Air Traffic Control Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Air Traffic Control Specialists face unique visa sponsorship challenges due to strict FAA certification requirements and security clearances. Most positions require U.S. citizenship, making traditional work visas like H-1B extremely limited. However, some private aviation companies and contractors may sponsor qualified international candidates for specialized radar or systems roles. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Tetra Tech AMT is looking for an Air Traffic Control Specialist.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary job duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provide support to FAA offices responsible for instrument flight procedure (IFP) design
- Provide technical assistance related to the optimization of airspace and procedure design in IFP projects
- Operate the Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation Traffic Simulation (TARGETS) software. The selected candidate is expected to maintain a high degree of proficiency using these tools and can provide recommendations to the FAA regarding problem reports or enhancements to these systems
- Be able to retrieve and analyze IFP and air traffic data from various sources including the IFP, Operations, and Airspace Analytics (IOAA) tool and appropriate radar data retrieval programs
- Provide expertise to the FAA regarding Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) design risks and alternatives
- Review and provide expertise to appropriate client managers on FAA Orders and Directives pertaining to criteria affecting IFP procedure design
- Be able to follow and comply with all applicable FAA orders, directives, and criteria in the course of designing procedures and producing associated technical data and forms
- Be able to produce presentation and briefing material related to IFP development and resultant flight paths
- Supervise the work of graphics specialists and provide any technical assistance they may require
- Review own work for accuracy and compliance with criteria
- Participate on user evaluation teams supporting the enhancement of IFP related software, databases, project tracking tools, etc.
- Review the work of others, as directed, for accuracy and compliance with criteria
- Coordinate as necessary or as directed with IFP workgroup stakeholders
- Provide TARGETS support for meetings and produce draft-meeting documents
- Maintain proficiency using software tools necessary for procedure development, and standard office applications such as Microsoft Office
- The candidate must be able to plan, organize, prioritize and carry out their own work duties
- Reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available
- Job normally requires travel up to 30% of the time but may exceed that at times depending on FAA needs
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The Successful Candidate Will Have:
- Bachelor’s degree (desired) or equivalent practical experience.
- A minimum of 15 years of experience as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC)
- Experience, within the last three years, working with complex automation tools, CAD software, or similar applications
- Practical experience doing technical work, especially if related to air traffic control or air traffic control procedures and airspace design
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent facilitation and project management skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in the use of industry standard office software (MS Office, Acrobat, etc.)
- Knowledge of and experience with airspace or procedures design
- Analytical skills
- Knowledge of Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation Traffic Simulation (TARGETS) software
Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Organization: 161 AMT
INTRODUCTION
Tetra Tech AMT is looking for an Air Traffic Control Specialist.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary job duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Provide support to FAA offices responsible for instrument flight procedure (IFP) design
- Provide technical assistance related to the optimization of airspace and procedure design in IFP projects
- Operate the Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation Traffic Simulation (TARGETS) software. The selected candidate is expected to maintain a high degree of proficiency using these tools and can provide recommendations to the FAA regarding problem reports or enhancements to these systems
- Be able to retrieve and analyze IFP and air traffic data from various sources including the IFP, Operations, and Airspace Analytics (IOAA) tool and appropriate radar data retrieval programs
- Provide expertise to the FAA regarding Instrument Flight Procedures (IFP) design risks and alternatives
- Review and provide expertise to appropriate client managers on FAA Orders and Directives pertaining to criteria affecting IFP procedure design
- Be able to follow and comply with all applicable FAA orders, directives, and criteria in the course of designing procedures and producing associated technical data and forms
- Be able to produce presentation and briefing material related to IFP development and resultant flight paths
- Supervise the work of graphics specialists and provide any technical assistance they may require
- Review own work for accuracy and compliance with criteria
- Participate on user evaluation teams supporting the enhancement of IFP related software, databases, project tracking tools, etc.
