OPT Welding Engineer Jobs
Welding Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in aerospace, automotive, and heavy manufacturing regularly hire and sponsor international engineers for this specialty.
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Get Access To All JobsAs an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively.
Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner.
Hours
- 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri) On-Site
Compensation
At S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated annual base salary range for this position is $87,758 - $116,285. Individual pay within this salary range is determined by several compensable factors, including performance, knowledge, job-related skills and experience, and relevant education or training. This role is also eligible for S&C’s annual incentive plan (AIP), subject to eligibility criteria.
Join Our Team as a Welding Engineer II!
The Welding Engineer II will help coordinate and assist with production welding projects within Manufacturing Engineering. These may vary from welding procedure development, equipment set-up and programming, quality improvement, cost reduction, and specification of Capital Expense equipment purchases. This position is for a self-motivated, goal-driven engineer who displays an aptitude in many aspects of manufacturing and welding technology and an ability to successfully drive projects to completion. This person will report to Leadership within Manufacturing Engineering.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Support and lead projects in the welding fabrication processes using the latest industry techniques to ensure processes are safe, efficient, and effective. Use concepts that incorporate Lean, 5-S and flow line concepts.
- Perform hands-on welding procedure development using procedure testing practices, visual, NDT, and destructive testing methods.
- Provide written welding procedure specifications and documents, including WPS, quality control documents, and work instructions.
- Perform set-up and programming of Automated welding process equipment including robotic welders. Ability to learn Cloos and Fanuc controller programming and functionality.
- Updating files and programs that support manufacturing processes because of design engineering changes, including routings, BOM’s, prints and machine programs.
- Actively lead teams in problem solving to drive results and improvements using structural team problem solving techniques such as A3 and Four-Step Problem Solving.
- Lead in the investigation and implementation of new welding technology / CapEX Projects to improve cost and efficiency of producing products.
- Assist in the day-to-day resolution of problems arising on the production floor.
- Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, most notably, internal customers and suppliers.
- Demonstrate commitment to meeting and supporting departmental, divisional, and company goals/objectives/strategies.
- Demonstrate proficient report preparation, presentation, and listening skills.
- Demonstrate a high regard for people by treating them with dignity, respect, fairness and consistency.
- Set a good example of behavior, attitude and teamwork both within and between departments.
- Adapt to changes; shows commitment to change and continuous improvement.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Education & Minimum Qualifications:
Required
Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Welding, Welding Technology, or other related Engineering field with a demonstrated experience in the core competencies of Welding Fabrication of 3 years or more.
Certifications & Licenses:
Preferred
- CWI - Certified Welding Inspector
- CWEng - Certified Welding Engineer
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Required
- 3+ years of demonstrated experience in the core competencies of Welding Fabrication.
- Advanced knowledge of industry welding processes including GMAW, GTAW, RSW and Stud Welding.
- Experience reading and interpreting blueprint and CAD drawings including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances (GD&T).
- Familiarity with Robotic programming and its application with welding and fabrication processes.
- Technical knowledge of welding processes, equipment and/or support services and other relevant manufacturing activities.
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, to clearly present ideas in a variety of forums.
- Familiarity with Tool Design and Tool Building, and its application with welding and fabrication processes.
Preferred
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing Principles and demonstrated implementation of the lean principles & key performance indicators.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze operational metrics.
- Knowledgeable with Roboplan programming software.
- Understanding of CAD design software.
Major Physical Demands:
- Sitting - Continuously required to remain in a stationary position and perform desk-based tasks.
- Walking - Occasionally required to walk moderate distances.
- Manual Dexterity - Infrequently required to use hand-eye coordination to control both hands and arms for a full range of motion to operate equipment/machinery/power tools/office productivity equipment.
- Ascending / Descending - Occasionally ascending or descending ladders/stairs/scaffolding/ramps/poles.
- Observation / Eyesight - infrequently required to observe details at close range, including depth perception, peripheral vision, and the ability to differentiate between colors.
- Communication - Continuously required to talk and hear, in person and by phone/conference calls.
- Travel - Infrequently required to travel and work extended hours when necessary. May be required to travel overnight and internationally.
Environmental & Hazardous Conditions:
- Continuously working indoors/outdoors in an air-conditioned/non-air-conditioned office/manufacturing/site-based environment.
- Occasionally exposure to fumes/vapors/dust/gases/odors/mist/toxic chemicals/radiation/vibration/grease/oils/radiation/lasers/other etc.
- Occasionally exposed to low/moderate/high noise levels including machinery/vehicles/forklifts/office equipment/office traffic etc.
- Occasionally working around energized equipment with the risk of electrocution/scalding/burns/other etc.
- Infrequently exposed to wet humid/outdoor weather/extreme cold (non-weather)/extreme heat (non-weather) conditions/other etc.
- Infrequently working with machinery with moving parts/vehicles/forklifts/heavy machinery/sharp objects/other etc.
