STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
Virginia's F-1 STEM OPT job market runs deep across Northern Virginia's defense and tech corridor, the Richmond biotech cluster, and Hampton Roads engineering hubs. Federal contractors, cybersecurity firms, and life sciences employers routinely file STEM OPT extensions, making it one of the most active sponsorship states on the East Coast.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Field Technician II
About the Company
Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering organization specializing in electrical acceptance testing, commissioning, and maintenance for clients across Data Centers, Utility, Generation, Renewables, Transit, Industrial and Commercial Facilities throughout North America. We are committed to safety, technical expertise, and setting the standard of excellence in the power industry.
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Perks:
- Competitive Pay
- Talent Development – Instructor-Led Technical Courses and Online Learning
- Career Path Planning
- Incentives for Professional Certifications
- Competitive Per Diem for Travel
- Referral Bonuses
- Tuition Reimbursement
Position Summary:
The Field Technician II will inspect, test, and maintain High, Medium, and Low electrical power equipment. Technicians will work with electrical equipment, such as SF6 & vacuum circuit breakers, pad mount transformers/GSU transformers, grounding, instrument transformers, and variance of switches both manual and motor operated. Technicians will implement safety policies.
Responsibilities:
- Performing entry level testing of High, Medium, and Low electrical power equipment without the need for direct assistance while still working with Sr Technicians.
- Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel in order to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and determine optimum equipment functioning.
- Prepare and maintain reports detailing all tests, repairs, and maintenance performed.
- Troubleshoot, repair, replace, and clean equipment and components.
Qualifications:
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Able to pass a pre-employment drug screen due to this being a safety sensitive position.
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check.
- Able to work overtime and travel out of town for periods of time.
- Must have a valid driver's license and currently have and be able to maintain a good driving record.
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with the following:
+ Voltage Verification
+ Contact Resistance
+ Insulation Resistance
+ Test Equipment Set Up
+ Read and Understand One-Line Drawings
+ Understand equipment identification and hazards associated with them
+ Need to understand practical application of electrical theory and hazards;
- LOTO / Arc Flash / Grounding
- Reading Electrical Schematics
- Test most apparatus without supervision: Breakers, Transformers, CT’s, PT’s, Cables, & Grounding
Education and Experience:
- Bachelors or Associates Degree in Electrical/Electronic technology, or Military experience preferred
- 2 – 4 Years Relevant Industry Experience
- NETA II Certified
Physical Requirements:
- Able to climb ladders, stand for extended periods, able to lift 70 lbs.
EPS is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), political affiliation, military service, national origin, age or any other characteristics protected by state or federal laws. EPS does not work with individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies, and will not recognize claim to any unsolicited resumes or candidate information.
PoweringTheFuture
Job Title: Field Technician II
About the Company
Electric Power Systems (EPS) is a NETA-accredited independent electrical testing and engineering organization specializing in electrical acceptance testing, commissioning, and maintenance for clients across Data Centers, Utility, Generation, Renewables, Transit, Industrial and Commercial Facilities throughout North America. We are committed to safety, technical expertise, and setting the standard of excellence in the power industry.
Benefits:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- 401(k) Savings Plan with Company Match
- Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Perks:
- Competitive Pay
- Talent Development – Instructor-Led Technical Courses and Online Learning
- Career Path Planning
- Incentives for Professional Certifications
- Competitive Per Diem for Travel
- Referral Bonuses
- Tuition Reimbursement
Position Summary:
The Field Technician II will inspect, test, and maintain High, Medium, and Low electrical power equipment. Technicians will work with electrical equipment, such as SF6 & vacuum circuit breakers, pad mount transformers/GSU transformers, grounding, instrument transformers, and variance of switches both manual and motor operated. Technicians will implement safety policies.
Responsibilities:
- Performing entry level testing of High, Medium, and Low electrical power equipment without the need for direct assistance while still working with Sr Technicians.
- Consult manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and engineering personnel in order to troubleshoot and solve equipment problems and determine optimum equipment functioning.
