STEM OPT System Safety Engineer Jobs
System Safety Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in engineering, systems engineering, or a related STEM field under an eligible CIP code. The 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to work for any employer enrolled in E-Verify, covering full-time positions across aerospace, defense, and transportation sectors.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
As a Power System Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for providing expert technical support and solutions for power system protection schemes. Your role will involve teaching, advising, and supporting customers to ensure the reliability and safety of power grids.
At Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL), our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Our company prides itself on embracing the values of quality, reliability, integrity, and excellent customer service. We were named as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials and among the top Best Workplaces for Baby Boomers. Working at SEL means having the opportunity to explore different career options – from customer service, sales, technical support, to management. We encourage professional development because when you are your best, that is when we are our best. So, what do you say? Ready to take the next step?
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Power System Protection Engineer, a typical day might include:
- Working with customers to apply new technologies or solutions to their power systems.
- Designing models and/or demonstrations of new technologies or solutions to teach customers how we can enhance their system(s).
- Supporting SEL products and solution troubleshooting to get to root cause of a problem.
- Analyzing responses of protective relays to power system faults.
- Teaching customers how to use SEL products or how protective relays protect primary electrical equipment.
- Contributing to and reviewing white papers, application guides, industry journals, and technical papers.
THIS ROLE MIGHT BE FOR YOU IF YOU:
- Desire to learn how the power system responds to system faults and how protective relays detect that.
- Desire to be involved in the cutting-edge technology of protective relaying.
- Have a passion for teaching others for their growth and for yours.
- Enjoy applying creativity to your engineering solutions every day.
- Enjoy every day being different versus everyday being predictable.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
- 1+ year of experience with power system protection and relays.
- Relevant work experience and knowledge of utility and/or industrial power systems with an emphasis on protection, control, and operations.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to learn new technologies.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to travel 25% of the time.
LOCATION
This position is based in Jackson, MS, the state’s capital and largest metropolitan area. Jackson offers a welcoming community, a rich cultural and historical legacy, and convenient access to dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities. The city’s affordability and central location make it an attractive place to live and work.
COMPENSATION
- Pay Range Data: $82,000 - 122,900 per year. Our pay ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
BENEFITS
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
INTRODUCTION
As a Power System Protection Engineer, you will be responsible for providing expert technical support and solutions for power system protection schemes. Your role will involve teaching, advising, and supporting customers to ensure the reliability and safety of power grids.
At Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc. (SEL), our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Our company prides itself on embracing the values of quality, reliability, integrity, and excellent customer service. We were named as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials and among the top Best Workplaces for Baby Boomers. Working at SEL means having the opportunity to explore different career options – from customer service, sales, technical support, to management. We encourage professional development because when you are your best, that is when we are our best. So, what do you say? Ready to take the next step?
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Power System Protection Engineer, a typical day might include:
- Working with customers to apply new technologies or solutions to their power systems.
- Designing models and/or demonstrations of new technologies or solutions to teach customers how we can enhance their system(s).
- Supporting SEL products and solution troubleshooting to get to root cause of a problem.
- Analyzing responses of protective relays to power system faults.
- Teaching customers how to use SEL products or how protective relays protect primary electrical equipment.
- Contributing to and reviewing white papers, application guides, industry journals, and technical papers.
THIS ROLE MIGHT BE FOR YOU IF YOU:
- Desire to learn how the power system responds to system faults and how protective relays detect that.
- Desire to be involved in the cutting-edge technology of protective relaying.
- Have a passion for teaching others for their growth and for yours.
- Enjoy applying creativity to your engineering solutions every day.
- Enjoy every day being different versus everyday being predictable.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
- 1+ year of experience with power system protection and relays.
- Relevant work experience and knowledge of utility and/or industrial power systems with an emphasis on protection, control, and operations.
- Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with customers.
- Strong communication and presentation skills.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and a desire to learn new technologies.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to travel 25% of the time.
LOCATION
This position is based in Jackson, MS, the state’s capital and largest metropolitan area. Jackson offers a welcoming community, a rich cultural and historical legacy, and convenient access to dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities. The city’s affordability and central location make it an attractive place to live and work.
COMPENSATION
- Pay Range Data: $82,000 - 122,900 per year. Our pay ranges are determined by job, responsibility, and location. We base our starting pay offer on location and job-related factors such as candidate experience, training, knowledge, and skills.
BENEFITS
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.
- We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
- We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
- We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
- We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
- Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.
COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
See all 435+ STEM OPT System Safety Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT System Safety Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a System Safety Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches safety engineering
Check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before applying. Systems engineering, industrial engineering, and aerospace engineering codes all support System Safety Engineer roles, but general management or interdisciplinary codes often don't qualify.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
STEM OPT requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension start date. Search the E-Verify employer database directly or ask your hiring manager for your employer's E-Verify company ID number during the offer stage.
Target defense contractors with active DCSA clearances
Many System Safety Engineer roles require or anticipate security clearance eligibility. Contractors already holding facility clearances through DCSA are structured for long-term employment, making them more likely to invest in the I-983 training plan your STEM OPT requires.
Use Migrate Mate to filter E-Verify employers by role
Search System Safety Engineer positions on Migrate Mate to see which employers are E-Verify enrolled and have filed for STEM-relevant roles. This cuts the manual verification step and surfaces employers already set up to hire on OPT.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan before your start date
Your employer must complete and sign the I-983 before your DSO can recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS. Bring a draft training plan outlining safety analysis tasks, MIL-STD methodology exposure, and learning goals to your offer discussion so HR isn't starting from scratch.
Document safety certifications to strengthen H-1B sponsorship
System safety roles frequently transition to H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT. Completing certifications like ASSE's CSP or SAE's system safety courses during your OPT period establishes specialty occupation evidence that supports a stronger I-129 petition later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a System Safety Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in an eligible STEM field such as systems engineering, aerospace engineering, industrial engineering, or a related discipline with an approved CIP code on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility. Your DSO confirms the match between your degree's CIP code and the role before recommending the extension in SEVIS.
What does the I-983 training plan need to cover for this role?
The I-983 must describe specific learning goals tied to your System Safety Engineer duties, such as conducting hazard analyses, applying MIL-STD-882 methodology, or developing safety assessment reports. It must show a direct connection between your STEM degree and the work you're performing. Your employer signs it, your DSO endorses it, and USCIS may review it during any audit of your STEM OPT status.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or is terminated after your STEM OPT extension begins, your work authorization is at risk. USCIS requires E-Verify enrollment throughout the entire extension period, not just at the start date. You should report any change in employer E-Verify status to your DSO immediately and assess whether a transfer to a new qualifying employer is needed.
How does cap-gap affect System Safety Engineer roles during H-1B transition?
If you're selected in the H-1B lottery while on STEM OPT and your OPT authorization would expire before October 1, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. This lets you continue working in your System Safety Engineer role without interruption while your H-1B petition is pending. Your EAD card doesn't change, but USCIS records reflect the extension.
Where can I find System Safety Engineer jobs with E-Verify employers?
Migrate Mate lists System Safety Engineer positions filtered for employers enrolled in E-Verify, so you can identify qualifying opportunities without manually cross-checking each company. Defense contractors, aerospace manufacturers, and transportation agencies make up a large share of employers hiring for this role, and many already have structured OPT hiring processes in place.