STEM OPT R D Engineering Jobs
R&D Engineering roles in product development, materials science, and systems design qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension when your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Your engineering, computer science, or applied sciences degree ties directly to the research and development work these positions require.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Provides technical support to manufacturing and related functions. Researches, develops, and improves manufacturing processes, methods, and systems for products, facilities, fixtures, tooling, equipment, and/or materials. Develops and tests work methods and procedures, ensuring performance and quality of materials, products, and machines meet specifications and standards. Ensures technical outcomes are consistent with established engineering principles and practices and that customer and company technical, system, performance, and quality requirements are met. Consistently meets expectations while accomplishing tasks and meeting goals and objectives in a timely manner. Completes assignments with directional input and periodic guidance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Planning, executing and reporting of priorities; Reacting to changing priorities.
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Providing general production support for assembly area as needed:
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Review and edit manufacturing instructions for clarity and ease of use.
-
Participate in the evaluation of upgrades for assembly.
-
Troubleshoot issues (quality, efficiency, etc.) on assembly line.
-
Weigh in on situations that need technical assistance.
-
Participate in hands-on problem solving and resolution.
-
Report and facilitate correction of out-of-specification conditions.
-
Determining the proper processes:
-
Review, analyzing standards and operation layouts and make suggestions for change.
-
Assist in the selection of and implementation of tooling and fixtures for machining and/or assembly job.
-
Participate in capital equipment justification as needed.
-
Participate in the planning and implementation of preventive and corrective actions for reducing scrap, rework and down time.
-
Research and suggest ideas for new technology.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills are necessary in order to act as a liaison between engineering, production, marketing, purchasing, and members of the manufacturing team.
- Work as a team player.
- Pursuing a Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineer degree from an accredited school.
- Experience with Solidworks.
- Experience/knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.
- Someone entering junior or senior year preferred.
- Good mechanical aptitude.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Hands on mentality.
INTRODUCTION
Provides technical support to manufacturing and related functions. Researches, develops, and improves manufacturing processes, methods, and systems for products, facilities, fixtures, tooling, equipment, and/or materials. Develops and tests work methods and procedures, ensuring performance and quality of materials, products, and machines meet specifications and standards. Ensures technical outcomes are consistent with established engineering principles and practices and that customer and company technical, system, performance, and quality requirements are met. Consistently meets expectations while accomplishing tasks and meeting goals and objectives in a timely manner. Completes assignments with directional input and periodic guidance.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Planning, executing and reporting of priorities; Reacting to changing priorities.
-
Providing general production support for assembly area as needed:
-
Review and edit manufacturing instructions for clarity and ease of use.
-
Participate in the evaluation of upgrades for assembly.
-
Troubleshoot issues (quality, efficiency, etc.) on assembly line.
-
Weigh in on situations that need technical assistance.
-
Participate in hands-on problem solving and resolution.
-
Report and facilitate correction of out-of-specification conditions.
-
Determining the proper processes:
-
Review, analyzing standards and operation layouts and make suggestions for change.
-
Assist in the selection of and implementation of tooling and fixtures for machining and/or assembly job.
-
Participate in capital equipment justification as needed.
-
Participate in the planning and implementation of preventive and corrective actions for reducing scrap, rework and down time.
-
Research and suggest ideas for new technology.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills are necessary in order to act as a liaison between engineering, production, marketing, purchasing, and members of the manufacturing team.
- Work as a team player.
- Pursuing a Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineer degree from an accredited school.
- Experience with Solidworks.
- Experience/knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.
- Someone entering junior or senior year preferred.
- Good mechanical aptitude.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Hands on mentality.
See all 104+ R D Engineering jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in R D Engineering
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code must appear on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List. Cross-check your transcript against that list so you're not targeting roles with a degree that doesn't qualify for the extension.
Confirm E-Verify status before interviews
Ask your recruiter directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you get deep into the interview process. R&D labs at smaller defense contractors and university spinouts frequently lack enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of role fit.
Use Migrate Mate to filter R&D employers
Search R&D Engineering roles on Migrate Mate to see which employers have active E-Verify enrollment and OPT hiring history. That filters out companies that can't support your extension before you spend time on applications.
Frame your I-983 training plan around your research scope
Your I-983 must connect your engineering degree to specific R&D tasks at the employer. Draft a plan that maps your coursework in areas like thermodynamics, signal processing, or materials characterization to the lab work you'll actually perform, not generic job duties.
Target employers with existing research agreements
Companies holding active DOD, DOE, or NSF contracts must comply with federal hiring documentation standards, which often means their HR teams already understand OPT timelines. Government-funded R&D environments tend to have smoother authorization workflows than commercial-only labs.
Time your DSO application to your project start date
Your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. For R&D roles with delayed project onboarding, confirm your actual start date with the employer first so your authorization window aligns with your real first day on the project.
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Find R D Engineering JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do R&D Engineering jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
R&D Engineering roles qualify when your degree appears on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List and the employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Degrees in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials science, computer science, and related applied fields typically satisfy the requirement. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to avoid authorization gaps.
What does the I-983 training plan need to cover for an R&D role?
The I-983 must describe how your R&D Engineering work directly applies your STEM degree knowledge. For research roles, this means specifying the technical skills you'll use, the research goals of the position, and how the employer will supervise and evaluate your progress. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy the requirement. Your DSO and employer must both sign the form before your extension is approved.
How do I verify that an R&D Engineering employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly whether the company is an active E-Verify participant. You can also search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment status. Some R&D employers, particularly smaller research firms and university-affiliated labs, are not enrolled even when they intend to hire STEM OPT students, so verify before signing any offer.
What happens to my STEM OPT if I'm still in the H-1B cap-gap period working in R&D?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires and USCIS receives it by April 1, the cap-gap rule automatically extends your OPT work authorization through September 30 of that year. Your R&D Engineering work can continue uninterrupted during that period. USCIS issues an updated EAD reflecting the cap-gap extension, which you'll need to provide your employer.
Where can I find R&D Engineering jobs that support STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists R&D Engineering positions filtered by employers with E-Verify enrollment and OPT hiring experience, so you can focus your search on companies that can actually support your authorization. R&D roles appear across aerospace, semiconductors, biotech, and defense sectors, and filtering by employer eligibility upfront saves you from pursuing opportunities that won't work out.
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