University of Arizona OPT Eligible Jobs USA
University of Arizona hires OPT students across research, engineering, data science, and administrative roles within its academic and healthcare divisions. As a large public research university, it offers OPT-compatible positions across multiple departments, making it a solid target for F-1 students seeking hands-on U.S. work experience.
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Get Access To All JobsPosting Number req25950
Department Engineering Academic Affairs
Department Website Link https://engineering.arizona.edu/index
Medical Sub-Speciality
Location Tucson Campus
Address Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Program of the College of Engineering is seeking instructors to teach a “Cross-disciplinary Design” (ENGR 498A & B) course. This is a two-semester College-wide capstone design course generally taken by graduating seniors in a variety of majors. Students enrolled in the course work in interdisciplinary teams to solve mostly industry-sponsored real-world design problems using industry-standard design processes. The class culminates in a public showcase event (Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Day) at the end of the academic year (Spring and Fall semesters) where projects are reviewed by judges for grades and awards.
Instructors will coordinate sections of student teams, mentor students, instruct in the design process, and evaluate progress of assigned project teams (6 or more project teams of around 5 to 7 students per team) over two consecutive semesters. The primary responsibility is to serve as the instructor of record for these teams and autonomously keep teams and projects on track.
The ideal candidate will have experience in an industry setting as a project manager or equivalent with emphasis on managing design projects.
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here
Duties & Responsibilities
Teach one section that includes six teams of ENGR 498 each in a variety of settings:
- Prepare and deliver instructional materials and guide/lead class activities in 90-minute breakout sessions with at least six teams in the section (twice a week in both Spring and Fall) to ensure successful individual and team progress in the course and eventual completion of projects assigned to the teams.
- Deliver instructional materials related to instructor’s areas of expertise for use in the breakout section. This may include written material, videos, or other instructional materials.
- Evaluate and grade design reports, design presentations, and engineering notebooks in line with course requirements and individual project scopes.
- Collaborate with course coordinator and 498 other Instructors to ensure uniform evaluation and synchronization of projects.
- Provide professional and if possible technical instruction to teams with regard to the quality of their designs and the progress of their projects.
- Create an open communication channel with the program sponsors and ensure that the teams are providing them with regular status updates.
- Assist in the professional development of students as they transition from academia into careers.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering or closely related discipline and 5 years of experience as an engineering professional in one or more industrial organizations; OR Master's degree in engineering or a closely related discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ten or more years of experience as an engineering professional in one or more industrial organizations.
- Experience with the structure and format of courses at the University of Arizona.
- Experience in working in multidisciplinary teams in corporate settings.
- Extensive experience in managing engineering projects in corporate settings.
- Experience with formal project management methods and metrics.
- Experience demonstrating good presentation and public speaking skills.
- Professional Engineer certification.
- Experience working in industry on engineering-related projects.
- Demonstrated experience with techniques and topics related to engineering design through coursework or industry experience.
- Experience with conceptual designs and development of technical approaches.
- Experience with prototyping and building a variety of engineering products.
Rank Instructor
Tenure Information Adjunct (NTE)
FLSA Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Part Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week 10
Job FTE .25
Work Calendar Academic
Job Category Faculty
Benefits Eligible No Benefits
Rate of Pay DOE
Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies 3
Target Hire Date 8/17/2026
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Larry Head
Director, Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Program
klhead@arizona.edu
Open Date 5/8/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
Posting Number req25950
Department Engineering Academic Affairs
Department Website Link https://engineering.arizona.edu/index
Medical Sub-Speciality
Location Tucson Campus
Address Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Program of the College of Engineering is seeking instructors to teach a “Cross-disciplinary Design” (ENGR 498A & B) course. This is a two-semester College-wide capstone design course generally taken by graduating seniors in a variety of majors. Students enrolled in the course work in interdisciplinary teams to solve mostly industry-sponsored real-world design problems using industry-standard design processes. The class culminates in a public showcase event (Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Day) at the end of the academic year (Spring and Fall semesters) where projects are reviewed by judges for grades and awards.
Instructors will coordinate sections of student teams, mentor students, instruct in the design process, and evaluate progress of assigned project teams (6 or more project teams of around 5 to 7 students per team) over two consecutive semesters. The primary responsibility is to serve as the instructor of record for these teams and autonomously keep teams and projects on track.
The ideal candidate will have experience in an industry setting as a project manager or equivalent with emphasis on managing design projects.
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here
Duties & Responsibilities
Teach one section that includes six teams of ENGR 498 each in a variety of settings:
- Prepare and deliver instructional materials and guide/lead class activities in 90-minute breakout sessions with at least six teams in the section (twice a week in both Spring and Fall) to ensure successful individual and team progress in the course and eventual completion of projects assigned to the teams.
- Deliver instructional materials related to instructor’s areas of expertise for use in the breakout section. This may include written material, videos, or other instructional materials.
