STEM OPT Application Engineer Jobs
Application Engineer roles sit at the intersection of technical depth and client-facing problem-solving, making them a strong fit for STEM OPT graduates in engineering, computer science, and related fields. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension is available if your degree's CIP code qualifies, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to stay compliant with ICE reporting requirements.
Find STEM OPT Application Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 409+ Application Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 409+ Application Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Application Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsAbout Atomic Machines
Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler™ technology. This full-stack technology enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by offering manufacturing processes and a materials library that is inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. It promises to unlock MEMS manufacturing for the many device classes frustrated by semiconductor methods and to open up entirely new product classes. The Matter Compiler™ technology fully realizes the digital manufacturing dream: bits and raw materials go in, and complete, functional micromachines come out. The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device—one that was only made possible by the existence of the Matter Compiler™ technology—that we will be unveiling to the world soon. Our engineering offices are in Emeryville and Santa Clara, California.
About The Role
As a Software Applications Engineer, Reliability you'll start by owning the uptime and reliability of our prototyping and development fleet of hardware, electronics, and software that drive the Matter Compiler. You'll develop safe-release processes and provide company-wide visibility into the operational status of fleet units, increasing development velocity for all our power-electronic device, materials-processing, and embedded-systems engineers. You'll rationalize our hardware configuration management process and act as the first line of defense for early diagnosis and triage of unexpected machine behavior. Standing up safe hardware-in-the-loop processes and building the playbooks for scaled operation is second nature to you; of course, you instrumented failure detection and set a playbook for recovery. You can diagnose an issue with an end effector or electrical board and then perform basic repairs on your own, leaving the instrumentation better than you found it as you define a regression test. You'll be joining a fast-paced, highly ambiguous interdisciplinary environment with close collaboration across teams—including modeling and simulation, materials science, process development, and mechanical engineering—as we bring truly novel technology to life. This role is well-suited to an engineer with strong fundamentals, curiosity, and a drive to develop systems-level thinking.
What You'll Do:
- Operate and debug software and firmware for complex robotics with hard real-time constraints
- Work at multiple levels of the Matter Compiler, including software, hardware, and electronics
- Work within cross-functional teams to implement and execute verification tests
- Diagnose and document mechatronic and process issues throughout the hardware and software development life cycle
- Extend machine control software to improve observability
What You'll Need:
- 2+ years of industry experience with precision hardware, scientific instruments, or similar
- Familiarity with C/C++ and Python programming and debugging
- Experience with HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) testing
- Familiarity with how motors and robots work at several length and time scales
- Experience designing, building, and shipping complex processes in a hardware-aware environment
- Experience with instrumenting software for observability and debugging
- Familiarity with version control, Infrastructure-as-Code, and DevOps workflows
- A first-principles mindset—you question assumptions, reframe problems from the ground up, and approach challenges with a foundational understanding rather than relying solely on precedent
- Bachelor of Science in a technical field with heavy exposure to machine control
Bonus Points For
- Familiarity with the fundamentals of robotic systems, such as feedback control systems, motion planning, and computer vision
- Experience in identifying needs, then proposing and standing up processes and communication forums that span organizational divisions
- Strong bias toward metrology and observability over tribal knowledge
The compensation for this position also includes equity and benefits.
Salary Range: $165,000 USD - $205,000 USD
About Atomic Machines
Atomic Machines is ushering in a new era of micromanufacturing with its Matter Compiler™ technology. This full-stack technology enables new classes of micromachines to be designed and built by offering manufacturing processes and a materials library that is inaccessible to semiconductor manufacturing methods. It promises to unlock MEMS manufacturing for the many device classes frustrated by semiconductor methods and to open up entirely new product classes. The Matter Compiler™ technology fully realizes the digital manufacturing dream: bits and raw materials go in, and complete, functional micromachines come out. The Atomic Machines team has also created an exciting first device—one that was only made possible by the existence of the Matter Compiler™ technology—that we will be unveiling to the world soon. Our engineering offices are in Emeryville and Santa Clara, California.
About The Role
As a Software Applications Engineer, Reliability you'll start by owning the uptime and reliability of our prototyping and development fleet of hardware, electronics, and software that drive the Matter Compiler. You'll develop safe-release processes and provide company-wide visibility into the operational status of fleet units, increasing development velocity for all our power-electronic device, materials-processing, and embedded-systems engineers. You'll rationalize our hardware configuration management process and act as the first line of defense for early diagnosis and triage of unexpected machine behavior. Standing up safe hardware-in-the-loop processes and building the playbooks for scaled operation is second nature to you; of course, you instrumented failure detection and set a playbook for recovery. You can diagnose an issue with an end effector or electrical board and then perform basic repairs on your own, leaving the instrumentation better than you found it as you define a regression test. You'll be joining a fast-paced, highly ambiguous interdisciplinary environment with close collaboration across teams—including modeling and simulation, materials science, process development, and mechanical engineering—as we bring truly novel technology to life. This role is well-suited to an engineer with strong fundamentals, curiosity, and a drive to develop systems-level thinking.
