Aerospace Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Aerospace is one of the stronger fields for visa sponsorship, with H-1B visa being the primary route for engineers and scientists. Major defense contractors like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman sponsor regularly, though ITAR restrictions can complicate things since many positions require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency for security clearance. Focus on commercial aerospace, satellite companies, and space startups where clearance isn't mandatory. Green card sponsorship through EB-2 and EB-3 is also common in this sector. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
Find Aerospace JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 167+ Aerospace jobs
See all 167+ Aerospace Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Aerospace roles.
Get Access To All JobsDepartment of Aerospace Engineering - Open Rank Faculty Search
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Aerospace Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for one open-rank (assistant, associate, or full professor level) tenure-track, full-time faculty position. Applications broadly in computational mechanics and materials will be considered. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, advanced manufacturing and process modeling, materials and structures in extreme environments, multiphysics and multiscale modeling, digital twins, fluid-thermal-structure interaction, data-driven and AI-accelerated modeling, multifunctional materials and intelligent structures.
Successful candidates must be able to teach in these and other areas while also contributing to the excellence of our programs through research and service efforts. Candidates are expected to establish and maintain an active and independent research program, teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession.
The Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has top-ranked graduate and undergraduate programs, 34 faculty (tenure-track, tenured, and specialized), over 900 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. The department and The Grainger College of Engineering are at the forefront of aerospace mechanics, materials, and manufacturing research. The AE Department recently completed the construction of several state-of-the-art facilities to support the Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois, and the Composites and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory with large-scale, structural composites additive printing capabilities. Other recent additions include a hypervelocity impact testing facility, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment testing facility, and a new student collaborative workspace. Additional information about the department and its facilities can be found at https://aerospace.illinois.edu/.
Our faculty and students are affiliated with and have access to world-class computational and experimental facilities located in on-campus multidisciplinary research (fundamental and translational) centers and laboratories, including: The National Center for Supercomputing Applications housing the most performant GPU-based systems and expertise in high-performance computing, the Advanced Materials Testing and Evaluation Laboratory, the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, the Center for In-Space Manufacturing of Resilient Structures, the Illinois Manufacturing Institute, the Aerodynamics Research Laboratory, the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies, the Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Lab, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.
A doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field is required at the start date. Candidates may be eligible for named appointments and competitive startup resources are available. The budgeted salary range for the position is $110,000 to $130,000 at the Assistant Professor level, $130,000 to $160,000 at the Associate Professor level, and $160,000 to $200,000 at the Full Professor level, for a 9-month service basis, paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.
Full consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026. Applications will be evaluated as received and those received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. A start date is expected in the fall of 2027; however, this is negotiable.
To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement, 4) teaching statement, 5) service statement, and 6) names and contact information for three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research, teaching, and service statements offer a chance to share your motivation, approach, experience, leadership, impact, and vision in each area, including how you would support the university’s land-grant mission (https://boldly.illinois.edu/), through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Ms. Kristen Reifsteck (ktreifst@illinois.edu).
We have an active and successful Dual Career Academic Couples Program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/).
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1038441
Job Category: Faculty
Department of Aerospace Engineering - Open Rank Faculty Search
The Grainger College of Engineering
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
The Department of Aerospace Engineering in The Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign invites applications for one open-rank (assistant, associate, or full professor level) tenure-track, full-time faculty position. Applications broadly in computational mechanics and materials will be considered. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, advanced manufacturing and process modeling, materials and structures in extreme environments, multiphysics and multiscale modeling, digital twins, fluid-thermal-structure interaction, data-driven and AI-accelerated modeling, multifunctional materials and intelligent structures.
Successful candidates must be able to teach in these and other areas while also contributing to the excellence of our programs through research and service efforts. Candidates are expected to establish and maintain an active and independent research program, teach effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, and provide service to the department, the university, and the profession.
The Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has top-ranked graduate and undergraduate programs, 34 faculty (tenure-track, tenured, and specialized), over 900 undergraduates and 300 graduate students. The department and The Grainger College of Engineering are at the forefront of aerospace mechanics, materials, and manufacturing research. The AE Department recently completed the construction of several state-of-the-art facilities to support the Laboratory for Advanced Space Systems at Illinois, and the Composites and Additive Manufacturing Laboratory with large-scale, structural composites additive printing capabilities. Other recent additions include a hypervelocity impact testing facility, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment testing facility, and a new student collaborative workspace. Additional information about the department and its facilities can be found at https://aerospace.illinois.edu/.
Our faculty and students are affiliated with and have access to world-class computational and experimental facilities located in on-campus multidisciplinary research (fundamental and translational) centers and laboratories, including: The National Center for Supercomputing Applications housing the most performant GPU-based systems and expertise in high-performance computing, the Advanced Materials Testing and Evaluation Laboratory, the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, the Center for In-Space Manufacturing of Resilient Structures, the Illinois Manufacturing Institute, the Aerodynamics Research Laboratory, the Center for Hypersonics and Entry Systems Studies, the Holonyak Micro & Nanotechnology Lab, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology.
