STEM OPT Energy Jobs
Energy companies hiring STEM OPT students must be enrolled in E-Verify, making roles in power systems, renewable energy, and petroleum engineering strong matches for the 24-month extension. Your STEM degree in engineering, physics, or environmental science qualifies you for positions across utilities, oil and gas, and clean energy sectors.
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WSP is currently initiating a search for a detail-oriented and experienced Renewable Energy Systems Engineer to join our Power & Energy team in Boulder, CO. This person will support the design, modeling, and optimization of utility-scale, commercial, and microgrid energy projects. The ideal candidate will be proficient in industry-standard tools like AutoCAD, Matlab, PVcase, PVsyst, PVFARM, Storlytics, and NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM), and will play a critical role in the technical development of solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects from feasibility through execution.
Your Impact
- Design and model solar PV systems for utility-scale, commercial, and microgrid applications using PVsyst, PVcase, PVFARM, and AutoCAD.
- Perform layout optimization, shading analysis, energy yield simulations, and loss assessments.
- Use NREL’s SAM for financial modeling, performance forecasting, and system cost-benefit analysis.
- Conduct site assessments, review topographical data, and analyze meteorological datasets (e.g., TMY, DNI, GHI).
- Design and optimize BESS layouts. Perform degradation calculations, create augmentation schedules to meet project requirements.
- Work closely with OEMs in the industry and ensure internal system design practices are adapting to new equipment ratings and design changes.
- Develop revenue forecasting models for hybrid energy systems.
- Develop and maintain bill of materials (BOM), schematics, and as-built drawings.
- Coordinate with interconnection, electrical, civil, and structural teams to ensure complete system integration.
- Collaborate with project managers, EPC partners, and other stakeholders to ensure design quality and technical compliance.
- Work as an individual or as part of a cross-functional team of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work, assist with laying out installations, calculating costs and quantities of material/equipment/labor, and ensuring project work conforms with specifications, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
- Assist with development and scoping of small- to medium-sized projects.
- Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and presentations that explain research and findings to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design and/or electrical engineering issues or problems.
- Work collaboratively with other engineers and disciplines on projects with electrical infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related Engineering field.
- 3+ years of relevant post education experience in solar PV and battery energy storage system design, preferably across utility, commercial, and microgrid scales.
- Proficient in AutoCAD, PVcase, PVsyst, and NREL SAM.
- Engineer in Training Certification.
- Strong understanding of PV system components, design standards, and layout strategies.
- Ability to read and produce engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, and site plans.
- Solid knowledge of PV technologies, racking systems, and BOS (balance of system) components.
- Experience with dispatch modeling and revenue optimization of BESS systems in various ISO’s (ERCOT, CAISO, PJM etc).
- Exposure to operations and project controls experience for purposes of reporting.
- Ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements.
- Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
- Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
- Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Engineering.
- Experience working on PV + storage systems or hybrid renewable microgrids.
- Familiarity with civil/site constraints, interconnection guidelines, and permitting processes.
- Exposure to Helioscope, PlantPredict, or similar modeling tools is a plus.
- Knowledge of optimization techniques, economic dispatch, or grid service monetization.
WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (Colorado only): $78,600 - $121,000
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
This Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for a detail-oriented and experienced Renewable Energy Systems Engineer to join our Power & Energy team in Boulder, CO. This person will support the design, modeling, and optimization of utility-scale, commercial, and microgrid energy projects. The ideal candidate will be proficient in industry-standard tools like AutoCAD, Matlab, PVcase, PVsyst, PVFARM, Storlytics, and NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM), and will play a critical role in the technical development of solar, wind, and battery energy storage projects from feasibility through execution.
Your Impact
- Design and model solar PV systems for utility-scale, commercial, and microgrid applications using PVsyst, PVcase, PVFARM, and AutoCAD.
- Perform layout optimization, shading analysis, energy yield simulations, and loss assessments.
- Use NREL’s SAM for financial modeling, performance forecasting, and system cost-benefit analysis.
- Conduct site assessments, review topographical data, and analyze meteorological datasets (e.g., TMY, DNI, GHI).
- Design and optimize BESS layouts. Perform degradation calculations, create augmentation schedules to meet project requirements.
- Work closely with OEMs in the industry and ensure internal system design practices are adapting to new equipment ratings and design changes.
- Develop revenue forecasting models for hybrid energy systems.
- Develop and maintain bill of materials (BOM), schematics, and as-built drawings.
