Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories hires OPT students into engineering, software development, and technical consulting roles, with a demonstrated track record of supporting the OPT-to-H-1B visa transition. For F-1 graduates in electrical engineering and related fields, SEL is a strong employer to target.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The devices we make at SEL are embedded in the power grid. They prevent blackouts. They make outages safer and shorter in duration; they add cybersecurity, automation, and communication. They use cutting-edge technologies and operate at speeds that push other pieces of the grid to go faster. As an Automation Engineer - Commissioning in Engineering Services, you’ll provide solutions and services that help our customers protect and control critical electrical infrastructure and power systems worldwide.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Project Engineer - Commissioning a typical day might include the following:
- Commissioning, functionally testing, troubleshooting and diagnosing issues relating to control system logic, communications, input/outputs, and field wiring while at customer locations.
- Contributing to Power System Automation designs and logic/HMI development, functional testing, and documentation while in office.
- Completing and implementing assigned work within agreed upon scope, schedule and budget to a high level of quality and safety.
- Participating in the preparation of functional design specifications.
- Preparing and maintaining detailed design documents, reports, checklists, test reports, and deliverables.
- Following and applying SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
- Understand. Create. Simplify.
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
This job might be for you if you have:
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering or relevant discipline or significant experience in automation and commissioning of power control systems.
- 2+ years relevant application experience with electric power systems, industry practices, and automation/power systems.
- Good knowledge of electric power system protection and control, integration and/or automation and communications applications.
- Willing to travel both domestically and internationally a minimum of 60% based on focus area.
- Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
- Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
- Background check results satisfactory to SEL.
- Negative drug test result(s).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
PAY RANGE DATA
We anticipate filling this position as a Project Engineer II $90,000 - $150,000. We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the salary range may differ if filled at a different level. Our salary ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer and title on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
INTRODUCTION
The devices we make at SEL are embedded in the power grid. They prevent blackouts. They make outages safer and shorter in duration; they add cybersecurity, automation, and communication. They use cutting-edge technologies and operate at speeds that push other pieces of the grid to go faster. As an Automation Engineer - Commissioning in Engineering Services, you’ll provide solutions and services that help our customers protect and control critical electrical infrastructure and power systems worldwide.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Project Engineer - Commissioning a typical day might include the following:
- Commissioning, functionally testing, troubleshooting and diagnosing issues relating to control system logic, communications, input/outputs, and field wiring while at customer locations.
- Contributing to Power System Automation designs and logic/HMI development, functional testing, and documentation while in office.
- Completing and implementing assigned work within agreed upon scope, schedule and budget to a high level of quality and safety.
- Participating in the preparation of functional design specifications.
- Preparing and maintaining detailed design documents, reports, checklists, test reports, and deliverables.
- Following and applying SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
- Understand. Create. Simplify.
- Other duties as assigned.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
This job might be for you if you have:
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering or relevant discipline or significant experience in automation and commissioning of power control systems.
- 2+ years relevant application experience with electric power systems, industry practices, and automation/power systems.
- Good knowledge of electric power system protection and control, integration and/or automation and communications applications.
- Willing to travel both domestically and internationally a minimum of 60% based on focus area.
- Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
- Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
- Background check results satisfactory to SEL.
- Negative drug test result(s).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
PAY RANGE DATA
We anticipate filling this position as a Project Engineer II $90,000 - $150,000. We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the salary range may differ if filled at a different level. Our salary ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer and title on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
Job Roles at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Align your degree to SEL's core domains
SEL's hiring centers on electrical engineering, embedded systems, and power systems protection. Before applying, confirm your degree field maps directly to an open role. Mismatched degree-to-job-title combinations are the most common reason OPT candidates stall at the offer stage.
Verify SEL's E-Verify enrollment before accepting
Your 24-month STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm SEL's active enrollment status directly with HR before signing an offer. USCIS requires your employer to be enrolled at the time you file your STEM OPT extension request.
Target SEL's Pullman headquarters for entry-level roles
SEL's main engineering and R&D operations are concentrated in Pullman, Washington. Entry-level OPT candidates tend to find stronger sponsorship pipelines there than at regional offices. Applying to Pullman-based postings puts you closer to teams with established OPT hiring patterns.
Use Migrate Mate to check SEL's H-1B filing history
SEL's willingness to support the OPT-to-H-1B transition is visible in its DOL Labor Condition Application filings. Use Migrate Mate to review SEL's H-1B filing history by job title, so you enter salary negotiations knowing the prevailing wage benchmarks for your specific role.
Prepare for SEL's technical interview depth
SEL interviews for OPT engineering roles typically include protection relay logic, power systems fundamentals, or embedded C programming challenges. Candidates who review SEL's published application notes and relay testing documentation consistently report stronger performance in technical rounds.
Negotiate your OPT start date around project cycles
SEL operates on defined product and project release cycles in its engineering divisions. Aligning your OPT start date with the beginning of a new project phase increases your chances of meaningful placement. Ask your recruiter which teams are actively onboarding during your available start window.
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories sponsor OPT visas?
SEL doesn't sponsor OPT directly. OPT is USCIS-granted work authorization tied to your F-1 status, not an employer petition. What SEL does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. If you're pursuing a STEM OPT extension, SEL must be enrolled in E-Verify, which you should confirm with HR before accepting an offer.
Which roles at SEL are most likely to hire OPT students?
SEL most consistently hires OPT students into electrical engineering, software engineering, and power systems roles. Hardware and firmware development positions at the Pullman headquarters have historically been active entry points. Roles requiring direct client-facing consulting work are less common OPT placements than core engineering and R&D positions.
How do I approach the OPT-to-H-1B transition at SEL?
Start the conversation with SEL's HR team early, ideally within the first few months of your OPT period. SEL has supported H-1B sponsorship for employees in engineering roles, so establishing your value on the team before the H-1B registration window in March is the most practical approach. Migrate Mate can help you review SEL's LCA filing history to understand which job titles they've sponsored.
What's the typical timeline for OPT hiring at SEL?
SEL's recruiting cycle for engineering roles typically runs several months from application to offer. For OPT candidates, the key constraint is your EAD start date. Apply at least three to four months before your intended start date to give SEL's hiring process enough runway. USCIS recommends filing your OPT application 90 days before your program end date.
Does SEL support the STEM OPT extension?
SEL can support the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree qualifies under USCIS's STEM designated degree program list and SEL is enrolled in E-Verify. Verify both conditions before relying on the extension in your employment plan. Your DSO must also recommend the extension in SEVIS before you file with USCIS.
How does Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories 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 Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.