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.
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LOCATION: Memphis, TN (Hybrid)
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-time
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop coordinated controls construction packages for pharmaceutical and food & beverage facility projects.
- Prepare control-panel layouts, schematics, wiring and termination documents, cable lists, I/O schedules and industrial-network drawings.
- Own assigned design tasks, coordinate project information, and incorporate senior technical review through construction and commissioning support.
- Develop coordinated panel and field-installation packages, including equipment and panel layouts, schematics, wiring and termination details, cable lists, and I/O schedules.
- Design and document industrial-network topology and physical connections; coordinate instrument, panel and equipment interfaces with the installation package.
- Survey existing installations, document field conditions, and incorporate verified information into design and as-built documents.
- Coordinate with process, mechanical and electrical engineers, equipment vendors, panel fabricators and installation contractors; prepare specifications and bid-package information.
- Complete assigned drawings, schedules and specifications within the agreed project scope; check consistency, resolve review comments and raise design questions with the project lead.
- Provide PLC/HMI programming and project lifecycle support, including troubleshooting, testing, installation and commissioning, with design changes reflected in the final documents.
- Apply relevant project codes and standards, including NEC and UL 508A where applicable.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
- 2–6 years of control-systems experience in manufacturing or consulting-design environments, including commissioning experience.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD for control-panel design and electrical construction packages.
- Experience with control-panel and industrial-network design, component and instrument selection, and coordination of drawings and schedules for fabrication and installation.
- Hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 and FactoryTalk View ME/SE for PLC, HMI and SCADA project work.
- Ability to survey existing systems, coordinate clients and vendors, and prepare design and bid packages. Coordinate single-line diagrams, panel schedules and power-plan interfaces with the electrical engineering team.
- Ability to plan and complete assigned design work, document engineering questions and incorporate senior technical review.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
- Experience leading commissioning activities.
WORK ARRANGEMENT:
This is an office-based hybrid role with remote work and project-site assignments. Office attendance is coordinated with the project team. Travel is anticipated to be 20–40%, depending on project requirements. Initial site visits typically last 1–3 days; commissioning assignments may last 1–4 weeks.
ABOUT LAPORTE:
Founded in 1999, LAPORTE is a consulting engineering firm serving pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and industrial manufacturing clients across North America and Europe. We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, compensatory paid time off (PTO), a flexible work environment, and opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
Apply with your résumé. Relevant project examples can help us understand your contribution; please omit confidential client information. Send us your application today. We look forward to meeting you!
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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 428+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Tennessee
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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.