Energy STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois energy sector span utilities, renewables, and grid infrastructure, with major employers like Exelon, ComEd, and Invenergy headquartered in Chicago. Engineering, data science, and environmental roles across Chicago, Joliet, and Champaign regularly attract STEM OPT candidates from Illinois' top engineering programs.
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As an S&C Electric team member, you’ll work on projects that have real-world impact. You’ll help transform the grid for resilient and reliable power worldwide. S&C has more than a 100-year history of innovation and has been 100% employee-owned since 2012. We continue this legacy as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in the electrical industry. You will advance a safer, more reliable, and more resilient electrical grid. Our products help the grid adapt to severe weather and transition to clean energy. We’re big enough to be a respected industry leader but small enough for you to impact our company directly. Our commitment gives you opportunities to impact on and off the job positively.
Join S&C to make an impact on tomorrow’s energy challenges and become an employee-owner.
Hours
- 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Mon-Fri) On-Site
Compensation
At S&C, we are dedicated to providing competitive and equitable compensation for all our team members, and we are committed to transparency in our pay practices. The estimated annual base salary range for this position is $87,758 - $116,285.18. Individual pay within this salary range is determined by several compensable factors, including performance, knowledge, job-related skills and experience, and relevant education or training. This role is also eligible for S&C’s annual incentive plan (AIP), subject to eligibility criteria.
Join Our Team as a Mechanical Engineer II!
Are you passionate about Technology Breakthrough and Innovation? S&C Electric Company is seeking a dynamic individual to join our Technology Breakthrough and Innovation team. As a Mechanical Engineer II, you’ll be crucial in ensuring continued innovation and supporting our diverse team.
The Mechanical Engineer II assists in the development of new and sustaining products by designing, prototyping, testing and documentation. They contribute to product development, supplier engagement and cross-functional collaboration, and begin to take initiative in supporting projects and solving problems.
Key Responsibilities:
Product Support: Execute mechanical engineering tasks such as tolerance analysis and full cycle component design. Execute projects and tasks with moderate independence, with some oversight from senior-level engineers, applying sound mechanical judgement and problem-solving skills. Support root cause analysis, troubleshoot production problems, and assist in RMA analysis.
Simulation & Technical Analysis: Perform engineering calculations and simulations, including dynamic and current flow analyses to support design decisions and performance.
Design & Documentation: Create mechanical designs from concept to production using CAD tools. Ensure accuracy and completeness of engineering schematics and documentation. Working knowledge of GD&T principles and their application to engineering drawings.
Supplier Collaboration: Engage with suppliers to support component development and troubleshooting. Participate in technical discussions to resolve issues related to part quality, performance, or manufacturability.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with project managers and other engineering disciplines and contribute to project planning and documentation efforts.
Research & Technology: Conduct mechanical testing, analyze results, compile findings into a formal report, and present data-driven insights to the mechanical engineering team.
New Product Design: Support the creation of new products by developing mechanical concepts and refining designs for performance, cost and manufacturability. Assist in prototyping development, design validation and participate in design reviews and cross-functional teams.
Continuous Improvement: Learn product functionality and capabilities through hands-on experience and mentorship from senior-level engineers.
Compliance: Understand and comply with all applicable company policies and rules.
What you’ll Need to Succeed:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- 2-4 years of experience in Mechanical Engineering, Strong Mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
- Good proficiency in CAD and/or similar tools.
- Good understanding of engineering software for modeling and simulation.
- Good skills in effective problem-solving and able to communicate across some levels of the organization related to concepts of supply-chain, production, and electronics.
- An understanding of various manufacturing technologies and methods, preferably within the electronics manufacturing industry.
- Strong interpersonal skills to establish meaningful relationships built on mutual trust and respect, and foster collaborative working relationships amongst a diverse audience.
- Great communication skills (written, verbal, listening and presentation), able to partner with and communicate with customers both technical and non-technical.
- Commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the quality function.
- Effective organizational planning skills, coordinating internal and external resources, and the ability to balance critical priorities.
- Sound business sense and analytical skills with the ability to use and analyze data to drive inform actions, solve complex problems and drive learning.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, including the flexibility to work extended hours when necessary.
- Great computer skills and ability to use Microsoft Office Applications, specifically MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and Power Bi or other similar systems paired with strong data analysis skills.
S&C Electric is committed to equal-opportunity employment. All employees and applicants will be considered without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to complete the application, please email us at TAsupport@sandc.com.
No fixed deadline
LI-KD1
In 1909, S&C Electric Company transformed the delivery of safe, reliable electricity with the invention of the Liquid Power Fuse. Today, as the world faces extreme weather events and the demand for electricity grows, S&C continues to innovate and advance the electrical grid, ensuring reliable and resilient power for homes, communities, and critical infrastructure around the world.
With a diverse, global workforce and core values around integrity, safety, and quality, S&C is a trusted industry leader and top workplace that offers meaningful careers to more than 3,500 team members. As a people-first organization, S&C is committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative workplace where team members advance their careers through robust talent-development programs and involved leadership.
S&C’s deeply rooted belief diversity fosters greater creativity, innovation, and success guides the company to advance and sustain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture.
S&C provides a comprehensive and competitive benefit package that includes the following (eligibility requirements apply):
- Health and Welfare Benefits: Medical & Prescription, Dental, Vision, Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Group Life Insurance, optional Supplemental Life and AD&D Insurance, Wellbeing Resources including Employee Assistance Program and Family Forming Benefits (i.e., Adoption and Fertility support)
- Leave Benefits: Vacation Time, Sick Time, Paid Holidays and Company Shutdown days, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Other Leaves, Paid Parental Time and Military Leave
- Retirement Benefits: 401(k) Retirement Savings and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (KSOP) offering traditional and Roth 401(k) options and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) component; KSOP participants can receive annual ESOP company contributions of over 11% of eligible earnings (3% Core, up to 3.5% Match, Variable Periodic).
STEM OPT Energy Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Energy Jobs in IllinoisEnergy STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which energy companies in Illinois sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Illinois-based energy employers with documented STEM OPT hiring include Exelon, ComEd, Invenergy, and Ameren Illinois. These companies have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering and technical roles, which is a strong indicator of sponsorship activity. Larger utilities and renewable energy developers tend to have established HR processes for OPT work authorization, while smaller firms may handle sponsorship on a case-by-case basis.
Which cities in Illinois have the most energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago concentrates the highest number of energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship opportunities, driven by corporate headquarters for major utilities and clean energy developers in the metro area. Joliet and Peoria host grid operations and power generation facilities with engineering openings. Champaign-Urbana sees demand tied to research and energy technology roles connected to the University of Illinois corridor.
What types of energy roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles qualifying for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Illinois energy typically include electrical engineering, power systems engineering, grid operations analysis, environmental engineering, energy data analytics, and software development for grid management platforms. These positions fall under STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs codes. Candidates can verify whether a specific role qualifies by checking its STEM degree classification against OFLC Wage Search and O*NET occupation profiles.
How do I find energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters energy jobs in Illinois by F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship status, drawing on DOL Labor Condition Application filing data to surface employers with verified sponsorship history in the energy sector. This saves significant time compared to manually checking company career pages. You can narrow results by city, role type, and employer size to find positions that match both your engineering discipline and your OPT authorization window.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Illinois energy jobs?
Illinois requires STEM OPT employers to be enrolled in E-Verify, which most large energy companies in the state already satisfy due to federal contracting and utility regulatory requirements. Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act has expanded hiring in clean energy and grid modernization, increasing the number of technical roles available. Candidates should confirm their employer's E-Verify enrollment status and ensure their training plan aligns with USCIS guidelines before accepting an offer.