Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Washington DC

Washington DC's aerospace and defense sector draws F-1 OPT candidates to employers like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Leidos, whose federal contracting work is concentrated across DC proper, Arlington, and the broader National Capital Region. Many roles require security clearances, which shapes the sponsorship process for international graduates.

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Overview

Open Jobs6+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type50% On-site
Median Salary$126K
Top LocationWashington, Washington DC
Most JobsALSTOM

Showing 5 of 6+ Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Washington DC

Axon
Senior Revenue Accountant
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Axon
Added 3w ago
Senior Revenue Accountant
Axon
Washington, Washington DC
Finance
Accounting
Business Analysis
Compliance & Legal
Audit
Tax
Compliance & Risk
$111,000/yr - $177,600/yr
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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Alstom
System Engineer
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Alstom
Added 3mo ago
System Engineer
Alstom
Washington, Washington DC
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$105,000/yr - $120,000/yr
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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KBR
Financial Analyst/Project Planning & Controls
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KBR
Added 3mo ago
Financial Analyst/Project Planning & Controls
KBR
Washington, Washington DC
Finance
Accounting
Business Analysis
Project & Program Management
Project Management
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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REGENT Craft, Inc.
Manager, Defense Business Development
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REGENT Craft, Inc.
Added 6mo ago
Manager, Defense Business Development
REGENT Craft, Inc.
Washington, Washington DC
Partnerships & Business Development
Project & Program Management
Business Development
Project Management
Program Management
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
51-200

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Axon
Senior Compensation Analyst
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Axon
Added 3w ago
Senior Compensation Analyst
Axon
Washington, Washington DC
Human Resources
Compensation & Benefits
$102,420/yr - $163,872/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Washington DC

Accounting2 jobs
Business Analysis2 jobs
Electrical Engineering2 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)2 jobs
Finance2 jobs
Mechanical Engineering2 jobs
Project & Program Management2 jobs
Project Management2 jobs
Specialized Engineering2 jobs
Audit1 jobs

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Aerospace & Defense Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions

Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Washington DC?

Major federal contractors with a significant presence in the Washington DC area, including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and SAIC, have histories of hiring F-1 OPT candidates. Sponsorship availability varies by team, contract vehicle, and whether the role carries security clearance requirements, so verifying each employer's current OPT policy during the application process is important.

Which areas in Washington DC have the most aerospace and defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?

Most aerospace and defense hiring in the Washington DC metro concentrates along the Defense Corridor spanning Arlington, Crystal City, McLean, and Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia, as well as Bethesda and Rockville in Maryland. DC proper hosts policy-focused roles near the Pentagon and federal agency headquarters. Positions tied to NASA Goddard and DHS also generate OPT-eligible openings in the greater National Capital Region.

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

Roles that qualify for F-1 OPT authorization generally require a direct connection to your degree field. Systems engineering, aerospace engineering, software development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and program management positions are common matches for graduates in STEM disciplines. Roles qualifying under STEM OPT extension criteria must appear on the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list, and the employing organization must be enrolled in E-Verify.

How do I find aerospace and defense F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?

Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for aerospace and defense employers in Washington DC that have a verified history of sponsoring F-1 OPT candidates, saving time you would otherwise spend manually screening job listings. From within the platform you can identify which contractors actively file for OPT workers, which roles map to STEM-eligible degree programs, and which employers are enrolled in E-Verify, all requirements that matter when evaluating sponsorship viability in this industry.

Are there any Washington DC-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in aerospace and defense?

The National Capital Region's aerospace and defense market is unusually clearance-heavy. Many contracts with the DoD, DHS, intelligence agencies, and NASA restrict access to U.S. citizens or permanent residents, which limits the pool of OPT-eligible openings. International graduates are most competitive for roles on commercially funded programs, unclassified research projects, or contractor positions where facility clearance is not a stated requirement. Confirming clearance eligibility before applying prevents misaligned expectations.