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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INTRODUCTION
Cintal is a forward-thinking global technology company that develops and provides cutting-edge products and services to various industries such as heavy equipment, industrial, defense, agriculture, and medical. With our dedicated team of experienced technical professionals, Cintal aims to add value for its customers by leveraging advanced technologies to reduce product costs, shorten design and development lead times, and accelerate the introduction of high-quality products to the market.
BENEFITS:
- 10 paid holidays per year
- 2 weeks of paid time off per year, the current year is pro-rated based on start date
- Access to the company’s medical insurance, including dental and vision
- Eligibility for life insurance and disability coverage for short or long-term disabilities or long-term care needs
- 401 (k) eligibility with employer contribution annually
- Reimbursement for relocation expenses up to a certain amount on a case-by-case basis
- Yearly bonus based on company performance
- Visa sponsorship
JOB DESCRIPTION/TYPICAL TASK BREAKDOWN:
- Virtual product analysis using FEA tools to engineering product development team with recommendation across various product development teams. Engineer will support various analyses projects based on customer requests including (not limited to) Vibrational, CFD, Structural performed using FEA tools. Analysis will be performed using tools like Ansys, Nastran, Fluent, LSDYNA
- Involving with NPI program from the concept stage to production stage and provide all the product feasibility recommendations to design team by using the Virtual FEA tool.
- Collaborate with multi-discipline teams to define and develop simulation process for large structures.
- Serve as technical point of contact for the engineering team.
- Collaborate with the product group to define and negotiate system requirements.
- Direct, perform, and/or review VPD analyses to determine system architecture and component specifications.
- Oversee and participate in component and system DMFEAs and DVP&Rs
- Direct and review validation activities.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, plus 3-5 years of experience
REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS:
- FEA, Design, Durability, NVH, process improvement, and Optimization
- Creo Simulate
- Expertise in Fastening (Bolt Joint Analysis), Powertrain
- Experience with Abaqus (Implicit and Explicit), Hyperworks, NASTRAN/Optistruct, Siemens Simcneter3D
- Experience in correlation of Test and Simulation of component and assembly level
- Expertise in presenting the Simulation reports to Product team to improve the performance of the product
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and global team. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. We are pleased to offer visa sponsorship for eligible and qualified individuals.
Cintal provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, disability, genetic information, service in the military, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training.
The pay range for this role is:
92,000 - 98,000 USD per year (Mossville, IL)
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Get Access To All JobsTips 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 visa 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.
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.