STEM OPT Product Development Engineer Jobs
Product Development Engineer roles in hardware, software, and manufacturing systems qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in engineering, computer science, or a related STEM field must map to an approved CIP code.
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Date: May 5, 2026
Location: Englewood, CO, US, 80112
Company: Gates Corporation
Are you inspired by challenging the status quo? Do you thrive in collaborative environments that drive results? If so, Gates could be for you.
Gates is a leading manufacturer of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions. We push the boundaries of material science to engineer solutions that continually exceed customer expectations.
Let's simplify it, think belts and hoses. Found in motorcycles, conveyor belts, cars, tractors, blenders, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, & 3D printers just to name a few. Because why not do it all?
Position Summary
The hose product engineering team is responsible for the design, development, and performance testing of hoses used in hydraulic, industrial, fluid transfer, and automotive applications. In this role there will be opportunities to work with a diverse product offering spanning multiple applications and markets with the guidance of more senior product development engineers. The right candidate will become a member of an experienced team, executing projects globally to drive expansion of the fluid power business.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Direct work responsibilities will include:
- Execute tasks with a global team to fully implement optimization proposals
- Product BOM management
- Creation of lab orders for product testing
- Analyzing product test results
- Organizing and monitoring builds of test materials
- Benchmarking of products in industry
- Experimentation to enhance product design
- Forensic analysis
- Interaction with a cross functional global teams (including operations, quality, material development, process engineering, commercial, etc.)
- Must be able to quickly learn to apply core engineering and six sigma skills such as problem solving, SPC data collection and analysis, FMEA, DOE, etc.
- Limited travel may be required (0-15%), potentially including international travel
Requirements and Preferred Skills
- 0 to 1 years of engineering experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in STEM discipline or EIT certification with engineering work experience required
- Background with functional application of engineering techniques listed in essential duties and responsibilities is preferred
- Must be able to independently manage time and task execution needs
- Ability to interpret and apply mathematical and statistical models and information
- Experience and confidence in face-to-face, phone, video call, and email communications
- Ability to work with a global cross functional team, as well as team members from other areas of the organization including those in other nations
- Computer applications including spreadsheets, word processing, presentations, and timeline projection (e.g. Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Power point)
- Ability to adapt to rapid changes and new systems as needed
PAY & BENEFITS
- Full-Time
- Salary: $68,000 - $75,000
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance and other voluntary benefit options: benefits begin on the first day of the month immediately following your date of hire
- Eligible for 3 weeks of paid vacation + 11 holidays (9 scheduled & 2 floating) + 8 sick days. All vacation days are accrued
- 401(k): 3% company contribution and additional 3% company match
- Tuition Reimbursement
WHY GATES?
Founded in 1911 in Denver, Colorado, Gates is publicly traded on the NYSE. While we might operate in a vast amount of time zones we operate as 'One Gates' and have a common goal of pushing the boundaries of materials science. We invest in our people, bringing real-world experience that enables us to solve our customers' diverse challenges of today and anticipate those of tomorrow.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Gates is an Equal Opportunity and is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, age, disability, pregnancy, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other consideration defined by law.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands and fingers to work with objects, tools, or controls; and use office equipment including computers, telephones, and/or copiers/scanners. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
For individuals assigned and/or hired to work in Colorado, Gates is required by law to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. This compensation range is specific to the State of Colorado and takes into account various factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to the candidate's relevant experience, qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.
LI-CB1
Nearest Major Market: Denver
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Product Development Engineer
Filter job postings by E-Verify enrollment
Search E-Verify's employer search tool to confirm a company is actively enrolled before investing time in their application process. Product development teams at hardware startups frequently skip E-Verify enrollment, making them ineligible to hire you on STEM OPT.
Target manufacturers with active DOL LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to find Product Development Engineer employers with Labor Condition Application filing history, which signals they've sponsored work authorization before and understand the compliance requirements your STEM OPT training plan demands.
Draft your I-983 training plan around project milestones
Your I-983 must connect your engineering coursework to specific product development tasks, like design verification or prototype iteration. Tie each learning objective to a measurable deliverable so your DSO and employer can sign off without revision delays.
Ask recruiters about E-Verify status in the first call
Raise E-Verify enrollment in your initial recruiter screen, not after an offer. Product development hiring moves fast, and discovering a company isn't enrolled after clearing technical rounds wastes weeks you can't recover during your OPT window.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark offers against prevailing wage
Run your job title and location through OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Your STEM OPT training plan must document that your compensation meets DOL wage standards for the role, so knowing the prevailing wage level protects you during offer review.
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Find Product Development Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Product Development Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree maps to an approved CIP code on the USCIS STEM OPT designated degree list. Engineering and materials science degrees covering product development work typically qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility when you apply for the extension through your school before your initial OPT expires.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Product Development Engineer?
Your I-983 must describe how your day-to-day engineering work connects to your STEM degree, name a direct supervisor who will mentor you, and list measurable learning objectives tied to product development tasks like design validation, prototyping, or cross-functional project ownership. USCIS requires both you and your employer to sign it, and your DSO reviews it before certifying the extension.
How do I confirm my Product Development Engineer employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name or EIN before accepting an offer. Many product development teams at early-stage hardware companies haven't enrolled, which legally bars them from hiring STEM OPT students regardless of intent. Confirming enrollment early prevents offer rescissions after you've already left another position.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer's H-1B petition is filed during my extension?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. USCIS issues this extension automatically, but you should confirm your I-20 reflects the cap-gap period before continuing to work past your OPT end date.
Where can I find Product Development Engineer jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT requirements?
Migrate Mate filters Product Development Engineer listings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and DOL filing history, so you're not wasting applications on companies that have never sponsored work authorization. Searching there lets you prioritize roles where the hiring team already knows what an I-983 is and what signing it requires.
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