OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Research and Development Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, especially those with degrees in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or biomedical engineering. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, making you a practical long-term hire for R&D-focused employers running multi-year projects.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 2-year WashU EnVision postbaccalaureate program will introduce recent college graduates to intensive vision science research, while building transferrable skills required for future graduate training and careers in science. It is expected that the participant will perform research and analysis, as well as technical aspects of studies and experiments, including documentation and preparation of materials.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
For more information about program requirements and benefits please visit: https://sites.wustl.edu/visionscience/postbac-program/
- Works under the supervision of senior personnel on research project/s providing independent complex research support.
- Presents results of research activities to peers and supervisors in written and/or verbal presentation or form.
- Through active research and analysis, gains proficiency in essential aspects of research, which may include some or all of the following: conducting experiments, assays, collection of data, preparation of solutions, tissue culture, animal care and maintenance, and setup and maintenance of equipment.
- Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
- Attends meetings, educational workshops and seminars to prepare for advanced study.
- Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
- Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Physical Effort
- Sitting at desk or table.
- Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement.
Equipment
- Office and lab equipment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
No specific work experience is required for this position.
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Analytical Thinking, Detailed Reports, Detail-Oriented, Interpersonal Communication, Oral Communications, Written Communication
Grade
R07-H
Salary Range
$17.10 - $29.09 / Hourly
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
- Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
- Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
- Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
- WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
- Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
- We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
- WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.
Location
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
The Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 2-year WashU EnVision postbaccalaureate program will introduce recent college graduates to intensive vision science research, while building transferrable skills required for future graduate training and careers in science. It is expected that the participant will perform research and analysis, as well as technical aspects of studies and experiments, including documentation and preparation of materials.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
For more information about program requirements and benefits please visit: https://sites.wustl.edu/visionscience/postbac-program/
- Works under the supervision of senior personnel on research project/s providing independent complex research support.
- Presents results of research activities to peers and supervisors in written and/or verbal presentation or form.
- Through active research and analysis, gains proficiency in essential aspects of research, which may include some or all of the following: conducting experiments, assays, collection of data, preparation of solutions, tissue culture, animal care and maintenance, and setup and maintenance of equipment.
- Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
- Attends meetings, educational workshops and seminars to prepare for advanced study.
- Performs data entry and maintains data files on research.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
- Works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological and chemical hazards. Physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.
Physical Effort
- Sitting at desk or table.
- Repetitive wrist, hand, or finger movement.
Equipment
- Office and lab equipment.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
No specific work experience is required for this position.
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Certifications /Professional Licenses:
No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
Skills:
Analytical Thinking, Detailed Reports, Detail-Oriented, Interpersonal Communication, Oral Communications, Written Communication
Grade
R07-H
Salary Range
$17.10 - $29.09 / Hourly
The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Personal
- Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
- Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
- Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
- WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
Wellness
- Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
Family
- We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
- WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.
For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/
EEO Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.
See all 516+ OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Research And Development Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Research And Development Engineer
Lead with your research output, not just your degree
Hiring managers in R&D prioritize demonstrated output. List patents filed, publications authored, prototypes built, or test results you contributed to. Quantify wherever possible. A thesis project with measurable outcomes carries more weight than a GPA alone.
Target employers with active R&D budgets
Companies with dedicated research divisions, federal contracts, or NIH and NSF grant funding are far more likely to sponsor OPT and H-1B visa workers. Look for employers in aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, biotech, and advanced materials where specialized engineering talent is scarce.
Emphasize your STEM OPT extension eligibility upfront
Many R&D teams plan projects on two to three year timelines. Letting hiring managers know you qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension reframes you as a viable long-term contributor, not a short-term hire they need to replace in 12 months.
Align your application materials to the specific engineering domain
R&D roles are highly specialized. A resume written for a mechanical R&D position should highlight CAD tools, FEA software, and materials testing. Tailor every application to the technical stack and methodology the employer uses, not a generic engineering template.
Prepare to discuss your CPT or lab work during screening calls
R&D interviewers frequently probe the depth of hands-on experience. Be ready to walk through a specific project from hypothesis to result. Describe the methodology, the obstacles, and what the outcome demonstrated. Vague answers about coursework will not advance your application.
Use Migrate Mate to find R&D roles at OPT-friendly employers
Not every employer understands or welcomes OPT work authorization. Migrate Mate surfaces R&D engineering roles at companies with documented sponsorship track records, saving you time spent applying to positions where visa status will be an immediate disqualifier.
Research And Development Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Research and Development Engineer on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Research and Development Engineer roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study. Engineering degrees in mechanical, electrical, chemical, biomedical, or materials science typically satisfy this requirement. Your DSO can confirm the connection between your degree and the specific role before you accept an offer.
Do Research and Development Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do. R&D engineering positions at companies enrolled in E-Verify typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization. The role must be in a STEM-designated field, which covers the vast majority of engineering disciplines. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO to be certain.
How do I find Research and Development Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B?
The most efficient approach is to focus on employers with a history of sponsoring work visas rather than applying broadly. Migrate Mate is built specifically for this, surfacing R&D engineering roles at companies with established OPT and H-1B sponsorship track records. This significantly reduces time spent on applications that will be rejected on immigration status grounds alone.
What should I do if an R&D employer says they don't sponsor visas?
Clarify what they mean before walking away. Some employers conflate OPT work authorization with H-1B sponsorship. OPT is your own work authorization from USCIS and does not require the employer to file any petition on your behalf. If the concern is future H-1B sponsorship, that is a separate conversation you can address after demonstrating value in the role.
Does working in R&D affect my OPT reporting requirements?
Yes. You are required to report your employer, job title, and start date to your DSO within 10 days of beginning employment. If your R&D role is contract-based or involves multiple project sites, report each change. Gaps in employment longer than 90 days on post-completion OPT can jeopardize your status, so maintain continuous qualifying employment throughout your OPT period.