STEM OPT Equipment Engineer Jobs
Equipment Engineer roles in semiconductor, aerospace, and medical device manufacturing are strong fits for STEM OPT students with degrees in mechanical, electrical, or materials engineering. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension applies here, and employers must be enrolled in E-Verify to hire you under this authorization.
Find STEM OPT Equipment Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 112+ Equipment Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 112+ Equipment Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Equipment Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
As an Equipment Engineer (EE) at Polar Semiconductor in Bloomington, MN, you are responsible for monitoring, sustaining, and improving the equipment and/or processes in the Subfab equipment group (gas cabinets, bulk chemical delivery systems, abatement) while working in partnership with production, process and maintenance team members. EEs monitor tool performance to create/modify preventive maintenance (PM) frequencies and schedules, along with creating/modifying PM procedures and checklists. EEs assist with equipment installations, create and modify equipment procedures, and increase tool uptime through systematic problem solving and troubleshooting.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Engage in systematic troubleshooting to identify root-cause of failures
- Minimize tool down-time and variability to increase equipment availability
- Disassemble, repair, and reassemble equipment according to operating manuals, schematics, blueprints, etc.
- Gather and analyze subfab operational data to assess trends, issues and areas for improvement
- Collaborate with engineering, maintenance technicians, and chemical sustaining
- Serve as project manager to identify & implement subfab operational improvements
- Work with OEMs/vendors for equipment support
- Ensure proper stocking/pricing of crib parts
- Create and update subfab documentation (procedures, checklists)
- Communicate issues effectively to all team members
- Participate on the Emergency Response Team
- Support and maintain 5S activities.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
- Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical related fields
- Knowledge of electronics and control systems, mechanics, pneumatics and vacuum systems
- Experience with diagnosing equipment issues
- Ability to properly use common hand tools
- Organized, detailed, and strong problem-solving/critical thinking skills
- Ability to follow procedures and work with minimal supervision
- PC skills and familiarity with MS Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint
- 1-3+ years experience with semiconductor, electronics manufacturing or other chemically intensive manufacturing industries preferred
- Project Management experience (preferred)
Please note that this position may require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency status in the future depending on federal requirements
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
NA
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
Ability to work flexible hours on an as needed (infrequent) basis
Occasional potential exposure to hazardous chemical substances; Frequent work in all areas of the facility: clean room, mechanical areas, and dock locations with exposure to wide temperature ranges
Use of Respirator and Supplied Air systems.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
- Corporate and departmental orientations
- Hazardous Waste Management / Right to Know (annual)
- EMS Awareness Training (annual)
- Ladder Safety Training (annual)
- Forklift Training (annual)
- Electrical Safety (annual)
- Fit Testing (annual)
What We Offer
Salary: The estimated base salary range for the position is $80,000-$128,000. The pay offered is based on many factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, job-related experience, skills and level of the position.
Benefits & Other Eligible Compensation: Includes health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off, annual bonus, and tuition reimbursement.
Polar Semiconductor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
About Minneapolis/St. Paul Area
Our offices and manufacturing facility are located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. Living in the Minneapolis / Saint Paul area offers a strong sense of community, a vibrant arts and music scene, and abundant outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts a lower cost of living than many major metros, excellent parks and lakes, and a well-educated workforce with diverse job opportunities. Its distinct seasons bring variety, from colorful autumns to lively summers filled with festivals and waterfront activities.
INTRODUCTION
As an Equipment Engineer (EE) at Polar Semiconductor in Bloomington, MN, you are responsible for monitoring, sustaining, and improving the equipment and/or processes in the Subfab equipment group (gas cabinets, bulk chemical delivery systems, abatement) while working in partnership with production, process and maintenance team members. EEs monitor tool performance to create/modify preventive maintenance (PM) frequencies and schedules, along with creating/modifying PM procedures and checklists. EEs assist with equipment installations, create and modify equipment procedures, and increase tool uptime through systematic problem solving and troubleshooting.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Engage in systematic troubleshooting to identify root-cause of failures
- Minimize tool down-time and variability to increase equipment availability
- Disassemble, repair, and reassemble equipment according to operating manuals, schematics, blueprints, etc.
