STEM OPT Research Engineer Jobs
Research Engineer roles in areas like machine learning, materials science, and biomedical systems are strong fits for STEM OPT. Your 24-month extension applies if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension start date.
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National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Join the world-renowned National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University (FSU) and support groundbreaking scientific discovery in a collaborative, high-tech environment. FSU was recently recognized as one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for its strong workplace environment and employee-centered values.
Responsibilities
This position focuses on designing and implementing programs and algorithms to support magnet operations and user-facing scientific experiments, ensuring maximum reliability, efficiency, and operational uptime while enabling advanced experimental data acquisition and analysis workflows.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement specialized programs and algorithms for applications including data acquisition, equipment monitoring and custom database solutions using languages such as C/C++, Python, Java, or equivalent.
- Collaborate with research personnel and end-users to assess programming requirements, provide technical guidance, and resolve software-related issues.
- Utilize, develop and apply machine learning, AI and data mining approaches to facility and user data sets to enhance automation, system monitoring, predictive maintenance, and understanding of experimental results.
- Evaluate the scientific and technical requirements of specific programs, design implementation strategies, and establish priorities for phased deployment to support experimental objectives and optimize research outcomes.
- Manage and maintain equipment control system programming and associated servers, integrating modern communication tools into existing departmental infrastructure.
- Conduct research on emerging software systems and technologies, providing recommendations to ensure systems remain at the forefront of innovation.
- Advise on best practices for software development, project management, and the implementation of new tools to support research and operational objectives.
- Continuously enhance programming expertise to evaluate current systems and develop innovative software solutions aligned with departmental research and operational needs.
- Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of research and laboratory software, including both in-house and external applications.
- Coordinate with facility instrumentation and software development teams to maintain application compatibility with operational and user systems.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree; or a high school diploma or equivalent and experience equal to four years. (Note: post high-school education and/or experience may substitute at a comparable rate.)
- Additional experience qualifies candidates for higher-level consideration (II–VI). Each level requires three additional years of experience.
Helpful
What You Gain at FSU
- Opportunity to work at a world-renowned national research laboratory.
- Meaningful contributions to scientific discovery and student learning.
- A collaborative environment that values your expertise and invests in your growth.
Contact Info
For additional information, please contact Kayla West at knwest@fsu.edu.
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!
Learn more about our university and campuses.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs.
Use our interactive tool to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://jobs.fsu.edu. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service.
Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.
Veterans' Preference
Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for post secondary educational requirements, in employment by the state and its political subdivisions and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. Veterans' Preference applies to University Support Personnel System (USPS) positions only.
IMPORTANT: To claim Veterans' Preference, select “yes” to the question on the application questionnaire and upload a DD-214 (or equivalent), the Veterans' Preference Certification form, and other documentation if applicable with your online application before midnight of the position closing date.
Click the links for eligibility information and required documentation, or call FSU Human Resources at (850) 644-6034.
Considerations
This is an USPS (University Support Personnel System) position.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity
FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
Department
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory
Join the world-renowned National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University (FSU) and support groundbreaking scientific discovery in a collaborative, high-tech environment. FSU was recently recognized as one of America’s Best-in-State Employers for its strong workplace environment and employee-centered values.
Responsibilities
This position focuses on designing and implementing programs and algorithms to support magnet operations and user-facing scientific experiments, ensuring maximum reliability, efficiency, and operational uptime while enabling advanced experimental data acquisition and analysis workflows.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement specialized programs and algorithms for applications including data acquisition, equipment monitoring and custom database solutions using languages such as C/C++, Python, Java, or equivalent.
- Collaborate with research personnel and end-users to assess programming requirements, provide technical guidance, and resolve software-related issues.
- Utilize, develop and apply machine learning, AI and data mining approaches to facility and user data sets to enhance automation, system monitoring, predictive maintenance, and understanding of experimental results.
- Evaluate the scientific and technical requirements of specific programs, design implementation strategies, and establish priorities for phased deployment to support experimental objectives and optimize research outcomes.
- Manage and maintain equipment control system programming and associated servers, integrating modern communication tools into existing departmental infrastructure.
- Conduct research on emerging software systems and technologies, providing recommendations to ensure systems remain at the forefront of innovation.
- Advise on best practices for software development, project management, and the implementation of new tools to support research and operational objectives.
