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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Overview

Open Jobs137+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type93% On-site
Median Salary$141K
Top LocationSan Diego, CA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 137+ Firmware jobs

Juniper Networks
Network Software Engineer - Driver Firmware
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Juniper Networks
New 18h ago
Network Software Engineer - Driver Firmware
Juniper Networks
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
Software Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
Not listed
Hybrid
4+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Peloton
Firmware Engineer III
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Peloton
Added 4d ago
Firmware Engineer III
Peloton
Woodinville, Washington
Software Engineering
Firmware Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
$126,350/yr - $149,450/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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NVIDIA
GPU Firmware Infrastructure Engineer
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NVIDIA
Added 5d ago
GPU Firmware Infrastructure Engineer
NVIDIA
Santa Clara, California
Software Engineering
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Technical Product & Program Management
Embedded Systems Engineering
Automation QA
$124,000/yr - $241,500/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Seagate Technology
Firmware Engineer
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Seagate Technology
Added 1w ago
Firmware Engineer
Seagate Technology
Longmont, Colorado
Software Engineering
Firmware Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
$71,157/yr - $117,695/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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figure
Firmware Engineer Intern
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figure
Added 1w ago
Firmware Engineer Intern
figure
San Jose, California
Software Engineering
Firmware Engineering
Embedded Systems Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Tips 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 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.

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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.

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