STEM OPT Robotics Jobs

Robotics engineering roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. With up to 36 months of total OPT authorization, you have a real runway to build hands-on experience in automation, controls, or systems integration before your H-1B visa transition.

Find STEM OPT Robotics Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs77+
Work Type95% On-site
Top LocationBoston, MA
Most JobsAmazon.com

Showing 5 of 77+ Robotics jobs

Robotics Software Engineer
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Added 1d ago
Robotics Software Engineer
Amazon.com
Seattle, Washington
Software Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Cloud & DevOps
Robotics Engineering
Backend Engineering
$117k - $185k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Postbaccalaureate Appointee - Robotics Software Developer
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Added 5d ago
Postbaccalaureate Appointee - Robotics Software Developer
Argonne National Laboratory
Lemont, Illinois
Software Engineering
Specialized Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Robotics Engineering
Data Science
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
$59k - $92k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1-1

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Robotics Test & Debug Engineer
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Added 5d ago
Robotics Test & Debug Engineer
Tutor Intelligence
Watertown, Massachusetts
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Robotics Engineering
$120k - $190k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Robotics Paint Mechanical Project Engineer
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Added 1w ago
Robotics Paint Mechanical Project Engineer
ABB
Auburn Hills, Michigan
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Robotics Paint Tech
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Added 2w ago
Robotics Paint Tech
K&K Technical
Georgetown, Kentucky
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Engineering (Non-Software)
$32 - $35/hr
On-Site
Associate's

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Robotics

Verify your CIP code covers robotics

Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list before applying. Mechanical, electrical, computer, and systems engineering codes all qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes use codes that don't appear on the list.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

Ask your recruiter for the company's E-Verify employer ID or look up their enrollment status through the E-Verify portal. A robotics role at a hardware startup or a university spinout may not be enrolled, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers.

Target employers with active robotics LCA filings

Search Migrate Mate to filter for employers whose DOL Labor Condition Application history shows robotics, automation, or controls engineering roles. This surfaces companies that have already navigated the filing process for comparable positions.

Build your I-983 training plan around measurable goals

Your I-983 must list specific skills, equipment, and learning objectives tied to your robotics role, not generic language. Work with your DSO and supervisor to document goals like ROS proficiency, PLC programming, or computer vision system deployment before your extension start date.

Flag defense and government contractors early

Some robotics positions at defense contractors or national labs require security clearances that F-1 students typically can't obtain. Identify this requirement during the screening call so you don't spend weeks in a process that ends at background check.

Understand cap-gap coverage if your H-1B is selected

If you receive an H-1B selection while on STEM OPT, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year. File your H-1B petition before your EAD expires and notify your DSO immediately so your SEVIS record stays current.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which STEM degrees qualify for the OPT extension in robotics roles?

Any degree whose CIP code appears on the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list qualifies. For robotics, that includes mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, systems engineering, and some mechatronics or applied physics programs. If your degree is interdisciplinary, confirm your exact CIP code with your DSO before targeting STEM OPT-eligible positions, since the code on your transcript determines eligibility, not the degree title.

Does every robotics employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?

Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for all STEM OPT employers, with no exceptions. This applies to hardware startups, research institutions, and large manufacturers alike. Before signing an offer, ask the employer for their E-Verify company ID or have HR confirm enrollment in writing. Working for a non-enrolled employer while on STEM OPT violates your status. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified E-Verify enrollment before applying.

What goes into the I-983 training plan for a robotics engineering role?

The I-983 must describe a structured training experience with concrete, measurable learning objectives tied directly to your degree field. For robotics, that means specifying skills like motion planning algorithms, sensor fusion, embedded systems programming, or robot operating system frameworks. Vague language like 'gain industry experience' won't satisfy USCIS. Your supervisor signs the plan, your DSO certifies it, and you must update it every 12 months or when your role changes materially.

Can I work on a robotics project for a client site under a staffing arrangement on STEM OPT?

Staffing and third-party placement arrangements on STEM OPT require the employer of record, not the end client, to be enrolled in E-Verify and to be the entity signing your I-983. USCIS scrutinizes these arrangements closely, and placements where the day-to-day supervision sits entirely with the end client often don't satisfy the employer-employee relationship requirement. Confirm with your DSO and review USCIS guidance before accepting a contract-to-hire or staffing-agency offer.

How does cap-gap work if I'm in a robotics role and get selected in the H-1B lottery?

If your H-1B petition is filed before your EAD expires and you receive a timely filing receipt, cap-gap extends your STEM OPT work authorization automatically through September 30. You can keep working in your robotics role without interruption. Your DSO must update your SEVIS record to reflect cap-gap status, and your employer should retain the receipt notice. If premium processing is available, using it reduces uncertainty about whether your petition will be approved before October 1.