STEM OPT Engineering Jobs

Engineering roles in software, electrical, mechanical, and civil disciplines qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree's CIP code maps to an approved STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension begins.

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Overview

Open Jobs20,896+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type83% On-site
Median Salary$118K
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 20,896+ Engineering jobs

Cummins
Engineering
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Cummins
Added 3w ago
Engineering
Cummins
Columbus, Indiana
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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ExxonMobil
Engineering
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ExxonMobil
Added 4mo ago
Engineering
ExxonMobil
Houston, Texas
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
$90,000/yr - $125,000/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Kimley-Horn
Civil Engineering Analyst
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Kimley-Horn
New 1h ago
Civil Engineering Analyst
Kimley-Horn
Las Vegas, Nevada
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Not listed
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Sel Engineering Services
Hardware Engineering Technician I
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Sel Engineering Services
New 23h ago
Hardware Engineering Technician I
Sel Engineering Services
Pullman, Washington
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Engineering (Non-Software)
$68,378 - $101,568/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Cirrus Logic
Engineering Technician
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Cirrus Logic
Added 1d ago
Engineering Technician
Cirrus Logic
Austin, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Associate's
1,001-5,000

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Engineering

Verify your CIP code before applying

Pull your degree's CIP code from your DSO and cross-reference it against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Some engineering subfields, like engineering technology or applied engineering, have codes that don't appear on the list, which disqualifies the extension.

Filter job postings by E-Verify status

Ask recruiters directly whether their company is enrolled in E-Verify before your first interview. Many engineering employers, especially smaller firms and startups, aren't enrolled and can't legally employ STEM OPT workers, even if they're willing to hire you.

Negotiate your I-983 training plan early

Bring a draft I-983 outline to your offer negotiation. Engineering hiring managers rarely know what the form requires. Defining your learning objectives, supervision structure, and performance evaluation cycle before you sign prevents delays after your start date.

Check prevailing wage before evaluating offers

Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your engineering role by SOC code and location. STEM OPT itself has no wage floor, but offers significantly below prevailing wage can complicate a future H-1B petition with the same employer.

Search Migrate Mate for E-Verify engineering employers

Migrate Mate surfaces engineering roles at employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active sponsorship history. You can filter by engineering discipline and location to focus your applications on companies that have already hired STEM OPT workers.

Start your cap-gap timeline before lottery results

If your OPT end date falls before October 1 and you're selected in the H-1B lottery, USCIS cap-gap rules automatically extend your work authorization. File your H-1B petition with your employer before your OPT expires so cap-gap coverage activates without a gap.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which engineering degrees qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

Your degree qualifies if its CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Most accredited engineering degrees do, including computer, electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, and biomedical engineering. Engineering technology and engineering management degrees sometimes use CIP codes that are not on the list, so confirm with your DSO before assuming eligibility. Your DSO updates your I-20 to reflect STEM designation once confirmed.

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

Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a strict STEM OPT requirement with no exceptions. Your employer must be actively enrolled, not just registered, before your extension can be authorized. E-Verify participation is searchable through the E-Verify employer search tool. If your employer isn't enrolled, they cannot hire you on STEM OPT, and enrolling typically takes one to three weeks, so raise this during the offer stage, not after you've accepted.

What does the I-983 training plan require for engineering roles?

The I-983 documents how your engineering role provides practical training directly related to your degree field. It must name a specific supervisor, describe your learning objectives in terms tied to engineering competencies, and outline how your employer will evaluate your progress at least every six months. Both you and your employer sign it before your DSO can update your I-20 and authorize the extension. Your employer must also report any material changes in your role or supervision to your DSO within five business days.

How does cap-gap work for STEM OPT engineers in the H-1B lottery?

If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires and USCIS selects you in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that year. Your F-1 status and employment authorization continue uninterrupted. If you're not selected and your OPT has already expired, you must stop working immediately. USCIS issues cap-gap notices on your I-20 through your DSO once a timely petition is on file.

How do I find engineering employers who hire STEM OPT students?

Migrate Mate filters engineering job listings by employers with active E-Verify enrollment and documented sponsorship history, which removes the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that can't legally employ STEM OPT workers. You can also use O*NET to identify the SOC code for your engineering specialty and cross-reference it with DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data to see which employers have filed for similar roles in recent years.

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