- Review the work of others, as directed, for accuracy and compliance with criteria
- Coordinate as necessary or as directed with IFP workgroup stakeholders
- Provide TARGETS support for meetings and produce draft-meeting documents
- Maintain proficiency using software tools necessary for procedure development, and standard office applications such as Microsoft Office
- The candidate must be able to plan, organize, prioritize and carry out their own work duties
- Reimbursement for relocation expenses is not available
- Job normally requires travel up to 30% of the time but may exceed that at times depending on FAA needs
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The Successful Candidate Will Have:
- Bachelor’s degree (desired) or equivalent practical experience.
- A minimum of 15 years of experience as a Certified Professional Controller (CPC)
- Experience, within the last three years, working with complex automation tools, CAD software, or similar applications
- Practical experience doing technical work, especially if related to air traffic control or air traffic control procedures and airspace design
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Excellent facilitation and project management skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficiency in the use of industry standard office software (MS Office, Acrobat, etc.)
- Knowledge of and experience with airspace or procedures design
- Analytical skills
- Knowledge of Terminal Area Route Generation Evaluation Traffic Simulation (TARGETS) software
Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Organization: 161 AMT
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Air Traffic Control Specialist
Target private aviation companies over government positions
FAA tower positions require U.S. citizenship, but private companies operating airports, flight training schools, and aviation consulting firms may sponsor H-1B visas for specialized air traffic management roles.
Highlight specialized radar or automation system experience
Companies developing air traffic control technology need engineers and specialists with both aviation knowledge and technical skills. This dual expertise makes you more valuable for H-1B sponsorship.
Consider aviation technology and consulting roles first
Roles like airspace design analyst, flight data processing specialist, or aviation safety consultant offer better sponsorship prospects than direct air traffic control positions in government facilities.
Emphasize your aviation degree and certifications
A bachelor's degree in aviation management, air traffic management, or aerospace engineering strengthens your H-1B case by proving the role requires specialized knowledge matching your education.
Research defense contractors with aviation divisions
Companies like Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman hire air traffic specialists for military and civilian projects. Some roles may be open to visa holders.
Build experience with international air traffic systems
Experience with EUROCONTROL, ICAO standards, or other international systems demonstrates specialized knowledge that U.S. employers value, particularly for multinational aviation projects and airport consulting work.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Air Traffic Control Specialists qualify for H-1B visas?
Air Traffic Control Specialists can qualify for H-1B visas if the role requires specialized knowledge and a relevant bachelor's degree. However, direct FAA tower positions require U.S. citizenship. Private companies hiring for aviation technology, airspace design, or flight data analysis roles are more likely to sponsor visas for qualified international candidates with aviation degrees.
What degree do I need for air traffic control visa sponsorship?
A bachelor's degree in aviation management, air traffic management, aerospace engineering, or related field strengthens your H-1B application. The degree must relate directly to the specialized duties of the role. Some employers may accept equivalent experience, but having a relevant degree makes the specialty occupation argument much stronger for USCIS approval.
Why do most air traffic control jobs require U.S. citizenship?
FAA air traffic control positions in government facilities require U.S. citizenship due to security clearance requirements and federal employment restrictions. These positions involve national airspace security and critical infrastructure. However, private aviation companies, contractors, and technology firms may hire visa holders for specialized air traffic management roles that don't require clearances.
Which companies sponsor visas for air traffic control roles?
Private aviation companies, flight training academies, aviation consulting firms, and defense contractors are most likely to sponsor H-1B visas for air traffic specialists. Companies developing air traffic control technology, airspace design firms, and international aviation consultancies often need specialists with both technical skills and aviation knowledge, making them good sponsorship prospects.
What are alternatives if I can't get direct air traffic control sponsorship?
Consider related roles like aviation safety analyst, flight operations coordinator, airspace design specialist, or aviation systems engineer. These positions often require similar aviation knowledge but may be more accessible to visa holders. You can also explore aviation technology companies, airport consulting firms, or flight training organizations that need air traffic expertise but don't require security clearances.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Air Traffic Control Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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