H-1B Visa Development Engineer Jobs
Development Engineer roles sit squarely within H-1B visa specialty occupation territory, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering. Employers must file an LCA with the DOL and petition USCIS before you start work, and cap-subject petitions are tied to the October 1 fiscal year start.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
- Responsible for projects or functions that are enablers to department goals and deliverables.
- Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment.
- Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
- Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
- Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
- Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.
REQUIRED SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Comprehensive understanding of Glass Cutting Methods (Mechanical, Laser, Waterjet) or a background in working with Tempered Glass.
- Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
- Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions.
- Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
- Good communication skills across organizations.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
- Apply state-of-the-art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.
- May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
- Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
- May train, mentor and manage junior associates.
- Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
- Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager.
- May have direct reports.
TRAVEL
- 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)
ESTIMATED SALARY RANGE
- $80,700 - $115,000 Annually
US PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
- Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
- Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
- 20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
- Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
- Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.
LOCATION
Location: 28101 Cedar Park Blvd, Perrysburg, OH, 43551, US
JOB SCHEDULE
Job Schedule: Full time
WORK SCHEDULE
Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (United States of America)
INTRODUCTION
First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform material and device research to enhance thin film solar cell performance and stability and to reduce manufacturing cost.
- Responsible for projects or functions that are enablers to department goals and deliverables.
- Plan, execute and characterize development engineering experiments in the laboratory and manufacturing environment.
- Applies statistical and engineering methods to optimize organizational effectiveness. Improves methods for use by others.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- Associate’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
- Bachelor’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 5 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
- Master’s Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 3 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer I at First Solar.
- Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline, without prior technical work experience.
REQUIRED SKILLS/COMPETENCIES
- Comprehensive understanding of Glass Cutting Methods (Mechanical, Laser, Waterjet) or a background in working with Tempered Glass.
- Skills and hands-on experience in execution of experiments in laboratory or manufacturing environment.
- Analytical skills to interpret data and derive conclusions.
- Ability to make and execute detailed plans to achieve objectives with strong sense of ownership.
- Good communication skills across organizations.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Identify opportunities for improvement in solar cell efficiency, material selection and process/equipment design through engineering, scientific or empirical methods.
- Apply state-of-the-art techniques for material analysis, statistical analysis of data or execution/planning of experiments. Develop a work plan that can address problems with well understood solution paths.
- May be responsible to determine and evaluate material specification for improved performance. May be responsible to determine and evaluate tool/equipment specifications.
- Effective communicator with internal and external partners and customers. Effective team member that can support cross-functional projects and take ownership of sub-deliverables.
- May train, mentor and manage junior associates.
- Complies with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Job description subject to change at any time.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
- Reports to Development Engineer or Development Manager.
- May have direct reports.
TRAVEL
- 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.)
ESTIMATED SALARY RANGE
- $80,700 - $115,000 Annually
US PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
- Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
- Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
- Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
- 20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
- Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
- May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
- May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
- Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.
Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.
LOCATION
Location: 28101 Cedar Park Blvd, Perrysburg, OH, 43551, US
JOB SCHEDULE
Job Schedule: Full time
WORK SCHEDULE
Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (United States of America)
See all 5,410+ H-1B Visa Development Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Development Engineer
Verify your degree field aligns precisely
USCIS scrutinizes whether your degree directly relates to Development Engineer duties. A general science degree may trigger an RFE. Cross-check your transcript against the O*NET profile for this occupation before applying.
Target employers with cap-exempt status
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government research organizations can file H-1B petitions year-round without lottery exposure. Development Engineer roles in R&D labs at these organizations let you bypass the annual cap entirely.
Search verified LCA filings on Migrate Mate
Filter by Development Engineer job titles to see which employers have active DOL Labor Condition Applications. This surfaces companies already running the sponsorship process, not just those claiming openness to it.
Request premium processing before your OPT expires
Standard H-1B adjudication can run several months. If your OPT end date is approaching, ask your employer to file with USCIS premium processing to get a decision within 15 business days and avoid a gap in work authorization.
Confirm the prevailing wage level before offer stage
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage for your specific SOC code and work location. If the offer falls below the applicable level, the employer's LCA will be rejected by DOL before it reaches USCIS.
Document project ownership for specialty occupation proof
Employers must show the role requires a specific degree, not just any bachelor's. Gather evidence of design responsibilities, engineering specifications you authored, and any cross-functional technical leadership before your petition goes to USCIS.
H-1B Visa Development Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Development Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related engineering field such as mechanical, electrical, systems, or product engineering. Roles where any degree suffices, or where extensive experience substitutes for a degree requirement in the job posting, face higher RFE risk. The O*NET profile for Development Engineers lists Job Zone 4, which supports the specialty occupation argument, but your employer's job description must specifically require the degree.
How do I find Development Engineer employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters Development Engineer listings by verified DOL Labor Condition Application history, so you can see which employers have already gone through the LCA filing process rather than relying on vague sponsorship language in job postings. LCA filings are public record and reflect real sponsorship activity, not stated intentions.
Can my employer file an H-1B for a Development Engineer role outside the annual lottery?
Yes, if your employer qualifies as cap-exempt. Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government research entities can file H-1B petitions for Development Engineers at any time of year without entering the lottery. Private-sector employers are cap-subject and must register during the March window for an October 1 start date. If you're currently on OPT, cap-gap rules extend your authorization if your petition is filed and pending.
What happens to my H-1B if my employer discontinues the Development Engineer role?
You have a 60-day grace period after your last day of employment to find a new H-1B sponsor, change to another visa status, or depart the U.S. The grace period applies once per authorized validity period. A new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition with USCIS before the grace period expires for you to continue working legally. Portability rules under AC21 may also apply if your petition has been pending for 180 days or more.
Is a Development Engineer role eligible for the STEM OPT extension if I'm still on F-1?
STEM OPT eligibility depends on your degree, not your job title. If you hold a qualifying STEM degree such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science, and the role is classified under an approved STEM SOC code, your DSO can authorize the 24-month extension. Development Engineer positions frequently fall under SOC codes that qualify, but confirm the exact code with your employer before your DSO submits the I-983 training plan.