STEM OPT Senior Automation Specialist Jobs
Senior Automation Specialist roles in robotics, industrial controls, and process engineering qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension when your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Degrees in electrical engineering, computer science, or mechanical engineering typically satisfy CIP code eligibility, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization to build your U.S. career.
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Position Summary:
The Senior Automation Engineer is an experienced engineer with expertise in the development and implementation of complex laboratory automation and integrated systems. They can work independently to conceptualize, design, develop and implement automated solutions for robust, reliable performance of NGS assays. This development includes standalone instruments and integrated systems. They can work together with cross-functional teams of scientists, engineers, and software engineers to deliver these automated platforms. In addition, they can provide high-level support for any of the processes they develop - both at an instrument and an assay results level. This engineer can perform their role independently, but will most often be a part of a larger overall development and will have to be capable of working well in a team environment. They lead by example and contribute to the team beyond their day to day duties.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering, closely related scientific field or equivalent.
- 4+ years of experience in laboratory automation engineering.
- Technical proficiency and experience in automation and systems development and integration in the life sciences industry; especially with robotics and liquid handling systems.
- Background in NGS laboratories is a plus, as is background in clinical laboratories.
- Experience in software programming and data handling (including database work) is a plus.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills required.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Flexibility to support several simultaneous projects.
- Developing leadership skills.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to integrate a variety of instruments, such as liquid handlers, plate readers, and plate-handling robotics.
- Software development experience, or minimally familiar with software development practices.
- Excellent communication, organizational, record-keeping, planning, attention to detail and time management skills.
- Comfortable working with a variety of internal teams, and managing relationships with external contractors.
- Experience in programming and operating liquid handlers. (Tecan, Hamilton, etc)
- Experience working with LIMS systems is a plus.
- Strong project management skills, organizational skills, and written and verbal communication skills.
OUR OPPORTUNITY
Natera™ is a global leader in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing, dedicated to oncology, women's health, and organ health. Our aim is to make personalized genetic testing and diagnostics part of the standard of care to protect health and enable earlier and more targeted interventions that lead to longer, healthier lives.
The Natera team consists of highly dedicated statisticians, geneticists, doctors, laboratory scientists, business professionals, software engineers and many other professionals from world-class institutions, who care deeply for our work and each other. When you join Natera, you'll work hard and grow quickly. Working alongside the elite of the industry, you'll be stretched and challenged, and take pride in being part of a company that is changing the landscape of genetic disease management.
WHAT WE OFFER
Competitive Benefits - Employee benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans for eligible employees and their dependents. Additionally, Natera employees and their immediate families receive free testing in addition to fertility care benefits. Other benefits include pregnancy and baby bonding leave, 401k benefits, commuter benefits and much more. We also offer a generous employee referral program!
Natera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace environment, and welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. Inclusive collaboration benefits our employees, our community and our patients, and is critical to our mission of changing the management of disease worldwide.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, and will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, age, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with applicable laws.
If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents.
Please be advised that Natera will reach out to candidates with a @natera.com email domain ONLY. Email communications from all other domain names are not from Natera or its employees and are fraudulent. Natera does not request interviews via text messages and does not ask for personal information until a candidate has engaged with the company and has spoken to a recruiter and the hiring team. Natera takes cyber crimes seriously, and will collaborate with law enforcement authorities to prosecute any related cyber crimes.
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Senior Automation Specialist
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List. Electrical engineering, systems engineering, and computer science codes qualify. A mismatch delays your extension application and can interrupt your employment authorization.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the recruiter directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before signing anything. An employer who isn't enrolled cannot legally hire you on STEM OPT, regardless of how interested they are in your automation background.
Target manufacturers with active PERM histories
Automation specialists are often sponsored through PERM labor certification on the path to a green card. Search DOL disclosure data to identify industrial employers who have filed PERM applications for similar roles, signaling they're experienced with sponsored foreign nationals.
Build your I-983 training plan around measurable outcomes
Your I-983 must show how your Senior Automation Specialist duties relate to your STEM degree. Document specific technical goals: PLC programming milestones, robotics integration projects, or control system deployments. Vague plans get flagged by your DSO and delay approval.
Use Migrate Mate to filter roles by E-Verify employer status
Search Senior Automation Specialist openings on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers verified through E-Verify enrollment data. This cuts the manual screening step so you spend time on applications, not on chasing down HR to confirm basic compliance.
Negotiate your start date around DSO processing time
Your DSO needs time to update your I-20 and recommend the STEM OPT extension before USCIS processes your I-765. Build at least 90 days of buffer between your offer acceptance and your intended start date to avoid an authorization gap.
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Find Senior Automation Specialist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Senior Automation Specialist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is on USCIS's STEM Designated Degree Program List and the role directly applies that training. Automation Specialist positions tied to electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science degrees routinely qualify. Your DSO reviews the connection between your job duties and your degree field when recommending the extension on your I-20.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my automation employer?
Any employer hiring you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify, the federal employment eligibility verification system. This is a hard legal requirement, not a preference. Before accepting an offer, ask the hiring manager or HR to confirm active E-Verify enrollment. You can cross-check by searching the employer through the E-Verify employer search tool.
What should my I-983 training plan include for an automation role?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just a job description. For Senior Automation Specialist roles, list concrete technical goals such as designing control system architectures, programming industrial PLCs, or leading process automation deployments. Include evaluation criteria and supervision details. Your employer signs the form and your DSO reviews it before submitting your STEM OPT application to USCIS.
How does cap-gap protection work if my H-1B is selected during my STEM OPT period?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and your registration is selected, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Senior Automation Specialist without interruption during that window. USCIS issues updated I-94 records reflecting the extended period once the petition is received.
Where can I find Senior Automation Specialist jobs with E-Verify employers?
Migrate Mate filters Senior Automation Specialist openings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, so you're not wasting applications on companies that can't legally hire STEM OPT students. You can also check DOL's OFLC Wage Search to identify employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for similar automation roles, which indicates familiarity with sponsoring international workers.
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