OPT R D Engineer Jobs
R&D Engineer jobs are strong candidates for OPT work authorization. Most roles require a degree in engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in this space are generally familiar with sponsoring international talent through H-1B visa.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Scientist, Spatial Genomics R&D
Reports to: Director, Assay Applications Spatial Genomics R&D
FLSA Class: Exempt
Learn more about our company and how we support you:
Takara Bio USA (TBUSA) empowers life science discovery. We bring innovation and inspiration to every scientist - promoting discoveries that improve health and the environment. We hold values that all employees and prospective candidates should demonstrate: Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Respect, Growth, Diversity and Quality. We value helping employees develop their skills and you will be part of this journey!
At Takara Bio, we know that every experimental decision has an impact. Choices matter, from design to data analysis. We create best-in-class products that get the job done. In your hands, what do those research reagents and kits create? Something powerful: knowledge, understanding, and—often—hope! Together we can improve the human condition through biotechnology…and That's Good Science!
How this role drives the company forward:
The Scientist works primarily hands-on in the lab conducting experiments to move projects through all stages of product development; from initial Proof of Concept, through Research and Development, to Product Launch. To accomplish these tasks, the individual works closely with other colleagues in R&D, Engineering, Marketing and Operations.
The Scientist role is lab-based.
Occasional travel, including overnight, may be required (e.g., to attend conferences).
How you will make an impact:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Scientist to support our spatial transcriptomics product portfolio. This Ph.D.-level scientist will work closely with internal R&D, engineering, product management, and commercial teams to develop new applications for our cutting-edge spatial biology solutions. This scientist will work primarily hands-on in the lab conducting experiments to move projects through product development, troubleshoot customer issues and generate application data to support marketing collateral to drive adoption of our spatial technology.
What will you do:
- Plans, schedules, and conducts experiments for one or more projects, exhibiting good skills in experimental design, data analysis, and result interpretation.
- Understands project goals, meets project specifications, and commits to deliver projects within set deadlines under guidance from Senior Scientists and colleagues in Marketing (Product Managers and/or Market Strategy Managers).
- Responsible for clear report preparation, including timely inputs to lab notebooks and project databases.
- Learns to draft SOPs, user manuals, technical notes and other related technical documents with assistance from Senior Scientists, Marketing and Operations teams.
- Identifies potential new products for development based on assessment of customer demand, market trends, and competitor analysis with help from Marketing and more senior researchers in the group.
- Serves as a resource to R&D and other departments within the organization, including Product Management and Operations – especially during product development and launch.
- Participates in R&D scientific meetings, and may represent company in front of customers, e.g. by presenting posters etc. at conferences.
- Generate educational and scientific content, including presentations, white papers, and webinars, to showcase the capabilities of our spatial transcriptomics solutions.
- Stay up to date with advancements in spatial transcriptomics and single-cell analysis to provide scientific expertise to customers and internal teams.
- May support Sales and Technical Support representatives on technical matters.
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
How will you get here?
- Ph.D. in genomics, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, neuroscience, developmental biology, bioengineering, bioinformatics or related field, with 2-5 years of postdoctoral and/or industrial experience.
- Expertise in one or more cell and molecular biology disciplines including next generation sequencing, single-cell genomics, and spatial transcriptomics.
- Hands-on experience with tissue sectioning of fresh frozen and FFPE tissues, cell/nuclei isolation, single-cell or spatial transcriptomics platforms, library preparation, and sequencing workflows.
- Proficiency in basic bioinformatics and data analysis of single cell and/or spatial data; ability to write or adapt code in R, Python or Matlab for data processing and interpretation.
- Strong interest in technology development and translating scientific ideas into novel applications.
- Effective analytical and critical thinking skills, including excellent attention to detail, grounded knowledge of troubleshooting, and strong quantitative background.
- Collaborative personality with good interpersonal skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
AAP/EEO Statement:
Takara Bio USA, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.
Additional Information about the role:
Please note this job description may not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The US base salary range for this full-time position, expected to be located in San Jose, CA, is $150,000 - $165,000 USD. This range may be modified at any time at our sole discretion. This base salary does not include additional bonus compensation and benefits. Learn more about benefits at https://www.takarabio.com/about/careers/company-benefits. Individual compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, training, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions.
Job Title: Scientist, Spatial Genomics R&D
Reports to: Director, Assay Applications Spatial Genomics R&D
FLSA Class: Exempt
Learn more about our company and how we support you:
Takara Bio USA (TBUSA) empowers life science discovery. We bring innovation and inspiration to every scientist - promoting discoveries that improve health and the environment. We hold values that all employees and prospective candidates should demonstrate: Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, Respect, Growth, Diversity and Quality. We value helping employees develop their skills and you will be part of this journey!
At Takara Bio, we know that every experimental decision has an impact. Choices matter, from design to data analysis. We create best-in-class products that get the job done. In your hands, what do those research reagents and kits create? Something powerful: knowledge, understanding, and—often—hope! Together we can improve the human condition through biotechnology…and That's Good Science!
How this role drives the company forward:
The Scientist works primarily hands-on in the lab conducting experiments to move projects through all stages of product development; from initial Proof of Concept, through Research and Development, to Product Launch. To accomplish these tasks, the individual works closely with other colleagues in R&D, Engineering, Marketing and Operations.
The Scientist role is lab-based.
Occasional travel, including overnight, may be required (e.g., to attend conferences).
