STEM OPT Jobs in Utah
Utah's tech corridor along the Wasatch Front, anchored by Salt Lake City and the Silicon Slopes cluster in Lehi and Provo, generates steady F-1 STEM OPT demand across software engineering, data science, life sciences, and defense contracting. E-Verify enrollment is strong here, meaning many employers are already set up to sponsor.
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Title: Geophysical Technician
Hours: Full-time; Hourly
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Manager: Field Data Acquisition Manager
Mission – Why we exist and why we need you
Geothermal energy is the most abundant renewable energy source in the world. There is 2,300 times more energy in geothermal heat in the ground than in oil, gas, coal, and methane combined. However, historically it’s been hard to find and expensive to develop. At Zanskar, we’re using better technology to find and develop new geothermal resources in order to make geothermal a cheap and vital contributor to a carbon-free electrical grid.
Field data is the foundation of every decision we make, from where we explore to where we drill. The Geophysical Technician collects, processes, and delivers the high-quality gravity, magnetic, MT, and seismic data that lets Zanskar find and de-risk new geothermal resources faster and at lower cost.
Outcomes – Problems you’ll solve
Within six months, you will be a trusted member of a field crew, safely and independently carrying out survey operations across the Western United States. You will deliver clean, well-documented datasets that geologists, data scientists, and drilling engineers can use right away. You will also be contributing ideas that make our acquisition and processing workflows more consistent, efficient, and repeatable.
- Plan, execute, and document field geophysical surveys, including gravity, magnetics, MT, and seismic, in line with Zanskar's best practices
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain field instruments and equipment to ensure data quality and extend equipment life
- Process and quality-check field data in the field and in the office, and deliver well-organized data products on schedule
- Collaborate with project geologists, data scientists, land team, and drilling engineers to align survey design and deliverables with exploration and drilling decisions
- Maintain safety, productivity, and professionalism during 14-day field rotations in remote desert and mountain environments
- Operate company vehicles safely and manage field logistics, including site access, equipment transport, and daily reporting
- Identify and test improvements to existing acquisition and processing methods and help learn and deploy new methods in house to increase discovery rates
- Contribute to after-action reviews by capturing lessons learned and updating standard operating procedures
- Represent Zanskar respectfully and with integrity in interactions with landowners, partners, and the environment
Competencies – What we’re looking for
- Geoscience aptitude: You have a solid foundation in geology and geothermal system fundamentals and can explain how a gravity, magnetic, MT, or seismic measurement connects to what is happening in the subsurface. Hands-on experience running and analyzing these methods outside the classroom, through research or professional work, is a strong plus.
- Technical aptitude: You are curious and pick up new software, instruments, and methods quickly. You care about operating equipment correctly and safely, and you help turn what works into standard practice for the team.
- Resiliency: You stay safe, productive, and professional through long field days and multi-week rotations in remote, challenging terrain. Give us an example of how you have handled difficult field conditions or setbacks.
- Collaboration and communication: You work well with geologists, data scientists, land team members, and drilling engineers, and you can clearly communicate data status, issues, and results to people with different technical backgrounds.
- Stewardship: You act with respect and integrity, hold yourself and others to high standards, and represent Zanskar well to colleagues, outside stakeholders, and the environment.
Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Geology, Earth Sciences, Geophysics, or a related field
- Experience independently executing and analyzing field methods such as gravity, magnetics, MT, or seismic through professional or research work outside of a classroom (highly desirable)
- Valid driver's license with no major infractions in the last three years
- Eligible to work in the U.S.
Preferred
- OSHA, MSHA, First Aid, or Wilderness safety training; FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification
- Experience with software such as Oasis Montaj, Geoscience Analyst, UgCS, Mission Planner, Leapfrog, or open-source equivalents; GIS proficiency with strong map and figure creation skills
- Basic Python coding and data cleaning
Location and Benefits
- The position is based out of our headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Paid holidays
- 18 days PTO + PTO accrual increase based on tenure
- Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
- Short and Long Term Disability and Group Life Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401k
- Stock options
- Growth opportunities at a company with a direct impact in displacing carbon emissions
Equal Opportunity Employer
Zanskar is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practice laws.
Role Overview
Title: Geophysical Technician
Hours: Full-time; Hourly
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Manager: Field Data Acquisition Manager
Mission – Why we exist and why we need you
Geothermal energy is the most abundant renewable energy source in the world. There is 2,300 times more energy in geothermal heat in the ground than in oil, gas, coal, and methane combined. However, historically it’s been hard to find and expensive to develop. At Zanskar, we’re using better technology to find and develop new geothermal resources in order to make geothermal a cheap and vital contributor to a carbon-free electrical grid.
Field data is the foundation of every decision we make, from where we explore to where we drill. The Geophysical Technician collects, processes, and delivers the high-quality gravity, magnetic, MT, and seismic data that lets Zanskar find and de-risk new geothermal resources faster and at lower cost.
Outcomes – Problems you’ll solve
Within six months, you will be a trusted member of a field crew, safely and independently carrying out survey operations across the Western United States. You will deliver clean, well-documented datasets that geologists, data scientists, and drilling engineers can use right away. You will also be contributing ideas that make our acquisition and processing workflows more consistent, efficient, and repeatable.
