Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Washington

Washington is one of the strongest states for aerospace and defense F-1 OPT sponsorship, anchored by Boeing's commercial and defense divisions in Everett and Renton, plus a dense cluster of defense contractors and engineering firms around the Puget Sound region. International students in engineering, computer science, and systems design find consistent demand here, particularly through STEM OPT extensions.

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Overview

Open Jobs12+
Work Type75% On-site
Top LocationEverett, WA
Most JobsJamco America, Inc.

Showing 5 of 12+ Aerospace & Defense OPT Jobs in Washington

Manager, Corporate and Product Systems
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Added 1d ago
Manager, Corporate and Product Systems
Boeing
Bingen, Washington
Project & Program Management
Business Operations
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
Program Management
$128k - $175k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Warranty Administration Specialist
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Added 1d ago
Warranty Administration Specialist
Jamco America, Inc.
Everett, Washington
Customer Service & Support
Administrative & Office Support
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$72k - $98k/yr
On-Site
Associate's

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Electro-Mechanical Test Engineer
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Added 4d ago
Electro-Mechanical Test Engineer
Aero Controls, Inc
Auburn, Washington
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$85k - $100k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
51-200

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HR Generalist
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Added 6d ago
HR Generalist
Safran Cabin
Marysville, Washington
Human Resources
Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Human Resources (HR) — Generalist
Compensation & Benefits
$80k - $93k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Senior Accounting Operations Analyst
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Added 2mo ago
Senior Accounting Operations Analyst
Axon
Seattle, Washington
Finance
Accounting
Business Analysis
Compliance & Legal
Audit
Tax
$92k - $146k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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OPT Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Washington

Specialized Engineering5 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)5 jobs
Quality Control3 jobs
Mechanical Engineering3 jobs
Manufacturing Engineering3 jobs
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering3 jobs
Tax2 jobs
Audit2 jobs
Finance2 jobs
Accounting2 jobs

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Aerospace & Defense OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boeing is the largest aerospace employer in Washington and has historically hired F-1 OPT students across engineering and technical disciplines. Other active sponsors in the state include Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Raytheon (RTX), and a range of defense-focused subcontractors and engineering services firms concentrated in the greater Seattle and Everett areas. Sponsorship practices vary by role, team, and hiring cycle, so researching individual job postings is essential.

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

Everett and Renton are the primary hubs, driven by Boeing's major manufacturing and engineering campuses. Seattle supports a broader aerospace supply chain and defense technology sector. Bellevue and Redmond also have defense-adjacent technology employers. Tacoma and its surrounding area host additional defense contractors tied to nearby military installations, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, which generates demand for defense systems and logistics engineering roles.

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

Roles that regularly qualify include aerospace systems engineering, avionics and electrical engineering, mechanical and structural engineering, software development for flight and defense systems, manufacturing engineering, and quality assurance. Many of these fall under STEM-designated fields, making F-1 students eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the standard 12 months. Positions requiring active U.S. security clearances are generally not accessible to F-1 visa holders.

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

Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters aerospace and defense jobs in Washington by visa type, including F-1 OPT and STEM OPT. Rather than sorting through postings that exclude international applicants, Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have indicated sponsorship willingness. Focusing your search on STEM-designated roles in Everett, Seattle, and Renton gives you the strongest starting point for OPT-eligible positions in this industry.

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

Washington's aerospace and defense sector has a high concentration of defense-contract work that requires U.S. government security clearances, which F-1 visa holders are generally ineligible to obtain. This narrows the pool of accessible roles to commercial aerospace, unclassified defense engineering, and software-heavy positions. Students should confirm a role's clearance requirements before applying. Additionally, STEM OPT employers in Washington must be enrolled in E-Verify, a standard requirement for most large aerospace employers in the state.