Chemical Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Chemical Engineer OPT jobs are a strong fit for F-1 students, as the role consistently qualifies as a STEM occupation, giving you access to the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of your initial 12 months. Employers in petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and materials manufacturing regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this specialty.
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Get Access To All JobsThe group you’ll be a part of
In the Global Products Group, we are dedicated to excellence in the design and engineering of Lam's etch and deposition products. We drive innovation to ensure our cutting-edge solutions are helping to solve the biggest challenges in the semiconductor industry.
The impact you’ll make
Metrology group is responsible for process validation readiness and data reliability as well as delivering new techniques for emerging requirements, and we provide expert services for techniques which require dedicated operational ownership, and training/support for those techniques appropriate for direct use by process engineers and techs. As a Lab Chemical Engineer, you will be a pivotal force in supporting Lam’s engineering process and improvement, helping product groups solve metallic, ionic, and organic contamination-related issues by providing fast trace-level impurities data or characterization information.
What You’ll Do
This role will be on-site Swing Shift
- Responsible for performing chemical sample preparation and sample analysis in support of advanced engineering activities.
- Operation of ICP-MS, TXRF, VPD, ICP-OES, IC, TPD, and other analytical instruments.
- Preparing reports, providing data, and interacting/consulting with product development communities.
- Performing analytical equipment troubleshooting and maintenance.
- Contributing to new analytical capabilities and methods development.
- Approximately 80% of the role will involve servicing workflow requests from product development engineers for sample preparation and analysis on instruments within your area.
- Maintaining overall lab capabilities in a high state of readiness by performing regular instrument calibrations, preparing standards from reagents, and adhering to and developing advanced test procedures.
Who We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field with 2+ years of experience operating analytical instruments such as ICPMS, ICP-OES, VPD, TXRF, IC in related analytical test fields.
- Hands-on experience with wet chemistry lab work, wafer VPD decomposition and wafer surface scanning sample preparation.
- Good analytical development and equipment troubleshooting skills.
- Self-motivation, diligent work ethic, and proactive attitude.
Preferred Qualifications
- Chemistry/Biochemistry/Chemical engineering education background is preferred, and semiconductor analytical test lab experience is a plus.
Our commitment
We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results. Lam Research ("Lam" or the "Company") is an equal opportunity employer. Lam is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.
Lam offers a variety of work location models based on the needs of each role. Our hybrid roles combine the benefits of on-site collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to work remotely and fall into two categories – On-site Flex and Virtual Flex. ‘On-site Flex’ you’ll work 3+ days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, with the opportunity to work remotely for the balance of the week. ‘Virtual Flex’ you’ll work 1-2 days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, and remotely the rest of the time.
Salary
CA San Francisco Bay Area Salary Range for this position: $27.88 - $59.62. The above salary range for this position is relevant to applicants that reside or work onsite in the California, San Francisco Bay Area only. Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. Actual salary may vary from salary offered due to numerous factors including but not limited to unpaid time off, unpaid leave, company mandated shutdown, and other relevant factors.
Our Perks And Benefits
At Lam, our people make amazing things possible. That’s why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits.
The group you’ll be a part of
In the Global Products Group, we are dedicated to excellence in the design and engineering of Lam's etch and deposition products. We drive innovation to ensure our cutting-edge solutions are helping to solve the biggest challenges in the semiconductor industry.
The impact you’ll make
Metrology group is responsible for process validation readiness and data reliability as well as delivering new techniques for emerging requirements, and we provide expert services for techniques which require dedicated operational ownership, and training/support for those techniques appropriate for direct use by process engineers and techs. As a Lab Chemical Engineer, you will be a pivotal force in supporting Lam’s engineering process and improvement, helping product groups solve metallic, ionic, and organic contamination-related issues by providing fast trace-level impurities data or characterization information.
What You’ll Do
This role will be on-site Swing Shift
- Responsible for performing chemical sample preparation and sample analysis in support of advanced engineering activities.
- Operation of ICP-MS, TXRF, VPD, ICP-OES, IC, TPD, and other analytical instruments.
- Preparing reports, providing data, and interacting/consulting with product development communities.
- Performing analytical equipment troubleshooting and maintenance.
- Contributing to new analytical capabilities and methods development.
- Approximately 80% of the role will involve servicing workflow requests from product development engineers for sample preparation and analysis on instruments within your area.
- Maintaining overall lab capabilities in a high state of readiness by performing regular instrument calibrations, preparing standards from reagents, and adhering to and developing advanced test procedures.
Who We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field with 2+ years of experience operating analytical instruments such as ICPMS, ICP-OES, VPD, TXRF, IC in related analytical test fields.
