OPT Product Design Engineer Jobs
Product Design Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical engineering, industrial design, or product development. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsDo you have a passion for invention and self-challenge? Do you thrive on pushing the limits of what’s considered feasible? As part of our Battery Engineering group, you’ll help craft creative battery solutions that deliver more energy in smaller spaces than ever before! You’ll work across subject areas to transform improved hardware elements into a single, integrated design. Join us, and you’ll help us innovate new battery technologies that continually outperform the previous iterations. By collaborating with other product development groups across Apple, you’ll push the industry boundaries of what batteries can do and improve the product experience for our customers across the world.
Description
The Battery Product Development team at Apple produces high-energy and highly reliable embedded battery systems for all product teams. Tightly integrated with Product Development, Operations, Industrial Design and Reliability Testing groups, we own battery module development from initial system architecture through ramp. The Battery Cell Product Design Group works within the Battery Product Development organization. We are responsible for the mechanical engineering design of our battery cells, which are integrated into battery modules and then into products.
Responsibilities
In this role, you will coordinate and execute mechanical characterization of the cells to understand and improve the overall functionality for our customers. Additional responsibilities include:
-
Create and drive innovative mechanical or product designs, using tools such as FMEA, design of experiments, GD&T including datum establishment and tolerance analyses, and collaborate with FEA team.
-
Define and complete design validation activities (testing, metrology, failure and statistical analysis), make data-driven decisions, be detail-focused, and collaborate in multi-functional team environments.
-
Drive failure analyses and design of experiments (DOEs) to reach design solutions and corrective actions.
-
Develop cell mechanical requirements and specifications to meet customer requirements with a multi-functional team.
-
Define and complete design validation and characterization from prototype bring-up to product testing.
-
Conduct design reviews and drive file release process.
-
Travel up to 20% throughout the year.
Minimum Qualifications
BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related
Preferred Qualifications
-
3 years relevant industry experience
-
Master’s degree, PhD or equivalent job-related experience in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
-
Ability to generate innovative designs with multi-functional teams, including detailed written specifications, drawings, and tolerance analyses.
-
Participates in the development of manufacturing processes with multi-functional teams and external vendors, acting as product development technical liaison among vendors.
-
Communicates technical status of projects cross-functionally, including throughout the management structure.
-
Completes tasks necessary to deliver product timelines.
-
Knowledge of high-volume manufacturing processes and/or automation is preferred.
-
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact with management, team members and external vendors.
Pay & Benefits
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 $141,800 and $258,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
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.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Do you have a passion for invention and self-challenge? Do you thrive on pushing the limits of what’s considered feasible? As part of our Battery Engineering group, you’ll help craft creative battery solutions that deliver more energy in smaller spaces than ever before! You’ll work across subject areas to transform improved hardware elements into a single, integrated design. Join us, and you’ll help us innovate new battery technologies that continually outperform the previous iterations. By collaborating with other product development groups across Apple, you’ll push the industry boundaries of what batteries can do and improve the product experience for our customers across the world.
Description
The Battery Product Development team at Apple produces high-energy and highly reliable embedded battery systems for all product teams. Tightly integrated with Product Development, Operations, Industrial Design and Reliability Testing groups, we own battery module development from initial system architecture through ramp. The Battery Cell Product Design Group works within the Battery Product Development organization. We are responsible for the mechanical engineering design of our battery cells, which are integrated into battery modules and then into products.
Responsibilities
In this role, you will coordinate and execute mechanical characterization of the cells to understand and improve the overall functionality for our customers. Additional responsibilities include:
-
Create and drive innovative mechanical or product designs, using tools such as FMEA, design of experiments, GD&T including datum establishment and tolerance analyses, and collaborate with FEA team.
-
Define and complete design validation activities (testing, metrology, failure and statistical analysis), make data-driven decisions, be detail-focused, and collaborate in multi-functional team environments.
-
Drive failure analyses and design of experiments (DOEs) to reach design solutions and corrective actions.
-
Develop cell mechanical requirements and specifications to meet customer requirements with a multi-functional team.
