STEM OPT Database Engineer Jobs
Database Engineer roles in data infrastructure, cloud warehousing, and backend systems qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and co-sign your I-983 training plan. Degrees in computer science, information systems, or a related STEM field typically meet the requirement.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Senior Database Developer
Location: Auburn Hills, MI
The position bridges the gap between ICT and plant execution by understanding both technical system requirements and manufacturing operational needs.
Summary of Duties, Responsibilities, and Knowledge Required
The Database Developer is required to support the planning, design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing data systems. This position enables standardized reporting, advanced analytics, digital tools, and user interfaces needed to improve plant performance, identify bottlenecks, and support operational decision-making across the organization.
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
- Plan, design, develop, and implement company databases for reporting, analytics, and operational decision support.
- Modify existing databases and develop new database solutions from concept through deployment.
- Define data structures, database requirements, documentation, operational guidelines, and protection standards.
- Write and maintain database code, including queries, stored procedures, data access logic, and database modifications.
- Install, configure, manage, and support database environments used by manufacturing and support functions.
- Maintain database dictionaries, data relationships, and system integrations through effective database design.
- Support database standards, naming conventions, governance practices, and development guidelines.
- Monitor service requests and problem tickets, working directly with customers to resolve database and application issues.
- Perform data analytics and create dashboards using tools such as Qlik Sense to visualize manufacturing performance.
- Analyze manufacturing metrics to identify top bottleneck areas, downtime drivers, throughput constraints, and performance gaps.
- Work with ICT to migrate server data, normalize datasets, and build algorithms to ingest information from multiple sources.
- Develop user interfaces and applications to collect, display, and manage information across the organization.
- Support cross-functional teams including Maintenance, Quality, Operations, Engineering, ICT, and plant leadership.
Detailed Programming Language and Technology Requirements
- SQL: Advanced knowledge required to design and optimize complex queries, stored procedures, triggers, data structures, reporting tables, and high-volume manufacturing databases. SQL is critical for data integrity, performance, historical analysis, and standard reporting.
- Python: Required for data automation, ETL scripting, data validation, analytics, API integration, and future machine learning or predictive analytics use cases. Python supports scalable data processing and reduces manual reporting effort.
- C# / .NET / ASP.NET: Required to develop enterprise applications, web-based tools, backend services, and user interfaces that connect databases with plant systems, dashboards, and data collection processes.
- VBA: Required to support legacy Excel-based tools, automate repetitive reporting tasks, and bridge current plant-level processes with future database-driven solutions.
- Qlik Sense: Required to build dashboards, data models, visualizations, and leadership reporting tools for KPIs such as OPE, downtime, bottlenecks, and production performance.
- HTML / CSS / JavaScript: Required to create browser-based interfaces for data entry, validation, reporting, and user interaction across plant and corporate teams.
- C++ / Java / VB.NET: Required or strongly preferred to support legacy applications, vendor systems, object-oriented programming needs, and integration with existing manufacturing platforms.
Knowledge and Skills Required
- Strong knowledge of database design, data architecture, data structures, and database administration practices.
- Experience developing and reporting large, complex databases with high data accuracy and performance requirements.
- Advanced data analysis, validation, normalization, and processing skills.
- Ability to translate manufacturing needs into technical solutions, dashboards, applications, and automated reporting tools.
- Understanding manufacturing KPIs, plant performance metrics, downtime analysis, bottleneck identification, and throughput improvement.
- Ability to integrate data from multiple systems and create a reliable single source of truth.
- Knowledge of data analytics, machine learning, and data science concepts to support future digital transformation initiatives.
- Strong communication and coordination skills with ability to interface with hourly employees, engineers, plant leadership, ICT, and senior leadership.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under strict timelines, and support urgent plant operational needs.
Key Must Have’s:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field preferred.
- 3-5 years of professional experience in Manufacturing Database Development.
- Experience with MS Office and Google Workspace tools.
- Experience with SQL, Python, ASP.NET, VBA, Qlik Sense, HTML, and CSS.
- Experience developing, maintaining, and reporting from large and complex databases.
- Manufacturing experience preferred.
- Knowledge of analytics, machine learning, and data science preferred.
Job Title: Senior Database Developer
Location: Auburn Hills, MI
The position bridges the gap between ICT and plant execution by understanding both technical system requirements and manufacturing operational needs.
Summary of Duties, Responsibilities, and Knowledge Required
The Database Developer is required to support the planning, design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of manufacturing data systems. This position enables standardized reporting, advanced analytics, digital tools, and user interfaces needed to improve plant performance, identify bottlenecks, and support operational decision-making across the organization.
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities
- Plan, design, develop, and implement company databases for reporting, analytics, and operational decision support.
- Modify existing databases and develop new database solutions from concept through deployment.
- Define data structures, database requirements, documentation, operational guidelines, and protection standards.
- Write and maintain database code, including queries, stored procedures, data access logic, and database modifications.
- Install, configure, manage, and support database environments used by manufacturing and support functions.
- Maintain database dictionaries, data relationships, and system integrations through effective database design.
- Support database standards, naming conventions, governance practices, and development guidelines.
- Monitor service requests and problem tickets, working directly with customers to resolve database and application issues.
- Perform data analytics and create dashboards using tools such as Qlik Sense to visualize manufacturing performance.
- Analyze manufacturing metrics to identify top bottleneck areas, downtime drivers, throughput constraints, and performance gaps.
