STEM OPT Tool Engineer Jobs
Tool Engineer roles in manufacturing, aerospace, and precision machining qualify for the STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 24 additional months of work authorization beyond your initial OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree must align with an approved STEM CIP code to qualify.
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Get Access To All JobsAre you passionate about Generative AI? Are you interested in working on groundbreaking generative modeling technologies to enrich billions of people? We are the Intelligence System Experience (ISE) team within Apple’s software organization. The team operates at the intersection of multimodal machine learning and system experiences. Our multidisciplinary ML teams focus on a broad spectrum of areas, including Visual Generative Foundation Models, Multimodal Understanding, Visual Understanding of People, Text, Handwriting, and Scenes, Personalization, Knowledge Extraction, Conversation Analysis, Behavioral Modeling for Proactive Suggestions, and Privacy-Preserving Learning. These innovations form the foundation of the seamless, intelligent experiences our users enjoy every day.
We are looking for a Machine Learning Tools Engineer to help build and evolve the infrastructure, tools, and libraries that power model development and deployment across our organization. The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals with ML domain understanding and a deep passion for improving developer experience. You’ll partner closely with researchers, ML engineers, and infra teams to design tools that make training, experimentation, evaluation and inference seamless and efficient. This role is hands-on, user-focused, and requires a balance of building scalable systems and operationally supporting a large and growing user base.
Description
As a Machine Learning Tools Engineer, you will:
- Design, develop, and maintain core ML infrastructure components (training pipelines, experiment tracking, deployment tooling, and monitoring systems).
- Collaborate with ML practitioners to identify pain points and translate them into productized solutions that enhance productivity and reliability.
- Build and maintain Python-based SDKs, CLIs, and APIs that simplify how ML engineers interact with compute, data, and models.
- Ensure tools are robust, performant, and user-friendly, with strong observability and documentation.
- Partner with infrastructure, MLOps, and platform teams to ensure end-to-end system integration and smooth scaling.
This is a highly collaborative role that requires curiosity, empathy for users, and a drive to make ML development frictionless.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent practical experience.
3+ years of experience in software development with strong Python proficiency.
Familiarity with machine learning fundamentals and frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
Experience with Linux systems, containers (Docker), and version control (Git).
Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable operating at the intersection of research and product, coordinating across teams with competing timelines and technical constraints.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in an ML platform, infrastructure, or productivity tools team.
Experience building internal SDKs, CLIs, or automation frameworks for ML or data workflows.
Exposure to distributed training, experiment tracking, or model serving infrastructure.
Experience supporting large internal or external developer communities.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
Are you passionate about Generative AI? Are you interested in working on groundbreaking generative modeling technologies to enrich billions of people? We are the Intelligence System Experience (ISE) team within Apple’s software organization. The team operates at the intersection of multimodal machine learning and system experiences. Our multidisciplinary ML teams focus on a broad spectrum of areas, including Visual Generative Foundation Models, Multimodal Understanding, Visual Understanding of People, Text, Handwriting, and Scenes, Personalization, Knowledge Extraction, Conversation Analysis, Behavioral Modeling for Proactive Suggestions, and Privacy-Preserving Learning. These innovations form the foundation of the seamless, intelligent experiences our users enjoy every day.
We are looking for a Machine Learning Tools Engineer to help build and evolve the infrastructure, tools, and libraries that power model development and deployment across our organization. The ideal candidate combines strong software engineering fundamentals with ML domain understanding and a deep passion for improving developer experience. You’ll partner closely with researchers, ML engineers, and infra teams to design tools that make training, experimentation, evaluation and inference seamless and efficient. This role is hands-on, user-focused, and requires a balance of building scalable systems and operationally supporting a large and growing user base.
Description
As a Machine Learning Tools Engineer, you will:
- Design, develop, and maintain core ML infrastructure components (training pipelines, experiment tracking, deployment tooling, and monitoring systems).
- Collaborate with ML practitioners to identify pain points and translate them into productized solutions that enhance productivity and reliability.
- Build and maintain Python-based SDKs, CLIs, and APIs that simplify how ML engineers interact with compute, data, and models.
- Ensure tools are robust, performant, and user-friendly, with strong observability and documentation.
- Partner with infrastructure, MLOps, and platform teams to ensure end-to-end system integration and smooth scaling.
This is a highly collaborative role that requires curiosity, empathy for users, and a drive to make ML development frictionless.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent practical experience.
3+ years of experience in software development with strong Python proficiency.
Familiarity with machine learning fundamentals and frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, JAX).
Experience with Linux systems, containers (Docker), and version control (Git).
Strong debugging, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Comfortable operating at the intersection of research and product, coordinating across teams with competing timelines and technical constraints.
Preferred Qualifications
Prior experience in an ML platform, infrastructure, or productivity tools team.
Experience building internal SDKs, CLIs, or automation frameworks for ML or data workflows.
Exposure to distributed training, experiment tracking, or model serving infrastructure.
Experience supporting large internal or external developer communities.
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant.
See all 47+ Tool Engineer jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Tool Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List before you apply. Mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and materials science degrees commonly support Tool Engineer roles, but manufacturing technology programs vary by institution.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask recruiters directly whether their company is enrolled in E-Verify before your final interview round. Manufacturers and contract shops sometimes lack enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of the role's technical fit.
Target employers with active STEM OPT training plans
Search Migrate Mate to find Tool Engineer roles at E-Verify-enrolled employers with documented histories of sponsoring STEM OPT students. Filtering by employer E-Verify status early removes candidates that can't legally extend your authorization.
Build your I-983 training plan around tooling competencies
Your I-983 must connect your STEM degree to specific on-the-job learning goals. For Tool Engineer roles, document measurable objectives around GD&T application, fixture design, or CAM programming rather than listing generic engineering tasks that don't reflect the position.
File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days early
USCIS recommends submitting your extension application no earlier than 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Late filing after your EAD expires means an immediate gap in authorization, which can disqualify you from active Tool Engineer positions mid-hiring process.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Tool Engineer prevailing wages vary significantly by metro area and industry classification. Run the OFLC Wage Search using your SOC code before negotiating, so you can verify your offer meets DOL wage requirements and flag discrepancies before your I-983 is submitted.
Tool Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Tool Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Tool Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Tool Engineer positions typically qualify if your degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and the role uses that STEM knowledge directly. Degrees in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, and materials science are the most common qualifying fields. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before filing.
Does my Tool Engineer employer have to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for all STEM OPT employers, not just a best practice. If your employer isn't enrolled at the time you file your extension, USCIS will deny it. Verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool before you accept an offer, not after.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Tool Engineer position?
Your I-983 must describe how the Tool Engineer role connects to your STEM degree through specific, measurable learning objectives. For this role, that typically includes competencies in tooling design, fixture development, tolerance analysis, or manufacturing process optimization. Generic descriptions that don't tie back to your degree field can trigger a USCIS request for evidence.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery while I'm on STEM OPT?
Cap-gap protection extends your STEM OPT EAD automatically if your H-1B petition is filed before your current OPT expires and the H-1B start date is October 1. You can continue working as a Tool Engineer in the same role during this period without interruption, as long as your employer remains E-Verify enrolled and your I-983 stays current.
Where can I find Tool Engineer jobs at E-Verify-enrolled employers?
Migrate Mate filters Tool Engineer roles by E-Verify enrollment status, so you're only seeing positions where the STEM OPT extension is actually possible. That saves time you'd otherwise spend confirming employer eligibility after applying. Search by location, industry, and authorization type to narrow results to roles that match your degree and timeline.
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