How you will make an impact:
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Scientist to support our spatial transcriptomics product portfolio. This Ph.D.-level scientist will work closely with internal R&D, engineering, product management, and commercial teams to develop new applications for our cutting-edge spatial biology solutions. This scientist will work primarily hands-on in the lab conducting experiments to move projects through product development, troubleshoot customer issues and generate application data to support marketing collateral to drive adoption of our spatial technology.
What will you do:
- Plans, schedules, and conducts experiments for one or more projects, exhibiting good skills in experimental design, data analysis, and result interpretation.
- Understands project goals, meets project specifications, and commits to deliver projects within set deadlines under guidance from Senior Scientists and colleagues in Marketing (Product Managers and/or Market Strategy Managers).
- Responsible for clear report preparation, including timely inputs to lab notebooks and project databases.
- Learns to draft SOPs, user manuals, technical notes and other related technical documents with assistance from Senior Scientists, Marketing and Operations teams.
- Identifies potential new products for development based on assessment of customer demand, market trends, and competitor analysis with help from Marketing and more senior researchers in the group.
- Serves as a resource to R&D and other departments within the organization, including Product Management and Operations – especially during product development and launch.
- Participates in R&D scientific meetings, and may represent company in front of customers, e.g. by presenting posters etc. at conferences.
- Generate educational and scientific content, including presentations, white papers, and webinars, to showcase the capabilities of our spatial transcriptomics solutions.
- Stay up to date with advancements in spatial transcriptomics and single-cell analysis to provide scientific expertise to customers and internal teams.
- May support Sales and Technical Support representatives on technical matters.
- This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.
How will you get here?
- Ph.D. in genomics, molecular biology, immunology, biochemistry, cell biology, neuroscience, developmental biology, bioengineering, bioinformatics or related field, with 2-5 years of postdoctoral and/or industrial experience.
- Expertise in one or more cell and molecular biology disciplines including next generation sequencing, single-cell genomics, and spatial transcriptomics.
- Hands-on experience with tissue sectioning of fresh frozen and FFPE tissues, cell/nuclei isolation, single-cell or spatial transcriptomics platforms, library preparation, and sequencing workflows.
- Proficiency in basic bioinformatics and data analysis of single cell and/or spatial data; ability to write or adapt code in R, Python or Matlab for data processing and interpretation.
- Strong interest in technology development and translating scientific ideas into novel applications.
- Effective analytical and critical thinking skills, including excellent attention to detail, grounded knowledge of troubleshooting, and strong quantitative background.
- Collaborative personality with good interpersonal skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
AAP/EEO Statement:
Takara Bio USA, Inc. does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.
Additional Information about the role:
Please note this job description may not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The US base salary range for this full-time position, expected to be located in San Jose, CA, is $150,000 - $165,000 USD. This range may be modified at any time at our sole discretion. This base salary does not include additional bonus compensation and benefits. Learn more about benefits at https://www.takarabio.com/about/careers/company-benefits. Individual compensation packages are based on factors unique to each candidate, including job-related skills, training, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions.
See all 768+ OPT R D Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a R D Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list before applying. R&D roles at companies requiring engineering or science backgrounds qualify for the 24-month extension, giving you significantly more runway than standard OPT.
Focus on employers with R&D departments
Large manufacturers, biotech firms, semiconductor companies, and defense contractors maintain dedicated R&D teams and typically have established processes for sponsoring international engineers. These employers are far more likely to be comfortable with OPT work authorization.
Highlight research output concretely
List publications, patents, conference presentations, and lab projects on your resume. R&D hiring managers evaluate candidates on research contributions, and a concrete track record signals you can contribute independently from day one.
Apply before your OPT start date
Start applying three to four months before your OPT authorization begins. R&D hiring cycles are longer than general engineering roles because technical evaluations and security clearance checks add time to the process.
Address the H-1B timeline proactively
Mention your STEM OPT timeline early in conversations with recruiters. Employers appreciate knowing they have 36 months total before needing to file an H-1B visa petition, reducing the urgency that often causes sponsorship hesitation.
Match your specialization to the role precisely
R&D positions are highly specialized. Tailor each application to match your specific research background to the role's technical requirements. A materials scientist applying to a photonics role without connecting the dots will lose to a closer match.
R D Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as R&D Engineers without employer sponsorship?
Yes. During your OPT period, you can work as an R&D Engineer using your EAD card without your employer filing any additional petitions. If your degree is STEM-designated, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of authorized work experience before needing H-1B or another visa.
Do R&D Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do. R&D Engineer positions typically require degrees in engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, or materials science, all of which appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. You should verify that your specific CIP code qualifies and confirm the role is directly related to your field of study, as USCIS requires both conditions to be met.
Where can I find R&D Engineer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa-authorized candidates, so you can browse R&D Engineer roles from employers who are already open to OPT work authorization. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the hiring process.
Are R&D Engineer positions commonly sponsored for H-1B after OPT?
Yes, more so than many other engineering roles. R&D functions are often tied to proprietary research, making it expensive for employers to replace specialized engineers after investing in their onboarding and training. Companies in biotech, semiconductors, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing have long track records of sponsoring international R&D staff for H-1B petitions.
What should I do if an R&D Engineer role requires a security clearance?
Security clearances are generally unavailable to non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents, which means most cleared R&D positions are off limits during OPT. Focus your search on unclassified R&D roles in commercial industries. Many high-value R&D positions in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and consumer electronics do not require clearances and actively recruit international candidates.