Automation Jobs for OPT Students
Automation jobs on OPT span roles in robotics, industrial controls, test engineering, and process automation across manufacturing, tech, and aerospace. Most positions require a background in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. STEM OPT extension applies to nearly all automation roles, giving you up to three years of work authorization.
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Title: QA Automation Engineer
Location: San Juan or Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (Hybrid – 2 days a week)
Job type: Full Time employment
Salary: Open as per market
Job Description:
The client is seeking a QA Automation Engineer who thrives in a challenging and fast-paced environment. The focus of this position will be to develop test automation code. You will be part of a highly dynamic team.
What you'll do:
- Understand, participate, provide input for functional and design specs and other design documentation.
- Execute and automate long running testcases and report the results.
- Collaborate with other cross-functional teams including but not limited to Product Management, Customer Support and Platform engineering.
- Provide guidance and mentoring to new hires joining the team.
Required skills & Experience:
- BS/MS degree in Science or Engineering from a recognized and accredited university/college.
- Typically, 2-4 years’ experience in developing and supporting automation test frameworks from ground up.
- Knowledge of complete SDLC and experience in software testing methodology, tools, test planning and test execution.
- Strong coding skills in Python/Playwright
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills for performing root cause analysis.
- Ability to effectively work with stakeholders in multiple engineering teams for defect investigation, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective/preventative actions.
- Ability to write clear test specifications.
- Experience working in continuous integration and continuous delivery.
- Self-motivated with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience in the following areas/technologies:
- Virtualization technologies
- CI/CD, Git/Gitlab, Jenkins
- LINUX /VM environments
- Pytest, playwright
BayOne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any federal, state, or local protected class. This job posting represents the general duties and requirements necessary to perform this position and is not an exhaustive statement of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise or alter this job description.
Position Details:
Title: QA Automation Engineer
Location: San Juan or Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (Hybrid – 2 days a week)
Job type: Full Time employment
Salary: Open as per market
Job Description:
The client is seeking a QA Automation Engineer who thrives in a challenging and fast-paced environment. The focus of this position will be to develop test automation code. You will be part of a highly dynamic team.
What you'll do:
- Understand, participate, provide input for functional and design specs and other design documentation.
- Execute and automate long running testcases and report the results.
- Collaborate with other cross-functional teams including but not limited to Product Management, Customer Support and Platform engineering.
- Provide guidance and mentoring to new hires joining the team.
Required skills & Experience:
- BS/MS degree in Science or Engineering from a recognized and accredited university/college.
- Typically, 2-4 years’ experience in developing and supporting automation test frameworks from ground up.
- Knowledge of complete SDLC and experience in software testing methodology, tools, test planning and test execution.
- Strong coding skills in Python/Playwright
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills for performing root cause analysis.
- Ability to effectively work with stakeholders in multiple engineering teams for defect investigation, root cause analysis, and implementation of corrective/preventative actions.
- Ability to write clear test specifications.
- Experience working in continuous integration and continuous delivery.
- Self-motivated with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience in the following areas/technologies:
- Virtualization technologies
- CI/CD, Git/Gitlab, Jenkins
- LINUX /VM environments
- Pytest, playwright
BayOne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any federal, state, or local protected class. This job posting represents the general duties and requirements necessary to perform this position and is not an exhaustive statement of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to revise or alter this job description.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Automation
Highlight your STEM eligibility upfront
Automation roles almost universally qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Mention your STEM-eligible degree field in your resume summary and cover letter so employers understand your full three-year authorization window before they even ask.
Target industries with established OPT pipelines
Manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive companies hire automation engineers on OPT regularly. These industries have large engineering teams and HR departments experienced with work authorization paperwork, making sponsorship conversations less friction-heavy than at smaller firms.
Lead with hands-on technical experience
Employers hiring automation engineers want evidence of practical skills: PLC programming, SCADA systems, robotics integration, or test automation frameworks. Projects from coursework, internships, or research labs carry real weight. Describe outcomes, not just tools you used.
Clarify your OPT timeline early in interviews
Automation roles often involve project timelines of one to two years. Demonstrating that your OPT window aligns with or exceeds those timelines removes a common employer hesitation. Come prepared with exact start and end dates for your current authorization period.
Understand which automation roles qualify for STEM extension
Your degree field must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program List for the extension to apply. Electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and systems engineering all qualify. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before making claims to employers.
Prepare to explain the employer's OPT obligations
Some automation employers, especially smaller manufacturers, are unfamiliar with OPT requirements. Be ready to explain that the employer must enroll in E-Verify and submit a training plan through your DSO. Removing ambiguity for the employer accelerates the hiring decision.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do automation engineering jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Automation roles tied to degrees in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, systems engineering, or related STEM fields qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That gives you up to three years of total work authorization on F-1 status. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO to verify eligibility before applying.
How do I find automation employers who are comfortable hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists automation jobs from employers experienced with OPT and visa sponsorship, so you can filter out postings where work authorization is a hard barrier. Look for companies in manufacturing, aerospace, and industrial tech sectors, where engineering hiring at scale makes OPT workflows routine for HR teams.
What happens to my OPT status if my automation job is with a staffing agency or contractor?
OPT allows third-party placement, but the arrangement must reflect genuine employment, not independent contracting. The staffing agency is typically your employer of record and must enroll in E-Verify. Your work must be directly related to your degree. Confirm the structure with your DSO before accepting a contract role to stay compliant.
Can I work on automation projects as an independent contractor during OPT?
Self-employment is technically permitted on OPT, but it requires a formal business structure and genuine automation-related work tied to your degree field. USCIS scrutinizes self-employment arrangements closely. Most OPT students in automation are better protected under a traditional employer-employee relationship. Consult your DSO before pursuing contract or freelance work.
What should I do if an automation employer says they don't sponsor visas?
OPT does not require visa sponsorship. Your employer needs to enroll in E-Verify and sign a training plan through your school, but they are not filing an immigration petition on your behalf. Clarifying this distinction often resolves the objection. If the role qualifies for STEM extension, you have up to three years, which covers most H-1B cycles.
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