OPT Electrical Engineer Jobs

Electrical Engineer roles are among the most OPT-friendly positions in the U.S. job market. Most positions require a degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field, which makes STEM OPT extension eligibility straightforward. Your 12-month OPT window can extend to 36 months at companies enrolled in E-Verify.

See All OPT Electrical Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs5,269+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type88% On-site
Median Salary$92K
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 5,269+ Electrical Engineer jobs

Krones
Electrical Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Krones
New 5h ago
Electrical Engineer
Krones
Franklin, Wisconsin
Electrical Engineering
Customer Service & Support
Customer Service
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.
Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical Engineer
We won't show you this job again
Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.
New 10h ago
Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical Engineer
Mitsubishi Power Americas, Inc.
Houston, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
BAE Systems USA
Entry Level Electrical Engineer
We won't show you this job again
BAE Systems USA
New 19h ago
Entry Level Electrical Engineer
BAE Systems USA
Nashua, New Hampshire
Electrical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$63,653/yr - $108,210/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Stantec
Electrical Engineer - EIT
We won't show you this job again
Stantec
New 19h ago
Electrical Engineer - EIT
Stantec
Cleveland, Ohio
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$77,300/yr - $112,100/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)
Honeywell
Electrical Engineer II
We won't show you this job again
Honeywell
New 19h ago
Electrical Engineer II
Honeywell
Mason, Ohio
Electrical Engineering
Technical Product & Program Management
IT Support & Systems Administration
IT Support
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Give feedback about this job
Min 10 characters (0/10)

See all 5,269+ Electrical Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Electrical Engineer roles.

Get Access To All Jobs

See all 5,269+ OPT Electrical Engineer Jobs

Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Electrical Engineer Jobs.

Get Access To All Jobs

Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Electrical Engineer

Target STEM-designated employers from day one

Not all employers are enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer. This single check protects your ability to stay authorized for up to 36 months total.

Frame your degree field precisely on applications

Electrical Engineering degrees map cleanly to the STEM OPT CIP code list. List your exact degree title as it appears on your transcript. Mismatches between your I-20 field of study and your job function can complicate STEM extension reporting with your DSO.

Prepare to explain your OPT timeline upfront

Hiring managers in engineering often ask about work authorization early. Be ready to state your OPT end date, whether you qualify for STEM extension, and whether the company's E-Verify enrollment enables that extension. Clear answers reduce employer hesitation significantly.

Prioritize roles where the technical function matches your degree

STEM OPT regulations require your job to be directly related to your field of study. A circuit design or power systems role is a clean match. Roles that drift toward general project management or sales engineering may create problems at your 12-month reporting checkpoint.

File your STEM OPT extension application 90 days early

USCIS recommends applying for the STEM extension no later than 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Late filing puts you at risk of a gap in work authorization. Start collecting your employer validation form from your supervisor well ahead of that window.

Use your internship and co-op history as proof of training

Engineering employers respond well to candidates who can show hands-on lab or industry experience. Prior internships and co-ops also demonstrate that other employers have navigated OPT authorization with you before, which reduces perceived hiring risk for your next employer.

Electrical Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Does an Electrical Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Yes. Electrical Engineering (CIP code 14.1001) is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, so a qualifying job offer from an E-Verify employer unlocks the 24-month STEM extension. Your role must be directly related to your degree, meaning hands-on engineering work rather than a general business or administrative function.

What types of employers hire Electrical Engineers on OPT?

Defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, utilities, aerospace companies, and consumer electronics firms are among the largest employers of electrical engineers in the U.S. Many are large enough to be enrolled in E-Verify, which matters for STEM extension eligibility. You can browse employers currently hiring on Migrate Mate, filtered by OPT-friendly sponsorship status.

How does the 24-month STEM OPT extension work for Electrical Engineers?

Once your initial 12-month OPT period nears its end, you can apply for a 24-month extension if your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your role is related to your STEM degree. Your employer must complete a formal training plan, and you report your training progress to your DSO at 12 and 24 months into the extension period.

Can I work as a contractor or on-site at a third-party client as an Electrical Engineer on OPT?

You can work through a staffing firm or contractor arrangement, but your day-to-day work must still qualify as a bona fide employer-employee relationship for STEM OPT purposes. USCIS scrutinizes third-party placement arrangements carefully. The E-Verify enrollment requirement applies to your employer of record, not the end client site where you perform the work.

What should I include in my resume to improve my chances of getting an interview as an OPT student?

List your degree field exactly as it appears on your transcript and note your OPT authorization status clearly in a summary line. Highlight technical skills relevant to the role, such as circuit design, PCB layout, power systems, or embedded systems, depending on the specialization. Internship and co-op experience is particularly persuasive because it shows prior employer familiarity with OPT processes.