Development Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Development engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, where employers in automotive manufacturing, defense contracting, and energy technology actively hire international talent. Major players including Volkswagen, Tennessee Valley Authority, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have established sponsorship track records for engineering roles in the state.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees.
Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.
Learn about our company culture directly from our team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Senior Research and Development Engineer, you will have a pivotal role in team success by leading the design and development of innovative fastener installation tools and fasteners from concept through validation.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (% of Time)
Design tools for the construction industry – primarily for the delivery of fasteners. (65%)
- Analyzing, understanding, and translating project requirements into clear product features
- Utilizing CAD, FEA, 3D printing, prototyping, and proof testing to optimize designs
- Coordination with vendors, tooling, manufacturing, and quality departments
- Collaboration with product management and marketing in the commercialization of products
- Preparation of technical documentation, design reviews, and IP related materials
Design structural fasteners for the construction industry. (25%)
- Extrapolating structural fastener performance concepts into innovative fastener designs
- Designing and executing building code based test programs to validate fastener performance
- Coordination with vendors, tooling, manufacturing, and quality departments
- Collaboration with product management and marketing in the commercialization of products
- Preparation of technical documentation, design reviews, and IP related materials
Provide technical support for manufacturing and quality control. (10%)
- Analysis of problems and development of solutions to manufacturing challenges.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
- 7+ years of experience designing mechanical fastening systems, anchors, connectors, tools, or related construction products
- Holder of one or more patents related to tool design
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex product-development projects from concept generation through validation and handoff to production teams
- Strong technical decision-making skills with the ability to balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule objectives
- High-level creativity for solving complex mechanical challenges
- Expert-level knowledge of mechanical design principles, structural mechanics, and materials behavior
- Fluency in the Microsoft 365 environment including SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Copilot
- Familiarity with Aras and Planview
- Advanced proficiency with 3D CAD modeling (Inventor) and engineering analysis tools
- Extensive experience applying FEA and simulation techniques to support design decisions and product validation
- Strong understanding of experimental design, laboratory testing, statistical analysis, and industry standards such as ASTM
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to create detailed engineering reports, specifications, presentations, and technical recommendations for diverse audiences
- Experience with intellectual property development, patent filings, and invention disclosures
- Experience leading technical teams, mentoring engineers, and influencing organizational decisions
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, see, talk, and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in both a professional office environment, customer sites and outdoor construction job sites. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers/scanners, etc. The employee occasionally works around moving mechanical parts. Noise level may be loud at times.
TRAVEL REQUIRED
This position requires domestic and international travel up to 10% of the time.
WORK STATUS & LOCATION
This full-time, exempt position is located in Gallatin, TN.
RELOCATION
Relocation may be considered for this position.
PAY
$84,400 - $135,000 / year
REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE
We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.
- Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
- Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more. View benefit plan details here: https://benefits.strongtie.com/.
In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.
Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful drug screen and criminal background check, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
NowHiring #GetHired #Hiring #HiringNow
INTRODUCTION
Simpson Strong-Tie is a leader in engineered structural connectors, software, and solutions for the building industry. We maintain a reputation as a trusted manufacturer, partner, and corporate citizen committed to our customers and employees.
Our founder, Barc Simpson established 9 Principles of Business we live out as company values and have made Simpson Strong-Tie an inspiring place to work since 1956. Our team of talented people are dedicated to our shared mission: to provide solutions that help people design and build safer, stronger structures.
Learn about our company culture directly from our team.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Senior Research and Development Engineer, you will have a pivotal role in team success by leading the design and development of innovative fastener installation tools and fasteners from concept through validation.
WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING (% of Time)
Design tools for the construction industry – primarily for the delivery of fasteners. (65%)
- Analyzing, understanding, and translating project requirements into clear product features
- Utilizing CAD, FEA, 3D printing, prototyping, and proof testing to optimize designs
- Coordination with vendors, tooling, manufacturing, and quality departments
- Collaboration with product management and marketing in the commercialization of products
- Preparation of technical documentation, design reviews, and IP related materials
Design structural fasteners for the construction industry. (25%)
- Extrapolating structural fastener performance concepts into innovative fastener designs
- Designing and executing building code based test programs to validate fastener performance
- Coordination with vendors, tooling, manufacturing, and quality departments
- Collaboration with product management and marketing in the commercialization of products
- Preparation of technical documentation, design reviews, and IP related materials
Provide technical support for manufacturing and quality control. (10%)
- Analysis of problems and development of solutions to manufacturing challenges.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline
- 7+ years of experience designing mechanical fastening systems, anchors, connectors, tools, or related construction products
- Holder of one or more patents related to tool design
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex product-development projects from concept generation through validation and handoff to production teams
- Strong technical decision-making skills with the ability to balance performance, manufacturability, cost, and schedule objectives
- High-level creativity for solving complex mechanical challenges
- Expert-level knowledge of mechanical design principles, structural mechanics, and materials behavior
- Fluency in the Microsoft 365 environment including SharePoint, Teams, OneDrive, and Copilot
- Familiarity with Aras and Planview
- Advanced proficiency with 3D CAD modeling (Inventor) and engineering analysis tools
- Extensive experience applying FEA and simulation techniques to support design decisions and product validation
- Strong understanding of experimental design, laboratory testing, statistical analysis, and industry standards such as ASTM
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to create detailed engineering reports, specifications, presentations, and technical recommendations for diverse audiences
- Experience with intellectual property development, patent filings, and invention disclosures
- Experience leading technical teams, mentoring engineers, and influencing organizational decisions
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, see, talk, and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 50 lbs.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in both a professional office environment, customer sites and outdoor construction job sites. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers/scanners, etc. The employee occasionally works around moving mechanical parts. Noise level may be loud at times.
TRAVEL REQUIRED
This position requires domestic and international travel up to 10% of the time.
WORK STATUS & LOCATION
This full-time, exempt position is located in Gallatin, TN.
RELOCATION
Relocation may be considered for this position.
PAY
$84,400 - $135,000 / year
REWARDS AT SIMPSON STRONG-TIE
We recognize and reward employees with a carefully designed and comprehensive rewards package, including competitive compensation, quarterly bonuses or commission and first-rate benefits. May exclude some positions, such as seasonal jobs.
- Quarterly Bonuses/Commission: You will be eligible for either a bonus or commission, paid on a quarterly basis. We believe all employees affect customers, sales and revenue — directly or indirectly – and should be rewarded by sharing the company profits.
- Benefits: We provide a wide range of benefits for eligible full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, retirement contributions, employee stock purchase and bonus plans, pay for holidays, vacation, sick days, funerals and jury duty, years of service awards, employee discounts, employee referral bonuses, charitable contribution matching, education reimbursement and more. View benefit plan details here: https://benefits.strongtie.com/.
In keeping with our values and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities, we are an equal opportunity employer. This means that our employment decisions are based on your qualifications and merit, and our business needs.
Please note all job offers are contingent upon a successful drug screen and criminal background check, in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
NowHiring #GetHired #Hiring #HiringNow
Development Engineer Job Roles in Tennessee
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Search Development Engineer Jobs in TennesseeDevelopment Engineer Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for development engineers in Tennessee?
Several large employers in Tennessee have documented histories of sponsoring development engineers. Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Tennessee Valley Authority are prominent sponsors in the energy and research sectors. Volkswagen's Chattanooga assembly plant and its supplier network sponsor engineering roles in automotive development. Defense contractors with Nashville and Huntsville-adjacent operations, including Northrop Grumman and Leidos, also file regular sponsorship petitions for development engineering positions.
Which visa types are most common for development engineer roles in Tennessee?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for development engineers in Tennessee, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering or a closely related field. Employers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and federally funded research institutions occasionally support O-1 visa petitions for candidates with exceptional credentials. Candidates from Canada and Mexico may also qualify for TN visa status under the USMCA treaty, which includes engineers as a covered profession.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most development engineer sponsorship jobs?
Nashville leads in volume due to its broad corporate base and growing technology sector, with employers across healthcare technology, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure development. Knoxville is a strong market given its proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, which feeds engineering talent pipelines. Chattanooga has emerged as an automotive engineering hub anchored by Volkswagen's manufacturing plant and its associated supplier network.
How to find development engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship and lets you filter development engineer roles by state, so you can browse Tennessee openings from employers with active sponsorship histories. Because not all job postings clearly disclose sponsorship availability, using a platform like Migrate Mate that screens for sponsorship-friendly employers saves significant time compared to sorting through general listings manually.
Are there state-specific considerations for development engineers pursuing sponsorship in Tennessee?
Tennessee's engineering job market benefits from the presence of federally funded research institutions, particularly Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which operates under U.S. Department of Energy contracts. Some positions at these facilities require security clearances, which can affect sponsorship eligibility for non-citizens. The University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University also generate strong local engineering pipelines, meaning employers are familiar with OPT and H-1B sponsorship processes for recent graduates.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored development engineer jobs in Tennessee?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.