STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and policy-focused tech firms makes it one of the strongest markets for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship. Government IT, data science, cybersecurity, and health informatics roles dominate hiring across DC, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland.
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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
Pay: The hourly rate for this position is between $35.00-$50.00 per hour. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
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:
- Must be able to drive daily locally/regionally and be available for periodic overnight travel.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 electrical work.
- 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 associate’s degree in electrical/Electronic technology, or Military experience preferred.
- 2 – 4 Years Relevant Industry Experience.
- NETA II Certified preferred.
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.
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
Pay: The hourly rate for this position is between $35.00-$50.00 per hour. Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include geography/market, skills, education, experience, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.
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:
- Must be able to drive daily locally/regionally and be available for periodic overnight travel.
- 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 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.
- 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.
- 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 electrical work.
- 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 associate’s degree in electrical/Electronic technology, or Military experience preferred.
- 2 – 4 Years Relevant Industry Experience.
- NETA II Certified preferred.
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.
Search F-1 STEM OPT Jobs by Industry in Washington DC
Tips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC
Confirm your degree qualifies under STEM OPT
Cross-reference your degree's CIP code against the official STEM Designated Degree Program list maintained by USCIS. DC employers in policy analytics and federal IT often post roles that attract STEM OPT candidates, so confirming eligibility before applying saves you from late-stage complications.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers first
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. In the DC metro, most federal contractors and large consulting firms already comply, but smaller policy shops and nonprofits often don't. Filter your search to E-Verify participants from the start.
Use Migrate Mate to identify active DC sponsors
Search Migrate Mate's employer database to see which DC-area companies have filed LCAs for STEM-related roles. This lets you skip firms with no sponsorship history and focus outreach on organizations that already know the process.
Negotiate your start date around the 90-day OPT window
Your STEM OPT extension application must be filed while your initial OPT is still active, ideally 90 days before expiration. When negotiating offer timing with DC employers, build that filing window into your proposed start date so your DSO can submit the I-983 without rushing.
See all 137+ F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Washington DC
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Get Access To All JobsF-1 STEM OPT Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Washington DC sponsor the most F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Federal IT contracting, cybersecurity, data science, and health informatics lead F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington DC. Defense contractors and technology consultancies operating across DC, Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland are especially active, given their existing E-Verify enrollment and familiarity with government compliance requirements that overlap with STEM OPT obligations.
Which cities in Washington DC have the most F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The District itself, along with the Northern Virginia corridor (Arlington, Tysons, Reston) and suburban Maryland (Bethesda, Silver Spring, Rockville), concentrates the highest density of STEM OPT-eligible employers. Many federal agencies and their contractors cluster in these areas, creating significant demand for data, engineering, and cybersecurity talent.
What types of roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington DC?
Roles in software engineering, data analysis, cybersecurity, systems architecture, bioinformatics, and policy analytics backed by a STEM degree commonly qualify. In the DC market, hybrid roles blending technical skills with policy or regulatory work can qualify if the underlying position maps to a STEM-eligible STEM degree classification, which you can verify using O*NET.
How do I find F-1 STEM OPT jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate lets you filter employers by LCA filing history and E-Verify status, which are the two non-negotiable requirements for STEM OPT sponsorship. Targeting companies already in the DOL system eliminates the most common reason DC employers decline STEM OPT candidates: unfamiliarity with the training plan and E-Verify enrollment process.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington DC?
Washington DC is not a state, so there are no state-level licensing boards or jurisdiction-specific employer requirements that affect STEM OPT eligibility. However, many DC employers hold federal security clearances, and initiating a clearance investigation while on OPT can complicate timelines. Confirm with your employer whether the role requires clearance before accepting an offer.