A doctoral degree in Aerospace Engineering or a related field is required at the start date. Candidates may be eligible for named appointments and competitive startup resources are available. The budgeted salary range for the position is $110,000 to $130,000 at the Assistant Professor level, $130,000 to $160,000 at the Associate Professor level, and $160,000 to $200,000 at the Full Professor level, for a 9-month service basis, paid over 12 months. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity. This position is eligible for work authorization sponsorship.
Full consideration will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026. Applications will be evaluated as received and those received after that date may be considered until the position is filled. Applicants may be interviewed before the closing date; however, no hiring decision will be made until after that date. A start date is expected in the fall of 2027; however, this is negotiable.
To apply for this position, please create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu. The application package should include the following materials uploaded as a single PDF file in the “Resume/CV” section: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) research statement, 4) teaching statement, 5) service statement, and 6) names and contact information for three professional references (no letters required at this time). The research, teaching, and service statements offer a chance to share your motivation, approach, experience, leadership, impact, and vision in each area, including how you would support the university’s land-grant mission (https://boldly.illinois.edu/), through campus, community, or professional engagement. For further information regarding application procedures, please address questions to Ms. Kristen Reifsteck (ktreifst@illinois.edu).
We have an active and successful Dual Career Academic Couples Program and a strong commitment to work-life balance and family-friendly programs for faculty and staff (https://provost.illinois.edu/faculty-affairs/work-life-balance/).
Founded in 1867 as Illinois’s flagship public university, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign empowers a global community of students, scholars, and alumni to change the world through bold, innovative research and transformative education. With a land-grant heritage rooted in progress, Illinois faculty drive paradigm-shifting discoveries, mentor future leaders, and collaborate across 15 colleges and instructional units and more than 20 research institutes. The university’s legacy of excellence includes 24 Nobel Prizes and 29 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to its faculty and alumni, $755 million in sponsored research funding, and 94 academic programs ranked in the top 20 nationally. Illinois offers the resources, recognition, and reach to accelerate your career — along with a highly competitive benefits portfolio. Discover how the Illinois Value Proposition fosters professional longevity, personal fulfillment, and a deep sense of purpose in every role.
Faculty Recruitment
Champaign-Urbana
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement plan, paid time off, and tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
The University of Illinois must also comply with applicable federal export control laws and regulations and, as such, reserves the right to employ restricted party screening procedures for applicants.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or accessibility@illinois.edu.
Requisition ID: 1038441
Job Category: Faculty
See all 167+ Aerospace Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Aerospace roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Aerospace Jobs
Research ITAR and export control requirements before applying
Many aerospace positions involve technology controlled under ITAR or EAR (Export Administration Regulations), which can restrict access for non-U.S. persons. Focus on commercial aviation, non-classified space programs, and airline operations, which are generally not ITAR-restricted.
Target commercial aviation and space companies
Boeing Commercial, Airbus Americas, and commercial airline operators like United Airlines and Delta have sponsored H-1B visas for aerospace roles. Companies focused on commercial products face fewer export control barriers than those doing primarily defense work.
Use STEM OPT to establish yourself in the industry
Aerospace and aeronautical engineering degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. This is especially valuable in aerospace, where long development cycles mean employers benefit from retaining engineers through major program milestones.
Consider MRO and airline operations roles
Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) companies and airlines hire engineers for fleet engineering, reliability analysis, and maintenance program development. These operational roles typically do not involve classified or ITAR-controlled work, making them more accessible for visa holders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-U.S. citizens work in the aerospace industry?
Yes, but with important caveats. Non-U.S. citizens can work in commercial aviation, airline operations, non-classified space programs, and MRO facilities. However, many defense-related aerospace positions require ITAR access or security clearances that are limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Focus on commercial aerospace employers to maximize your opportunities.
Which aerospace companies are known for sponsoring work visas?
Boeing (commercial division), Airbus Americas, GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, Collins Aerospace, and several commercial space companies have sponsored H-1B visas. Airlines like United, Delta, and American also sponsor for engineering and operations roles. Sponsorship is more common at large companies with established immigration processes.
How does ITAR affect aerospace job opportunities for visa holders?
ITAR restricts non-U.S. persons from accessing defense articles and technical data on the U.S. Munitions List. In practice, this means visa holders may be excluded from programs involving military aircraft, missiles, or certain satellite technologies. Employers can sometimes obtain ITAR export licenses for specific employees, but this is not guaranteed and adds time and cost to the process.
How to find Aerospace jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find aerospace jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate to search positions at major aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, and aviation companies. These employers frequently sponsor H-1B, O-1 visa, and L-1 visas for engineers, technicians, and specialists in aircraft design, propulsion systems, avionics, and space technology. Focus on roles requiring specialized technical expertise that qualify for professional work visas.
Are aerospace roles eligible for STEM OPT?
Yes. Aerospace engineering, aeronautical engineering, and related fields are STEM-designated, qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond the standard 12-month OPT period. This 36-month total work authorization window is valuable for building the experience aerospace employers look for before sponsoring an H-1B.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Aerospace jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a aerospace in Georgia will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.