STEM OPT Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs
Wastewater Treatment Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Wolfspeed, we do amazing things in a human way.
We know that the achievements of our organization are due to the passion, hard work and creativity of our employees. We celebrate different perspectives to foster excellence across our organization, and our goal is to make diversity a foundation of what we do. We are proudly building an environment where you can bring your authentic self to work.
- Enjoy doing things that people say can’t be done? Innovation is at the center of everything we do.
- Hate red tape? We remove roadblocks instead of creating them.
- Student? We offer continuing education assistance.
- Looking for community? There are many ways to get involved, from Employee Resource Groups to local outreach.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Wolfspeed is seeking a water and wastewater Treatment Engineer. As a facilities process engineer, you are responsible for operation and maintenance of water/wastewater related treatment systems, improving system design, optimizing efficiency, and heading up future improvement projects. The facilities process engineering team knows every aspect of all the process systems and is in charge of the continuous improvement process needed to make MVF a world-class manufacturing facility. As a process engineer, you will work closely with ultrapure water production, wastewater treatment, waste collection systems, process exhaust abatement systems, and sometimes bulk chemical and gas distribution systems.
THE DAY-TO-DAY:
1. UPW & Water Systems Operations
- Monitor and optimize Ultrapure Water (UPW) systems, including:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO), EDI, Ion Exchange, Degasification, UV, and filtration systems
- Ensure consistent delivery of water meeting strict semiconductor specifications:
- Resistivity, TOC, silica, dissolved oxygen, particles, and bacteria
- Support day-to-day operational troubleshooting and respond to system alarms
2. Wastewater Treatment & Environmental Systems
- Operate and optimize industrial wastewater treatment systems, including:
- Neutralization, precipitation, filtration, plater waste treatment and reclaim systems
- Support compliance with NYSDEC and EPA discharge regulations
- Monitor chemical dosing, pH control, hazardous waste collection and handling, and system efficiency
- Ensure operation and maintenance of Waste Collection Systems. Work with EHS team on disposal/off-loading of chemical collected waste.
3. System Reliability & Maintenance
- Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues with:
- Pumps, valves, membranes, tanks, piping, and instrumentation
- Partner with maintenance teams and contractors to minimize downtime
4. Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
- Analyze system performance data and identify process optimization opportunities
- Improve:
- Water recovery rates
- Chemical consumption efficiency
- System uptime and cost effectiveness
- Drive sustainability initiatives, including water reuse and reduction projects
5. Design, Commissioning & Projects
- Support installation, qualification, and startup of new facilities systems
- Review and interpretation of:
- P&IDs, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and equipment specifications
- Collaborate with vendors and tool owners on system interfaces and upgrades
- Support fab ramp activities and capacity expansion projects
6. Compliance, Safety & Documentation
- Ensure compliance with:
- Environmental regulations, Wolfspeed standards, and safety protocols
- Maintain operational logs, SOPs, and engineering documentation
- Promote safe handling of chemicals (acids, bases, process chemicals)
- Participate in audits and risk assessments
7. Data Analysis & Reporting
- Use data analysis tools (Excel, SPC, or equivalent) to monitor trends
- Create reports on system performance, excursions, and improvement actions
- Support root cause analysis (RCA) and failure investigations
THIS JOB IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, or related Engineering field
- 2–5 years of experience in: Industrial water treatment, utilities, or facilities engineering preferably in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing
- Knowledge of: RO, EDI, UF, Ion Exchange, and UV systems
- Wastewater treatment and chemical & hazardous waste handling systems
- Ability to interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, and engineering drawings
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in semiconductor manufacturing (fab environment)
- Familiarity with SiC or advanced materials manufacturing utilities
- Knowledge of SCADA/PLC systems and automation controls
- Experience supporting fab startup or ramp (highly valued at Wolfspeed Marcy)
- Understanding of bulk chemical delivery and distribution systems
- Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience
This role may require additional duties and/or assignments as designated by management.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The posted salary range is what Wolfspeed reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual pay for a hired applicant will be determined based on the individual’s job-relevant qualifications, experience, and other determinative factors. In the event it is determined that a different job level upon hire is warranted then that range will be communicated to the hired applicant as soon as reasonably practicable.
Compensation Range:
$93,000.00 - $128,000.00
INTRODUCTION
At Wolfspeed, we do amazing things in a human way.
We know that the achievements of our organization are due to the passion, hard work and creativity of our employees. We celebrate different perspectives to foster excellence across our organization, and our goal is to make diversity a foundation of what we do. We are proudly building an environment where you can bring your authentic self to work.
- Enjoy doing things that people say can’t be done? Innovation is at the center of everything we do.
- Hate red tape? We remove roadblocks instead of creating them.
- Student? We offer continuing education assistance.
- Looking for community? There are many ways to get involved, from Employee Resource Groups to local outreach.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Wolfspeed is seeking a water and wastewater Treatment Engineer. As a facilities process engineer, you are responsible for operation and maintenance of water/wastewater related treatment systems, improving system design, optimizing efficiency, and heading up future improvement projects. The facilities process engineering team knows every aspect of all the process systems and is in charge of the continuous improvement process needed to make MVF a world-class manufacturing facility. As a process engineer, you will work closely with ultrapure water production, wastewater treatment, waste collection systems, process exhaust abatement systems, and sometimes bulk chemical and gas distribution systems.
