Science & Research F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia are concentrated around Northern Virginia's federal contractor corridor, the research institutions of Charlottesville, and biotech clusters near Richmond. Employers like Leidos, MITRE, and Booz Allen Hamilton regularly hire STEM OPT candidates in research-intensive roles across the state.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) of Hampton, VA is actively seeking a career level Mechanical Engineer with experience in design and manufacture of spaceflight hardware. The qualified candidate will provide technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems surrounding the modeling, analysis, manufacture, and testing of flight project components and mechanisms to be utilized for both research and spaceflight. This position will support the Research, Science and Engineering Services (RSES) contract onsite at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.
The qualified candidate will be responsible for the development and review of CAD models and drawings, effective communication of said designs, work with structural analysts and program management to iterate on designs, guiding the components through the manufacturing process, and overseeing the assembly, integration, and testing of designed systems.
The salary range for this position is TBR commensurate with education and experience.
Responsibilities:
- Generate CAD design models and engineering drawings of components to be used on spaceflight hardware
- Perform analytical sizing activities on designed hardware
- Develop reports, presentations and other documentation
- Generate assembly/integration and test procedures
- Knowledge of acceptance standards for spaceflight hardware applications
- Attend meetings and teleconferences and be ready to discuss issues seen in design, analysis, qualification and acceptance plans and reports
- Guide developed hardware through the manufacturing process
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree and with a minimum of 2 years of experience; or a Master's degree and 1 year of experience.
- Experience with Creo Parametric CAD software for component design and initial sizing.
- Demonstrated experience in hardware design, analysis, and testing.
- Ability to work independently under general direction only.
- Candidates must possess strong written and oral communication skills
- US citizenship or Permanent Residence.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated experience with Creo Parametric is highly desired.
- Expertise in component and mechanism design, analysis, and testing in the aerospace industry.
LOCATION:
This is an onsite position at NASA Langley Research Center and requires U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence.
Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive.
AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.
INTRODUCTION
Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. (AMA) of Hampton, VA is actively seeking a career level Mechanical Engineer with experience in design and manufacture of spaceflight hardware. The qualified candidate will provide technical solutions to a wide range of difficult problems surrounding the modeling, analysis, manufacture, and testing of flight project components and mechanisms to be utilized for both research and spaceflight. This position will support the Research, Science and Engineering Services (RSES) contract onsite at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA.
The qualified candidate will be responsible for the development and review of CAD models and drawings, effective communication of said designs, work with structural analysts and program management to iterate on designs, guiding the components through the manufacturing process, and overseeing the assembly, integration, and testing of designed systems.
The salary range for this position is TBR commensurate with education and experience.
Responsibilities:
- Generate CAD design models and engineering drawings of components to be used on spaceflight hardware
- Perform analytical sizing activities on designed hardware
- Develop reports, presentations and other documentation
- Generate assembly/integration and test procedures
- Knowledge of acceptance standards for spaceflight hardware applications
- Attend meetings and teleconferences and be ready to discuss issues seen in design, analysis, qualification and acceptance plans and reports
- Guide developed hardware through the manufacturing process
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree and with a minimum of 2 years of experience; or a Master's degree and 1 year of experience.
- Experience with Creo Parametric CAD software for component design and initial sizing.
- Demonstrated experience in hardware design, analysis, and testing.
- Ability to work independently under general direction only.
- Candidates must possess strong written and oral communication skills
- US citizenship or Permanent Residence.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Demonstrated experience with Creo Parametric is highly desired.
- Expertise in component and mechanism design, analysis, and testing in the aerospace industry.
LOCATION:
This is an onsite position at NASA Langley Research Center and requires U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residence.
Analytical Mechanics Associates (AMA) is proud of our customer relationships, our diverse and dynamic work environment, and our employees' career satisfaction. AMA is a small business with a wide reach; headquartered in Hampton, VA, AMA has operations in Greenbelt, MD; Huntsville, AL; Dallas and Houston, TX; Denver, CO; Mountain View, CA; and Edwards Air Force Base, CA. With over 60 years of experience, AMA specializes in aerospace engineering, science, analytics, information technology, and visualization solutions. AMA combines the best of engineering, science, and mathematics capabilities with the latest in information technologies, visualization, and multimedia to build creative solutions. We offer competitive salaries and a substantial benefits package, including but not limited to paid personal and federally recognized holiday leave, salary deferrals into a 401(k)-matching plan with immediate vesting, tuition reimbursement, short/long term disability plans, and a variety of medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
AMA is committed to the professional growth of every employee, understanding that the successes of our employees drive our success. We provide a work environment that is engaging, collaborative, and supportive.
AMA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited under federal, state, or local laws.
Science & Research Job Roles in Virginia
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Search Science & Research Jobs in VirginiaScience & Research Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Virginia?
Virginia's federal contractor ecosystem produces some of the most active STEM OPT sponsors in the country. Companies such as Leidos, MITRE Corporation, Booz Allen Hamilton, Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Noblis have established hiring pipelines for research-focused STEM OPT candidates. University-affiliated employers like the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech Research Division also sponsor STEM OPT extensions for lab and research staff.
Which cities in Virginia have the most science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly the McLean, Reston, and Arlington corridor, holds the highest concentration of science and research STEM OPT roles due to proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors. Charlottesville supports research hiring through the University of Virginia and affiliated institutes. Richmond has a growing biotech and life sciences presence, while Hampton Roads hosts research positions tied to naval and aerospace science.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Virginia?
Roles that qualify generally map to SOC codes on the STEM OPT Designated Degree Program List. In Virginia's science and research sector, these include research scientists, data scientists, computational biologists, environmental scientists, materials scientists, systems researchers, and applied physicists. Positions must involve practical training directly related to the graduate's qualifying STEM degree field, and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify.
How do I find science and research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate filters science and research job listings in Virginia by employers with verified STEM OPT sponsorship history, so you're not guessing which companies will support your extension. You can search by role type, location, and STEM degree alignment. This is particularly useful in Virginia's federal contracting sector, where sponsorship eligibility varies significantly by contract vehicle and project classification.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in science and research?
Virginia's large share of federal contract work introduces a practical factor: some research positions require security clearances, which can delay or limit sponsorship for STEM OPT holders who are not yet eligible to apply. Additionally, Virginia employers receiving federal grants may face E-Verify compliance requirements beyond the standard STEM OPT rule. Candidates should confirm both E-Verify enrollment and clearance eligibility requirements directly with prospective employers before applying.