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 ColoradoOverview
Showing 5 of 529+ STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado










See all 529+ STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Jobs in Colorado.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Title:
Manufacturing Engineer II, Injection Molding
Job Description:
The Role:
We are seeking a motivated Injection Molding Engineer to support manufacturing operations at our facility. This role focuses on developing foundational expertise in injection molding processes, supporting process optimization, and assisting with the transition of new products into production.
The ideal candidate will have a basic understanding of plastics engineering, strong problem-solving skills, and a desire to learn scientific injection molding principles in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
What You’ll Do:
- Assist in developing and optimizing injection molding processes to improve quality, efficiency, and cost.
- Support troubleshooting of molding defects using structured problem-solving methods (root cause analysis, basic DOE concepts).
- Monitor process performance and collect data to help improve cycle time, yield, and scrap reduction.
- Work with production teams to maintain stable molding processes and ensure consistent part quality.
- Support process documentation, including work instructions, SOPs, and control plans.
- Assist in implementing process improvements aligned with Lean Manufacturing principles.
- Support mold trials, process development activities, and production ramp-up.
- Assist in evaluating molding machines, tooling, and auxiliary equipment performance.
- Identify inter-departmental shortcomings and create processes to improve the outcome.
- Provide support with developing problem-solving skills for other departments.
- Support mold maintenance feedback and process-related improvements.
- Collect and analyze production data to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Participate in continuous improvement projects focused on productivity, quality, and cost reduction.
- Assist with FMEA updates and basic risk assessments.
- Work closely with technicians and operators to understand processes and improve standard work.
- Learn and apply scientific injection molding concepts and best practices.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with product management, quality, manufacturing, and design teams.
- Ensure safe work practices are followed, and safety improvement opportunities are identified and pursued.
What We Seek:
- Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Engineering, Polymer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or relevant industry experience.
- Basic understanding of manufacturing processes (injection molding exposure is a plus).
- Strong willingness to learn scientific injection molding methodologies.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings (preferred).
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Growth mindset.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stand, walk, and move throughout a manufacturing environment for extended periods.
- Ability to occasionally bend, reach, climb stairs, and access equipment or tooling.
- Ability to lift and carry 25–40 lbs when handling tooling, fixtures, or components.
- Comfortable working in an active machining environment with exposure to noise, machinery, and varying temperatures.
- May require occasional travel to suppliers or other facilities.
- Ability to work occasional extended or flexible hours to support production needs.
- Ability to wear required PPE such as safety glasses, gloves, and steel toe shoes as appropriate.
What We Offer:
At Entegris, we invest in providing opportunity to our employees and promote from within. The new hire in this role will have the potential to grow and create relationships across the organization and be recognized for demonstrated success and adherence to company PACE values.
Our total rewards package goes above and beyond just a paycheck. Whether you’re looking to build your career, improve your health, or protect your wealth, we offer generous benefits to help you achieve your goals.
- Compensation: $80k-105k range with actual pay dependent on candidate overall skills for the role.
- Generous 401(K) plan with an impressive employer match.
- Excellent health, dental and vision insurance packages to fit your needs.
- Flexible work schedule and 11 paid holidays a year.
- Paid time off (PTO) policy that empowers you to take the time you need to recharge.
- Education assistance to support your learning journey.
- Values-driven culture with colleagues that rally around People, Accountability, Creativity and Excellence.
At Entegris we are committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees and applicants. Our policy is to recruit, hire, train, and reward employees for their individual abilities, achievements and experience without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, marital or military status.
Entegris strongly encourages all of its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. At Entegris, COVID-19 vaccination is preferred but not required at this time.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Colorado
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 529+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Colorado
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Colorado.
Get Access To All JobsF-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.