- Hands-on experience with wet chemistry lab work, wafer VPD decomposition and wafer surface scanning sample preparation.
- Good analytical development and equipment troubleshooting skills.
- Self-motivation, diligent work ethic, and proactive attitude.
Preferred Qualifications
- Chemistry/Biochemistry/Chemical engineering education background is preferred, and semiconductor analytical test lab experience is a plus.
Our commitment
We believe it is important for every person to feel valued, included, and empowered to achieve their full potential. By bringing unique individuals and viewpoints together, we achieve extraordinary results. Lam Research ("Lam" or the "Company") is an equal opportunity employer. Lam is committed to and reaffirms support of equal opportunity in employment and non-discrimination in employment policies, practices and procedures on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, or military and veteran status or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. It is the Company's intention to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Company policy prohibits unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees.
Lam offers a variety of work location models based on the needs of each role. Our hybrid roles combine the benefits of on-site collaboration with colleagues and the flexibility to work remotely and fall into two categories – On-site Flex and Virtual Flex. ‘On-site Flex’ you’ll work 3+ days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, with the opportunity to work remotely for the balance of the week. ‘Virtual Flex’ you’ll work 1-2 days per week on-site at a Lam or customer/supplier location, and remotely the rest of the time.
Salary
CA San Francisco Bay Area Salary Range for this position: $27.88 - $59.62. The above salary range for this position is relevant to applicants that reside or work onsite in the California, San Francisco Bay Area only. Salary offers will depend on factors that include the location you work from, your level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience and comparison to other employees already in this role. Actual salary may vary from salary offered due to numerous factors including but not limited to unpaid time off, unpaid leave, company mandated shutdown, and other relevant factors.
Our Perks And Benefits
At Lam, our people make amazing things possible. That’s why we invest in you throughout the phases of your life with a comprehensive set of outstanding benefits.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Chemical Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Chemical Engineering roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, but only if your employer is E-Verify enrolled. Confirm enrollment before accepting any offer. Most large manufacturers and chemical companies already participate.
Align your resume to the specialty occupation standard
H-1B approval for Chemical Engineers requires your role to directly use your degree. Emphasize specific technical functions like process design, reaction kinetics, or materials analysis rather than general project coordination or lab support duties.
Apply before your OPT authorization is issued
Hiring timelines at chemical and engineering firms often run 6 to 12 weeks. Start applying before your OPT EAD arrives so your authorization is in hand by the time an offer is extended and onboarding begins.
Highlight process engineering and safety compliance experience
Employers sponsoring Chemical Engineers for H-1B need to justify the specialty occupation requirement. Roles involving process optimization, OSHA compliance, or scale-up engineering are far easier to sponsor than generalist R&D assistant positions.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Chemical Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Chemical Engineering (CIP code 14.0701) is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, which means you are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12-month OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you must file Form I-983 to document your training plan. Combined, that gives you up to 36 months of work authorization before needing an H-1B or other visa.
Do Chemical Engineer jobs typically qualify as H-1B specialty occupations?
Chemical Engineering is one of the cleaner specialty occupation cases for H-1B purposes. The role has a direct and established connection to a specific degree field, which is exactly what USCIS looks for. Roles involving process design, reaction engineering, or materials development are routinely approved. Positions framed as general operations or sales support are harder to qualify, even with an engineering title, so the job description matters significantly.
Which industries hire Chemical Engineers on OPT most often?
The strongest hiring demand for Chemical Engineers on OPT comes from petroleum and natural gas, pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturing, specialty chemicals, semiconductors, and environmental consulting. These industries routinely deal with technically complex, degree-dependent work that supports both OPT and future H-1B sponsorship. You can browse verified OPT-friendly openings across these sectors on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers actively working with international candidates.
Can I do a co-op or internship as a Chemical Engineer while on OPT?
Yes, post-completion OPT allows full-time and part-time employment, including internships, provided the work is directly related to your Chemical Engineering degree. However, you cannot use post-completion OPT for volunteer work or unpaid positions. If you are still enrolled and want to do a co-op before graduation, Curricular Practical Training is the appropriate authorization instead. Make sure any internship offer letter explicitly connects the role to your field of study.
What happens if I cannot find a Chemical Engineer role before my OPT start date?
OPT has a 90-day unemployment limit. You do not need to be employed on the first day, but the clock starts from your OPT start date, not from when you find a job. For Chemical Engineers, the job search timeline is typically realistic within that window given strong industry demand, but starting your applications two to three months before graduation significantly reduces the pressure. Document any periods of unemployment carefully in your SEVIS record through your DSO.
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