OPT Circuit Design Engineer Jobs
Circuit Design Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in electrical engineering or computer engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM positions, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in semiconductor, defense, and consumer electronics regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this specialty occupation.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Imagine what you can do here. Apple is a place where extraordinary people gather to do their lives best work. Together we create products and experiences people once couldn't have imagined, and now, can't imagine living without. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do.
DESCRIPTION
APPLE INC has the following available in Cupertino, California and various unanticipated locations throughout the USA. Collaborate with all fields, with a critical impact and play a strategic role of getting functional products to millions of customers quickly. Integrate and come up with new ideas, as well as work with a team of hardworking engineers. Develop custom circuits to improve chip power efficiency. Work with power team, PD and architects to define specifications and requirements. Perform design, analysis, modeling/simulation, circuit level specifications, schematic capture, spice simulation/margin verification across PVT, statistical design, functional verification and silicon bring up. Work closely with layout team to complete the design and oversee the layout quality. Develop and drive circuit methodology to achieve the highest design quality metrics. 40 hours/week. At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $148,987 - $218,000/yr and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
PAY & BENEFITS
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits: https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field and 2 years of experience in the job offered or related occupation.
Experience and/or education must include:
- Designing high performance circuits.
- Designing ultra-low power circuits utilizing analog design.
- Conducting transistor level circuit design with utilizing VLSI design.
- SRAM compiler design to design SRAM macros with aggressive PPA (power performance area) targets for different applications.
- Using Hspice simulation to analyze design margins across voltages and temperature.
- Using Verilog to code and verify behavioral model for circuits.
- Using static timing analysis and PnR (Place and Route) to work closely with physical design team for circuit integration.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
N/A
INTRODUCTION
Imagine what you can do here. Apple is a place where extraordinary people gather to do their lives best work. Together we create products and experiences people once couldn't have imagined, and now, can't imagine living without. It's the diversity of those people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do.
DESCRIPTION
APPLE INC has the following available in Cupertino, California and various unanticipated locations throughout the USA. Collaborate with all fields, with a critical impact and play a strategic role of getting functional products to millions of customers quickly. Integrate and come up with new ideas, as well as work with a team of hardworking engineers. Develop custom circuits to improve chip power efficiency. Work with power team, PD and architects to define specifications and requirements. Perform design, analysis, modeling/simulation, circuit level specifications, schematic capture, spice simulation/margin verification across PVT, statistical design, functional verification and silicon bring up. Work closely with layout team to complete the design and oversee the layout quality. Develop and drive circuit methodology to achieve the highest design quality metrics. 40 hours/week. At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $148,987 - $218,000/yr and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
PAY & BENEFITS
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits: https://www.apple.com/careers/us/benefits.html.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Master’s degree or foreign equivalent in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related field and 2 years of experience in the job offered or related occupation.
Experience and/or education must include:
- Designing high performance circuits.
- Designing ultra-low power circuits utilizing analog design.
- Conducting transistor level circuit design with utilizing VLSI design.
- SRAM compiler design to design SRAM macros with aggressive PPA (power performance area) targets for different applications.
- Using Hspice simulation to analyze design margins across voltages and temperature.
- Using Verilog to code and verify behavioral model for circuits.
- Using static timing analysis and PnR (Place and Route) to work closely with physical design team for circuit integration.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
N/A
See all OPT Circuit Design Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Circuit Design Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Circuit Design Engineer roles almost always qualify for STEM OPT extension, but your employer must be E-Verify enrolled. Confirm E-Verify status before accepting any offer to protect your 24-month extension eligibility.
Align your degree field to the job description
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree and the role. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and related fields map cleanly to circuit design. Highlight coursework in analog design, VLSI, or signal processing in your application materials.
Prioritize semiconductor and defense contractors
Companies like Texas Instruments, Qualcomm, and defense contractors have established OPT and H-1B sponsorship pipelines. Larger employers in these industries file high volumes of petitions annually and understand the process well.
File your STEM OPT extension early
Submit your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Your DSO must recommend the extension in SEVIS before USCIS can process it. Late filing can create gaps in work authorization.
Document your training plan thoroughly
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan on Form I-983. Be specific about technical goals, like mastering a particular EDA tool or design methodology. Vague plans draw scrutiny during audits and can put your status at risk.
Use Migrate Mate to filter sponsorship-ready roles
Not every circuit design posting will lead to sponsorship. Migrate Mate surfaces roles from employers with active OPT and H-1B sponsorship histories, saving you from applying to companies that won't support your immigration status.
Circuit Design Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Circuit Design Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Circuit Design Engineer positions typically fall under electrical or computer engineering, both of which are STEM-designated fields on the DHS STEM list. Your degree must be in a qualifying field, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled, and you must complete a formal training plan on Form I-983. Confirm these three conditions before relying on the extension.
How do I find Circuit Design Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by employers with documented sponsorship histories. Searching general job boards won't tell you whether a company has ever sponsored a visa. Migrate Mate surfaces circuit design roles at companies that actively file H-1B and OPT-related petitions, so you can focus your applications where they're most likely to lead to long-term authorization.
Can I work as a Circuit Design Engineer on OPT before getting my EAD?
No. You cannot begin working until your Employment Authorization Document arrives and the start date printed on it has passed. Apply for OPT early through your DSO, since USCIS processing typically takes several weeks. Working before your EAD is in hand, even a single day, violates your F-1 status and can have serious immigration consequences.
What happens if my Circuit Design Engineer employer cannot sponsor an H-1B before my OPT expires?
If your OPT or STEM OPT extension expires without an approved H-1B or other work authorization, you must stop working immediately. Planning ahead matters: if your employer intends to sponsor you, they should begin the H-1B process well before your authorization ends. Some employers also offer L-1 visa, O-1 visa, or other visa pathways depending on your qualifications and the company's structure.
Is circuit design considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Circuit Design Engineer roles consistently meet USCIS's specialty occupation standard because the position normally requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a directly related field. This makes H-1B sponsorship a realistic pathway after OPT. Employers in semiconductor, aerospace, and consumer electronics sectors routinely file H-1B petitions for circuit design roles.