STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado

Colorado's aerospace, tech, and biotech sectors make it one of the stronger states for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship outside the coastal hubs. The Denver metro, Boulder, and Colorado Springs concentrate most opportunities, with E-Verify-enrolled employers across defense contracting, software, and life sciences.

Find F-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado

Overview

Open Jobs435+
Work Type81% On-site
Top LocationDenver, CO
Most JobsWestwood Professional Services

Showing 5 of 435+ STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado

Mechanical Engineer
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New 3h ago
Mechanical Engineer
Golden Aluminum
Fort Lupton, Colorado
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
$85k - $110k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
51-200

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Engineer II- Facilities
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New 5h ago
Engineer II- Facilities
Microchip Technology
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Specialized Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Chemical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
$75k - $90k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Staff Biocompatibility Scientist
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New 7h ago
Staff Biocompatibility Scientist
Stryker
Greenwood Village, Colorado
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Healthcare Administration
$92k - $153k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Environmental Analyst III or IV
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New 9h ago
Environmental Analyst III or IV
Xcel Energy
Platteville, Colorado
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Environmental Science
$74k - $121k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's

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Engineer 1, 2, 3, or Sr Engineer
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New 10h ago
Engineer 1, 2, 3, or Sr Engineer
Atmos Energy
Denver, Colorado
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$86k - $150k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado

Target Colorado defense contractors early

Colorado Springs and the Denver Tech Center host major defense and aerospace contractors who are federal prime contractors, meaning E-Verify enrollment is already mandatory. That removes one common bottleneck you'd otherwise need to confirm during the offer stage.

Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting any offer

USCIS requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify for STEM OPT authorization. Ask HR for their E-Verify company ID number during the offer stage, not after you've signed. Colorado employers aren't uniformly enrolled, especially smaller Boulder startups.

Use Migrate Mate to filter Colorado STEM OPT employers

Search verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history by occupation code on Migrate Mate to identify Colorado companies that have actively sponsored STEM-related roles, so your outreach targets employers with demonstrated sponsorship history rather than those who only claim openness to it.

Request the I-983 training plan before your OPT expires

Your employer must sign the I-983 before your DSO can authorize the 24-month STEM extension. Build at least two weeks of buffer into your timeline. USCIS processing of your EAD can take up to five months, so early submission matters.

See all 435+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Colorado

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F-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado: Frequently Asked Questions

Which industries in Colorado sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?

Aerospace and defense, software and IT services, and biotech and life sciences sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT roles in Colorado. The Denver metro and Colorado Springs account for most defense and aerospace activity, while Boulder concentrates biotech and clean energy employers. Government-adjacent contractors along the Front Range are particularly active because federal prime contractor status already requires E-Verify enrollment.

Which cities in Colorado have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?

Denver and its Tech Center suburbs have the highest overall volume, followed by Boulder for research-intensive and startup roles, and Colorado Springs for defense and cybersecurity positions. Fort Collins also has a growing cluster tied to Colorado State University research spinoffs and semiconductor-adjacent manufacturing. Remote-friendly Colorado employers in these metros sometimes extend sponsorship to candidates anywhere in the state.

What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Colorado?

Roles must carry a STEM-designated STEM degree classification and require a qualifying STEM degree. In Colorado that typically means software engineering, data science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, bioinformatics, and cybersecurity positions. Roles in aerospace systems integration and environmental science tied to Colorado's energy sector also commonly qualify. Verify your specific STEM degree classification against the official STEM Designated Degree Program List before accepting an offer.

How do I find F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Colorado?

Use Migrate Mate to search Colorado employers by verified DOL LCA filing history filtered to STEM-relevant occupation codes. This shows you which companies have actually sponsored similar roles rather than ones that simply say they're open to sponsorship. You can also cross-reference the OFLC Wage Search to confirm the employer has filed for roles matching your degree field in Colorado metro areas.

Are there any Colorado-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?

Colorado doesn't have a state-level work authorization requirement beyond federal rules, but its mix of federal contractors and private tech employers means E-Verify enrollment rates vary significantly by sector. Defense and aerospace contractors in Colorado Springs are almost universally enrolled due to federal contracting obligations, while some Boulder-area startups are not. Confirm enrollment status before signing any offer, since an employer not enrolled in E-Verify cannot legally employ you on STEM OPT.