STEM OPT Wireless Engineer Jobs
Wireless Engineer roles in cellular networks, RF systems, and signal processing qualify for STEM OPT because they require STEM degrees in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization to build your U.S. career.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
In this role, the hardware design engineer will own electrical system design, bring-up, and validation for the current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles.
This would be a highly visible role working cross-functionally to influence design, contribute to solving HW/SW system integration challenges, and experience complete prototyping to manufacturing product development cycle.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Design/Test/Release antennas for Rivian programs with best-in-class performance, cost, and quality.
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Design – Analyse and document design trade-offs, create antenna designs. Key areas to be considered: Antenna pattern (coverage), efficiency, gain, isolation requirements, OTA performance, desense, antenna coexistence, other system-level parameters (throughput, range, etc.), and cost. Responsible for DFMEA and DFM with suppliers.
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Test – Responsible for test plans, conducting bench, chamber, and vehicle-level testing. Characterize antenna performance on the component/subsystem level and the end-to-end performance of the wireless products the antennas are associated with. Process and document the results to validate/visualize and compare the performance of different designs.
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Release – Drive product delivery and validation schedule/processes/completion. Release designs into product life management (PLM) and documentation systems.
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Types of antennas the candidate will work on: Cellular (LTE, 5G, etc.), Wifi, BT, BLE, GPS, Vehicle Access (IoT devices).
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Design Release Engineer for modules and/or ECUs utilizing wireless technologies, such as TPMS.
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Participate in antenna and wireless product technology roadmap and novel technology investigations with internal antenna and cross-functional teams.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
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BS or higher in Electrical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
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Knowledge of measurement equipment for antenna/wireless characterization, as well as system performance validation, e.g., VNA, SA, and other EE measurement systems.
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Knowledge of antenna simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, FEKO, XFDTD), MATLAB, and programming languages (e.g., C, Python).
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Knowledge of PLM, scheduling, and MPL tools.
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Strong communication skills.
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Excellent skills in data analysis, record-keeping, report writing, and presentation, with a desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
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Occasional domestic travels to suppliers’ facilities and Rivian factories.
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Besides antenna knowledge, it is desirable for candidates to have an understanding of the total end-to-end performance of RF systems, such as: Impedance matching, link budget calculation, TIS/TRP, ECC, theoretical knowledge of OTA parameters, as well as hands-on experience.
INTRODUCTION
In this role, the hardware design engineer will own electrical system design, bring-up, and validation for the current and next generation of Rivian electric vehicles.
This would be a highly visible role working cross-functionally to influence design, contribute to solving HW/SW system integration challenges, and experience complete prototyping to manufacturing product development cycle.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-
Design/Test/Release antennas for Rivian programs with best-in-class performance, cost, and quality.
-
Design – Analyse and document design trade-offs, create antenna designs. Key areas to be considered: Antenna pattern (coverage), efficiency, gain, isolation requirements, OTA performance, desense, antenna coexistence, other system-level parameters (throughput, range, etc.), and cost. Responsible for DFMEA and DFM with suppliers.
-
Test – Responsible for test plans, conducting bench, chamber, and vehicle-level testing. Characterize antenna performance on the component/subsystem level and the end-to-end performance of the wireless products the antennas are associated with. Process and document the results to validate/visualize and compare the performance of different designs.
-
Release – Drive product delivery and validation schedule/processes/completion. Release designs into product life management (PLM) and documentation systems.
-
Types of antennas the candidate will work on: Cellular (LTE, 5G, etc.), Wifi, BT, BLE, GPS, Vehicle Access (IoT devices).
-
Design Release Engineer for modules and/or ECUs utilizing wireless technologies, such as TPMS.
-
Participate in antenna and wireless product technology roadmap and novel technology investigations with internal antenna and cross-functional teams.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
-
BS or higher in Electrical engineering or related field, or equivalent experience.
-
Knowledge of measurement equipment for antenna/wireless characterization, as well as system performance validation, e.g., VNA, SA, and other EE measurement systems.