What You'll Do:
- Operate and debug software and firmware for complex robotics with hard real-time constraints
- Work at multiple levels of the Matter Compiler, including software, hardware, and electronics
- Work within cross-functional teams to implement and execute verification tests
- Diagnose and document mechatronic and process issues throughout the hardware and software development life cycle
- Extend machine control software to improve observability
What You'll Need:
- 2+ years of industry experience with precision hardware, scientific instruments, or similar
- Familiarity with C/C++ and Python programming and debugging
- Experience with HIL (Hardware-in-the-Loop) testing
- Familiarity with how motors and robots work at several length and time scales
- Experience designing, building, and shipping complex processes in a hardware-aware environment
- Experience with instrumenting software for observability and debugging
- Familiarity with version control, Infrastructure-as-Code, and DevOps workflows
- A first-principles mindset—you question assumptions, reframe problems from the ground up, and approach challenges with a foundational understanding rather than relying solely on precedent
- Bachelor of Science in a technical field with heavy exposure to machine control
Bonus Points For
- Familiarity with the fundamentals of robotic systems, such as feedback control systems, motion planning, and computer vision
- Experience in identifying needs, then proposing and standing up processes and communication forums that span organizational divisions
- Strong bias toward metrology and observability over tribal knowledge
The compensation for this position also includes equity and benefits.
Salary Range: $165,000 USD - $205,000 USD
See all 409+ STEM OPT Application Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Application Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Application Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your STEM degree's CIP code appears on the official DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Application Engineer roles typically draw on computer science, electrical engineering, or mechanical engineering credentials, and a mismatched CIP code disqualifies your extension filing entirely.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before signing anything. A company that isn't enrolled cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT, and switching employers after accepting an offer resets your I-983 timeline.
Build your I-983 training plan around engineering deliverables
Application Engineer roles involve product demonstrations, technical integrations, and customer escalations. Document these as specific learning objectives on your I-983, tied to your engineering degree goals, so your DSO can approve the plan without revision requests.
Target employers with active LCA filings in your field
Use Migrate Mate to filter Application Engineer roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering positions, which signals established sponsorship infrastructure and familiarity with work authorization requirements beyond the initial OPT period.
Apply 90 days before your OPT expiration date
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be filed while your initial OPT EAD is still valid. Missing this window means a gap in work authorization. File your I-765 with your DSO-endorsed I-20 no later than 90 days before your current EAD expires.
Match your job duties to the specialty occupation standard
Application Engineer positions vary widely between companies. Confirm your specific duties require a STEM degree to perform, not just to obtain the role. Generic sales-support duties without a technical component can complicate your H-1B visa transition later if the role wasn't properly structured.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Application Engineer job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on whether your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and whether your specific duties require applying STEM knowledge. Application Engineer roles grounded in systems integration, software configuration, or hardware deployment typically qualify. Roles that are primarily client-facing or sales-oriented with minimal technical application may not. Your DSO makes the final determination when endorsing your I-20.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify. This is an ICE requirement, not optional. The company must verify your employment eligibility through the E-Verify system within three days of your start date. If your employer is not enrolled, you cannot legally work for them on a STEM OPT EAD, regardless of their intent to enroll in the future.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for an Application Engineer role?
Your I-983 must list specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, along with how your Application Engineer duties advance those goals. For this role, that typically means documenting technical skills like API integration, product configuration, or systems troubleshooting. Your employer's supervisor signs the plan, and your DSO must approve it before USCIS processes your extension. Vague job descriptions or generic training goals are the most common reasons for delays.
How does cap-gap protect me if my H-1B is selected while on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. You can continue working as an Application Engineer during this period without a new EAD. USCIS updates cap-gap guidance annually, so confirm the current rules with your DSO before your STEM OPT end date approaches.
Where can I find Application Engineer jobs with E-Verify enrolled employers?
Migrate Mate filters Application Engineer listings by employers with verified sponsorship history, so you're not manually cross-referencing E-Verify enrollment for every company you apply to. Searching on Migrate Mate also surfaces roles where the employer has filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering positions, which is a strong indicator of experience with STEM OPT and H-1B processes.