- Prepare and maintain reports detailing all tests, repairs, and maintenance performed.
- Troubleshoot, repair, replace, and clean equipment and components.
Qualifications:
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Able to pass a pre-employment drug screen due to this being a safety sensitive position.
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check.
- Able to work overtime and travel out of town for periods of time.
- Must have a valid driver's license and currently have and be able to maintain a good driving record.
Preferred Skills/Abilities:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience with the following:
+ Voltage Verification
+ Contact Resistance
+ Insulation Resistance
+ Test Equipment Set Up
+ Read and Understand One-Line Drawings
+ Understand equipment identification and hazards associated with them
+ Need to understand practical application of electrical theory and hazards;
- LOTO / Arc Flash / Grounding
- Reading Electrical Schematics
- Test most apparatus without supervision: Breakers, Transformers, CT’s, PT’s, Cables, & Grounding
Education and Experience:
- Bachelors or Associates Degree in Electrical/Electronic technology, or Military experience preferred
- 2 – 4 Years Relevant Industry Experience
- NETA II Certified
Physical Requirements:
- Able to climb ladders, stand for extended periods, able to lift 70 lbs.
EPS is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, disability, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), political affiliation, military service, national origin, age or any other characteristics protected by state or federal laws. EPS does not work with individual recruiters or third party recruiting agencies, and will not recognize claim to any unsolicited resumes or candidate information.
PoweringTheFuture
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Virginia
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia
Confirm your role qualifies under STEM OPT
Cross-check your job title against O*NET occupation codes before accepting an offer. Virginia defense and IT contractors sometimes post hybrid management roles that blur engineering duties enough to disqualify the position from STEM OPT extension eligibility.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers first
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. In Virginia, federal contractors in the Northern Virginia corridor are often already enrolled due to FAR clause requirements, so prioritizing those employers cuts one compliance step from the process.
Use Migrate Mate to filter verified STEM OPT sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to surface Virginia employers with confirmed STEM OPT filing history. This narrows your outreach to companies that have already navigated the I-983 training plan process, saving time compared to cold-targeting firms with no prior STEM OPT experience.
Start the extension filing 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS must receive your STEM OPT extension application before your current EAD expires. Northern Virginia's dense contractor market creates seasonal hiring surges that slow employer HR sign-off on the I-983, so build in at least three weeks of internal lead time beyond the 90-day window.
See all 761+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Virginia.
Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Virginia sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Cybersecurity and defense IT firms concentrated in Northern Virginia's Dulles and Tysons corridor account for a large share of Virginia's STEM OPT filings. Federal contracting companies, cloud infrastructure providers, biomedical research employers in the Richmond area, and engineering consultancies supporting Hampton Roads naval facilities are also consistent sponsors.
Which cities in Virginia have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, specifically Reston, McLean, Herndon, and Arlington, hosts the highest concentration of STEM OPT roles due to proximity to federal agencies and major defense contractors. Richmond has a growing biotech and data analytics cluster, and Virginia Beach and Norfolk offer engineering and logistics roles connected to military and maritime industries.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Virginia?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated STEM degree classification and require a degree in a STEM field directly related to the position. In Virginia, software engineers, data scientists, cybersecurity analysts, biomedical engineers, systems engineers, and network architects are among the most common qualifying titles. O*NET can help confirm whether a specific occupation code appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate surfaces Virginia employers with verified STEM OPT filing history, so you can focus outreach on companies that have already completed the I-983 training plan process and E-Verify enrollment. Filtering by Virginia work location and STEM occupation code gives you a targeted list rather than applying broadly and discovering sponsorship barriers after an offer is extended.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Virginia's heavy federal contracting environment means many employers must comply with E-Verify under FAR clause requirements, which streamlines one STEM OPT prerequisite. However, some smaller subcontractors in the state operate under prime contractor E-Verify accounts rather than their own, which can complicate the USCIS verification step and should be clarified with HR before filing.