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.
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Get Access To All JobsASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and defense. As an Alaska Native owned corporation, our work helps secure an enduring future for our shareholders. Join our team and discover why we are a top veteran employer and Certified Great Place to Work™.
ASRC Federal System Solutions (AFSS) is hiring an ORION Flight Operations Test Engineer at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Mission Control Center (MCC), in Houston, TX. Must be willing to travel to Denver, CO as required.
Role/Responsibilities:
- You will be supporting ground and mission system integration and the operation support for mission preparations, readiness and execution from the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston, TX.
- You are a Specialty Engineer in Systems/Subsystems Integration and Test with human spaceflight mission operations experience to support Exploration Missions 1 and 2 (EM‐1 & EM‐2). Ability to integrate subsystem HW and SW functionality to support development of the Operations Data Book, Flight Operations Procedures, and the Stowage Capabilities and Services Handbook product deliverables.
- Normal working hours will be a 9/80 work schedule: 1st shift Monday‐Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with every other Friday off. Resources will be expected to adjust their schedule accordingly to support off‐shifts and weekend activities as needed. Assume 10% OT of ST hours.
- Senior level engineering function that researches, develops, designs, and tests within, but not limited to the following functional disciplines: electrical components; mechanical products and systems such as instruments, controls, robots, engines, machines and mechanical, thermal hydraulic or heat transfer systems for production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy; software development activities, software inspection, testing, verification and validation; technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems; information technology related responsibilities including design, development, and analysis of computer systems or programs based on and related to user or system design specifications; layout for such processes as hardening, washing, laminating, etching, engraving, polishing, painting, plating, and other material-processing operations; mechanical analyses, such as Stress, Finite Element, and Vibration/Dynamic; conducts multidisciplinary research and collaborates with circuit designers and/or product line engineers in the design, development, and utilization of software to simulate the characteristics and parameters of integrated systems (IS) components, modules, or complete products under operating environment.
Requirements
- Bachelors degree from an accredited college in a related discipline and 5-7 years of experience or equivalent experience.
AFSS brings a 14-year history of delivering high-performance space systems engineering, integration and satellite operations services to civil and defense agencies.
AFSS provides these services throughout all phases of the program life cycle and across the entire space systems architecture, including space and ground assets.
We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.
ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.
ASRC Federal is a leading government contractor furthering missions in space, public health and defense. As an Alaska Native owned corporation, our work helps secure an enduring future for our shareholders. Join our team and discover why we are a top veteran employer and Certified Great Place to Work™.
ASRC Federal System Solutions (AFSS) is hiring an ORION Flight Operations Test Engineer at the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Mission Control Center (MCC), in Houston, TX. Must be willing to travel to Denver, CO as required.
Role/Responsibilities:
- You will be supporting ground and mission system integration and the operation support for mission preparations, readiness and execution from the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Mission Control Center (MCC) in Houston, TX.
- You are a Specialty Engineer in Systems/Subsystems Integration and Test with human spaceflight mission operations experience to support Exploration Missions 1 and 2 (EM‐1 & EM‐2). Ability to integrate subsystem HW and SW functionality to support development of the Operations Data Book, Flight Operations Procedures, and the Stowage Capabilities and Services Handbook product deliverables.
- Normal working hours will be a 9/80 work schedule: 1st shift Monday‐Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with every other Friday off. Resources will be expected to adjust their schedule accordingly to support off‐shifts and weekend activities as needed. Assume 10% OT of ST hours.
- Senior level engineering function that researches, develops, designs, and tests within, but not limited to the following functional disciplines: electrical components; mechanical products and systems such as instruments, controls, robots, engines, machines and mechanical, thermal hydraulic or heat transfer systems for production, transmission, measurement, and use of energy; software development activities, software inspection, testing, verification and validation; technical planning, system integration, verification and validation, cost and risk, and supportability and effectiveness analyses for total systems; information technology related responsibilities including design, development, and analysis of computer systems or programs based on and related to user or system design specifications; layout for such processes as hardening, washing, laminating, etching, engraving, polishing, painting, plating, and other material-processing operations; mechanical analyses, such as Stress, Finite Element, and Vibration/Dynamic; conducts multidisciplinary research and collaborates with circuit designers and/or product line engineers in the design, development, and utilization of software to simulate the characteristics and parameters of integrated systems (IS) components, modules, or complete products under operating environment.
Requirements
- Bachelors degree from an accredited college in a related discipline and 5-7 years of experience or equivalent experience.
AFSS brings a 14-year history of delivering high-performance space systems engineering, integration and satellite operations services to civil and defense agencies.
AFSS provides these services throughout all phases of the program life cycle and across the entire space systems architecture, including space and ground assets.
We invest in the lives of our employees, both in and out of the workplace, by providing competitive pay and benefits packages. Benefits offered may include health care, dental, vision, life insurance; 401(k); education assistance; paid time off including PTO, holidays, and any other paid leave required by law. The salary offered will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity, business needs, and other factors permitted by law. Posted pay ranges are a general guideline only and are not a guarantee of compensation or salary.
ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.
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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.
Frequently 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 visa 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 visa, 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.