THE DAY-TO-DAY:
1. UPW & Water Systems Operations
- Monitor and optimize Ultrapure Water (UPW) systems, including:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO), EDI, Ion Exchange, Degasification, UV, and filtration systems
- Ensure consistent delivery of water meeting strict semiconductor specifications:
- Resistivity, TOC, silica, dissolved oxygen, particles, and bacteria
- Support day-to-day operational troubleshooting and respond to system alarms
2. Wastewater Treatment & Environmental Systems
- Operate and optimize industrial wastewater treatment systems, including:
- Neutralization, precipitation, filtration, plater waste treatment and reclaim systems
- Support compliance with NYSDEC and EPA discharge regulations
- Monitor chemical dosing, pH control, hazardous waste collection and handling, and system efficiency
- Ensure operation and maintenance of Waste Collection Systems. Work with EHS team on disposal/off-loading of chemical collected waste.
3. System Reliability & Maintenance
- Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues with:
- Pumps, valves, membranes, tanks, piping, and instrumentation
- Partner with maintenance teams and contractors to minimize downtime
4. Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
- Analyze system performance data and identify process optimization opportunities
- Improve:
- Water recovery rates
- Chemical consumption efficiency
- System uptime and cost effectiveness
- Drive sustainability initiatives, including water reuse and reduction projects
5. Design, Commissioning & Projects
- Support installation, qualification, and startup of new facilities systems
- Review and interpretation of:
- P&IDs, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and equipment specifications
- Collaborate with vendors and tool owners on system interfaces and upgrades
- Support fab ramp activities and capacity expansion projects
6. Compliance, Safety & Documentation
- Ensure compliance with:
- Environmental regulations, Wolfspeed standards, and safety protocols
- Maintain operational logs, SOPs, and engineering documentation
- Promote safe handling of chemicals (acids, bases, process chemicals)
- Participate in audits and risk assessments
7. Data Analysis & Reporting
- Use data analysis tools (Excel, SPC, or equivalent) to monitor trends
- Create reports on system performance, excursions, and improvement actions
- Support root cause analysis (RCA) and failure investigations
THIS JOB IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF YOU HAVE:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemical, mechanical, or related Engineering field
- 2–5 years of experience in: Industrial water treatment, utilities, or facilities engineering preferably in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, or chemical manufacturing
- Knowledge of: RO, EDI, UF, Ion Exchange, and UV systems
- Wastewater treatment and chemical & hazardous waste handling systems
- Ability to interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, and engineering drawings
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in semiconductor manufacturing (fab environment)
- Familiarity with SiC or advanced materials manufacturing utilities
- Knowledge of SCADA/PLC systems and automation controls
- Experience supporting fab startup or ramp (highly valued at Wolfspeed Marcy)
- Understanding of bulk chemical delivery and distribution systems
- Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience
This role may require additional duties and/or assignments as designated by management.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The posted salary range is what Wolfspeed reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual pay for a hired applicant will be determined based on the individual’s job-relevant qualifications, experience, and other determinative factors. In the event it is determined that a different job level upon hire is warranted then that range will be communicated to the hired applicant as soon as reasonably practicable.
Compensation Range:
$93,000.00 - $128,000.00
See all STEM OPT Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Wastewater Treatment Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Environmental engineering (14.1401), civil engineering (14.0801), and chemical engineering (14.0701) all qualify, but interdisciplinary programs sometimes use codes that don't.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you reach the offer stage. Municipal wastewater authorities and smaller engineering consultancies sometimes aren't enrolled, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of role fit.
Target infrastructure-heavy employers with federal contracts
Water utilities, environmental engineering firms, and municipal contractors with federal project work are legally required to use E-Verify, making them structurally safer bets for STEM OPT. Search Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified E-Verify enrollment in this field.
Use the OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Pull the prevailing wage for Wastewater Treatment Engineers in your target metro using the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Your employer must pay at least the prevailing wage under the I-983 training plan, so low offers below that threshold are a compliance risk.
Build your I-983 training plan around specific engineering tasks
Generic I-983 descriptions get flagged during DSO review. List specific learning objectives tied to wastewater treatment operations, environmental compliance, or process engineering. Your employer's supervisor must co-sign the plan before USCIS processes your extension.
File your STEM extension well before your OPT end date
USCIS recommends filing your I-765 STEM extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. A timely filing triggers an automatic 180-day cap-gap that lets you keep working while the extension is pending, so missing that window creates an authorization gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Wastewater Treatment Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in an eligible STEM field such as environmental engineering, civil engineering, or chemical engineering and the CIP code appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The role itself must also provide practical training directly related to your degree, which you document in the I-983 training plan your employer co-signs.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for Wastewater Treatment Engineer job seekers?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify for you to work under STEM OPT authorization. This applies to every employer in the chain, including staffing agencies if you're placed through one. Before accepting an offer, ask the HR team or recruiter to confirm their E-Verify employer ID. Municipal water authorities and large environmental engineering firms are often already enrolled due to federal contracting requirements.
How do I find Wastewater Treatment Engineer jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers enrolled in E-Verify, which is the baseline requirement for STEM OPT. Searching there saves you the step of manually verifying each employer's enrollment status before applying. Focus on environmental engineering consultancies, municipal utilities, and water infrastructure contractors, which tend to have the compliance infrastructure already in place.
What goes in the I-983 training plan for a Wastewater Treatment Engineer role?
The I-983 must describe how the job provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree. For this role, that typically includes wastewater treatment process design, environmental regulatory compliance, laboratory analysis, or infrastructure project management. Vague descriptions like 'engineering work' are insufficient. Your employer's direct supervisor must sign the plan, and your DSO must approve it before USCIS processes the extension.
What happens to my work authorization if my STEM OPT extension is still pending when my initial OPT expires?
If you filed your I-765 STEM extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date, USCIS automatically grants a 180-day cap-gap extension that lets you continue working while the application is pending. Missing the 90-day window doesn't eliminate cap-gap entirely, but filing late reduces the buffer and risks a gap in authorization if USCIS processing runs long. Check your I-20 and EAD expiration dates carefully with your DSO.