Manufacturing STEM OPT Jobs in California
Manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California draw engineers, process scientists, and supply chain analysts to employers like Applied Materials, Tesla, and Lam Research. From Silicon Valley's semiconductor fabs to Los Angeles's aerospace and medical device manufacturers, California's industrial base spans advanced manufacturing sectors that regularly hire international graduates in STEM-designated roles.
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INTRODUCTION
Diamond Foundry Inc. is solving the thermal limitation at the foundation of today's most exciting tech industries - AI & cloud compute, electric-car power electronics, and 5G/6G wireless. We have managed to produce the world's first single-crystal diamond wafers and are now on a mission to put a diamond behind every chip. We are the rare unicorn that has grown fast and profitably. We received $515m in funding and are executing a multi-$B expansion plan for one of the greenest forms of tech manufacturing: converting greenhouse gas into diamond wafers using zero-emission energy.
We are seeking an on-site R&D Test Engineer to join our AI Chips team. This role will work closely with the thermal/mechanical/reliability lead to execute thermal testing, coordinate reliability testing, design and develop custom test hardware and fixtures for customer prototyping of single-crystal diamond applications on AI customer chips, and generate engineering insights that guide customer engagements and product development.
The ideal candidate is a hands-on thermal or mechanical engineer with strong technical problem-solving skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to support fast-paced customer and internal development programs.
This position will be located out of our San Jose office.
Responsibilities
- Support customer prototyping projects through design and development of mechanical fixtures and experimental apparatus using CAD software, and coordinate fabrication with internal and external machine shops.
- Coordinate accelerated lifetime reliability testing and environmental stress testing per industry standards to validate long-term performance and durability of SCD-on-silicon attachment methods, package integrity.
- Design, build, operate, and troubleshoot thermal characterization test platforms to evaluate SCD thermal solutions on thermal test vehicles (TTVs) and customer hardware.
- Develop assembly processes for prototype hardware, including thermal interfaces, mounted cooling solutions, and instrumentation integration as needed.
- Manage project schedules, technical risks, cross-functional communication, customer updates, and technical reports.
REQUIREMENTS
- Degree & Experience: BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, with 2+ years of experience in mechanical/thermal engineering, test engineering, or product development.
- Thermal & Reliability Testing: Experience with laboratory instrumentation and data acquisition systems (Preferred: thermal testing/characterization for packaged devices, liquid cooling solutions like fans/cold plates, and reliability/environmental stress testing).
- Software & Simulation: Proficiency with CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) (Preferred: familiarity with FEA and CFD tools such as ANSYS Mechanical/Fluent, Icepak, or COMSOL).
- Data Analysis & Fabrication: Experience creating engineering drawings to support fabrication, alongside data processing and analysis using MATLAB, Python, Excel, JMP, or similar tools (Preferred: familiarity with IC packaging, metrology, or failure analysis).
- Professional Attributes: Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with a hands-on, detail-oriented mindset, comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced R&D environment.
The position is eligible for company shares. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to a candidate’s job duties, experience, and location. We will also consider higher-level candidates and salary will be adjusted accordingly.
Diamond Foundry believes in supporting our employees from the workplace to their personal and home life. We provide eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. Perks include employee discounts to VRAI. Our benefits begin as early as your first day of employment. Medical and vision coverage are retroactive to your start date, while dental and voluntary benefits take effect once you’ve completed your enrollment.
Diamond Foundry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.
Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments adhere to the highest standards of legal and regulatory compliance. Additionally, these departments may have specific physical requirements to ensure the safety and efficiency of our operations. We prioritize the well-being of our employees and strive to create a work environment that promotes both legal compliance and the optimal functioning of our manufacturing and engineering processes.
Manufacturing and Engineering Departments Physical Requirements:
- Use appropriate PPE and follow all safety policies, practices, and procedures.
- This position will often: Sit, stand for long periods, walk, grasp, reach with hands and arms, lift below and above shoulders, bend, twist at the waist, climb, balance, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, talk, hear, see, use fine finger manipulation, and complete repetitive motions.
- Some tasks may require the use of ladders or stairs.
- Some tasks may require driving or the use of foot controls.
- Lift/carry and push/pull up to 50 pounds.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
STEM OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in California
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in CaliforniaManufacturing STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in California?
California manufacturers with documented F-1 STEM OPT hiring include semiconductor equipment makers like Applied Materials and Lam Research in Santa Clara, electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla in Fremont, aerospace and defense contractors like Northrop Grumman and Raytheon in Southern California, and medical device firms like Edwards Lifesciences and Align Technology. These employers regularly file Labor Condition Applications with the DOL for STEM-designated engineering and technical roles.
Which cities in California have the most manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area, particularly Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont, concentrates semiconductor, cleantech, and electric vehicle manufacturing that sponsors STEM OPT engineers. Los Angeles and the South Bay host aerospace, defense, and medical device employers. San Diego has a strong biotech manufacturing cluster. The Inland Empire and Sacramento region also offer food processing and advanced manufacturing opportunities for STEM OPT graduates.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code tied to the graduate's degree. In manufacturing, this commonly includes process engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance engineering, industrial engineering, materials science, supply chain analytics, and automation or robotics engineering. Production management and general operations roles without a direct STEM degree match typically do not qualify. Confirm your specific role's eligibility with your Designated School Official.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters manufacturing jobs in California specifically by F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship eligibility, using DOL Labor Condition Application data to surface employers with active sponsorship history in the state. This is more reliable than filtering by keyword alone, since many employers sponsor visas without advertising it explicitly. Search by city or sub-region within California to target semiconductor, aerospace, medical device, or EV manufacturing clusters directly.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in California manufacturing?
California's STEM OPT E-Verify requirement applies statewide: every employer sponsoring a STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify, which most large California manufacturers already satisfy. California also enforces stricter worker classification standards under AB5, which means manufacturing STEM OPT roles must be structured as direct W-2 employment, not contractor arrangements. STEM OPT participants must also have a formal training plan (Form I-983) that California employers are generally experienced with filing.