STEM OPT Technician Jobs
Technician roles in labs, engineering firms, and manufacturing plants regularly qualify for STEM OPT because they require applied STEM degrees and draw on hands-on technical training. Your 24-month STEM OPT extension is available as long as your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your role connects directly to your degree field.
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INTRODUCTION
Business Title: Physical Test Technician I
Position Title: Physical Test Technician I
Division: Consumer Products Services
Entity: ATL
Reports to: Manager
FLSA: Non-exempt
Hours Worked: Typically, Monday through Friday, forty-hours per week. However, must be flexible to meet the needs of the department and complete other projects as assigned.
Position Summary
The Physical Test Technician is responsible for conducting physical tests on materials, components, or products to evaluate their quality, performance, and compliance with specifications by utilizing various testing equipment, accurately recording data, and maintaining a safe laboratory environment, often following established testing procedures and quality standards.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
It is everyone’s responsibility to live out our Values and Absolutes by Shaping a World of Trust while ensuring responsible progress.
- Execute test methods in a laboratory setting.
- Perform physical testing of consumer products using automated laboratory equipment and manual techniques.
- Prepare precise measurements of materials using various apparatus.
- Prepare test samples.
- Prepare data entry using MS Excel, record data points in tracking system, maintain accurate data records.
- Adhere to all safety and regulatory guidelines.
- Perform other essential tasks, projects, and responsibilities as required.
- Adheres to all safety and regulatory guidelines.
- Other duties as assigned.
SKILLS & PROFICIENCIES
- Proficiency in MS Office and possess ability to learn any new software.
- Must have the ability to work with and smell fragrances.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be detail-oriented and possess a high degree of accuracy.
- Excellent analytical and time management skills for success in a fast-paced environment.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Associates Degree in a science or engineering related field of study or 1-2 years experience in a science or mechanical role using hand tools.
- Previous experience in the consumer products, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and/or food and beverage industries is preferred. Experience working in an FDA/cGMP regulated environment is preferred.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted in lieu of above.
COMPENSATION RANGE
- Compensation Range: $17-$18 an hour (e.g., the job posting is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, and actual compensation is subject to variation due to such factors as locations, education, experience, and skillset).
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Technician
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List published by USCIS. Technician roles often require matching your specific engineering technology or applied science CIP code, not just a broad STEM category.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you sign anything. Employers sometimes confuse I-9 compliance with E-Verify enrollment. You can cross-check by searching the E-Verify employer search tool by company name.
Build your I-983 training plan before your start date
Draft your I-983 training plan with your supervisor during the offer stage, not after you start. Technician training plans must map specific job duties to your STEM degree learning objectives, and a vague plan can trigger a DSO rejection that delays your extension.
Target employers with active DOL LCA filings for technician roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by DOL Labor Condition Application filings for technician-category occupations. Companies that have filed LCAs for technical roles are already familiar with work authorization requirements and are more likely to navigate your STEM OPT paperwork correctly.
Research prevailing wage tiers for your technician specialty
Look up the prevailing wage for your specific SOC code using the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating salary. Technician roles span multiple wage tiers depending on specialization, and knowing the DOL benchmark prevents you from accepting offers that could complicate future H-1B visa sponsorship.
Use O*NET to match your duties to your degree field
Pull your job title's occupation profile from O*NET and document how the listed knowledge areas and tasks map to your STEM coursework. Technician roles sometimes get flagged during STEM OPT review if the connection between job duties and degree field isn't explicitly documented.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many Technician roles qualify, but it depends on whether your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and whether your degree's CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The role itself must also require and directly use your STEM degree. Engineering technician, laboratory technician, and electronics technician positions frequently meet these criteria when the employer can document the connection between the job duties and the applicant's field of study.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for a Technician role?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just a general job description. For Technician positions, that means listing the technical skills, equipment, and procedures you'll be trained on and explaining how each connects to your coursework. Your supervisor signs the plan, your DSO certifies it, and you must submit updates every six months. A vague plan that lists job duties without linking them to educational outcomes is the most common reason STEM OPT extensions are delayed or denied.
How do I confirm a Technician employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify and request confirmation before you accept an offer. You can also search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to verify enrollment status independently. Some smaller manufacturing or contract labs use I-9 verification but are not E-Verify participants, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of how well the role matches your degree.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my Technician employer loses E-Verify enrollment?
If your employer loses E-Verify enrollment after your STEM OPT extension begins, your work authorization is at risk. USCIS requires that the employer remain enrolled in E-Verify for the full duration of your STEM OPT period. You should notify your DSO immediately, and you may need to find a new qualifying employer and file a new I-765 to maintain lawful status. Staying employed at a non-enrolled employer is a status violation, so act quickly if enrollment lapses.
Where can I find Technician jobs where the employer already understands STEM OPT requirements?
Migrate Mate filters Technician job listings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active DOL Labor Condition Application filings, so you can focus on companies that have already navigated work authorization for STEM graduates. This saves you from discovering mid-offer that an otherwise strong employer can't support your extension. Searching by SOC code for technician-category roles also helps you match positions to your specific STEM degree field for I-983 purposes.