- Work with ICT to migrate server data, normalize datasets, and build algorithms to ingest information from multiple sources.
- Develop user interfaces and applications to collect, display, and manage information across the organization.
- Support cross-functional teams including Maintenance, Quality, Operations, Engineering, ICT, and plant leadership.
Detailed Programming Language and Technology Requirements
- SQL: Advanced knowledge required to design and optimize complex queries, stored procedures, triggers, data structures, reporting tables, and high-volume manufacturing databases. SQL is critical for data integrity, performance, historical analysis, and standard reporting.
- Python: Required for data automation, ETL scripting, data validation, analytics, API integration, and future machine learning or predictive analytics use cases. Python supports scalable data processing and reduces manual reporting effort.
- C# / .NET / ASP.NET: Required to develop enterprise applications, web-based tools, backend services, and user interfaces that connect databases with plant systems, dashboards, and data collection processes.
- VBA: Required to support legacy Excel-based tools, automate repetitive reporting tasks, and bridge current plant-level processes with future database-driven solutions.
- Qlik Sense: Required to build dashboards, data models, visualizations, and leadership reporting tools for KPIs such as OPE, downtime, bottlenecks, and production performance.
- HTML / CSS / JavaScript: Required to create browser-based interfaces for data entry, validation, reporting, and user interaction across plant and corporate teams.
- C++ / Java / VB.NET: Required or strongly preferred to support legacy applications, vendor systems, object-oriented programming needs, and integration with existing manufacturing platforms.
Knowledge and Skills Required
- Strong knowledge of database design, data architecture, data structures, and database administration practices.
- Experience developing and reporting large, complex databases with high data accuracy and performance requirements.
- Advanced data analysis, validation, normalization, and processing skills.
- Ability to translate manufacturing needs into technical solutions, dashboards, applications, and automated reporting tools.
- Understanding manufacturing KPIs, plant performance metrics, downtime analysis, bottleneck identification, and throughput improvement.
- Ability to integrate data from multiple systems and create a reliable single source of truth.
- Knowledge of data analytics, machine learning, and data science concepts to support future digital transformation initiatives.
- Strong communication and coordination skills with ability to interface with hourly employees, engineers, plant leadership, ICT, and senior leadership.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under strict timelines, and support urgent plant operational needs.
Key Must Have’s:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field preferred.
- 3-5 years of professional experience in Manufacturing Database Development.
- Experience with MS Office and Google Workspace tools.
- Experience with SQL, Python, ASP.NET, VBA, Qlik Sense, HTML, and CSS.
- Experience developing, maintaining, and reporting from large and complex databases.
- Manufacturing experience preferred.
- Knowledge of analytics, machine learning, and data science preferred.
See all 47+ STEM OPT Database Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Database Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting Database Engineer roles. Computer science, management information systems, and data science codes are commonly eligible, but applied informatics programs vary by institution.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify for your STEM OPT extension to be valid. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name or EIN to confirm enrollment status before signing any offer letter.
Target companies with active LCA filings in database roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by DOL Labor Condition Application filing history in database and data engineering occupations, so you're applying to companies with a documented track record of hiring workers in your SOC code.
Align your I-983 training goals to the job description
When negotiating your offer, ask hiring managers which database systems, ETL pipelines, or cloud platforms you'll own. Concrete responsibilities mapped to your degree field make your I-983 training plan defensible if USCIS or ICE reviews it.
Use prevailing wage data to anchor your salary negotiation
Pull the Level I through Level IV wage for your SOC code and metro area from the OFLC Wage Search before finalizing compensation. STEM OPT doesn't require prevailing wage compliance, but knowing the DOL benchmark prevents underpayment that could complicate a future H-1B visa LCA.
Plan your extension timeline around your OPT end date
Your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS and you must file Form I-765 with USCIS at least 90 days before your current EAD expires. Database Engineer hiring timelines can run 8 to 12 weeks, so start your employer search early enough to leave room for filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Database Engineer?
Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Computer science, information systems, data science, and computer engineering codes are commonly listed. Applied or interdisciplinary programs sometimes use CIP codes that aren't on the list, so confirm with your DSO before targeting Database Engineer roles that depend on the extension.
Does the employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for my STEM OPT to be valid?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT employers, not a preference. If your employer is not actively enrolled at the time you begin working, your extension authorization is invalid regardless of what USCIS has already approved. Verify enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search before accepting any offer. Migrate Mate filters listings to employers with documented hiring histories, which helps you prioritize compliant companies.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Database Engineer role?
Your I-983 must identify specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree and the Database Engineer role. List the database platforms, query optimization techniques, data modeling methodologies, or cloud infrastructure tools you'll work with. Both you and your supervisor sign the plan, and your employer must conduct a formal performance evaluation at the 12-month mark. Vague descriptions of general IT duties are the most common reason plans get flagged during ICE inspections.
How does cap-gap protection work if my employer files an H-1B petition while I'm on STEM OPT?
If your employer files a timely H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Database Engineer during this period without a new EAD. USCIS provides cap-gap guidance on its website, and your DSO can annotate your I-20 to reflect the extension.
How do I find Database Engineer employers that are likely to support STEM OPT students?
Search Migrate Mate for Database Engineer roles filtered by employers with active DOL Labor Condition Application filings in database and data engineering SOC codes. LCA filing history signals that a company has already navigated work authorization paperwork and is familiar with the process, which reduces the risk of an employer declining to co-sign your I-983 or rejecting your extension after an offer is made.