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.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Silver Bay, MN
Cleveland-Cliffs has an immediate opportunity for an Electrical Maintenance Technician at our Northshore Mining Company facility in Silver Bay, MN. This role is will be required to repair, maintain, and install electrical and instrumentation equipment throughout the Silver Bay Processing facility.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Repair and maintenance of plant electrical/instrumentation equipment.
- Ensure safety hazards are repaired.
- Maintain the integrity of plant electrical/instrumentation and process control systems.
- Use computerized maintenance management system for work order record keeping and inventory withdrawal.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Two-year electrical degree or four years of comparable industrial electrical work experience is required.
- Highly motivated.
- Ability to read schematics, blueprints and loop diagrams.
- Must be available for rotating shift work and/or weekend coverage.
- Must be willing/flexible to work overtime when needed.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent attendance record.
- Excellent safety record.
- Applicants must achieve a satisfactory score on the NSM Electrical/Instrumentation Assessment by the next available assessment date.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in an industrial electrical environment is preferred.
- Instrumentation knowledge is preferred.
- PLC background preferred.
The pay range for this role is $30.72/hour to $45.31/hour.
Please note that all applicants must meet the physical requirements of the position by the close of the posting period.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package including competitive pay with variable compensation opportunity, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off, and more.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to careers@clevelandcliffs.com or call 1-(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.
Location: Silver Bay, MN
Cleveland-Cliffs has an immediate opportunity for an Electrical Maintenance Technician at our Northshore Mining Company facility in Silver Bay, MN. This role is will be required to repair, maintain, and install electrical and instrumentation equipment throughout the Silver Bay Processing facility.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Repair and maintenance of plant electrical/instrumentation equipment.
- Ensure safety hazards are repaired.
- Maintain the integrity of plant electrical/instrumentation and process control systems.
- Use computerized maintenance management system for work order record keeping and inventory withdrawal.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Two-year electrical degree or four years of comparable industrial electrical work experience is required.
- Highly motivated.
- Ability to read schematics, blueprints and loop diagrams.
- Must be available for rotating shift work and/or weekend coverage.
- Must be willing/flexible to work overtime when needed.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent attendance record.
- Excellent safety record.
- Applicants must achieve a satisfactory score on the NSM Electrical/Instrumentation Assessment by the next available assessment date.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in an industrial electrical environment is preferred.
- Instrumentation knowledge is preferred.
- PLC background preferred.
The pay range for this role is $30.72/hour to $45.31/hour.
Please note that all applicants must meet the physical requirements of the position by the close of the posting period.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package including competitive pay with variable compensation opportunity, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off, and more.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to careers@clevelandcliffs.com or call 1-(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.
See all 1,147+ OPT Electrical Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips 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.