Energy STEM OPT Jobs in California
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California's energy sector span solar development, grid modernization, and clean energy research, with major employers including Pacific Gas & Electric, Chevron, and utilities across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. California's renewable energy mandates and offshore wind investments create ongoing demand for engineers, data scientists, and environmental analysts seeking STEM OPT-eligible roles.
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Requisition ID # 175291
Job Category: Maintenance / Construction / Operations
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Energy Delivery
Work Type: Onsite
Job Location: Danville
Department Overview
The Applied Technology Services (ATS) staff provides engineering, testing and analysis services and expertise across multiple disciplines to various company organizations to identify, diagnose and solve technical problems. The staff provides consultation and advice to clients to proactively avoid future problems by specifying equipment, materials and methods that are best practices in the industry. Services include inspections, failure analysis, performance assessments, and evaluations on a wide variety of systems and components.
The Welding Services Unit is one of the groups within ATS and they provide welding, inspection, materials and mechanical design/analysis expertise. They also provide project consultation, fabrication, inspection oversight, weld program management, and the development of specialty weld repairs and modifications. In addition, the unit supports asset management programs and assists with inspection plans, project engineering, fitness-for-service assessments, and ASME mechanical design. Internal organizations supported by the Welding Services Unit include Gas Operations, Hydro Generation, Fossil Generation, Nuclear Power Generation and Electric Operations.
Position Summary
This position is represented by Engineers & Scientists of California (ESC) and is subject to collective bargaining.
Under the direction of supervision of an employee in a higher classification, this position performs all laboratory and field assignments, maintenance and repairs, calibrations, and investigations of a difficult nature on a wide variety of materials and equipment. Performs other investigative work as directed. Prepares reports on results of investigations. May be required to perform fabrication work, inspections or tests in the field without direct supervision and may direct the work of other employees.
PG&E is providing the hourly rate range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual hourly rate paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreement, and internal equity.
Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the hourly rate range for this position is $56.94 to $63.03, subject to collectively bargained wage increases.
Job Responsibilities
Welding Services unit technicians travel to PG&E facilities in locations throughout the service territory and perform welding, field/shop fabrication, weld inspections and vendor oversight, NDE examinations and laser scanning for creating digital twins and dimensional analysis. Responsibilities include:
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Performs planned field fabrication and welding activities, emergency weld repairs, welding inspections and nondestructive examinations using PT and MT (including report preparation) on power plant, gas transmission, and substation components, parts and structures related to electric power generation and gas and electric distribution and transmission.
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Assists in development of welding procedures and techniques, conducting welder qualifications/training and performing laboratory work, design and fabrication of tooling, fixtures, and delivery systems for welding systems, and maintenance and repair of lab and field welding equipment.
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Performs machining operations using milling machine and lathe at ATS Weld Lab to support ATS lab testing and fabrication work.
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Capable of passing ASME Section IX welder qualification tests in the 6G position using GTAW, GMAW, FCAW or SMAW processes (also capable of passing GTAW and SMAW with open root configuration).
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Support laser scanning projects by operating laser tracker and scanners for collecting 3D data.
Travel is required between 40% to 60% of the time. When in the field, Technicians are expected to work independently or as part of a two-person team.
Qualifications
Minimum:
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AA degree in welding or machine tool technology, or similar appropriate area of study; Or the equivalent education and experience
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2 years of experience as Engineering Technician I, or, as a Welding or Machining Technician, or similar role
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Must possess a valid California driver’s license or ability to obtain one by the first day of employment
Desired:
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5 years or more of experience working as a welder/machinist, or similar role.
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Knowledgeable in manual GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW on piping, machine components and structural steel.
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Capable of competently operating lathes and milling machines to machine parts.
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Ability to set-up, fit and position weldments having multiple parts (including structural supports, piping systems or prototype tools).
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Ability to use oxy-fuel torch, manual plasma cutter, standard shop hand tools and metal working tools.
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Ability to read, interpret and understand schematics and blueprints.
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Must have good mechanical aptitude for assembly and fabrication.
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Knowledgeable in weld inspections and NDE surface examination methods such as MT and PT.
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Proficient in MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
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Willingness to work overtime to support plant outages and field work.
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Good communication skills and team work.
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Be able to lift 50lbs, work at heights and hold a valid drivers license.
STEM OPT Energy Job Roles in California
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Search Energy Jobs in CaliforniaEnergy STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which energy companies in California sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas?
California-based energy employers with documented STEM OPT sponsorship history include Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, Chevron, Shell's California operations, and renewable developers such as Ormat Technologies and Avangrid Renewables. National laboratories like Lawrence Berkeley and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory also hire STEM OPT candidates for energy research roles. Sponsorship varies by role and business need, so confirming with each employer's HR team is essential before applying.
Which California cities have the most energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area concentrates the most energy STEM OPT opportunities, particularly in clean technology, grid software, and energy storage startups. Los Angeles hosts major utility and solar development employers, while San Diego has a growing clean energy and offshore wind corridor. Sacramento, as the state capital, attracts policy-adjacent energy roles at agencies and regulated utilities with active STEM OPT hiring.
What types of energy roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in California?
Roles qualifying for STEM OPT sponsorship must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code and involve work directly related to the student's degree. In California's energy sector, qualifying positions commonly include electrical engineering, power systems analysis, environmental engineering, data science applied to grid optimization, and chemical engineering in battery or fuel cell research. Roles classified under O*NET as requiring a STEM degree in a directly related field are the clearest fit.
How do I find energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters energy job listings by visa sponsorship type, including F-1 STEM OPT, so you can search specifically for California energy employers with active sponsorship history rather than applying broadly and asking individually. This is especially useful in California's energy sector, where sponsorship practices vary significantly between large investor-owned utilities, independent power producers, and early-stage clean energy companies. Narrowing by location and role type on Migrate Mate saves time and surfaces employers already familiar with STEM OPT requirements.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in California's energy industry?
California's energy industry is heavily regulated, with utilities subject to California Public Utilities Commission oversight and renewable projects tied to state procurement mandates. Employers in regulated utility roles may face additional hiring timelines due to internal compliance processes, which can affect how quickly STEM OPT paperwork is initiated. California also has active E-Verify participation among larger energy contractors, which is required for STEM OPT employers and generally straightforward for well-established firms in this sector.