STEM OPT Firmware Jobs
Firmware roles in embedded systems, real-time OS development, and hardware-software integration qualify for STEM OPT's 24-month extension when your degree aligns with an approved CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll work under a structured I-983 training plan tied to your engineering or computer science credentials.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout us
We’re a team of professional embedded/firmware engineers dedicated to making electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about developing hard real-time systems in critical applications.
- Healthy work/life balance.
- Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) – Employees own 100% of the company.
- Focused on delivering high quality, reliable products with free technical support as long as the product remains in service.
- Enjoy getting to the root of problems and inventing solutions to meet customer needs.
- Long term career development and growth opportunities.
- Hands on training and mentorship.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Participate in the design, implementation, documentation, and testing of safety critical embedded systems.
- Understand hardware and software interactions.
- Collaborate across disciplines with Hardware and Software engineers.
- Develop knowledge of SEL engineering processes.
- Develop knowledge of SEL products and technology.
- Follow and apply SEL Values and Principles of Operations.
- Understand. Create. Simplify.
Required Qualifications
We are open to reviewing candidates with more experience than the minimum skill set listed below.
- B.S. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Knowledge in the following areas:
- Programming languages: C, C++
- Software development including:
- Object oriented design
- Unit testing
- Debugging
- Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills.
- Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
- Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Embedded systems firmware development.
- Software Skills:
- RTOS
- Test automation
- Python
- Software development process (Agile)
- Software development tools (Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Conan, etc.)
- Source control tools (Git, Clearcase, etc.)
- Industrial controls
- 3-phase electric power systems
- Familiar with network communication protocols
Location
Pullman, WA - SEL’s corporate office is in Eastern Washington where you'll enjoy an unmatched quality of life. Enjoy the smaller town life: country space, freedom from traffic, easy access to recreational activities in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as great schools and universities.
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
Pay Range Data:
Associate Firmware Engineer $81,300 - $122,000
Firmware Engineer $89,400 - $134,100
We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the pay range may differ if filled at a different level. Our pay ranges are determined by job and responsibility. We base our starting pay offer and title on job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
About us
We’re a team of professional embedded/firmware engineers dedicated to making electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about developing hard real-time systems in critical applications.
- Healthy work/life balance.
- Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) – Employees own 100% of the company.
- Focused on delivering high quality, reliable products with free technical support as long as the product remains in service.
- Enjoy getting to the root of problems and inventing solutions to meet customer needs.
- Long term career development and growth opportunities.
- Hands on training and mentorship.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Participate in the design, implementation, documentation, and testing of safety critical embedded systems.
- Understand hardware and software interactions.
- Collaborate across disciplines with Hardware and Software engineers.
- Develop knowledge of SEL engineering processes.
- Develop knowledge of SEL products and technology.
- Follow and apply SEL Values and Principles of Operations.
- Understand. Create. Simplify.
Required Qualifications
We are open to reviewing candidates with more experience than the minimum skill set listed below.
- B.S. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Knowledge in the following areas:
- Programming languages: C, C++
- Software development including:
- Object oriented design
- Unit testing
- Debugging
- Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills.
- Ability to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
- Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Embedded systems firmware development.
- Software Skills:
- RTOS
- Test automation
- Python
- Software development process (Agile)
- Software development tools (Confluence, Jira, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Conan, etc.)
- Source control tools (Git, Clearcase, etc.)
- Industrial controls
- 3-phase electric power systems
- Familiar with network communication protocols
Location
Pullman, WA - SEL’s corporate office is in Eastern Washington where you'll enjoy an unmatched quality of life. Enjoy the smaller town life: country space, freedom from traffic, easy access to recreational activities in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as great schools and universities.
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
Pay Range Data:
Associate Firmware Engineer $81,300 - $122,000
Firmware Engineer $89,400 - $134,100
We are open to reviewing additional candidates with more or less experience and the pay range may differ if filled at a different level. Our pay ranges are determined by job and responsibility. We base our starting pay offer and title on job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
See all 46+ STEM OPT Firmware Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Firmware
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code from your DSO and cross-reference it against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and embedded systems degrees almost always qualify, but closely related fields like mechatronics need explicit confirmation before you commit to a role.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Firmware teams at smaller embedded hardware companies and defense contractors often aren't E-Verify enrolled by default. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name before your final interview round so you're not negotiating an offer from a company that legally can't employ you on STEM OPT.
Build an I-983 training plan around measurable firmware deliverables
Generic training plans get rejected. Map each I-983 learning objective to a concrete firmware milestone: bootloader development, RTOS porting, or hardware bring-up. Your DSO signs off only when the plan demonstrates direct connection between the work and your STEM degree field.
Search Migrate Mate to filter employers with STEM OPT history
Firmware openings are scattered across defense, automotive, IoT, and semiconductor sectors. Migrate Mate filters roles by employers who have verifiable STEM OPT and E-Verify compliance history, so you spend less time vetting and more time applying to positions that are actually accessible to you.
Target companies filing LCAs for embedded or firmware roles
Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify companies that have filed Labor Condition Applications under SOC codes for electrical engineers or software developers. Firms with active LCA filings are already inside the DOL compliance infrastructure, which makes transitioning you from STEM OPT to H-1B visa sponsorship significantly smoother.
Time your H-1B registration to cover your OPT end date
If your STEM OPT expires before October 1 of the H-1B fiscal year, cap-gap protection under USCIS rules extends your work authorization automatically while the petition is pending. Align your STEM OPT extension start date with your employer's fiscal year calendar so your authorization never lapses between filing and approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension in a firmware role?
Your degree must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List under an approved CIP code. Electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science degrees consistently qualify. Mechanical engineering degrees with embedded systems coursework may qualify depending on your school's CIP assignment. Confirm your exact CIP code with your DSO before accepting any firmware position, since the extension authorization is tied to the degree field, not the job title.
Does a firmware employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. USCIS requires that all STEM OPT employers be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension is approved. This applies to every employer in the chain, including staffing agencies if you're placed through one. Smaller firmware shops and hardware startups frequently overlook this requirement. Verify enrollment directly through the E-Verify employer search before signing an offer letter.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a firmware engineering position?
Your I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just a job description. For firmware roles, list concrete technical goals: bare-metal driver development, real-time operating system integration, hardware bring-up procedures, or debugging embedded communication protocols. USCIS requires that each objective connects directly to your degree field, and your employer must sign off confirming the work meets those goals. Vague plans citing general 'engineering experience' are routinely rejected.
How does cap-gap work if my STEM OPT expires before my H-1B starts?
Cap-gap protection under USCIS regulations automatically extends your work authorization if your employer files an H-1B petition before your STEM OPT end date and you're selected in the lottery. The extension runs through September 30 of the H-1B fiscal year. You can continue working in your firmware role during this window without interruption. If the petition is denied or withdrawn, cap-gap protection ends and you must stop working immediately.
Where can I find firmware jobs open to STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists firmware roles filtered by employers with E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT compatibility, so you're not sifting through postings from companies that can't legally hire you on an OPT extension. Firmware openings span defense, automotive, semiconductor, and consumer electronics sectors. Narrowing by employer compliance history up front saves significant time during a job search where your authorization window is limited.