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.

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Overview

Open Jobs31+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type81% On-site
Median Salary$47K
Top LocationAustin, TX
Most JobsBitdeer (NASDAQ: BTDR)

Showing 5 of 31+ Trainee jobs

Ryder System
Operations Management Trainee
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Ryder System
Added 1w ago
Operations Management Trainee
Ryder System
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Business Operations
Customer Service & Support
Project & Program Management
$55,000/yr - $60,000/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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University of Rochester
Embryologist Trainee
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University of Rochester
Added 1w ago
Embryologist Trainee
University of Rochester
Red Creek, New York
$25/hr - $35/hr
On-Site
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Mimaki USA
Field Service Technician Trainee/Intern
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Mimaki USA
Added 2w ago
Field Service Technician Trainee/Intern
Mimaki USA
Gardena, California
Technical Product & Program Management
Customer Service & Support
Maintenance & Repair
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$24/hr - $30/hr
On-Site
Associate's
51-200

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Datassay Inc
Entry-Level Software Trainee
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Datassay Inc
Added 2w ago
Entry-Level Software Trainee
Datassay Inc
Branchburg, New Jersey
Software Engineering
Backend Engineering
$40,000/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Builders FirstSource
Design Technician Trainee
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Builders FirstSource
Added 2w ago
Design Technician Trainee
Builders FirstSource
Harrisburg, North Carolina
Specialized Engineering
Construction
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Tips 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.

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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.

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