- Continuously enhance programming expertise to evaluate current systems and develop innovative software solutions aligned with departmental research and operational needs.
- Oversee the maintenance and enhancement of research and laboratory software, including both in-house and external applications.
- Coordinate with facility instrumentation and software development teams to maintain application compatibility with operational and user systems.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree; or a high school diploma or equivalent and experience equal to four years. (Note: post high-school education and/or experience may substitute at a comparable rate.)
- Additional experience qualifies candidates for higher-level consideration (II–VI). Each level requires three additional years of experience.
Helpful
What You Gain at FSU
- Opportunity to work at a world-renowned national research laboratory.
- Meaningful contributions to scientific discovery and student learning.
- A collaborative environment that values your expertise and invests in your growth.
Contact Info
For additional information, please contact Kayla West at knwest@fsu.edu.
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there’s the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow’s news!
Learn more about our university and campuses.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs.
Use our interactive tool to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific job opening as advertised, apply to Florida State University at https://jobs.fsu.edu. If you are a current FSU employee, apply via myFSU > Self Service.
Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include all work history up to ten years, and education details even if attaching a resume.
Veterans' Preference
Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, receive preference and priority, and certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for post secondary educational requirements, in employment by the state and its political subdivisions and are encouraged to apply for the positions being filled. Veterans' Preference applies to University Support Personnel System (USPS) positions only.
IMPORTANT: To claim Veterans' Preference, select “yes” to the question on the application questionnaire and upload a DD-214 (or equivalent), the Veterans' Preference Certification form, and other documentation if applicable with your online application before midnight of the position closing date.
Click the links for eligibility information and required documentation, or call FSU Human Resources at (850) 644-6034.
Considerations
This is an USPS (University Support Personnel System) position.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check.
Equal Employment Opportunity
FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
See all 1,002+ STEM OPT Research Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Research Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Research Engineer roles typically align with engineering, computer science, or physical science codes, but a mismatch disqualifies your extension regardless of your job duties.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before signing
Ask your hiring contact for the company's E-Verify company ID number before you accept an offer. An employer can't sponsor your STEM OPT extension without active E-Verify enrollment, and not every research lab or university spinout is enrolled.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan early
Draft your Form I-983 training plan during the offer stage, not after you start. Research Engineer roles need a plan that maps specific lab activities, project milestones, and skill outcomes to your STEM degree field, which takes time to do accurately.
Target employers with active DOL LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter Research Engineer postings by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications. LCA history signals that a company has navigated federal work authorization requirements before and understands what STEM OPT compliance involves.
Check prevailing wage against your offer
Look up the wage level for your research role using the OFLC Wage Search before finalizing compensation. Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your job title and location, which USCIS reviews when evaluating your STEM OPT extension application.
Start your DSO application 90 days out
File your STEM OPT extension application with USCIS no later than 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Your DSO must update your SEVIS record first, and USCIS processing can extend beyond your OPT expiration, so early filing protects your continuous work authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Research Engineer positions qualify if your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and the role directly relates to that field of study. O*NET classifies research engineering work under STEM occupations, but your DSO must confirm the CIP code match before authorizing your extension. The job title alone isn't enough.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for a research role?
Your Form I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your degree field, identify the employer supervisor responsible for your training, and outline how each project or lab activity develops practical STEM skills. Generic job descriptions don't satisfy the requirement. Both you and your employer must sign the plan, and your DSO must review it before submitting your extension application to USCIS.
How do I verify that a research employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask your recruiter or HR contact directly for the company's E-Verify company ID. You can also search the E-Verify employer database by company name. Government-funded research labs, national laboratories, and university-affiliated research centers are often enrolled, but smaller startup labs and contract research organizations sometimes are not, so always confirm before your extension start date.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my research employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or is terminated after your extension begins, your authorization is at risk. USCIS requires employers to maintain active E-Verify enrollment for the full duration of your STEM OPT period. You should report the change to your DSO immediately and begin evaluating whether to transfer to a new employer before your status is affected.
Where can I find Research Engineer jobs where employers are already prepared for STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters Research Engineer postings by employers with verified Labor Condition Application filing history, which indicates familiarity with federal work authorization requirements. Searching there reduces the time you spend vetting employers who have never sponsored OPT or don't know what E-Verify enrollment or an I-983 training plan involves.