Ready to make an impact and become an employee-owner? Apply now to join our inclusive and innovative team! Explore open positions.
S&C Electric is committed to equal-opportunity employment. All employees and applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the application, please email us at TAsupport@sandc.com.
No fixed deadline
In 1909, S&C Electric Company transformed the delivery of safe, reliable electricity with the invention of the Liquid Power Fuse. Today, as the world faces extreme weather events and the demand for electricity grows, S&C continues to innovate and advance the electrical grid, ensuring reliable and resilient power for homes, communities, and critical infrastructure around the world.
With a diverse, global workforce and core values around integrity, safety, and quality, S&C is a trusted industry leader and top workplace that offers meaningful careers to more than 3,500 team members. As a people-first organization, S&C is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace where team members advance their careers through robust talent-development programs and involved leadership.
S&C’s deeply rooted belief diversity fosters greater creativity, innovation, and success guides the company to advance and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.
S&C provides a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):
- Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical & Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Group Life Insurance, optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program and Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support).
- Leave Benefits: Vacation Time, Sick Time, Paid Holidays and Company Shutdown days, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves, Paid Parental Time and Military Leave.
- Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component; KSOP participants can receive annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic).
As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively.
Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner.
Hours
- 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri) On-Site
Compensation
At S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated annual base salary range for this position is $87,758 - $116,285. Individual pay within this salary range is determined by several compensable factors, including performance, knowledge, job-related skills and experience, and relevant education or training. This role is also eligible for S&C’s annual incentive plan (AIP), subject to eligibility criteria.
Join Our Team as a Welding Engineer II!
The Welding Engineer II will help coordinate and assist with production welding projects within Manufacturing Engineering. These may vary from welding procedure development, equipment set-up and programming, quality improvement, cost reduction, and specification of Capital Expense equipment purchases. This position is for a self-motivated, goal-driven engineer who displays an aptitude in many aspects of manufacturing and welding technology and an ability to successfully drive projects to completion. This person will report to Leadership within Manufacturing Engineering.
Responsibilities
Essential Functions:
- Support and lead projects in the welding fabrication processes using the latest industry techniques to ensure processes are safe, efficient, and effective. Use concepts that incorporate Lean, 5-S and flow line concepts.
- Perform hands-on welding procedure development using procedure testing practices, visual, NDT, and destructive testing methods.
- Provide written welding procedure specifications and documents, including WPS, quality control documents, and work instructions.
- Perform set-up and programming of Automated welding process equipment including robotic welders. Ability to learn Cloos and Fanuc controller programming and functionality.
- Updating files and programs that support manufacturing processes because of design engineering changes, including routings, BOM’s, prints and machine programs.
- Actively lead teams in problem solving to drive results and improvements using structural team problem solving techniques such as A3 and Four-Step Problem Solving.
- Lead in the investigation and implementation of new welding technology / CapEX Projects to improve cost and efficiency of producing products.
- Assist in the day-to-day resolution of problems arising on the production floor.
- Communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, most notably, internal customers and suppliers.
- Demonstrate commitment to meeting and supporting departmental, divisional, and company goals/objectives/strategies.
- Demonstrate proficient report preparation, presentation, and listening skills.
- Demonstrate a high regard for people by treating them with dignity, respect, fairness and consistency.
- Set a good example of behavior, attitude and teamwork both within and between departments.
- Adapt to changes; shows commitment to change and continuous improvement.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Education & Minimum Qualifications:
Required
Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) in Welding, Welding Technology, or other related Engineering field with a demonstrated experience in the core competencies of Welding Fabrication of 3 years or more.
Certifications & Licenses:
Preferred
- CWI - Certified Welding Inspector
- CWEng - Certified Welding Engineer
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Required
- 3+ years of demonstrated experience in the core competencies of Welding Fabrication.
- Advanced knowledge of industry welding processes including GMAW, GTAW, RSW and Stud Welding.
- Experience reading and interpreting blueprint and CAD drawings including Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerances (GD&T).
- Familiarity with Robotic programming and its application with welding and fabrication processes.
- Technical knowledge of welding processes, equipment and/or support services and other relevant manufacturing activities.
- Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, to clearly present ideas in a variety of forums.
- Familiarity with Tool Design and Tool Building, and its application with welding and fabrication processes.
Preferred
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing Principles and demonstrated implementation of the lean principles & key performance indicators.
- Experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze operational metrics.
- Knowledgeable with Roboplan programming software.
- Understanding of CAD design software.
Major Physical Demands:
- Sitting - Continuously required to remain in a stationary position and perform desk-based tasks.
- Walking - Occasionally required to walk moderate distances.
- Manual Dexterity - Infrequently required to use hand-eye coordination to control both hands and arms for a full range of motion to operate equipment/machinery/power tools/office productivity equipment.
- Ascending / Descending - Occasionally ascending or descending ladders/stairs/scaffolding/ramps/poles.