- Evaluate and grade design reports, design presentations, and engineering notebooks in line with course requirements and individual project scopes.
- Collaborate with course coordinator and 498 other Instructors to ensure uniform evaluation and synchronization of projects.
- Provide professional and if possible technical instruction to teams with regard to the quality of their designs and the progress of their projects.
- Create an open communication channel with the program sponsors and ensure that the teams are providing them with regular status updates.
- Assist in the professional development of students as they transition from academia into careers.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in an engineering or closely related discipline and 5 years of experience as an engineering professional in one or more industrial organizations; OR Master's degree in engineering or a closely related discipline.
Preferred Qualifications
- Ten or more years of experience as an engineering professional in one or more industrial organizations.
- Experience with the structure and format of courses at the University of Arizona.
- Experience in working in multidisciplinary teams in corporate settings.
- Extensive experience in managing engineering projects in corporate settings.
- Experience with formal project management methods and metrics.
- Experience demonstrating good presentation and public speaking skills.
- Professional Engineer certification.
- Experience working in industry on engineering-related projects.
- Demonstrated experience with techniques and topics related to engineering design through coursework or industry experience.
- Experience with conceptual designs and development of technical approaches.
- Experience with prototyping and building a variety of engineering products.
Rank Instructor
Tenure Information Adjunct (NTE)
FLSA Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Part Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week 10
Job FTE .25
Work Calendar Academic
Job Category Faculty
Benefits Eligible No Benefits
Rate of Pay DOE
Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies 3
Target Hire Date 8/17/2026
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Larry Head
Director, Craig M. Berge Engineering Design Program
klhead@arizona.edu
Open Date 5/8/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Documents Needed to Apply Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding University of Arizona OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target research and lab roles first
University of Arizona's research centers and STEM departments hire OPT students more consistently than administrative units. Search specifically for graduate research associate, data analyst, and lab coordinator postings, which align closely with OPT-eligible degree fields and have clearer pathways to STEM OPT extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. University of Arizona participates in E-Verify as a federal contractor, but confirm this applies to your specific hiring department before signing an offer, especially for positions in affiliated foundations or auxiliary units.
Align your OPT start date with hiring timelines
University of Arizona follows academic hiring cycles, with most positions posted in spring and fall. Request an OPT start date that lands within those windows to avoid gaps. USCIS recommends applying for OPT up to 90 days before your program end date, so plan your DSO request accordingly.
Use Migrate Mate to identify H-1B transition potential
If your goal is long-term employment, research whether University of Arizona has filed H-1B petitions for roles matching yours. Migrate Mate surfaces employer H-1B filing history by occupation code, so you can assess OPT-to-H-1B transition likelihood before committing to a position.
Frame your degree relevance explicitly in applications
OPT must be directly related to your degree field. For Education-sector roles at University of Arizona, tailor your resume to show how your coursework connects to the specific position, not just your major title. Hiring managers in academic units are accustomed to this requirement and expect candidates to articulate it clearly.
Request a written training plan before your STEM extension
USCIS requires a formal training plan on Form I-983 for STEM OPT extension, signed by both you and your supervisor. Raise this with your University of Arizona manager before your initial OPT expires, since academic supervisors sometimes need lead time to complete institutional HR approval for the document.
University of Arizona OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Arizona sponsor OPT visas?
University of Arizona doesn't sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization issued by USCIS to eligible F-1 students, not a visa petition filed by the employer. What University of Arizona does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD, and as an E-Verify participant, it can also support the 24-month STEM OPT extension for qualifying roles.
Which departments at University of Arizona typically hire OPT students?
Research-intensive units including engineering, data science, biosciences, and public health tend to hire OPT students most regularly. University of Arizona Health Sciences and its affiliated research centers also post positions suitable for STEM OPT holders. Administrative and humanities roles exist but are less commonly structured around OPT timelines.
How do I confirm my University of Arizona role qualifies for STEM OPT extension?
Your degree must appear on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program list, and the role must be directly related to that degree. Cross-reference your job description against O*NET to identify the standard occupational classification for your position, then verify your degree field aligns. Your DSO at your school completes the I-20 endorsement once the role qualifies.
How do I find OPT-compatible job openings at University of Arizona?
Search University of Arizona's official careers portal using role titles relevant to your field, then filter for full-time staff or research positions rather than student worker roles. Migrate Mate can also surface University of Arizona positions tagged for visa-compatible hiring, helping you identify which openings have a history of supporting international candidates through the transition to H-1B visa.
Does University of Arizona support the H-1B transition after OPT ends?
University of Arizona has filed H-1B petitions for employees in research, technical, and specialized academic roles, making it a reasonable path for OPT-to-H-1B transitions in those fields. The H-1B process is separate from OPT, requires employer sponsorship, and is subject to the annual lottery. Discuss H-1B sponsorship intentions with your hiring department early in the offer process.
How does University of Arizona hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. University of Arizona 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 University of Arizona's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.