Does anyone know a good aerospace headhunting/job placement firm?

November 21, 2014 2:24 PM

I have a non-American friend who has an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering from a highly acclaimed non-American university and a couple of years of work experience in his home country as a mechanical engineer working on helicopters, airplanes and drones. He now wants to come to the US (any city) for a couple of years (at least) to work as a mechanical engineer in aerospace, preferably on drones. Does anyone know of any specific headhunting firms that specialize in placing aerospace engineers?
posted by jack.brodey to Technology (6 answers total)

Can't help you on specific headhunter firms, but know that most of those jobs - especially ones at places that do drones and similar aircraft - require security clearances, which require American citizenship.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 2:31 PM on November 21, 2014 [3 favorites]

Seconding the previous poster. If he wants to work on drones he'll be limited to civilian models, because defense contractors won't touch him.
posted by Oktober at 2:52 PM on November 21, 2014

Response by poster: Hi there. You're absolutely right -- he's a non-US citizen, so all military/defense type stuff is out of the question. However, there seems to be a lot of interest in civilian drone development, so he's hopeful to find work there. Or if not with drones, then with airplanes or helicopters (he has experience with both). And BTW, his spoken English is excellent and his written English is fair. Thanks!
posted by jack.brodey at 3:02 PM on November 21, 2014

He can directly approach big companies that will assist with immigration such as Boeing. If he's willing to consider Canada, there's Bombardier. He can also think through the supply chain in civil aviation and look into companies such as Rolls Royce, Honeywell, etc. He should be able to deconstruct the standard Airbus/Boeing planes, find the major suppliers, and direct apply accordingly.

Alternatively, your friend can follow the oil. Anywhere there's offshore drilling there's civilian helicopters.
posted by crazycanuck at 3:05 PM on November 21, 2014

Following the supply chain is great advice. If he's willing to work on a contract basis, many aerospace firms outsource skilled engineering work to major consulting/staffing companies, including domestic and India-based staffing companies. He may not need to be based in India to be staffed on a temp (and temp can mean years at a time) basis. He can be nearer site, though his skills would have to justify the higher cost.
posted by slateyness at 10:14 PM on November 21, 2014

My husband has a profile with Aerotek but for a completely different industry.

We are in Brevard County, home of NASA/ Kennedy Space Center. If he does not care where he lives, he could look for aerospace jobs in this area (Melbourne/Titusville). Lots of those types of companies here.

Good luck!
posted by danabanana at 12:29 PM on November 22, 2014