-
Knowledge of antenna simulation tools (e.g., HFSS, CST, FEKO, XFDTD), MATLAB, and programming languages (e.g., C, Python).
-
Knowledge of PLM, scheduling, and MPL tools.
-
Strong communication skills.
-
Excellent skills in data analysis, record-keeping, report writing, and presentation, with a desire to work in a fast-paced environment.
-
Occasional domestic travels to suppliers’ facilities and Rivian factories.
-
Besides antenna knowledge, it is desirable for candidates to have an understanding of the total end-to-end performance of RF systems, such as: Impedance matching, link budget calculation, TIS/TRP, ECC, theoretical knowledge of OTA parameters, as well as hands-on experience.
See all STEM OPT Wireless Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Wireless Engineer
Verify your CIP code matches wireless engineering
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code aligns with an approved STEM field. Electrical engineering (14.1001) and computer engineering (14.0901) are common qualifying codes. Your DSO confirms eligibility through O*NET before approving the extension.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
Ask the hiring manager directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you sign anything. Wireless roles at contractors and defense subcontractors sometimes operate under a parent company's E-Verify account, so confirm which legal entity is your employer of record.
Build an RF portfolio that signals sponsorship readiness
Employers evaluating STEM OPT candidates for wireless roles want evidence of hands-on work. Document antenna design projects, propagation modeling, or protocol stack work in a GitHub repo or project portfolio before applying so hiring managers can assess technical fit quickly.
Target telecom companies with active LCA filing histories
Search Migrate Mate to find wireless engineering employers that have filed Labor Condition Applications for roles matching your background. Companies with consistent LCA filings for RF, network, or 5G roles have already built internal processes to support STEM OPT workers.
File your I-983 training plan before your OPT end date
Your I-983 must outline specific learning objectives tied to your wireless engineering role, not generic job duties. Align the training goals with your STEM degree field and submit the plan to your DSO at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires to avoid a gap in authorization.
Use cap-gap protection if your H-1B is pending
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf and your OPT expires before October 1, cap-gap rules under USCIS automatically extend your work authorization. Confirm with your DSO that your I-20 reflects the cap-gap extension so your employer's payroll records stay compliant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a wireless engineering role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, wireless engineering roles typically qualify when your employer's job description requires a STEM degree and your own degree falls under an approved CIP code such as electrical engineering or computer engineering. Your DSO will cross-reference your degree against the STEM Designated Degree Program list and confirm your job duties align with your field of study through O*NET before approving the extension.
How do I know if a wireless engineering employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
E-Verify enrollment is a legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student, but it's your responsibility to confirm it before starting work. Ask the recruiter or HR contact to confirm the company's E-Verify company ID or provide written confirmation of enrollment. Some large telecom employers operate multiple legal entities, so verify that the specific subsidiary hiring you is enrolled, not just the parent company.
What goes into an I-983 training plan for a wireless engineering position?
Your I-983 must describe the specific technical skills and knowledge you'll develop in the role, tied directly to your STEM degree field. For a wireless engineering position, this typically includes objectives around RF system design, network architecture, signal processing, or protocol development. Generic language like 'gain industry experience' isn't sufficient. Your employer's supervisor signs the form, and your DSO reviews it before submission to USCIS.
How does cap-gap protection work for wireless engineers waiting on H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before April 1 and your STEM OPT expires before October 1 of that year, cap-gap rules extend your work authorization automatically until your H-1B start date. You don't need to file anything separately, but your DSO must issue an updated I-20 reflecting the cap-gap period. Confirm with USCIS guidance that your petition was filed on time and accepted before relying on this protection.
Where can I find wireless engineering employers that support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 STEM OPT students and filters wireless engineering jobs by employers enrolled in E-Verify with documented sponsorship history. Searching there surfaces roles at companies that have already navigated the STEM OPT extension process, which reduces the back-and-forth during negotiations and speeds up onboarding once you receive an offer.