- Coordinate with interconnection, electrical, civil, and structural teams to ensure complete system integration.
- Collaborate with project managers, EPC partners, and other stakeholders to ensure design quality and technical compliance.
- Work as an individual or as part of a cross-functional team of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work, assist with laying out installations, calculating costs and quantities of material/equipment/labor, and ensuring project work conforms with specifications, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
- Assist with development and scoping of small- to medium-sized projects.
- Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and presentations that explain research and findings to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design and/or electrical engineering issues or problems.
- Work collaboratively with other engineers and disciplines on projects with electrical infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or related Engineering field.
- 3+ years of relevant post education experience in solar PV and battery energy storage system design, preferably across utility, commercial, and microgrid scales.
- Proficient in AutoCAD, PVcase, PVsyst, and NREL SAM.
- Engineer in Training Certification.
- Strong understanding of PV system components, design standards, and layout strategies.
- Ability to read and produce engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, and site plans.
- Solid knowledge of PV technologies, racking systems, and BOS (balance of system) components.
- Experience with dispatch modeling and revenue optimization of BESS systems in various ISO’s (ERCOT, CAISO, PJM etc).
- Exposure to operations and project controls experience for purposes of reporting.
- Ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements.
- Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
- Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
- Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Engineering.
- Experience working on PV + storage systems or hybrid renewable microgrids.
- Familiarity with civil/site constraints, interconnection guidelines, and permitting processes.
- Exposure to Helioscope, PlantPredict, or similar modeling tools is a plus.
- Knowledge of optimization techniques, economic dispatch, or grid service monetization.
WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (Colorado only): $78,600 - $121,000
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
See all 44+ STEM OPT Energy Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Energy Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Energy
Verify your CIP code matches energy roles
Your STEM OPT extension depends on your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code mapping to an approved STEM field. Check your I-20 against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying to petroleum, electrical, or environmental engineering roles.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Energy employers, including utilities and oil and gas contractors, must be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor your STEM OPT extension. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment status before signing any offer letter.
Target employers with active LCA filings in energy
Use Migrate Mate to filter energy sector employers by verified Labor Condition Application filing history, so you're applying to companies that already sponsor STEM OPT students rather than educating employers about the process from scratch.
Build your I-983 training plan around project milestones
Energy roles often involve discrete project phases like grid assessments or site surveys. Structure your I-983 training plan around these milestones with specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, so your DSO can sign off without requesting revisions.
Watch cap-gap coverage during H-1B transition periods
If you're selected in the H-1B lottery while on STEM OPT, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Coordinate your energy employer's I-129 filing timeline with USCIS to avoid any gap between your EAD expiration and H-1B visa start date.
Match your degree field to the SOC code on the LCA
DOL requires energy employers to file LCAs using the Standard Occupational Classification code that matches your actual role. Confirm the SOC code on your offer letter aligns with your engineering or science degree to avoid I-983 complications with your DSO.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which STEM degrees qualify for OPT extension in energy jobs?
Degrees in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, petroleum engineering, chemical engineering, environmental science, physics, and computer science all appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your specific Classification of Instructional Programs code on your I-20 determines eligibility, not your job title. Confirm your code against the DHS list before your DSO files the extension request.
Does my energy employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a mandatory requirement for any employer sponsoring a STEM OPT extension, including utilities, oil and gas companies, renewable energy developers, and engineering contractors. Your employer must be enrolled before your DSO can approve the I-983 training plan. You can verify enrollment status using the E-Verify employer search tool by entering the company's legal name or federal employer identification number.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for an energy role?
Your I-983 must detail how your day-to-day energy work directly relates to your STEM degree. Include specific technical objectives like power flow analysis, emissions modeling, or reservoir simulation, along with the supervision structure and how your employer will evaluate your progress. Generic job descriptions get rejected. Your DSO reviews and signs the plan, and your employer's authorized signatory must also sign before your extension is approved by USCIS.
How do cap-gap rules apply if I get an H-1B while working in energy?
If your H-1B petition is filed 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 year. You can continue working in your energy role without interruption during this period. If your employer files with premium processing, USCIS typically adjudicates within 15 business days, which gives you earlier confirmation of your H-1B approval status.
Where can I find energy employers that already sponsor STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters energy sector job listings by employers with verified Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can focus on companies that have already navigated the STEM OPT sponsorship process. This is more reliable than guessing from general job boards, where many postings come from employers not enrolled in E-Verify or unfamiliar with the I-983 training plan requirement.