller defense subcontractors and engineering firms in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh regions also participate in OPT hiring. Sponsorship willingness varies by role and business unit, so confirming at the application stage is important.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have the most aerospace & defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Philadelphia metro area, particularly King of Prussia and Horsham, is Pennsylvania's primary hub for aerospace and defense hiring given its concentration of prime contractors and defense technology firms. Pittsburgh supports a growing defense research and advanced manufacturing presence, partly driven by Carnegie Mellon University spinoffs and defense-adjacent robotics companies. Harrisburg and Wilmington-adjacent areas also host defense-related government contractors.
What types of aerospace & defense roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that most commonly appear in OPT-eligible aerospace and defense hiring include systems engineering, aerospace engineering, software engineering for avionics or embedded systems, supply chain analysis, and quality assurance. Positions requiring a direct degree match, such as mechanical or electrical engineering, tend to align well with OPT STEM extension eligibility, which extends the work authorization period to 36 months for qualifying graduates.
How do I find aerospace & defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on F-1 OPT and filters listings to employers actively open to sponsoring visa holders. Searching the aerospace and defense category in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate surfaces roles from contractors and defense firms in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas without requiring you to manually verify sponsorship eligibility on generic boards. Pairing that with outreach to university career offices at Penn State and Drexel can further accelerate the search.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Pennsylvania's aerospace & defense sector?
The single most significant industry-specific factor is security clearance. Many Pennsylvania defense roles require a U.S. security clearance, which is generally not available to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents, meaning a substantial share of open positions are inaccessible to F-1 OPT holders regardless of qualifications. Focusing on commercial aerospace divisions, unclassified research roles, or clearance-exempt positions within defense firms is a more practical path for international graduates.