OPT Pre Sales Engineer Jobs
Pre Sales Engineer jobs on OPT require employers to support F-1 work authorization, which most established tech companies do routinely. Your 12-month OPT period starts immediately, and STEM extension eligibility depends on your degree field. Many Pre Sales Engineer roles qualify under STEM-designated CIP codes in engineering or computer science.
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Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The UCI Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences Contract and Grants office is one of the units housed in the Office of the Dean that has a centralized Pre-awards and Post awards unit. As a central unit, staff serve the School as a whole by working with a variety of federal and non-federal sponsors. The team's mission is to serve the School's faculty by streamlining services and improving operations, supporting each other on complex and challenging tasks, and fostering professional growth by attending training, conferences and presenting on extramural research topics both on and off campus as subject experts.
Responsibilities:
- Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and/or oversee research proposals, awards, and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies.
- Works on proposals and awards for federal and private contracts and grants as well as other extramural funds that support various research and instructional programs, which requires thorough understanding of complex regulations.
- Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official.
- Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub awards.
- Interprets and advises on policy, independently solves problems related to pre-award administration.
- Interacts with all levels of university and agency, faculty and staff.
- Makes recommendations to faculty and staff to assure compliance with proposal requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
- Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
- Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.
- Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
- Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
- Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques.
- Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor guidelines.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- 3-5 years Contracts and Grants in higher education.
Preferred:
- Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of managing fellowship awards.
- Ability to track institutional cost sharing.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
Overview:
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.
The UCI Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences Contract and Grants office is one of the units housed in the Office of the Dean that has a centralized Pre-awards and Post awards unit. As a central unit, staff serve the School as a whole by working with a variety of federal and non-federal sponsors. The team's mission is to serve the School's faculty by streamlining services and improving operations, supporting each other on complex and challenging tasks, and fostering professional growth by attending training, conferences and presenting on extramural research topics both on and off campus as subject experts.
Responsibilities:
- Uses skills as a seasoned, experienced research administrator to independently develop and/or oversee research proposals, awards, and/or transactions related to contract and grant management and maintains contract and grant records in compliance with institutional research sponsor policies.
- Works on proposals and awards for federal and private contracts and grants as well as other extramural funds that support various research and instructional programs, which requires thorough understanding of complex regulations.
- Completes and approves transactions for signature by manager or other authorized institutional official.
- Works on complex proposals and awards that may involve multiple investigators and/or multiple sub awards.
- Interprets and advises on policy, independently solves problems related to pre-award administration.
- Interacts with all levels of university and agency, faculty and staff.
- Makes recommendations to faculty and staff to assure compliance with proposal requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Thorough understanding of research administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
- Thorough knowledge of applicable compliance requirements related to use of human or animal subjects in research, financial conflict of interest, biosafety, etc.
- Ability to perform complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
- Demonstrated competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.
- Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas.
- Maintains current knowledge of compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
- Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective grant funding processes, procedures and techniques.
- Strong writing skills in a variety of styles to draft persuasive text for a variety of audiences while ensuring adherence to funding sponsor guidelines.
- Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
- 3-5 years Contracts and Grants in higher education.
Preferred:
- Ability to manage significant volume of transactions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of managing fellowship awards.
- Ability to track institutional cost sharing.
TOTAL REWARDS:
In addition to the salary range listed below, we offer a wealth of benefits to make working at UCI even more rewarding. These benefits may include medical insurance, sick and vacation time, retirement savings plans, and access to a number of discounts and perks. Please utilize the links listed here to learn more about our compensation practices and benefits.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
The University of California, Irvine (UCI) seeks to provide a safe and healthy environment for the entire UCI community. As part of this commitment, all applicants who accept an offer of employment must comply with the following conditions of employment:
- Background Check and Live Scan
- Employment Misconduct
- Legal Right to work in the United States
- Vaccination Policies
- Smoking and Tobacco Policy
- Drug Free Environment
- Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.
The following additional conditions may apply, some of which are dependent upon business unit or job specific requirements:
- California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
- E-Verify
- Pre-Placement Health Evaluation
Details of each policy may be reviewed by visiting the following page - https://hr.uci.edu/new-hire/conditions-of-employment.php
CLOSING STATEMENT:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.
We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce along with honoring unique experiences, perspectives, and identities. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
UCI provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact Human Resources at (949) 824-0500 or eec@uci.edu.
See all 391+ OPT Pre Sales Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Pre Sales Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Pre Sales Engineer
Target STEM-Eligible Degree Alignment
Confirm your degree's CIP code qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension before applying. Engineering, computer science, and information systems degrees typically qualify, giving you up to three years of total OPT authorization.
Lead With Technical Depth in Applications
Pre Sales Engineers bridge product knowledge and customer needs. Emphasize your ability to run technical demos, respond to RFPs, and translate complex features into business value. This combination reassures employers that sponsorship is worth pursuing.
Focus on Companies With Existing OPT Processes
Mid-size and enterprise software companies sponsor OPT students regularly and have HR infrastructure to handle E-Verify and I-983 paperwork. Targeting these employers reduces delays and avoids drawn-out internal approval processes.
Address OPT Timing Proactively With Recruiters
Mention your OPT start date and remaining authorization window early in conversations. Recruiters at sponsorship-friendly companies appreciate the transparency, and it filters out employers who won't move quickly enough to meet your timeline.
Highlight Certifications That Close Skill Gaps
Certifications in platforms like Salesforce, AWS, or specific SaaS products signal hands-on readiness. For Pre Sales roles, demonstrating product fluency often matters more to hiring managers than work authorization complexity matters to them.
Prepare a Strong Technical Demo Portfolio
Pre Sales Engineer interviews frequently include live demo or whiteboard exercises. Practicing a structured discovery call, product walkthrough, and objection-handling sequence positions you as immediately deployable, which strengthens your case for sponsorship.
Pre Sales Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Pre Sales Engineer employers typically support OPT work authorization?
Yes, most established software and technology companies hire Pre Sales Engineers on OPT without significant friction. These employers are accustomed to E-Verify enrollment and I-983 training plan requirements. Smaller startups may be less familiar with the process, so targeting mid-size or enterprise SaaS companies gives you the best odds of a smooth authorization experience.
Does a Pre Sales Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not the job title. If your degree is in engineering, computer science, or a related STEM-designated field, and the employer is E-Verify enrolled, you can apply for the 24-month STEM extension. The Pre Sales Engineer role itself must also align with your degree, which is straightforward when your academic background is in a technical discipline.
Where can I find Pre Sales Engineer jobs that support OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers who sponsor work authorization. Browsing Pre Sales Engineer listings on Migrate Mate surfaces companies already open to OPT candidates, which saves significant time compared to filtering through general job boards where sponsorship status is rarely disclosed upfront.
What is the I-983 Training Plan, and how does it apply to Pre Sales Engineers?
The I-983 is a form your employer co-signs that outlines how your STEM OPT position relates to your degree. For Pre Sales Engineers, the training plan should describe how the role develops skills in systems analysis, solution architecture, or technical communication, connecting those responsibilities directly to your academic program. Your DSO must approve it before the extension is authorized.
Can I switch Pre Sales Engineer employers during my OPT period?
Yes, but you must report the employer change to your DSO within ten days and ensure the new employer is E-Verify enrolled if you are on STEM OPT. There is no grace period for unemployment exceeding 90 cumulative days on standard OPT or 150 days on STEM OPT, so securing the new role before leaving your current position is strongly advisable.