STEM OPT Trainee Jobs
Trainee roles in STEM fields accept F-1 students on the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build hands-on experience. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree must match an eligible CIP code. Both requirements are confirmed before your training plan is approved.
Find STEM OPT Trainee JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 29+ Trainee jobs
See all Trainee Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Trainee roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Summary
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Manufacturing Engineering Trainee to join our dynamic team. This paid internship offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring engineers to gain hands-on experience in manufacturing processes, factory operations, and industrial engineering principles. As a Manufacturing Engineering Trainee, you will support the development, optimization, and maintenance of manufacturing systems, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring production efficiency. This role is perfect for individuals passionate about manufacturing technology, mechanical systems, and process engineering who are eager to grow their skills in a fast-paced industrial environment.
Responsibilities
- Assist in project scheduling to ensure timely completion of manufacturing initiatives and process improvements
- Support root cause analysis efforts to identify and resolve production issues efficiently
- Use AutoCAD, Creo, SolidWorks, and CAD software to develop technical drawings, schematics, and design modifications
- Contribute to CNC programming, CAM programming, and robot programming tasks to optimize machining and automation processes
- Participate in plastics injection molding, fabrication, welding, and assembly line activities to understand various manufacturing techniques
- Help maintain industrial equipment by supporting troubleshooting, maintenance procedures, and calibration with precision measuring instruments such as calipers and micrometers
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on lean manufacturing projects and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste
Qualifications
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering or related field
- Familiarity with machining processes, CNC programming, CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Creo), and schematic interpretation
- Basic understanding of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electrical wiring, and industrial equipment operation
- Knowledge of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), ISO 9001 standards, and process engineering principles
- Strong math skills with the ability to interpret technical drawings and schematics accurately
- Hands-on factory experience or internship in a manufacturing facility is preferred but not required
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to perform root cause analysis effectively
- Ability to work well within a team environment while demonstrating initiative and attention to detail
Join us as a Manufacturing Engineering Trainee and become part of a forward-thinking organization dedicated to innovation in manufacturing technology. This paid internship is designed to empower your growth while contributing meaningfully to our production excellence. We value energetic individuals eager to learn new skills and drive continuous improvement across our manufacturing processes.
Pay
$25.00 - $36.00 per hour
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off
Education
Associate (Preferred)
Work Location
In person
Job Summary
We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Manufacturing Engineering Trainee to join our dynamic team. This paid internship offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring engineers to gain hands-on experience in manufacturing processes, factory operations, and industrial engineering principles. As a Manufacturing Engineering Trainee, you will support the development, optimization, and maintenance of manufacturing systems, contributing to continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring production efficiency. This role is perfect for individuals passionate about manufacturing technology, mechanical systems, and process engineering who are eager to grow their skills in a fast-paced industrial environment.
Responsibilities
- Assist in project scheduling to ensure timely completion of manufacturing initiatives and process improvements
- Support root cause analysis efforts to identify and resolve production issues efficiently
- Use AutoCAD, Creo, SolidWorks, and CAD software to develop technical drawings, schematics, and design modifications
- Contribute to CNC programming, CAM programming, and robot programming tasks to optimize machining and automation processes
- Participate in plastics injection molding, fabrication, welding, and assembly line activities to understand various manufacturing techniques
- Help maintain industrial equipment by supporting troubleshooting, maintenance procedures, and calibration with precision measuring instruments such as calipers and micrometers
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams on lean manufacturing projects and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance productivity and reduce waste
Qualifications
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering or related field
- Familiarity with machining processes, CNC programming, CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Creo), and schematic interpretation
- Basic understanding of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), electrical wiring, and industrial equipment operation
- Knowledge of GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing), ISO 9001 standards, and process engineering principles
- Strong math skills with the ability to interpret technical drawings and schematics accurately
- Hands-on factory experience or internship in a manufacturing facility is preferred but not required
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to perform root cause analysis effectively
- Ability to work well within a team environment while demonstrating initiative and attention to detail
Join us as a Manufacturing Engineering Trainee and become part of a forward-thinking organization dedicated to innovation in manufacturing technology. This paid internship is designed to empower your growth while contributing meaningfully to our production excellence. We value energetic individuals eager to learn new skills and drive continuous improvement across our manufacturing processes.
Pay
$25.00 - $36.00 per hour
Benefits
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off
Education
Associate (Preferred)
Work Location
In person
See all STEM OPT Trainee Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Trainee Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Trainee
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the STEM OPT eligible CIP code list published by USCIS before you submit any application. Trainee roles often require a specific discipline match, and a mismatch delays or disqualifies your extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask the recruiter for the employer's E-Verify company ID number before you sign anything. Trainee programs at smaller organizations or startups sometimes lack E-Verify enrollment, which makes your STEM OPT extension invalid even after an offer.
Build a training plan around measurable outcomes
The I-983 requires performance evaluation criteria tied to your STEM degree, not just a job description. Frame your Trainee duties around quantifiable learning goals so your DSO can approve the plan without revision requests.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Trainee postings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and Labor Condition Application filing history, so you're only spending time on roles that can actually support your STEM OPT extension.
Check prevailing wage before your training plan is finalized
Run your Trainee job title and work location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the offered compensation meets the DOL prevailing wage for that role. Submitting an I-983 with a below-prevailing wage rate creates compliance problems during USCIS review.
File your extension request 90 days early
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be submitted at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. Missing that window means a gap in work authorization, which invalidates a Trainee role that hasn't yet started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Trainee roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your STEM degree's CIP code appears on the USCIS STEM OPT eligible list and the Trainee position directly relates to that field. The role must also be paid, at least part-time, and structured around learning goals tied to your degree. Unpaid or volunteer trainee positions do not qualify.
How do I know if a Trainee employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly for the employer's E-Verify company ID before you accept an offer. You can also ask them to confirm their E-Verify enrollment date. If they can't provide this, the employer likely isn't enrolled, which means your DSO cannot approve the STEM OPT extension for that position. Migrate Mate flags E-Verify enrollment status on every listed employer.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Trainee role?
The I-983 requires a detailed description of how the Trainee position applies your STEM knowledge, specific goals and performance benchmarks, a supervision structure, and the employer's attestation that the role isn't displacing a U.S. worker. Your DSO reviews and signs the plan before USCIS adjudicates the extension. Vague job descriptions without measurable outcomes are the most common reason DSOs request revisions.
Can I start a Trainee role while my STEM OPT extension is pending?
If you applied for the STEM OPT extension before your initial OPT EAD expired, cap-gap provisions allow continued employment authorization while the application is pending. You can work under your existing OPT EAD during that window. Once USCIS approves the extension and issues the new EAD, your 24-month authorization period begins from your original OPT end date.
How do I find Trainee jobs where the employer already understands STEM OPT requirements?
Search Migrate Mate for Trainee roles filtered by STEM OPT eligibility. Employers listed there have E-Verify enrollment and Labor Condition Application filing history, which signals they've sponsored international students before and understand the I-983 process. This significantly reduces back-and-forth with HR departments that aren't familiar with STEM OPT training plan requirements.