STEM OPT Jobs in Alabama
Alabama's aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing sectors in Huntsville and Birmingham actively sponsor F-1 STEM OPT workers, with growing demand in engineering, data science, and computer systems roles. The state's research universities and federal contractor ecosystem create a steady pipeline of STEM OPT-eligible positions.
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Get Access To All JobsAre you interested in being part of an innovative team that supports Westinghouse’s mission to provide clean energy solutions? At Westinghouse, we recognize that our employees are our most valuable asset and we seek to identify, attract and recruit the most qualified talent while recognizing and encouraging the value of diversity in the global workplace.
As a Principal Hardware Engineer you will lead the hardware scope for instrumentation and control plant computer and annunciator system upgrade projects.
You will report to the Sr. Manager, Control & Information Systems Engineering and be located at our Cranberry Township, PA facility. This is a hybrid role based out of Cranberry. There is no relocation assistance offered for this role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the hardware scope for instrumentation and control plant computer and annunciator system upgrade projects
- Cabinet/panel design
- Cable & wiring design
- Field I/O design
- Lead a team of engineers to support the entire lifecycle of a project: design, procurement, manufacturing, testing, shipment, plant start-up
- Work closely with internal and external customers to define system requirements and ensure conformity to applicable codes and standards
- Interface with suppliers to manage obsolescence issues and ensure product viability
- Work with business units to develop offers for new projects
- Lead resolution of significant technical issues and travel to customer sites as needed
- Lead product and process improvement projects
- Mentor and train new engineers
- Collaborate internally across multiple organizations (business units, supply chain, engineering, etc).
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in an engineering field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience
- Experience in the nuclear industry preferred
- Experience with leading a team of engineers
- Knowledge of I&C hardware design and equipment qualification process
- Effective communication, organization, and delegation skills
- Strong technical writing ability
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
We are committed to transparency and equity in all of our people practices. The base salary range for this position, which is dependent upon experience, qualifications and skills, is estimated to be $103,200 to $129,000 per year.
LI-Hybrid
Why Westinghouse?
Our benefits package is tailored to meet the diverse needs of our employees, while also promoting wellness and career growth. The following are representative of what we offer:
- Comprehensive Medical benefits which could include medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions options
- Wellness Programs designed to support employees in maintaining their health and well-being including Employee Assistance Program providing support for our employees and their household members
- 401(k) with Company Match Contributions to support employees' retirement
- Paid Vacations and Company Holidays
- Opportunities for Flexible Work Arrangements to promote work-life balance
- Educational Reimbursement and Comprehensive Career Programs to help employees grow in their careers
- Global Recognition and Service Programs to celebrate employee accomplishments and service
- Employee Referral Program
Westinghouse Electric Company is the global nuclear energy industry's first choice for safe, clean, and efficient energy solutions. We enable our delivery of this vision by living our value system:
- Safety and Quality
- Integrity and Trust
- Customer Focus and Innovation
- Speed and Passion to Win
- Teamwork and Accountability
While our Global Headquarters are located in Cranberry Township, PA, we have over 11,000 employees working at locations in 19 different countries. You can learn more by visiting http://www.westinghousenuclear.com.
Westinghouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
Are you interested in being part of an innovative team that supports Westinghouse’s mission to provide clean energy solutions? At Westinghouse, we recognize that our employees are our most valuable asset and we seek to identify, attract and recruit the most qualified talent while recognizing and encouraging the value of diversity in the global workplace.
As a Principal Hardware Engineer you will lead the hardware scope for instrumentation and control plant computer and annunciator system upgrade projects.
You will report to the Sr. Manager, Control & Information Systems Engineering and be located at our Cranberry Township, PA facility. This is a hybrid role based out of Cranberry. There is no relocation assistance offered for this role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the hardware scope for instrumentation and control plant computer and annunciator system upgrade projects
- Cabinet/panel design
- Cable & wiring design
- Field I/O design
- Lead a team of engineers to support the entire lifecycle of a project: design, procurement, manufacturing, testing, shipment, plant start-up
- Work closely with internal and external customers to define system requirements and ensure conformity to applicable codes and standards
- Interface with suppliers to manage obsolescence issues and ensure product viability
- Work with business units to develop offers for new projects
- Lead resolution of significant technical issues and travel to customer sites as needed
- Lead product and process improvement projects
- Mentor and train new engineers
- Collaborate internally across multiple organizations (business units, supply chain, engineering, etc).
