Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Jobs in Texas

Texas is one of the top states for aerospace and defense hiring, with major employers like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, and L3Harris operating facilities across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Houston, and San Antonio. F-1 students on STEM OPT authorization can pursue engineering, systems, and technical roles at companies with established OPT hiring programs in these hubs.

Find Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs27+
Work Type100% On-site
Top LocationDallas, TX
Most JobsShield AI

Showing 5 of 27+ Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Jobs in Texas

Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas, Inc
Quality Projects Engineer III
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Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas, Inc
New 23h ago
Quality Projects Engineer III
Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas, Inc
Fort Worth, Texas
Quality Control
Project & Program Management
Manufacturing Operations
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Shield AI
Engineer II, Thermal Designer/Analyst
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Shield AI
Added 1mo ago
Engineer II, Thermal Designer/Analyst
Shield AI
Dallas, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Aerospace Engineering
$88k - $130k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
11-50

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Southwest Research Institute
Engineering Technologist
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Southwest Research Institute
Added 4mo ago
Engineering Technologist
Southwest Research Institute
San Antonio, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Bachelor's

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MP Materials
Senior Engineer III, Operational Technology
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MP Materials
Added 4mo ago
Senior Engineer III, Operational Technology
MP Materials
Fort Worth, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Industrial Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's

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KBR
ERP Functional Analyst
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KBR
Added 4mo ago
ERP Functional Analyst
KBR
Houston, Texas
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Procurement & Supply Chain
Customer Service & Support
Business Analyst
Procurement & Purchasing
Customer Support
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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STEM OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Texas

Specialized Engineering17 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)17 jobs
Electrical Engineering11 jobs
Mechanical Engineering9 jobs
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering7 jobs
Quality Control5 jobs
Manufacturing Engineering5 jobs
Project & Program Management5 jobs
Aerospace Engineering4 jobs
Manufacturing Operations4 jobs

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Aerospace & Defense STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Texas hosts a concentration of major aerospace and defense contractors with documented OPT hiring histories. Lockheed Martin operates large engineering facilities in Fort Worth and Grand Prairie. Raytheon Technologies has a significant presence in the Dallas area. L3Harris, Boeing, Bell Textron, and Northrop Grumman also maintain Texas operations. Sponsorship practices vary by location, business unit, and specific role, so verifying each employer's current STEM OPT policy directly is essential.

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

Dallas-Fort Worth leads in volume, anchored by defense contractors like Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth and numerous suppliers across the metroplex. Houston supports aerospace roles tied to NASA's Johnson Space Center and its commercial space contractor ecosystem. San Antonio has a strong defense aviation presence through military installations and maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations. Austin is a smaller but growing market for aerospace-adjacent technology roles.

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

Roles that commonly qualify include systems engineering, avionics and electrical engineering, mechanical and structural engineering, software engineering for embedded or mission-critical systems, manufacturing engineering, and data analysis. These positions generally require a degree in engineering, computer science, physics, or a related STEM field. Positions requiring active U.S. security clearances can limit eligibility for international students, so candidates should confirm clearance requirements before applying.

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

Migrate Mate filters aerospace and defense job listings specifically by visa authorization type, making it practical to identify Texas employers with F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history rather than sorting through general postings manually. You can search by city, role type, and industry to surface companies that have previously filed for OPT workers in aerospace and defense disciplines. Reviewing employer DOL filing records through OFLC can also help confirm sponsorship activity.

Are there any Texas-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in aerospace and defense?

Security clearance requirements are a significant factor unique to defense work. Many positions at prime contractors require a U.S. security clearance, which F-1 students are generally ineligible to hold. This narrows the pool of accessible roles to unclassified programs and commercial aerospace work. Texas also has no state income tax, which affects compensation calculations. Students should confirm their STEM OPT employer meets E-Verify enrollment requirements, which USCIS mandates for all STEM OPT extension employers.