STEM OPT CAE Engineer Jobs

CAE Engineer roles in simulation, finite element analysis, and computational fluid dynamics qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension under CIP codes in mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree field must directly support the engineering analysis work you'll perform.

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Overview

Open Jobs7+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type57% Hybrid
Median Salary$61K
Top LocationCranberry Township, PA
Most JobsWestinghouse Electric Company

Showing 5 of 7+ CAE Engineer jobs

Westinghouse Electric Company
CAE Engineer/E3D Admin
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Westinghouse Electric Company
Added 1mo ago
CAE Engineer/E3D Admin
Westinghouse Electric Company
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$69,200/yr - $86,500/yr
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
CAE Engineer/E3D Admin
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Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
Added 1mo ago
CAE Engineer/E3D Admin
Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC
Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$69,200/yr - $86,500/yr
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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TekWissen ®
CAE Engineer 3 (NVH Testing)
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TekWissen ®
Added 2mo ago
CAE Engineer 3 (NVH Testing)
TekWissen ®
Newark, California
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$65.00/hr - $65.00/hr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Dicastal North America
CAE Engineer
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Dicastal North America
Added 8mo ago
CAE Engineer
Dicastal North America
Livonia, Michigan
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$69,126/yr - $87,982/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
201-500

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SWJ TECHNOLOGY, LLC
CAE Specialist
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SWJ TECHNOLOGY, LLC
Added 2w ago
CAE Specialist
SWJ TECHNOLOGY, LLC
Charlotte, North Carolina
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Automotive Engineering
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a CAE Engineer

Verify your CIP code before applying

Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List to confirm it covers CAE work. Mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering codes are straightforward, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes require a closer read.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Ask your hiring contact directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before signing. Many engineering consultancies and defense contractors are enrolled, but smaller simulation software firms or boutique CAE shops may not be, which disqualifies them for your extension.

Target industries with high CAE hiring volume

Automotive, aerospace, and civil infrastructure employers file the most CAE-related LCAs with DOL. Search these sectors first on Migrate Mate, which filters listings for E-Verify-enrolled employers so you aren't manually vetting each company.

Build your I-983 training plan around simulation deliverables

USCIS requires your I-983 to tie training goals directly to your STEM degree. Frame your plan around specific CAE outputs: mesh validation workflows, solver benchmarking, or fatigue analysis reports. Vague descriptions of 'engineering support' increase the chance your DSO flags it for revision.

Use the OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer

CAE Engineer prevailing wages vary significantly by SOC code, region, and experience level. Run the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating so you know whether your offer meets Level I or Level II thresholds. An offer below the prevailing wage creates LCA compliance problems for your employer.

File for cap-gap protection before your OPT expires

If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT end date and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Confirm your employer's H-1B filing timeline with HR no later than February of your final OPT year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does my engineering degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a CAE Engineer?

Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and directly relates to the CAE work you'll perform. Mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, and computational science degrees typically qualify. Interdisciplinary or applied technology programs need to be checked individually. Your DSO at your university can confirm your specific CIP code and whether it meets the requirement.

Does my CAE Engineer employer have to be enrolled in E-Verify?

Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. This applies to the specific hiring site, not just the parent company, so if you're placed at a client site or subsidiary, that location also needs to be enrolled. You can verify enrollment status by asking HR directly or by checking through the E-Verify employer search tool maintained by the Department of Homeland Security.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a CAE Engineer role?

Your I-983 must connect your engineering degree to specific on-the-job training goals. For CAE roles, this means describing concrete technical activities: running finite element analysis on component assemblies, validating simulation models against physical test data, or developing automated pre-processing workflows. Generic descriptions like 'engineering support' are routinely flagged. USCIS reviews I-983 training plans, and your DSO must sign off before the extension is approved.

How do I find CAE Engineer jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT requirements?

Migrate Mate lists CAE Engineer roles at employers enrolled in E-Verify and filters for companies with active work authorization sponsorship history. Aerospace, automotive, and defense contractors are the most consistent hirers for CAE roles under STEM OPT. Focusing your search on employers with established engineering teams and existing international hires reduces the time you spend educating HR about your work authorization.

What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer's H-1B petition is selected in the lottery?

If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT end date and it's selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization automatically through September 30 of that year. You can continue working as a CAE Engineer without interruption during this period. If the H-1B isn't filed or isn't selected, your authorization ends on your OPT expiration date and you'll need an alternative plan.

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