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in an engineering field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience
- Experience in the nuclear industry preferred
- Experience with leading a team of engineers
- Knowledge of I&C hardware design and equipment qualification process
- Effective communication, organization, and delegation skills
- Strong technical writing ability
- Proficient use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.).
We are committed to transparency and equity in all of our people practices. The base salary range for this position, which is dependent upon experience, qualifications and skills, is estimated to be $103,200 to $129,000 per year.
LI-Hybrid
Why Westinghouse?
Our benefits package is tailored to meet the diverse needs of our employees, while also promoting wellness and career growth. The following are representative of what we offer:
- Comprehensive Medical benefits which could include medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions options
- Wellness Programs designed to support employees in maintaining their health and well-being including Employee Assistance Program providing support for our employees and their household members
- 401(k) with Company Match Contributions to support employees' retirement
- Paid Vacations and Company Holidays
- Opportunities for Flexible Work Arrangements to promote work-life balance
- Educational Reimbursement and Comprehensive Career Programs to help employees grow in their careers
- Global Recognition and Service Programs to celebrate employee accomplishments and service
- Employee Referral Program
Westinghouse Electric Company is the global nuclear energy industry's first choice for safe, clean, and efficient energy solutions. We enable our delivery of this vision by living our value system:
- Safety and Quality
- Integrity and Trust
- Customer Focus and Innovation
- Speed and Passion to Win
- Teamwork and Accountability
While our Global Headquarters are located in Cranberry Township, PA, we have over 11,000 employees working at locations in 19 different countries. You can learn more by visiting http://www.westinghousenuclear.com.
Westinghouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Alabama
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Alabama
Target federal contractors in Huntsville first
Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal corridor hosts dozens of defense contractors who routinely file STEM OPT paperwork. Federal contractors must already be E-Verify enrolled, which is a USCIS requirement for all STEM OPT employers, removing a common filing barrier.
Check employer E-Verify status before interviewing
USCIS requires every STEM OPT employer to be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension is approved. Ask HR directly during early conversations, not after an offer, so you don't lose time pursuing roles that would require the employer to enroll from scratch.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified Alabama sponsors
Search Migrate Mate's employer database filtered to Alabama to identify companies with active STEM OPT filing history. This saves weeks of manual research into which Birmingham or Huntsville employers have actually sponsored STEM OPT workers before.
Submit your I-983 training plan before day one
Your employer must complete the I-983 training plan and your DSO must recommend the STEM OPT extension in SEVIS before your current OPT expires. Start this paperwork at least 90 days before your EAD end date to avoid a gap in work authorization.
See all 275+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Alabama
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Alabama sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Aerospace and defense lead F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Alabama, concentrated around Huntsville's Redstone Arsenal corridor where federal contractors employ large engineering and IT workforces. Advanced manufacturing in the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa areas is a secondary cluster, along with healthcare technology and research roles tied to university medical centers in Birmingham.
Which cities in Alabama have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Huntsville has the highest density of F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Alabama, driven by its defense and aerospace contractor ecosystem. Birmingham follows, with opportunities in financial technology, healthcare systems, and engineering services. Auburn and Tuscaloosa offer some sponsorship through manufacturing and university-affiliated employers, though at lower volume than the two major metros.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Alabama?
Roles that qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Alabama must fall under a DHS-designated STEM STEM degree classification and require a directly related STEM degree. In Alabama this commonly includes systems engineers, software developers, data analysts, electrical engineers, and aerospace engineers. Generalist management or business roles without a STEM occupational classification typically do not qualify, even at technical companies.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Alabama that actually sponsor?
Migrate Mate filters employer search results by F-1 STEM OPT filing history, so you can identify Alabama companies that have sponsored this visa type before rather than guessing from job postings. Because USCIS requires STEM OPT employers to be E-Verify enrolled, you can also verify employer eligibility before investing time in an application process.
Are there any Alabama-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Alabama has no state-level immigration restrictions that affect F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship, but many of the state's largest STEM employers are federal contractors with security clearance requirements. Non-U.S. citizens can be sponsored for STEM OPT at these firms, but clearance-dependent roles may be off-limits. Confirming clearance requirements early narrows your list to realistic opportunities in Alabama's defense-heavy job market.