Robotics Jobs for OPT Students
Robotics jobs on OPT span hardware engineering, controls, motion planning, and computer vision roles at companies ranging from automotive manufacturers to surgical robotics startups. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field routinely sponsor H-1B visas for strong candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout the company
Every physical good spends time in a warehouse, and every warehouse tracks their inventory. Today, nearly 100% of warehouses track their inventory manually using barcode scanners and climbing forklifts.
We're Corvus Robotics. Our fully autonomous Corvus One™ drones use computer vision & robotics to automatically track inventory, improving worker safety and increasing labor efficiency. We believe that data-driven, safe inventory management will optimize the global physical economy and improve economic prosperity for humanity.
About this role
We’re looking for a skilled robotics technician to assemble and test our suite of drone & robotics products.
Specifically, in this role you will:
- Use SOPs to assemble speedily and accurately
- Use various precision hand tools, power tools, trimmers, dispensers, and QA equipment
- Learn to differentiate components used within various assemblies
- Perform and document electrical and mechanical tests
- Work with a team of operational professionals to produce polished and reliable robots
This role is in-person at our headquarters in Mountain View, CA. Compensation range shown depends on level of experience and responsibilities. While initially offered on a part-time basis, this position has the potential to transition into a full-time role subject to the company’s needs and the individual’s performance.
Compensation: $30-35 / hr
What we're seeking
Must have
- 2+ years working on an assembly line or professional manufacturing environment, preferably in consumer electronics or aerospace
- Proficiency with various hand tools and testing equipment
- Proficiency in foundational electrical & mechanical subjects and their applications in a manufacturing environment
- Experience working with manufacturing execution software, or equivalent platforms and SOPs
- Experience performing assembly tasks accurately and quickly on a small, fast-moving team focused on quality and precision
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Nice to have
- Experience building drones, e.g. hobbyist FPV racers
- Technical trade certification or associates degree in a related field
- Candidates who bring and prefer to use their own tools may find it advantageous in this role
About the company
Every physical good spends time in a warehouse, and every warehouse tracks their inventory. Today, nearly 100% of warehouses track their inventory manually using barcode scanners and climbing forklifts.
We're Corvus Robotics. Our fully autonomous Corvus One™ drones use computer vision & robotics to automatically track inventory, improving worker safety and increasing labor efficiency. We believe that data-driven, safe inventory management will optimize the global physical economy and improve economic prosperity for humanity.
About this role
We’re looking for a skilled robotics technician to assemble and test our suite of drone & robotics products.
Specifically, in this role you will:
- Use SOPs to assemble speedily and accurately
- Use various precision hand tools, power tools, trimmers, dispensers, and QA equipment
- Learn to differentiate components used within various assemblies
- Perform and document electrical and mechanical tests
- Work with a team of operational professionals to produce polished and reliable robots
This role is in-person at our headquarters in Mountain View, CA. Compensation range shown depends on level of experience and responsibilities. While initially offered on a part-time basis, this position has the potential to transition into a full-time role subject to the company’s needs and the individual’s performance.
Compensation: $30-35 / hr
What we're seeking
Must have
- 2+ years working on an assembly line or professional manufacturing environment, preferably in consumer electronics or aerospace
- Proficiency with various hand tools and testing equipment
- Proficiency in foundational electrical & mechanical subjects and their applications in a manufacturing environment
- Experience working with manufacturing execution software, or equivalent platforms and SOPs
- Experience performing assembly tasks accurately and quickly on a small, fast-moving team focused on quality and precision
- Education: High school diploma or equivalent
Nice to have
- Experience building drones, e.g. hobbyist FPV racers
- Technical trade certification or associates degree in a related field
- Candidates who bring and prefer to use their own tools may find it advantageous in this role
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Robotics
Target STEM-designated roles explicitly
Robotics engineering positions almost always fall under STEM OPT's 36-month extension. Confirm the role's SOC code before accepting an offer. Codes 17-2199 and 15-1299 are common for robotics and mechatronics engineers and qualify without issue.
Prioritize employers with active H-1B filing histories
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas in recent years are your safest bet for long-term authorization. Defense contractors, automotive OEMs, and surgical robotics firms like Intuitive Surgical consistently file H-1B petitions for engineering roles.
Get your E-Verify enrollment confirmed before day one
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm this with HR before signing your offer letter. Many smaller robotics startups are not yet enrolled and must register before your STEM extension is approved.
Document your training plan rigorously
STEM OPT requires a signed Form I-983 training plan. For robotics roles, map your job duties to specific STEM learning objectives: control systems design, sensor integration, ROS development. A vague plan increases the risk of a USCIS request for evidence.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do robotics engineering roles qualify for the 36-month STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Most robotics positions fall under STEM-designated SOC codes, including mechanical engineering (17-2141), electrical engineering (17-2071), and computer occupations (15-1299). When your employer is E-Verify enrolled and your degree is from an accredited U.S. STEM program, you qualify for the full 24-month STEM extension on top of your initial 12-month OPT, for 36 months total.
Which types of robotics employers are most likely to sponsor visas?
Large defense contractors, automotive manufacturers, medical device companies, and well-funded robotics startups have the strongest H-1B sponsorship track records. Companies building autonomous vehicles, surgical robots, or industrial automation systems routinely sponsor engineers long-term. You can browse robotics roles from verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to narrow your search to companies actively hiring OPT candidates.
Can I work on a robotics project that involves classified or ITAR-controlled technology while on OPT?
This is a real constraint for OPT students. Many defense and aerospace robotics roles require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency due to export control regulations under ITAR and EAR. If a job posting lists a security clearance requirement or references export-controlled technology, confirm your eligibility before applying. Civilian robotics roles in healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing typically do not have these restrictions.
What counts as a qualifying employer for STEM OPT in robotics?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and offer a job directly related to your STEM degree. For robotics OPT, your role should connect to fields like mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or systems engineering. Staffing agency arrangements, independent contracting, and self-employment do not satisfy STEM OPT employer requirements, regardless of how technical the work is.
How does the H-1B lottery affect OPT students in robotics?
H-1B registration opens each March, with a 65,000 general cap and an additional 20,000 slots for U.S. master's degree holders. Selection is random, and the odds have been roughly 25 to 30 percent in recent years. If you are not selected, your employer can re-enter you in the following year's lottery while your STEM OPT remains valid, provided you have enough time remaining on your authorized period.
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