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 JobsAPPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has positions available for undergraduate research assistants on an interdisciplinary team of engineers working to decarbonize district heat and power systems through renewable fuels and energy efficiency improvements.
Job Duties:
- Student responsibilities will include laboratory research, presentation at meetings with individual research groups, presentation at meetings with the project group, and attendance at seminars, tours, and activities that align with the program’s research.
- Students will also take part in a longitudinal study of how research experiences impact student energy literacy and domain-specific engineering identity.
- As part of this study, students will be expected to take surveys and speak with program assessors to discuss their research experiences.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Preference given to third year undergraduate students having taken ME300
Interested applicants should include their resume/CV and cover letter to be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
-
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
-
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Mechanical Engineering has positions available for undergraduate research assistants on an interdisciplinary team of engineers working to decarbonize district heat and power systems through renewable fuels and energy efficiency improvements.
Job Duties:
- Student responsibilities will include laboratory research, presentation at meetings with individual research groups, presentation at meetings with the project group, and attendance at seminars, tours, and activities that align with the program’s research.
- Students will also take part in a longitudinal study of how research experiences impact student energy literacy and domain-specific engineering identity.
- As part of this study, students will be expected to take surveys and speak with program assessors to discuss their research experiences.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Preference given to third year undergraduate students having taken ME300
Interested applicants should include their resume/CV and cover letter to be considered.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing equity, respect, and belonging. We embrace individual uniqueness, as well as a culture of belonging that supports equity initiatives, leverages the educational and institutional benefits of inclusion in society, and provides opportunities for engagement intended to help all members of the community thrive. We value belonging as a core strength and an essential element of the university’s teaching, research, and service mission.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
See all 700+ 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.