STEM OPT Jobs in Tennessee
F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in Nashville's healthcare technology corridor, Memphis's logistics and biotech sector, and Knoxville's advanced manufacturing and energy research ecosystem. Employers across these metros actively file E-Verify enrollments and STEM OPT extensions, making Tennessee a practical target state for international STEM graduates.
Find F-1 STEM OPT Jobs in TennesseeOverview
Showing 5 of 449+ STEM OPT Jobs in Tennessee










See all 449+ STEM OPT Jobs in Tennessee
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Jobs in Tennessee.
Get Access To All Jobs
Scientist
Compensation: $19.00 per hour
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The salary range for this position reflects a variety of factors. Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s geographic location, relevant experience, education, skills, and alignment with internal equity. Market conditions, budgetary considerations, and organizational compensation guidelines may also influence the final offer.
Make an Impact. Build a Career.
At Pace®, everything we do is built upon an unwavering commitment to making the world a safer, healthier place. Since 1978, we’ve continued developing innovative practices that drive sustainability and empower our partners with accurate quality data at every critical moment and milestone.
That's why we need you - your curiosity, your talents, and your drive - to help us advance this important work, and your career.
We’re seeking curious, motivated individuals who are passionate about protecting our environment and the communities we serve. If you’re looking to develop your skills, contribute to meaningful scientific work, and build a long-term career in environmental science, Pace® could be the perfect place for you.
Find Your Place at Pace®
Join us as a Scientist and put your passion for science to work in our environmental testing laboratory. In this role, you’ll conduct hands-on analysis within our laboratories, helping ensure the integrity and quality of environmental data that impacts communities and ecosystems.
What You’ll Do
- Work with instruments such as GC, HPLC, ICP and more
- Analyze air, water, and soil samples using established chemistry and biochemistry methods looking for environmental contaminants
- Review and interpret the results from the sample analysis
- Accurately document procedures, observations, and results to maintain high-quality, organized laboratory records
- Clean, maintain, and calibrate laboratory instruments and equipment
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or other STEM related degrees — or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. We are happy to provide training!
- Ability to work effectively in a laboratory environment, including standing for extended periods, working around strong odors, and wearing required PPE (lab coat, safety glasses, gloves—all provided by Pace®)
Find Your Place at Pace - We need you - your curiosity, your talents, and your drive - to help us advance this important work.
Benefits
When you join Pace®, you commit to work that makes a positive impact on our communities and our world. We commit to supporting you with benefits and perks that make a positive impact on your life. Full-time roles are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program which includes competitive salaries, medical, dental vision, 401K retirement savings plan (100% vested immediately in the employer match), life, disability and voluntary benefits, paid time off for holiday, sick and vacation days, HSA, wellness program, flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance program, parental leave, optional legal coverage and ID theft.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Pace® provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, creed, color, religion, genetics, protected veteran status, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Tennessee
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Tennessee
Target E-Verify enrolled Tennessee employers first
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Filter your search to Tennessee companies already enrolled before reaching the offer stage, since late enrollment delays your I-983 submission and shrinks your authorization window.
Search Nashville's health IT cluster strategically
Nashville hosts a dense concentration of healthcare technology firms that routinely hire STEM OPT graduates for data engineering, clinical informatics, and software roles. Prioritize companies tied to hospital systems or health-data platforms, where STEM-qualifying roles are embedded across multiple departments.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified STEM OPT sponsors
Search Migrate Mate's job board to identify Tennessee employers with confirmed STEM OPT filing history. This filters out postings from companies that lack E-Verify enrollment or have no track record sponsoring international STEM graduates, saving you from dead-end applications.
Submit your I-983 training plan before your OPT end date
USCIS requires your I-983 to be filed and your STEM OPT extension application received before your current EAD expires. Build at least 90 days of lead time into your offer negotiation so your employer's HR team can complete required sections without rushing.
See all 449+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Tennessee
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Tennessee.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Tennessee sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Healthcare technology, advanced manufacturing, logistics technology, and energy research are Tennessee's strongest F-1 STEM OPT sponsoring sectors. Nashville's health IT companies hire heavily for data and software roles, Memphis-area logistics firms recruit supply chain and systems engineers, and Oak Ridge's energy research institutions support roles in computational science and engineering.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Nashville leads for volume, driven by its health technology and corporate headquarters concentration. Knoxville is strong for engineering and research roles tied to the University of Tennessee and nearby national laboratories. Memphis offers opportunities in logistics technology and biomedical supply chain. Smaller markets like Chattanooga are growing in advanced manufacturing and autonomous vehicle technology.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Tennessee?
Qualifying roles must be directly related to your STEM degree and fall within an eligible STEM degree classification. In Tennessee, common qualifying positions include software engineer, data analyst, biomedical engineer, industrial engineer, supply chain systems analyst, and clinical informatics specialist. Roles that are primarily managerial or sales-focused without hands-on technical duties generally do not qualify.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate filters job listings to show Tennessee employers with verified STEM OPT sponsorship history and confirmed E-Verify enrollment, which is a USCIS requirement for STEM OPT extensions. Searching by state and visa type on Migrate Mate removes the guesswork of identifying sponsors and lets you focus on companies that have already demonstrated willingness to hire F-1 STEM OPT graduates.
Are there any Tennessee-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which affects how your compensation compares to offers in higher-tax states, though this does not change USCIS or DOL requirements. Tennessee employers in healthcare and energy sectors often require background checks and security clearances, and some federal contractor roles near Oak Ridge may have citizenship restrictions that exclude F-1 STEM OPT candidates regardless of employer willingness.