North Carolina State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA

North Carolina State University hires OPT students across research, engineering, IT, and academic support roles, making it a practical target for F-1 graduates seeking hands-on experience at a major research university. Its broad departmental footprint and active hiring across STEM disciplines give OPT candidates real entry points.

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Overview

Open Jobs124+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type98% On-site
Median Salary$70K
Top LocationRaleigh, NC

Showing 5 of 124+ North Carolina State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA

North Carolina State University
Assistant/Associate Professor
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North Carolina State University
New 37m ago
Assistant/Associate Professor
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Teaching & Instruction
Research & Academia
Higher Education
On-Site
Doctorate
5,001-10,000

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North Carolina State University
Associate Director of Philanthropy
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North Carolina State University
Added 2d ago
Associate Director of Philanthropy
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Partnerships & Business Development
Customer Success
Content & Communications
Communications
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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North Carolina State University
Associate Director of Special Projects and Initiatives
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North Carolina State University
Added 3d ago
Associate Director of Special Projects and Initiatives
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Project & Program Management
Administrative & Office Support
Business Operations
Project Management
$1/hr - $5/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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North Carolina State University
NC Farm to Early Care and Education Program Director
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North Carolina State University
Added 3d ago
NC Farm to Early Care and Education Program Director
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Project & Program Management
Human Resources
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
Program Management
On-Site
5+ yrs exp.
Master's
5,001-10,000

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North Carolina State University
Energy Engineer III
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North Carolina State University
Added 3d ago
Energy Engineer III
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Environmental Engineering
$92,000/yr - $100,597/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Job Roles at North Carolina State University

Teaching & Instruction49 jobs
Higher Education25 jobs
Project & Program Management22 jobs
Laboratory Research15 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences14 jobs
Project Management13 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)12 jobs
Human Resources12 jobs
Specialized Engineering12 jobs
Healthcare Administration10 jobs

See all 124+ North Carolina State University Jobs

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Tips for Finding North Carolina State University OPT Eligible Jobs USA

Target research-heavy departments directly

NC State's colleges of Engineering, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Sciences run active sponsored research programs that regularly bring on OPT students. Applying through departmental job boards, not just central HR, puts your application in front of hiring managers who already understand OPT timelines.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Your STEM OPT 24-month extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. NC State participates as a federal contractor, but individual units or affiliated entities may operate separately, so verify the specific hiring department's E-Verify status with HR before signing anything.

Align your degree field to the posted role

USCIS requires your OPT employment to be directly related to your degree program. For roles at NC State, match your transcript field to the job description explicitly in your cover letter, especially for interdisciplinary positions where the connection isn't obvious to a non-specialist recruiter.

Negotiate your start date around EAD receipt

Your OPT EAD must be in hand before you begin work. USCIS processing can run two to three months, so submit your OPT application through your DSO as early as 90 days before your program end date and communicate your anticipated start window to NC State's hiring team upfront.

Research NC State's H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate

If your goal is long-term employment after OPT, check NC State's H-1B filing history by department and role type using Migrate Mate before accepting an offer. Understanding which units have sponsored H-1B in the past helps you assess your transition pathway before you're three years in.

Benchmark your salary against OFLC Wage Search data

Use the OFLC Wage Search to find the prevailing wage for your role and location before salary negotiations with NC State. University pay bands are often public, but knowing the DOL wage floor for your occupation level strengthens your position and ensures compliance if H-1B sponsorship follows.

North Carolina State University OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions

Does North Carolina State University sponsor OPT visas?

NC State doesn't sponsor OPT itself. OPT is work authorization USCIS grants directly to eligible F-1 students. NC State hires students who already hold an OPT EAD. The university's role is to confirm employment is related to your degree and, for STEM OPT, to participate in E-Verify and fulfill reporting obligations through your DSO.

Which departments at NC State typically hire OPT students?

Research-intensive colleges, including Engineering, Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Poole College of Management, are among the most active for OPT hires. IT and data analytics roles within NC State's central administration also bring on OPT students. Academic and lab-focused positions tend to align well with the degree-relatedness requirement USCIS enforces.

How do I apply for OPT jobs at North Carolina State University?

Start by searching NC State's official careers portal for positions that match your degree field. Apply directly to departmental openings where possible, since research labs and academic units often post separately from central HR. Confirm your OPT EAD is active or that your application timeline aligns with your anticipated EAD receipt date before your interview stage.

How do I know if NC State will support my STEM OPT extension?

STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and to submit a formal training plan. NC State participates in E-Verify as an institution, but verify with the specific hiring department that the unit covering your role is enrolled. Your DSO processes the extension through USCIS, so loop them in early to confirm all requirements are met before your initial OPT expires.

Does NC State sponsor H-1B visas after OPT ends?

NC State does sponsor H-1B visas for qualifying employees, which makes it a viable long-term option for OPT students looking to transition. Sponsorship decisions are made at the departmental level and depend on budget, role criticality, and timing relative to the annual H-1B cap. Use Migrate Mate to review NC State's H-1B visa filing history by department before committing to a role with transition expectations.

How does North Carolina State University hire OPT students?

OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. North Carolina State University can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check North Carolina State University's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.