PHF,
I would assume that you also have several years of valid aeronautical experience? In which case, I would say come over as an engineer in an FT group and then move over to an FTE position once established. I came into the States via Canada but there are others on this board who came over directly from UK & may be able to give you a better idea of what's involved. It's almost impossible to overstate the current need for aero professionals of all stripes with every major company in recruit mode after some pretty lean times after 2001. The only word of caution is that some of the smaller ones are not too sound financially - as you know several VLJ companies have gone bust - but the majors are doing record business.
Best of luck!