- Gather and analyze subfab operational data to assess trends, issues and areas for improvement
- Collaborate with engineering, maintenance technicians, and chemical sustaining
- Serve as project manager to identify & implement subfab operational improvements
- Work with OEMs/vendors for equipment support
- Ensure proper stocking/pricing of crib parts
- Create and update subfab documentation (procedures, checklists)
- Communicate issues effectively to all team members
- Participate on the Emergency Response Team
- Support and maintain 5S activities.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:
- Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical related fields
- Knowledge of electronics and control systems, mechanics, pneumatics and vacuum systems
- Experience with diagnosing equipment issues
- Ability to properly use common hand tools
- Organized, detailed, and strong problem-solving/critical thinking skills
- Ability to follow procedures and work with minimal supervision
- PC skills and familiarity with MS Office Word, Excel, Powerpoint
- 1-3+ years experience with semiconductor, electronics manufacturing or other chemically intensive manufacturing industries preferred
- Project Management experience (preferred)
Please note that this position may require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency status in the future depending on federal requirements
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
NA
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
Ability to work flexible hours on an as needed (infrequent) basis
Occasional potential exposure to hazardous chemical substances; Frequent work in all areas of the facility: clean room, mechanical areas, and dock locations with exposure to wide temperature ranges
Use of Respirator and Supplied Air systems.
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS:
- Corporate and departmental orientations
- Hazardous Waste Management / Right to Know (annual)
- EMS Awareness Training (annual)
- Ladder Safety Training (annual)
- Forklift Training (annual)
- Electrical Safety (annual)
- Fit Testing (annual)
What We Offer
Salary: The estimated base salary range for the position is $80,000-$128,000. The pay offered is based on many factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, job-related experience, skills and level of the position.
Benefits & Other Eligible Compensation: Includes health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off, annual bonus, and tuition reimbursement.
Polar Semiconductor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
About Minneapolis/St. Paul Area
Our offices and manufacturing facility are located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis. Living in the Minneapolis / Saint Paul area offers a strong sense of community, a vibrant arts and music scene, and abundant outdoor activities year-round. The city boasts a lower cost of living than many major metros, excellent parks and lakes, and a well-educated workforce with diverse job opportunities. Its distinct seasons bring variety, from colorful autumns to lively summers filled with festivals and waterfront activities.
See all 112+ STEM OPT Equipment Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Equipment Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Equipment Engineer
Verify your CIP code covers equipment engineering
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code maps to an approved STEM field before applying. Mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering degrees qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes carry non-STEM CIP codes that disqualify the extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether their company is enrolled in E-Verify before your final interview. Many small-to-midsize equipment manufacturers are not enrolled, which legally bars them from employing STEM OPT students regardless of their willingness to hire.
Target industries with high E-Verify adoption rates
Semiconductor fabs, aerospace primes, and defense contractors are subject to federal contract requirements that mandate E-Verify enrollment. Focusing your search on these sectors cuts the risk of landing deep in a hiring process with a non-compliant employer.
Build your I-983 training plan around measurable goals
Equipment Engineer roles must tie your training plan to specific technical outcomes, such as qualifying production tools or reducing equipment downtime by a defined metric. Vague plans draw DSO scrutiny and can delay your extension approval.
Search STEM OPT jobs on Migrate Mate by E-Verify status
Filter Equipment Engineer listings on Migrate Mate to surface only employers with verified E-Verify enrollment. This eliminates the most common early-stage mismatch and lets you focus outreach on roles where your authorization is actually viable.
Time your extension filing to cover offer start dates
Submit your STEM OPT extension application to USCIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Equipment Engineer onboarding often runs four to six weeks, so late filing creates a gap that voids your authorization before your first day on the tool floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my engineering degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as an Equipment Engineer?
Degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, and industrial engineering all carry STEM-designated CIP codes that qualify for the 24-month extension. Check your degree's exact CIP code against the official STEM Designated Degree Program List published by DHS. If your program was interdisciplinary or had a non-engineering concentration, confirm with your DSO before applying to Equipment Engineer roles.
Does my Equipment Engineer employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. Your employer must also sign the I-983 training plan before your DSO can authorize the extension. Ask for proof of E-Verify enrollment before you receive a formal offer, not after, since pulling out late in the process creates timeline problems for both sides.
What should my I-983 training plan include for an Equipment Engineer role?
The I-983 must connect your daily responsibilities to the learning objectives of your STEM degree. For Equipment Engineer positions, this typically means documenting goals around process qualification, failure analysis, preventive maintenance protocol development, or tool performance optimization. Generic descriptions like 'support engineering operations' are insufficient. Your supervisor and DSO must both sign the plan, and it must be updated if your role or employer changes.
How does the cap-gap rule protect me if my H-1B is selected while I'm working as an Equipment Engineer?
If your H-1B visa petition is filed before your OPT EAD expires and your registration is selected in the lottery, the cap-gap provision automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working in your Equipment Engineer role during this period without interruption. USCIS issues no separate document for cap-gap; your original EAD plus the I-20 extension notation from your DSO serves as proof.
Where can I find Equipment Engineer jobs where the employer is already set up for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters Equipment Engineer listings by E-Verify enrollment status, so you can identify employers who are already compliant with STEM OPT requirements before you apply. This matters in equipment-intensive industries like semiconductor manufacturing, where smaller contract manufacturers often lack E-Verify enrollment despite having strong technical roles.