Aviation Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Aviation sponsorship works best for engineering, maintenance, and technical roles rather than flight operations. H-1B visa is the main visa type, sponsored by aircraft manufacturers, MRO companies, and aviation technology firms. Pilot and air traffic controller positions are extremely hard to get sponsored for due to FAA certification requirements and employer preference for U.S. citizens. Focus on aviation engineering, avionics, or airline IT roles where your technical degree directly supports the visa petition. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsTHE OPPORTUNITY:
RS&H is seeking an experienced Operations Leader to lead the performance, project delivery, and continued growth of our Southeast Aviation Infrastructure practice. This is a hands-on leadership role for a technically strong aviation professional who takes pride in delivering complex airport projects with rigor, clarity, and accountability. The Southeast aviation infrastructure team includes approximately 40 professionals, based in Mobile, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale, with additional support from planning, environmental, architecture, and other technical teams across the firm.
WHY JOIN RS& H?
This is an opportunity to lead complex, highly visible airport work while shaping the continued growth of our Southeast aviation practice. As an employee-owned firm, RS&H offers the resources and reach of a national organization along with meaningful leadership responsibility, technical influence, and the ability to make a lasting impact.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Operations Leader will oversee operational and financial performance, serve as a Senior Project Manager or Project Officer on significant projects, develop a high-performing team, and strengthen relationships with airport clients throughout the Southeast.
Responsibilities
Project Delivery and Technical Leadership
- Serve as a Senior Project Manager or Project Officer for significant aviation projects and programs.
- Lead airport planning and design projects from kickoff through completion.
- Maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk management, and contract compliance.
- Provide senior technical guidance and establish clear delivery standards that support quality, consistency, and client satisfaction.
- Oversee workload distribution and coordinate resources across disciplines and offices.
- Provide leadership on projects involving live-airfield constraints, complex phasing, multiple stakeholders, and high public visibility.
Operational and Financial Leadership
- Lead the operational and business performance of the Southeast aviation infrastructure practice.
- Monitor financial results, project performance, backlog, staffing needs, and forecast accuracy.
- Identify operational or financial risks and implement corrective actions when needed.
- Partner with Division and Regional Leaders to advance annual business plans, market priorities, and sustainable growth initiatives.
- Balance immediate project and operational needs with the long-term health and growth of the practice.
- Ensure company policies, procedures, and quality requirements are consistently followed.
Client and Market Leadership
- Serve as a trusted senior point of contact for airport clients, stakeholders, teaming partners, and community partners.
- Support business development, pursuit strategy, and client relationship activities.
- Strengthen the firm’s presence in the Southeast aviation market while expanding existing relationships and identifying new opportunities.
- Communicate directly and proactively with clients to resolve issues and guide projects toward successful outcomes.
People Leadership
- Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing aviation team.
- Provide direct supervision and mentorship to technical leaders and professionals.
- Establish clear expectations for quality, accountability, collaboration, and project delivery.
- Identify technical and professional development needs and provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job training.
- Support workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and career development.
- Foster an environment in which employees can grow while delivering exceptional work for clients.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or an equivalent professional degree.
- Current Professional Engineer license.
- At least 15 years of progressive technical experience within aviation, airfields, or a closely related discipline.
- At least 10 years of leadership and supervisory experience managing technical teams and project delivery.
- Demonstrated experience delivering aviation or airfield projects as a Project Manager or Project Officer.
- Proven ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and risk.
- Strong professional judgment and client-facing communication skills.
- Ability to lead independently while collaborating effectively across a national organization.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading projects for large commercial service airports.
- Experience working across aviation planning, aviation and airfield projects, environmental, architecture, and engineering disciplines.
- Established relationships within the Southeast aviation market.
- Demonstrated success strengthening project performance, developing teams, and supporting business growth.
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Please note: no agency representation or submissions will be recognized for this vacancy. Candidates should apply directly to this role to be considered. It is the responsibility of all third-party recruiting and employment agencies to know and adhere to our recruiting policy.