- Plan, execute, and document field geophysical surveys, including gravity, magnetics, MT, and seismic, in line with Zanskar's best practices
- Operate, calibrate, and maintain field instruments and equipment to ensure data quality and extend equipment life
- Process and quality-check field data in the field and in the office, and deliver well-organized data products on schedule
- Collaborate with project geologists, data scientists, land team, and drilling engineers to align survey design and deliverables with exploration and drilling decisions
- Maintain safety, productivity, and professionalism during 14-day field rotations in remote desert and mountain environments
- Operate company vehicles safely and manage field logistics, including site access, equipment transport, and daily reporting
- Identify and test improvements to existing acquisition and processing methods and help learn and deploy new methods in house to increase discovery rates
- Contribute to after-action reviews by capturing lessons learned and updating standard operating procedures
- Represent Zanskar respectfully and with integrity in interactions with landowners, partners, and the environment
Competencies – What we’re looking for
- Geoscience aptitude: You have a solid foundation in geology and geothermal system fundamentals and can explain how a gravity, magnetic, MT, or seismic measurement connects to what is happening in the subsurface. Hands-on experience running and analyzing these methods outside the classroom, through research or professional work, is a strong plus.
- Technical aptitude: You are curious and pick up new software, instruments, and methods quickly. You care about operating equipment correctly and safely, and you help turn what works into standard practice for the team.
- Resiliency: You stay safe, productive, and professional through long field days and multi-week rotations in remote, challenging terrain. Give us an example of how you have handled difficult field conditions or setbacks.
- Collaboration and communication: You work well with geologists, data scientists, land team members, and drilling engineers, and you can clearly communicate data status, issues, and results to people with different technical backgrounds.
- Stewardship: You act with respect and integrity, hold yourself and others to high standards, and represent Zanskar well to colleagues, outside stakeholders, and the environment.
Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Geology, Earth Sciences, Geophysics, or a related field
- Experience independently executing and analyzing field methods such as gravity, magnetics, MT, or seismic through professional or research work outside of a classroom (highly desirable)
- Valid driver's license with no major infractions in the last three years
- Eligible to work in the U.S.
Preferred
- OSHA, MSHA, First Aid, or Wilderness safety training; FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification
- Experience with software such as Oasis Montaj, Geoscience Analyst, UgCS, Mission Planner, Leapfrog, or open-source equivalents; GIS proficiency with strong map and figure creation skills
- Basic Python coding and data cleaning
Location and Benefits
- The position is based out of our headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah
- Paid holidays
- 18 days PTO + PTO accrual increase based on tenure
- Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
- Short and Long Term Disability and Group Life Insurance
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401k
- Stock options
- Growth opportunities at a company with a direct impact in displacing carbon emissions
Equal Opportunity Employer
Zanskar is an equal-opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practice laws.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Utah
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Utah
Verify your role qualifies before applying
Check your target job title against O*NET to confirm it falls under a USCIS-designated STEM field. Many Utah roles in cybersecurity, biotech, and engineering are listed under qualifying STEM degree classifications, but generic titles like 'analyst' can fall outside the approved list.
Target Silicon Slopes employers early
Companies in the Lehi-Provo tech corridor, including software, SaaS, and fintech firms, have high concentrations of F-1 OPT employees. Reach out before your current OPT authorization expires, since the 24-month STEM extension requires a new I-983 training plan and employer E-Verify enrollment.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
STEM OPT extensions are only valid with an E-Verify-enrolled employer. Ask HR to confirm enrollment before you sign. Utah's defense contractors near Ogden and Salt Lake City are almost always enrolled, but smaller startups in the corridor may not be.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified STEM OPT sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to filter Utah employers by DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you're targeting companies that have sponsored F-1 workers before rather than cold-applying to employers unfamiliar with the process.
Align your I-983 training plan with your job duties
Your DSO and employer must co-sign a training plan that directly connects your role to your STEM degree. Utah life sciences employers in Salt Lake City often expect candidates to draft an initial plan themselves, so map your specific research or engineering duties to your degree field before your first HR conversation.
File the STEM extension well before your OPT expires
USCIS recommends filing at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Utah universities' DSO offices often see delays in I-20 updates during peak graduation seasons, so start the documentation process earlier than you think necessary to avoid gaps in work authorization.
See all 276+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Utah
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Utah: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Utah sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Software development, cybersecurity, and financial technology along the Silicon Slopes corridor in Lehi and Provo account for a large share of F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Utah. Life sciences and medical device companies in Salt Lake City are also active sponsors, as are defense and aerospace contractors concentrated near Ogden and Hill Air Force Base.
Which cities in Utah have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Salt Lake City has the broadest concentration of STEM OPT roles across tech, healthcare IT, and life sciences. Lehi and Provo form the Silicon Slopes cluster, which is densely populated with software and SaaS companies that regularly hire F-1 OPT workers. Ogden has a smaller but active defense and advanced manufacturing segment worth targeting.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Utah?
Qualifying roles are tied to USCIS-designated STEM STEM degree classifications rather than job titles alone. In Utah, software engineers, data scientists, electrical engineers, biomedical researchers, cybersecurity analysts, and clinical data managers commonly qualify. Cross-check any role against O*NET to confirm the STEM degree classification appears on the official STEM OPT designated degree program list before applying.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Utah?
Migrate Mate lets you search Utah employers filtered by DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can identify companies that have actively sponsored F-1 workers rather than guessing at employer willingness. Pair that search with direct outreach to Utah Valley University, the University of Utah, and BYU career centers, which maintain relationships with Silicon Slopes employers already familiar with STEM OPT requirements.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Utah?
Utah does not impose additional state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal rules, but the state's high concentration of federal contractors means E-Verify enrollment is more common here than in many other states, which works in your favor for STEM OPT eligibility. Be aware that some smaller Utah startups in the early-stage tech ecosystem may not yet be E-Verify enrolled, so confirming enrollment status before accepting an offer is especially important in this market.