Flight Test Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Flight test engineers develop and execute test programs for aircraft systems, requiring specialized aerospace engineering expertise that qualifies for H-1B visa and other work visas. Major aerospace employers like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman regularly sponsor visas for these roles due to the specialized technical knowledge required. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
See All Flight Test Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 18+ Flight Test Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 18+ Flight Test Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Flight Test Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsOverview:
We are seeking a full-time Flight Test Engineer 2 at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area at our hangar in New Century, KS. In this role, you will be responsible for performing moderately complex flight-testing activities including developing ground and flight test plans, coordinating, and executing flight tests, documenting results and ensuring resolution to issues identified during flight testing.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Drafts ground/flight test plans and reports for moderately complex test programs derived from previous programs
- Coordinates and executes moderately complex flight tests as part of a flight test crew, including acting as test director
- Defines, documents, and maintains moderately complex test aircraft and equipment configurations, and coordinates with engineering teams
- Operates flight test tools, conducts real time data analysis, and post processes flight test data
- Identifies root cause and verifies that issues identified during flight test are resolved
- Prepares moderately complex avionics system installation data for test aircraft
- Leverages basic understanding of certification process and associated regulations in performance of role
- Offers suggestions to improve processes and the safety of the flight test organization
- Provides reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques and applies a sense of urgency, commitment and focus on the right priorities in developing solutions in a timely fashion
- Serves as a mentor to less experienced flight test engineers (Flight Test Engineer 1)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrates proficient use of engineering and flight test tools
- Demonstrates basic understanding of certification processes and associated regulations
- Demonstrates strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Must demonstrate the capability to perform advanced troubleshooting skills on moderately complex avionics installations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Private pilot license with instrument rating
- Commercial pilot and/or multi-engine license preferred
- Previous experience using general aviation products
- Experience with revision control tools, mobile application development, audio/video recording tools, or database tools
Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
Overview:
We are seeking a full-time Flight Test Engineer 2 at Garmin's U.S. headquarters in the Greater Kansas City area at our hangar in New Century, KS. In this role, you will be responsible for performing moderately complex flight-testing activities including developing ground and flight test plans, coordinating, and executing flight tests, documenting results and ensuring resolution to issues identified during flight testing.
Responsibilities:
Essential Functions:
- Drafts ground/flight test plans and reports for moderately complex test programs derived from previous programs
- Coordinates and executes moderately complex flight tests as part of a flight test crew, including acting as test director
- Defines, documents, and maintains moderately complex test aircraft and equipment configurations, and coordinates with engineering teams
- Operates flight test tools, conducts real time data analysis, and post processes flight test data
- Identifies root cause and verifies that issues identified during flight test are resolved
- Prepares moderately complex avionics system installation data for test aircraft
- Leverages basic understanding of certification process and associated regulations in performance of role
- Offers suggestions to improve processes and the safety of the flight test organization
- Provides reliable solutions to a variety of problems using sound problem solving techniques and applies a sense of urgency, commitment and focus on the right priorities in developing solutions in a timely fashion
- Serves as a mentor to less experienced flight test engineers (Flight Test Engineer 1)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Computer Engineering AND a minimum of 1 year relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
- Demonstrates proficient use of engineering and flight test tools
- Demonstrates basic understanding of certification processes and associated regulations
- Demonstrates strong and effective verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Must demonstrate the capability to perform advanced troubleshooting skills on moderately complex avionics installations
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Private pilot license with instrument rating
- Commercial pilot and/or multi-engine license preferred
- Previous experience using general aviation products
- Experience with revision control tools, mobile application development, audio/video recording tools, or database tools
Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits
See all 18+ Flight Test Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Flight Test Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Flight Test Engineer
Target defense contractors and major aerospace companies
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman have established visa sponsorship programs and regularly hire international flight test engineers for specialized aircraft development projects.
Emphasize your specialized testing methodology expertise
Highlight experience with specific flight test protocols, data acquisition systems, and safety procedures. This specialized knowledge strengthens your H-1B specialty occupation case significantly.
Consider smaller aerospace suppliers and testing facilities
Companies like BAE Systems, General Dynamics, and specialized flight test centers often have less competition for sponsored positions while still offering meaningful aerospace work.
Leverage clearance-eligible status if applicable
Many flight test positions require security clearances. If you're eligible for clearance processing, emphasize this advantage when approaching defense contractors and government aerospace facilities.
Highlight certifications in aviation testing standards
Certifications in DO-178C, ARP4754A, or other aviation standards demonstrate specialized expertise that employers value and that strengthens your visa petition's specialty occupation argument.
Network through aerospace professional organizations
Join the Society of Flight Test Engineers and attend conferences. Many flight test positions are filled through professional networks rather than public job postings.
Flight Test Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Flight Test Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does flight test engineering qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B visas?
Yes, flight test engineering consistently qualifies as an H-1B specialty occupation. The role requires specialized aerospace engineering knowledge, complex mathematical analysis, and understanding of flight dynamics that directly corresponds to an aerospace or mechanical engineering degree.
What degree is required for H-1B sponsorship as a flight test engineer?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering. Some positions accept physics or related engineering disciplines if combined with relevant flight test experience. The degree field must relate directly to aerospace systems and testing methodologies.
How to find Flight Test Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Flight Test Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international candidates with sponsoring employers. Focus on aerospace companies, defense contractors, and aircraft manufacturers that commonly hire Flight Test Engineers on H-1B, O-1, or TN visas. These employers often sponsor international talent due to specialized skill requirements in flight testing and aerospace engineering.
How competitive is visa sponsorship for flight test engineers?
Flight test engineers face moderate competition for sponsored positions. While there are fewer openings than general software roles, the specialized nature of the work means qualified candidates often have good success rates with major aerospace contractors who regularly sponsor visas.
Can flight test engineers get green cards through their employers?
Yes, most flight test engineering positions qualify for EB-2 green cards due to the advanced degree requirement or exceptional ability in aerospace testing. Defense contractors often support green card applications, though security clearance requirements may affect timing and processing.
Do flight test engineers need security clearances for visa sponsorship?
Not all flight test positions require clearances, but many do. Clearance requirements don't prevent H-1B sponsorship, but you must be eligible for clearance processing as a foreign national. Some employers will sponsor visas first, then pursue clearances after you start working.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Flight Test Engineer 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.
See which Flight Test Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Flight Test Engineer Jobs