OPT Wireless Engineer Jobs
Wireless Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in electrical engineering, telecommunications, or computer engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field regularly sponsor H-1B visas, making it a viable long-term path.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
In this role, the hardware design engineer will own electrical system design, bring-up, and validation for the current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles.
This would be a highly visible role working cross-functionally to influence design, contribute to solving HW/SW system integration challenges, and experience complete prototyping to manufacturing product development cycle.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Design/Test/Release antennas for Rivian programs with best-in-class performance, cost, and quality.
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Design – Analyse and document design trade-offs, create antenna designs. Key areas to be considered: Antenna pattern (coverage), efficiency, gain, isolation requirements, OTA performance, desense, antenna coexistence, other system-level parameters (throughput, range, etc.), and cost. Responsible for DFMEA and DFM with suppliers.
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Test – Responsible for test plans, conducting bench, chamber, and vehicle-level testing. Characterize antenna performance on the component/subsystem level and the end-to-end performance of the wireless products the antennas are associated with. Process and document the results to validate/visualize and compare the performance of different designs.
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Release – Drive product delivery and validation schedule/processes/completion. Release designs into product life management (PLM) and documentation systems.
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Types of antennas the candidate will work on: Cellular (LTE, 5G, etc.), Wifi, BT, BLE, GPS, Vehicle Access (IoT devices).
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Design Release Engineer for modules and/or ECUs utilizing wireless technologies, such as TPMS.
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Participate in antenna and wireless product technology roadmap and novel technology investigations with internal antenna and cross-functional teams.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
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BS or higher in Electrical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
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Knowledge of measurement equipment for antenna/wireless characterization, as well as system performance validation, e.g., VNA, SA, and other EE measurement systems.
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Knowledge of antenna simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, FEKO, XFDTD), MATLAB, and programming languages (e.g., C, Python).
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Knowledge of PLM, scheduling, and MPL tools.
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Strong communication skills.
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Excellent skills in data analysis, record-keeping, report writing, and presentation, with a desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
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Occasional domestic travels to suppliers’ facilities and Rivian factories.
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Besides antenna knowledge, it is desirable for candidates to have an understanding of the total end-to-end performance of RF systems, such as: Impedance matching, link budget calculation, TIS/TRP, ECC, theoretical knowledge of OTA parameters, as well as hands-on experience.
INTRODUCTION
In this role, the hardware design engineer will own electrical system design, bring-up, and validation for the current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles.
This would be a highly visible role working cross-functionally to influence design, contribute to solving HW/SW system integration challenges, and experience complete prototyping to manufacturing product development cycle.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-
Design/Test/Release antennas for Rivian programs with best-in-class performance, cost, and quality.
-
Design – Analyse and document design trade-offs, create antenna designs. Key areas to be considered: Antenna pattern (coverage), efficiency, gain, isolation requirements, OTA performance, desense, antenna coexistence, other system-level parameters (throughput, range, etc.), and cost. Responsible for DFMEA and DFM with suppliers.
-
Test – Responsible for test plans, conducting bench, chamber, and vehicle-level testing. Characterize antenna performance on the component/subsystem level and the end-to-end performance of the wireless products the antennas are associated with. Process and document the results to validate/visualize and compare the performance of different designs.
-
Release – Drive product delivery and validation schedule/processes/completion. Release designs into product life management (PLM) and documentation systems.
-
Types of antennas the candidate will work on: Cellular (LTE, 5G, etc.), Wifi, BT, BLE, GPS, Vehicle Access (IoT devices).
-
Design Release Engineer for modules and/or ECUs utilizing wireless technologies, such as TPMS.
-
Participate in antenna and wireless product technology roadmap and novel technology investigations with internal antenna and cross-functional teams.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
-
BS or higher in Electrical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
-
Knowledge of measurement equipment for antenna/wireless characterization, as well as system performance validation, e.g., VNA, SA, and other EE measurement systems.
-
Knowledge of antenna simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, FEKO, XFDTD), MATLAB, and programming languages (e.g., C, Python).
-
Knowledge of PLM, scheduling, and MPL tools.
-
Strong communication skills.
-
Excellent skills in data analysis, record-keeping, report writing, and presentation, with a desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
-
Occasional domestic travels to suppliers’ facilities and Rivian factories.
-
Besides antenna knowledge, it is desirable for candidates to have an understanding of the total end-to-end performance of RF systems, such as: Impedance matching, link budget calculation, TIS/TRP, ECC, theoretical knowledge of OTA parameters, as well as hands-on experience.
See all 46+ OPT Wireless Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Wireless Engineer
Target employers with active H-1B histories
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas for wireless roles in the past are far more likely to do so again. Search Department of Labor LCA disclosure data to verify which employers have filed for Wireless Engineer or RF Engineer positions.
Confirm your degree field qualifies for STEM OPT
Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and telecommunications are all STEM-designated fields. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer, since STEM OPT eligibility depends on your specific degree classification, not just your major title.
File your STEM OPT extension early
USCIS recommends filing at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Late filings risk a gap in work authorization. Work with your DSO as soon as you have a qualifying job offer to start the extension paperwork immediately.
Emphasize protocol and standards expertise on your resume
Wireless engineers who can demonstrate hands-on experience with 5G NR, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, or Bluetooth protocols are easier for employers to justify sponsoring. Specific technical skills reduce the barrier for HR teams unfamiliar with OPT sponsorship requirements.
Ask about sponsorship timelines before accepting an offer
Ask directly whether the company sponsors H-1B visas and when they would file on your behalf. Some employers sponsor after one year; others require two. Knowing this upfront helps you plan around the H-1B lottery registration window each March.
Look for roles at defense contractors and network operators
Large network carriers and defense contractors hire wireless engineers consistently and have established immigration processes. These employers tend to have dedicated HR teams experienced with OPT and H-1B filings, reducing friction during the sponsorship process.
Wireless Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Wireless Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Wireless Engineer roles typically require degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or telecommunications, all of which appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. Your eligibility depends on your specific CIP code, not your job title, so confirm with your DSO before assuming you qualify. If your degree qualifies, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months.
How do I find Wireless Engineer employers that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship willingness, so you can focus on employers already open to hiring international candidates. Beyond the job board, check Department of Labor LCA disclosure data to see which companies have filed Labor Condition Applications for wireless engineering roles, which is a strong indicator of H-1B sponsorship history.
Can I work as a contractor or on a third-party placement as a Wireless Engineer on OPT?
Yes, but with important limitations. Your OPT employment must be directly related to your degree field and must average at least 20 hours per week. Third-party placements are permitted, but your employer of record, whether a staffing agency or the end client, must be the entity reporting your employment to your DSO. Make sure your DSO updates your SEVIS record with the correct employer information to stay in status.
What happens if my Wireless Engineer job ends while I'm on OPT?
F-1 students on post-completion OPT have a cumulative unemployment limit of 90 days. If you lose your job, that clock starts immediately. You must find a new position with employment in your degree field before you exhaust those 90 days or you will fall out of status. If you're on a STEM OPT extension, the unemployment limit drops to 60 days, and you must update your SEVIS record within 10 days of any job change.
Do Wireless Engineer employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Many do, particularly large network carriers, defense contractors, and telecommunications equipment manufacturers who hire wireless engineers at scale. However, H-1B sponsorship is never guaranteed, and the annual lottery means timing matters. Ask prospective employers directly about their sponsorship track record and whether they file during the regular cap or use premium processing. Roles requiring specialized knowledge of 5G, RF design, or network optimization tend to have stronger sponsorship cases because of the specific degree requirements involved.