- Observation / Eyesight - infrequently required to observe details at close range, including depth perception, peripheral vision, and the ability to differentiate between colors.
- Communication - Continuously required to talk and hear, in person and by phone/conference calls.
- Travel - Infrequently required to travel and work extended hours when necessary. May be required to travel overnight and internationally.
Environmental & Hazardous Conditions:
- Continuously working indoors/outdoors in an air-conditioned/non-air-conditioned office/manufacturing/site-based environment.
- Occasionally exposure to fumes/vapors/dust/gases/odors/mist/toxic chemicals/radiation/vibration/grease/oils/radiation/lasers/other etc.
- Occasionally exposed to low/moderate/high noise levels including machinery/vehicles/forklifts/office equipment/office traffic etc.
- Occasionally working around energized equipment with the risk of electrocution/scalding/burns/other etc.
- Infrequently exposed to wet humid/outdoor weather/extreme cold (non-weather)/extreme heat (non-weather) conditions/other etc.
- Infrequently working with machinery with moving parts/vehicles/forklifts/heavy machinery/sharp objects/other etc.
Ready to make an impact and become an employee-owner? Apply now to join our inclusive and innovative team! Explore open positions.
S&C Electric is committed to equal-opportunity employment. All employees and applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the application, please email us at TAsupport@sandc.com.
No fixed deadline
In 1909, S&C Electric Company transformed the delivery of safe, reliable electricity with the invention of the Liquid Power Fuse. Today, as the world faces extreme weather events and the demand for electricity grows, S&C continues to innovate and advance the electrical grid, ensuring reliable and resilient power for homes, communities, and critical infrastructure around the world.
With a diverse, global workforce and core values around integrity, safety, and quality, S&C is a trusted industry leader and top workplace that offers meaningful careers to more than 3,500 team members. As a people-first organization, S&C is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace where team members advance their careers through robust talent-development programs and involved leadership.
S&C’s deeply rooted belief diversity fosters greater creativity, innovation, and success guides the company to advance and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.
S&C provides a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):
- Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical & Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Group Life Insurance, optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program and Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support).
- Leave Benefits: Vacation Time, Sick Time, Paid Holidays and Company Shutdown days, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves, Paid Parental Time and Military Leave.
- Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component; KSOP participants can receive annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic).
See all OPT Welding Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Welding Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Welding Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT extension before applying. Welding engineering roles typically satisfy the STEM requirement, but your DSO must verify your specific program is on the STEM OPT designated degree list.
Highlight AWS certifications
American Welding Society credentials signal technical credibility to U.S. employers. Even entry-level certifications distinguish your application in a field where hands-on competency matters as much as your academic qualifications and degree specialization.
Focus on manufacturing-heavy industries
Aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, and defense manufacturers hire welding engineers regularly and have established H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. These industries are accustomed to sponsoring international engineers and are less likely to reject OPT candidates outright.
Quantify process improvements in your resume
Employers want engineers who reduce defect rates, improve weld efficiency, or cut material waste. Attach specific numbers to your project outcomes. Concrete results make your application competitive and help justify sponsorship investment to hiring managers.
Apply before your OPT start date
Hiring timelines for engineering roles often run six to ten weeks from application to offer. Start applying two to three months before your OPT begins so authorization is active before your employment start date, avoiding compliance issues for you and the employer.
Address sponsorship directly but briefly
State your OPT status and STEM extension eligibility in your cover letter or early in interviews. Employers unfamiliar with OPT appreciate a clear, confident explanation. Framing your 36-month timeline positively reduces hesitation without making it the focus of the conversation.
Welding Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welding Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Welding Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, materials science, or manufacturing engineering. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. Your Designated School Official can confirm your specific CIP code appears on the official STEM OPT designated degree list before you apply.
Can I work as a Welding Engineer on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes, during your initial OPT period you can work for any employer without them sponsoring a visa. However, your position must be directly related to your degree field. For STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan with your DSO. Sponsorship only becomes a requirement if you transition to an H-1B or other long-term work visa after OPT expires.
Is Welding Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Welding Engineer roles that require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field, such as mechanical or materials engineering, generally meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field, or that could be filled without a degree, face more scrutiny. Employers should ensure the job description ties the role explicitly to a specific engineering discipline when filing the petition.
How do I find Welding Engineer employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to find Welding Engineer jobs from employers open to OPT candidates and visa sponsorship. Beyond that, large aerospace and defense manufacturers such as Boeing, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin have established international hiring programs. Oil and gas companies and heavy equipment manufacturers also sponsor regularly. Prioritizing companies with existing H-1B filing histories gives you the strongest indication of sponsorship willingness.
What happens to my Welding Engineer OPT if I change employers?
You can change employers on OPT as long as your new role is related to your degree and you report the change to your DSO within 10 days. There is no gap restriction, but you should not go more than 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT or 150 days during the STEM extension combined. Update your SEVIS record promptly and confirm your new employer meets E-Verify requirements if you are on the STEM extension.