THE TEAM:
Joining our Aviation team means an opportunity to explore your potential and apply your diverse skills to serve the large and small airports of the aviation industry as a trusted advisor. You can do this in a collaborative and team-oriented environment among other driven professionals. Service areas include airfields, buildings, facility planning, environmental planning, and environmental stewardship & resiliency. Join RS&H to define and master challenges, advance professionally, and build strong and lasting relationships.
THE COMPANY:
Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering, and consulting firms, with associates who work hard every day to create tomorrow together. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities, and build relationships that are as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together. We attribute our success to our unwavering commitment to our core values: integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork.
THE OPPORTUNITY:
RS&H is seeking an experienced Operations Leader to lead the performance, project delivery, and continued growth of our Southeast Aviation Infrastructure practice. This is a hands-on leadership role for a technically strong aviation professional who takes pride in delivering complex airport projects with rigor, clarity, and accountability. The Southeast aviation infrastructure team includes approximately 40 professionals, based in Mobile, Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale, with additional support from planning, environmental, architecture, and other technical teams across the firm.
WHY JOIN RS& H?
This is an opportunity to lead complex, highly visible airport work while shaping the continued growth of our Southeast aviation practice. As an employee-owned firm, RS&H offers the resources and reach of a national organization along with meaningful leadership responsibility, technical influence, and the ability to make a lasting impact.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Operations Leader will oversee operational and financial performance, serve as a Senior Project Manager or Project Officer on significant projects, develop a high-performing team, and strengthen relationships with airport clients throughout the Southeast.
Responsibilities
Project Delivery and Technical Leadership
- Serve as a Senior Project Manager or Project Officer for significant aviation projects and programs.
- Lead airport planning and design projects from kickoff through completion.
- Maintain accountability for project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk management, and contract compliance.
- Provide senior technical guidance and establish clear delivery standards that support quality, consistency, and client satisfaction.
- Oversee workload distribution and coordinate resources across disciplines and offices.
- Provide leadership on projects involving live-airfield constraints, complex phasing, multiple stakeholders, and high public visibility.
Operational and Financial Leadership
- Lead the operational and business performance of the Southeast aviation infrastructure practice.
- Monitor financial results, project performance, backlog, staffing needs, and forecast accuracy.
- Identify operational or financial risks and implement corrective actions when needed.
- Partner with Division and Regional Leaders to advance annual business plans, market priorities, and sustainable growth initiatives.
- Balance immediate project and operational needs with the long-term health and growth of the practice.
- Ensure company policies, procedures, and quality requirements are consistently followed.
Client and Market Leadership
- Serve as a trusted senior point of contact for airport clients, stakeholders, teaming partners, and community partners.
- Support business development, pursuit strategy, and client relationship activities.
- Strengthen the firm’s presence in the Southeast aviation market while expanding existing relationships and identifying new opportunities.
- Communicate directly and proactively with clients to resolve issues and guide projects toward successful outcomes.
People Leadership
- Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing aviation team.
- Provide direct supervision and mentorship to technical leaders and professionals.
- Establish clear expectations for quality, accountability, collaboration, and project delivery.
- Identify technical and professional development needs and provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job training.
- Support workforce planning, talent acquisition, succession planning, and career development.
- Foster an environment in which employees can grow while delivering exceptional work for clients.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or an equivalent professional degree.
- Current Professional Engineer license.
- At least 15 years of progressive technical experience within aviation, airfields, or a closely related discipline.
- At least 10 years of leadership and supervisory experience managing technical teams and project delivery.
- Demonstrated experience delivering aviation or airfield projects as a Project Manager or Project Officer.
- Proven ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, quality, and risk.
- Strong professional judgment and client-facing communication skills.
- Ability to lead independently while collaborating effectively across a national organization.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience leading projects for large commercial service airports.
- Experience working across aviation planning, aviation and airfield projects, environmental, architecture, and engineering disciplines.
- Established relationships within the Southeast aviation market.
- Demonstrated success strengthening project performance, developing teams, and supporting business growth.
An Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here. Please note: no agency representation or submissions will be recognized for this vacancy. Candidates should apply directly to this role to be considered. It is the responsibility of all third-party recruiting and employment agencies to know and adhere to our recruiting policy.
THE TEAM:
Joining our Aviation team means an opportunity to explore your potential and apply your diverse skills to serve the large and small airports of the aviation industry as a trusted advisor. You can do this in a collaborative and team-oriented environment among other driven professionals. Service areas include airfields, buildings, facility planning, environmental planning, and environmental stewardship & resiliency. Join RS&H to define and master challenges, advance professionally, and build strong and lasting relationships.
THE COMPANY:
Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation’s leading architecture, engineering, and consulting firms, with associates who work hard every day to create tomorrow together. We offer an exceptional journey from start to future. Our integrated teams translate experience into insight, turn challenges into opportunities, and build relationships that are as strong as the buildings and infrastructure we deliver together. We attribute our success to our unwavering commitment to our core values: integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork.
See all 382+ Aviation Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Aviation Jobs
Target commercial aviation programs at aerospace manufacturers
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Airbus Americas, GE Aviation, and Pratt & Whitney hire engineers for commercial (non-classified) programs and regularly sponsor H-1B visas for these roles. Focus on commercial product development, manufacturing engineering, and certification roles that do not require security clearances.
Understand the security clearance limitation in aerospace
Many aerospace and defense roles require U.S. security clearances, which are only available to U.S. citizens and, in limited cases, permanent residents. When applying to companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, or Northrop Grumman, filter for positions explicitly marked as not requiring clearance or focus on commercial divisions.
Consider aviation management and operations roles at airlines
Major airlines like Delta, United, American, and Southwest hire for corporate roles in network planning, revenue management, operations research, and fleet management that qualify for H-1B sponsorship. These analytical and strategic positions require specialized degrees and have a clear specialty occupation argument.
Leverage aerospace engineering STEM OPT eligibility
Aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, and related STEM degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. This extended window allows multiple H-1B lottery attempts and gives employers substantial time to evaluate your contributions before committing to sponsorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visa options are available for aviation professionals in the U.S.?
The visa pathway varies significantly by role. Engineers in aerospace and aviation can use the H-1B visa, which is common at companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon. Pilots face a more complex pathway because the FAA requires U.S.-issued certificates, and airline pilot roles often have citizenship or permanent residency requirements. Air traffic controllers must be U.S. citizens. Business and operations roles at airlines and airports typically follow the standard H-1B pathway.
How to find Aviation jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find aviation jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate to search positions at airlines, airports, aircraft manufacturers, and maintenance organizations. These employers commonly sponsor H-1B, TN visa, and L-1 visas for pilots, aircraft mechanics, air traffic controllers, aerospace engineers, and aviation management roles. Filter specifically for sponsorship-eligible positions to streamline your search process.
Can international pilots work for U.S. airlines?
The pathway is challenging. U.S. airlines generally require pilots to hold FAA certificates, and most major carriers prefer or require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency for flight crew positions. International pilots must convert their foreign certificates to FAA equivalents, which involves written and practical examinations. Some regional carriers and charter operators may be more flexible, and flight instructor roles at aviation academies can provide a starting point.
Do aerospace engineering roles get visa sponsorship more easily?
Aerospace engineering roles have strong H-1B sponsorship potential because they clearly require a bachelor's degree or higher in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related STEM field. However, many aerospace and defense companies work on government contracts that require U.S. security clearances, which are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Focus on commercial aviation projects and non-classified programs at these companies.
Are airport operations and management roles sponsorable?
Airport management roles at major airport authorities and aviation services companies can qualify for H-1B sponsorship when they require a degree in aviation management, business, or engineering. Companies like Swissport, Dnata, and airport authorities at major hubs have sponsored operations management positions. Ground handling and ramp operations roles are more difficult to sponsor due to the specialty occupation threshold.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Aviation 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 aviation in California 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.