-
Define and complete design validation and characterization from prototype bring-up to product testing.
-
Conduct design reviews and drive file release process.
-
Travel up to 20% throughout the year.
Minimum Qualifications
BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or related
Preferred Qualifications
-
3 years relevant industry experience
-
Master’s degree, PhD or equivalent job-related experience in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent
-
Ability to generate innovative designs with multi-functional teams, including detailed written specifications, drawings, and tolerance analyses.
-
Participates in the development of manufacturing processes with multi-functional teams and external vendors, acting as product development technical liaison among vendors.
-
Communicates technical status of projects cross-functionally, including throughout the management structure.
-
Completes tasks necessary to deliver product timelines.
-
Knowledge of high-volume manufacturing processes and/or automation is preferred.
-
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to interact with management, team members and external vendors.
Pay & Benefits
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 $141,800 and $258,600, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
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.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
See all 105+ OPT Product Design Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Product Design Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Product Design Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program appears on the official STEM OPT eligible CIP code list before applying. Most mechanical engineering and industrial design degrees qualify, giving you 36 months of work authorization instead of 12.
Prioritize companies with H-1B track records
Focus on employers in consumer electronics, medical devices, and automotive manufacturing. These industries regularly file H-1B petitions for Product Design Engineers, making long-term sponsorship a realistic outcome after your OPT period ends.
Lead with portfolio impact, not process
Employers evaluating OPT candidates want proof of end-to-end product ownership. Show sketches, CAD models, prototypes, and shipped results together. Visa discussions land better when the hiring manager already sees clear value in your work.
Address OPT timing early with recruiters
Let recruiters know your OPT start date and STEM extension eligibility in the first conversation. Product Design Engineer roles often have 6-to-12 month onboarding timelines, so transparency about your authorization window prevents late-stage surprises.
Emphasize cross-functional collaboration skills
Product Design Engineers work alongside manufacturing, electrical, and software teams. Highlighting experience coordinating across disciplines signals organizational readiness, which often matters more to sponsoring employers than raw technical credentials alone.
File your STEM OPT extension application on time
Submit your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your current EAD expires. Missing this window means a gap in work authorization. Confirm your employer meets the E-Verify requirement before filing your I-983 training plan.
Product Design Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Product Design Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most do, but it depends on your degree, not your job title. If you graduated from a STEM-designated program, such as mechanical engineering, industrial design, or materials science, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That gives you up to 36 months total. Confirm your CIP code appears on the official STEM OPT eligible list before applying.
Which industries hire OPT students for Product Design Engineer roles?
Consumer electronics, medical devices, automotive, and industrial equipment are the most active sectors. Companies in these industries regularly file H-1B petitions for Product Design Engineers, making them stronger targets for OPT students who need long-term sponsorship. Startups in hardware and wearables also hire OPT candidates but have less predictable sponsorship track records. You can browse OPT-friendly roles in these industries on Migrate Mate.
Can I work as a Product Design Engineer on OPT if my degree is in industrial design rather than engineering?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. USCIS requires that OPT employment be directly tied to your degree program. Industrial design is broadly accepted for product design roles. Check whether your program has a STEM CIP code, since that determines whether you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12 months.
What should I include in my I-983 training plan as a Product Design Engineer?
The I-983 requires a detailed description of how the job relates to your degree and what skills you'll develop. For Product Design Engineers, this typically includes CAD modeling, design for manufacturing, materials selection, prototyping, and cross-functional product development. Be specific about the engineering principles involved. Vague descriptions increase the risk of a DSO flagging the plan for revision before your STEM OPT extension is approved.
How do employers typically view OPT candidates for Product Design Engineer roles?
Employers in established hardware companies generally understand OPT and STEM extensions, especially in industries like medical devices and automotive that have hired international engineers for years. The most common concern is H-1B sponsorship continuity after OPT ends. A strong portfolio demonstrating shipped products or prototype-to-production experience significantly reduces hesitation. Framing your 36-month STEM OPT window clearly helps employers plan around your authorization timeline.