OPT Tool Engineer Jobs
Tool Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturing regularly hire through OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsAre you passionate about Generative AI? Are you interested in working on groundbreaking generative modeling technologies to enrich billions of people? We are the Intelligence System Experience (ISE) team within Apple’s software organization. The team operates at the intersection of multimodal machine learning and system experiences. Our multidisciplinary ML teams focus on a broad spectrum of areas, including Visual Generative Foundation Models, Multimodal Understanding, Visual Understanding of People, Text, Handwriting, and Scenes, Personalization, Knowledge Extraction, Conversation Analysis, Behavioral Modeling for Proactive Suggestions, and Privacy-Preserving Learning. These innovations form the foundation of the seamless, intelligent experiences our users enjoy every day.
We are looking for a Machine Learning Tools Engineer to help build and evolve the infrastructure, tools, and libraries that power model development and deployment across our organization. The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals with ML domain understanding and a deep passion for improving developer experience. You’ll partner closely with researchers, ML engineers, and infra teams to design tools that make training, experimentation, evaluation and inference seamless and efficient. This role is hands-on, user-focused, and requires a balance of building scalable systems and operationally supporting a large and growing user base.
Description
As a Machine Learning Tools Engineer, you will:
- Design, develop, and maintain core ML infrastructure components (training pipelines, experiment tracking, deployment tooling, and monitoring systems).
- Collaborate with ML practitioners to identify pain points and translate them into productized solutions that enhance productivity and reliability.
- Build and maintain Python-based SDKs, CLIs, and APIs that simplify how ML engineers interact with compute, data, and models.
- Ensure tools are robust, performant, and user-friendly, with strong observability and documentation.
- Partner with infrastructure, MLOps, and platform teams to ensure end-to-end system integration and smooth scaling.
This is a highly collaborative role that requires curiosity, empathy for users, and a drive to make ML development frictionless.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent practical experience.
3+ years of experience in software development with strong Python proficiency.
Familiarity with machine learning fundamentals and frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
Experience with Linux systems, containers (Docker), and version control (Git).
Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable operating at the intersection of research and product, coordinating across teams with competing timelines and technical constraints.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in an ML platform, infrastructure, or productivity tools team.
Experience building internal SDKs, CLIs, or automation frameworks for ML or data workflows.
Exposure to distributed training, experiment tracking, or model serving infrastructure.
Experience supporting large internal or external developer communities.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
Are you passionate about Generative AI? Are you interested in working on groundbreaking generative modeling technologies to enrich billions of people? We are the Intelligence System Experience (ISE) team within Apple’s software organization. The team operates at the intersection of multimodal machine learning and system experiences. Our multidisciplinary ML teams focus on a broad spectrum of areas, including Visual Generative Foundation Models, Multimodal Understanding, Visual Understanding of People, Text, Handwriting, and Scenes, Personalization, Knowledge Extraction, Conversation Analysis, Behavioral Modeling for Proactive Suggestions, and Privacy-Preserving Learning. These innovations form the foundation of the seamless, intelligent experiences our users enjoy every day.
We are looking for a Machine Learning Tools Engineer to help build and evolve the infrastructure, tools, and libraries that power model development and deployment across our organization. The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals with ML domain understanding and a deep passion for improving developer experience. You’ll partner closely with researchers, ML engineers, and infra teams to design tools that make training, experimentation, evaluation and inference seamless and efficient. This role is hands-on, user-focused, and requires a balance of building scalable systems and operationally supporting a large and growing user base.
Description
As a Machine Learning Tools Engineer, you will:
- Design, develop, and maintain core ML infrastructure components (training pipelines, experiment tracking, deployment tooling, and monitoring systems).
- Collaborate with ML practitioners to identify pain points and translate them into productized solutions that enhance productivity and reliability.
- Build and maintain Python-based SDKs, CLIs, and APIs that simplify how ML engineers interact with compute, data, and models.
- Ensure tools are robust, performant, and user-friendly, with strong observability and documentation.
- Partner with infrastructure, MLOps, and platform teams to ensure end-to-end system integration and smooth scaling.
This is a highly collaborative role that requires curiosity, empathy for users, and a drive to make ML development frictionless.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent practical experience.
3+ years of experience in software development with strong Python proficiency.
Familiarity with machine learning fundamentals and frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
Experience with Linux systems, containers (Docker), and version control (Git).
Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable operating at the intersection of research and product, coordinating across teams with competing timelines and technical constraints.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in an ML platform, infrastructure, or productivity tools team.
Experience building internal SDKs, CLIs, or automation frameworks for ML or data workflows.
Exposure to distributed training, experiment tracking, or model serving infrastructure.
Experience supporting large internal or external developer communities.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
See all 70+ OPT Tool Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Tool Engineer
Confirm your degree supports STEM OPT
Tool Engineer roles typically require a mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering degree. Verify your CIP code qualifies for the 24-month STEM extension before applying, so you can confidently tell employers you have up to 36 months of OPT authorization.
Apply to manufacturers with established OPT pipelines
Automotive, aerospace, and semiconductor manufacturers hire Tool Engineers regularly and often have HR teams familiar with OPT paperwork. Targeting companies with existing international employees reduces friction and increases the likelihood your work authorization won't be a dealbreaker.
Address OPT timing early in the process
Tool Engineer hiring cycles can run 4 to 8 weeks. If your OPT start date is approaching, communicate your authorization timeline clearly with recruiters upfront so there are no surprises once an offer is extended and onboarding begins.
Highlight hands-on lab and tooling experience
Employers want Tool Engineers who can step in quickly. Emphasize CAD modeling, fixture design, GD&T, or any CNC or toolpath work from internships or coursework. Concrete technical skills reduce perceived onboarding risk for employers new to hiring OPT candidates.
Prepare documentation before you get an offer
Have your EAD card, I-20 with OPT authorization, and STEM extension eligibility details ready before your first interview. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often ask about paperwork during the offer stage, and being prepared builds confidence in your candidacy.
Target roles explicitly tied to your engineering field
STEM OPT requires your job to be directly related to your degree. A Tool Engineer role must connect clearly to mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering. Review the job description before applying and document the connection for your DSO and employer.
Tool Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Tool Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Tool Engineer positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, or a related engineering field. The role must be directly related to your degree and your school must be SEVP-certified. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying to avoid any issues at the extension stage.
How do I find Tool Engineer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT students, so you can browse Tool Engineer openings without filtering out companies that won't consider work authorization. Searching on general job boards makes it difficult to know upfront which employers are willing to hire OPT candidates, which wastes time during a window where timing matters.
Can I work as a Tool Engineer on OPT if my degree is in industrial engineering?
Yes. Industrial engineering is a STEM-designated field and Tool Engineer roles typically fall within the scope of industrial or manufacturing engineering work. Your job duties should involve process improvement, fixture design, tooling systems, or related technical functions. Document the connection clearly on your STEM OPT employer reporting form to satisfy USCIS requirements.
What happens to my OPT status if I'm laid off from a Tool Engineer role?
You have a 90-day unemployment buffer during your OPT period, cumulative across all employers. If you lose your Tool Engineer job, you can continue searching for a new qualifying role within that window. Exceeding 90 days of unemployment triggers a violation of your F-1 status, so starting your next job search immediately after a layoff is important.
Do Tool Engineer employers need to file anything with USCIS for OPT hires?
No USCIS filing is required for standard OPT. Your employer verifies your EAD through Form I-9, and that's the extent of their obligation at hire. For STEM OPT extensions, your employer must be E-Verify enrolled and sign a formal training plan. Most large manufacturers in automotive and aerospace already meet this requirement.