OPT R D Technology Jobs
R&D Technology roles are a strong fit for OPT students in engineering, computer science, and applied sciences, since most qualify for STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this space regularly sponsor H-1B visas for strong performers, making it one of the more viable long-term paths for international students.
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Compound/Materials/Rubber Development Professional
Location: Lincoln, Rhode Island or Willimantic, Connecticut
Prysmian Group is the world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry. Spanning 50 countries, 112 plants, 25 research and development centers, and employing over 30,000 associates, we have a strategic footprint that allows us to service emerging markets and communities across the globe with ease. Prysmian Group is presently on a full integration path with General Cable. This growth is only the beginning. We are presently looking for top talent to join our team during this exciting time.
Prysmian Group is seeking a people-oriented and change management champion to support our business. In your new role you will be reporting directly to the lab Product Development Manager and will be integral to the continued success as well as the future growth of with our customers. Your role will interact with the business and customers in order to understand and solve their unique requirements for their business segments. You will be responsible for start-to-finish product development, requirement gathering, product improvement, and support new product introduction into segments of the business.
Reports to Product Development Manager.
Principal Duties & Responsibilities
- Conduct fundamental or applied research to improve or to generate new products, components, materials, or applications.
- Plan, design, and conduct research projects according to established scientific methods, principles, and theories in order to solve problems, improve or generate new products, components, equipment, and processes.
- Develop/Formulate new polymer/rubber compounds and/or modify the existing materials to improve product functionality.
- Activities may include devising research methods; setting-up laboratory test equipment; building models and prototypes; calculating and analyzing test results and preparing detailed reports with recommendations and conclusions.
- Estimate the costs, resources, and time required to conduct a research project and monitor performance to ensure these targets are met.
- Prepare calculations, specifications, and other technical documentation so that prototype designs can be manufactured and assembled.
- Develop and maintain technical expertise on advances and innovations in research and science.
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Polymeric Materials, Chemistry, Plastics Technology or Engineering.
- At least 3 years of Material/Product Development Engineering or combination with Design Engineering.
- Passion for supporting products that are cost effective and conducive to business success.
- Experience working in cross-functional teams.
Preferred
- “Hands-on” and be able to support laboratory, pilot, and production trials.
- 3-7 years of Material/Product Development Engineering or combination with Design Engineering.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
- Works out of a normal office environment with standard office equipment available.
- Will be required to sit, bend, kneel, squat, use keyboard, read, write, and speak fluently.
- Employee will regularly be required to lift and carry objects of 10-25 pounds as needed.
- Employee will occasionally be required to lift and carry objects of 25-30 pounds as needed.
- Employee will be required to work productively and cooperatively in a high-volume, fast paced, highly pressured environment and be able to respond efficiently and courteously to unanticipated problems and crisis.
- This role is not typically exposed to adverse environmental conditions, except excessive eye strain and possible lifting injuries.
- When travel is necessary, will be exposed to typical travel environment and surroundings.
Prysmian Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military service and veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Prysmian will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business. If you believe you require such assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please let us know.
Prysmian, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, aims to attract and recruit individuals with diverse backgrounds, skills, and abilities. We strongly believe that diversity brings significant value at all levels of the organization, increasing the possibility of capturing market opportunities and maximizing value for our customers and stakeholders. With Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) as part of our Social Ambition 2030 and a strategic pillar of our Company culture, Prysmian is committed to the development of an organization that prioritizes talent, where people feel respected, included, and free to fully express their potential just as they are.
All Managers and HRs in Prysmian are responsible for ensuring DE&I policies are respected during the recruiting process, as well as recognizing and mitigating unconscious biases that must not influence our selection processes. All persons will be considered for employment without regard to their race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, origin, citizenship status, socio-economic status, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, parental leave, medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Prysmian will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation for any disclosed physical or neurological condition or disability of a qualified applicant unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.
Your application data will be treated according to our Data Protection Policy. If you believe you require assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please contact us at: talent.mobility@prysmiangroup.com.
About Prysmian Group
Prysmian is the world leader in wire and cable manufacturing. From the depths of the ocean to the pinnacles of the world’s tallest buildings, we drive new forms of energy and information to each and every corner of the earth. We offer the widest range of services and know-how in the industry. Each year, Prysmian manufactures thousands of miles of underground and underwater cables and systems for power transmission and distribution, as well as medium and low voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure sectors. We also produce a comprehensive range of optical fibers, copper cables and connectivity systems for voice, video and data transmission for the telecommunications sector. With over 30,000 employees, across 50 countries, everyone at Prysmian has the potential to make their mark; because whatever you do, wherever you are based, you will be part of a company that is helping transform the world around us.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in R D Technology
Verify your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
R&D Technology roles almost always fall under STEM-designated programs. Confirm your degree CIP code qualifies before applying so you can truthfully tell employers you're eligible for a 36-month OPT period, not just 12.
Target employers with a strong R&D hiring track record
Companies that run active research labs or product innovation teams tend to sponsor visas more consistently. Look for employers who hire engineers and scientists in volume, since those pipelines are already built for international employees.
Connect your academic research to the role's technical needs
R&D hiring managers want to see depth, not breadth. Lead with a specific project, methodology, or problem you worked on that maps directly to what the team is researching. Generic resumes get filtered out fast.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations before day one
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan, periodic check-ins with your DSO, and employer E-Verify enrollment. Get these confirmed before you accept an offer so there are no surprises that delay your start date.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship timing during later interview rounds
Raise the H-1B question after you've received an offer, not during early screening. Frame it around long-term contribution to the research team, which signals commitment and gives employers a concrete reason to invest in sponsorship.
Use Migrate Mate to find R&D employers actively hiring OPT students
Migrate Mate filters jobs by OPT and visa sponsorship status, so you're not wasting time on listings that won't support your work authorization. Browse R&D Technology roles directly to focus your applications where they matter most.
R D Technology OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do R&D Technology jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do. R&D Technology roles typically fall under STEM-designated degree programs like computer science, electrical engineering, and applied sciences. If your degree has a qualifying CIP code, you're eligible to extend your OPT from 12 months to 36 months. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, since the degree matters more than the job title.
How do I find R&D Technology companies that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. It surfaces R&D Technology jobs from employers who are open to OPT and visa sponsorship, so you can skip listings that won't work for your situation. Large technology companies, defense contractors, and pharmaceutical firms with active research divisions tend to have the most consistent sponsorship track records for international candidates.
What does the STEM OPT training plan requirement mean for R&D Technology roles?
Under STEM OPT, your employer must complete a Form I-983 training plan that outlines your learning objectives, supervision structure, and how the role connects to your degree. For R&D Technology positions, this is usually straightforward since the work is directly tied to your technical field. Your employer also needs to be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension can begin.
Can I work in R&D Technology on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
Yes, in most cases. OPT allows you to work in a role that is directly related to your degree field, which is interpreted broadly. A mechanical engineering degree can support a role in product development R&D. An applied mathematics degree can support a role in data-driven research. The connection needs to be defensible, and your DSO can help you assess whether your specific degree and job combination qualifies.
How does working in R&D Technology affect my chances of H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
R&D Technology roles have historically been among the stronger categories for H-1B sponsorship. Employers running research programs tend to invest in retaining technical talent, and the specialty occupation standard is usually easy to satisfy given the degree requirements. Starting in a role tied directly to your research background, performing well, and raising sponsorship early in your third OPT year gives you the most runway before the next H-1B registration window.