OPT Train Engineer Jobs
Train Engineer jobs on OPT require employers familiar with federal railroad regulations and willing to sponsor F-1 work authorization. Most roles fall under STEM-adjacent transportation programs, and your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if eligible, needs to align with your employer's training timeline.
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DESCRIPTION
The Amazon Center for Quantum Computing in Pasadena, CA, is looking to hire an Applied Science intern who will specialize in hardware signal train design for quantum computing. Working alongside other scientists and engineers, you will design and validate hardware performing the control and readout functions for Amazon quantum processors, from room to cryogenic temperatures. Candidates must have a solid background in analog or mixed-signal design at the PCB level. Working effectively within a cross-functional team environment is critical.
Key job responsibilities
Our scientists and engineers collaborate across diverse teams and projects to offer state of the art, cost effective solutions for the control of Amazon quantum processor systems. You’ll bring a passion for innovation and collaboration to:
- Design cryogenic and room temperature printed circuit board based hardware, used for signal conditioning and control functions.
- Develop tests to validate hardware with both benchtop and cryogenic test setups with quantum devices.
- Explore enabling control technologies necessary for Amazon to produce commercially viable quantum computers.
About the team
Diverse Experiences
Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at Amazon, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship and Career Growth
We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Work 40 hours/week minimum and commit to 12 week internship maximum
- Can relocate to where the internship is based
- Bachelor's degree or above in Engineering, Technology, Science, Operations Research, Robotics, Mathematics or related fields
- Hands-on lab skills, including use of oscilloscopes, power supplies, signal analyzers, and soldering equipment.
- Working knowledge of at least one computer aided engineering (CAE) circuit and mechanical design tool.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in designing experiments and statistical analysis of results
- Have publications at top-tier peer-reviewed conferences or journals
- Solid background in the use of basic electrical circuit blocks such as op-amps, biasing circuits, filtering, low-speed data converters, and microprocessors.
- Previous experience with VHDL.
- Familiarity with RF/Microwave circuit theory, including transmission lines and impedance matching.
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, CA, Pasadena
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $136,000.00 - $184,000.00 USD annually
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Train Engineer
Target Class I and regional railroads directly
Large freight carriers and regional passenger rail operators are more likely to have established HR processes for work authorization. Applying directly to their careers pages improves your chances compared to general transportation job postings.
Start your job search at least 90 days before OPT begins
Railroad engineer training programs can take six to twelve months to complete. Starting early gives you time to find a sponsor, begin onboarding paperwork, and align your OPT start date with the employer's training schedule.
Confirm your degree qualifies before applying
Train Engineer roles typically require degrees in mechanical engineering, transportation management, or related fields. Verify your specific program is considered a qualifying major before investing time in applications that may not lead to valid OPT employment.
Ask employers about their FRA training timeline upfront
Federal Railroad Administration certification requires structured supervised training. Ask hiring managers how long qualification takes and whether your OPT authorization period is long enough to complete it before you need to secure H-1B visa or another status.
Highlight hands-on internships and simulation experience
Practical experience with locomotive controls, signal systems, or rail operations software stands out in applications. Relevant CPT or prior OPT internships at transit agencies or rail companies demonstrate you can contribute quickly during a limited authorization window.
Understand STEM OPT eligibility for your specific degree
Some transportation engineering degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving employers a longer runway. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can accurately communicate your total available work authorization period.
Train Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Train Engineers in the United States?
Yes, F-1 OPT students can work as Train Engineers as long as the role is directly related to their field of study and the employer is willing to employ someone on OPT work authorization. The job must align with your degree field, and your I-20 must reflect the correct program. Some railroads have experience hiring international workers, while others may be unfamiliar with OPT requirements.
Do Train Engineer jobs typically sponsor OPT or H-1B visas?
Sponsorship varies significantly by employer. Class I freight railroads like BNSF and Union Pacific have larger HR departments more likely to navigate work authorization, while smaller regional operators may lack experience with it. OPT does not require employer sponsorship in the traditional sense, but H-1B does. Clarify during interviews whether the employer can support your status beyond your OPT period. Browse OPT-friendly rail employers on Migrate Mate.
How does the FRA training requirement affect my OPT timeline?
Federal Railroad Administration regulations require new Train Engineers to complete a structured training and qualification program that can take six to twelve months before you operate independently. If your standard OPT window is 12 months, you may still be in training when it expires. Confirming STEM OPT eligibility for a 24-month extension is important if your degree qualifies, giving the employer a realistic window to fully qualify and utilize you.
What degree fields best support OPT authorization for Train Engineer roles?
Mechanical engineering, transportation engineering, systems engineering, and transportation management are the most commonly accepted fields for Train Engineer OPT employment. Your degree must have a direct connection to the operational or technical aspects of the role. Degrees in civil engineering with a transportation concentration or railway systems programs can also qualify. Confirm with your Designated School Official that your CIP code supports employment in rail operations before accepting an offer.
What should I look for in a Train Engineer job posting as an OPT student?
Look for postings that mention visa sponsorship, transportation engineering backgrounds, or structured training programs, which signal an employer familiar with developing technical talent. Avoid postings that list work authorization restrictions excluding F-1 students. Roles at transit authorities, freight rail companies, and commuter rail operators tend to have clearer hiring processes. Use Migrate Mate to filter for Train Engineer positions posted by employers open to OPT candidates.