Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Washington

Washington's biotech and pharma sector runs deep, anchored by companies like Amgen, Adaptive Biotechnologies, and Seagen's Pfizer-acquired operations across Seattle and Bothell. F-1 students on STEM OPT will find qualifying roles in research, bioanalysis, regulatory affairs, and process development at employers with active sponsorship track records in the state.

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Overview

Open Jobs22+
Work Type73% On-site
Top LocationSeattle, WA
Most JobsALLEN INSTITUTE

Showing 5 of 22+ Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Washington

ALLEN INSTITUTE
Software Engineer III
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ALLEN INSTITUTE
Added 1w ago
Software Engineer III
ALLEN INSTITUTE
Seattle, Washington
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Cloud & DevOps
Backend Engineering
DevOps
$147k - $183k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
51-200

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Immunome, Inc.
Principal Scientist, Analytical Development and QC, Small Molecule
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Immunome, Inc.
Added 2w ago
Principal Scientist, Analytical Development and QC, Small Molecule
Immunome, Inc.
Bothell, Washington
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Quality Control
Healthcare Administration
$196k/yr
On-Site
Doctorate

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AbbVie
Clinical Research Associate II
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AbbVie
Added 3w ago
Clinical Research Associate II
AbbVie
Seattle, Washington
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Healthcare Administration
Medical Specialists
Clinical Trials
$85k - $162k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Systimmune
Research Associate I/II
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Systimmune
Added 1mo ago
Research Associate I/II
Systimmune
Bothell, Washington
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Clinical Trials
$60k - $80k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Bristol Myers Squibb
Engineer, IT Shared Services
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Bristol Myers Squibb
Added 1mo ago
Engineer, IT Shared Services
Bristol Myers Squibb
Bothell, Washington
IT Support & Systems Administration
Cybersecurity
Technical Product & Program Management
IT Support
$84k - $101k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Washington

Clinical Trials & Medical Research8 jobs
Clinical Trials7 jobs
Laboratory Research7 jobs
Biotech & Life Sciences7 jobs
Data Science6 jobs
Data Science & Analytics6 jobs
Healthcare Administration6 jobs
Software Engineering3 jobs
ML (Machine Learning)3 jobs
AI (Artificial Intelligence)3 jobs

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Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions

Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Washington?

Washington has a concentration of biotech and pharma employers with documented STEM OPT sponsorship activity, including Amgen's Seattle operations, Adaptive Biotechnologies, Nuvation Bio, and contract research organizations like Covance and ICON. Large pharma presence in Bothell and Redmond also contributes to sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship is never guaranteed, and each employer's willingness to support STEM OPT extensions varies by role, department, and hiring cycle.

Which cities in Washington have the most biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?

Seattle is the primary hub, home to the South Lake Union life sciences corridor where numerous biotech firms and research institutions cluster. Bothell hosts a significant pharma manufacturing presence, while Redmond and Kirkland attract biotech startups and mid-size companies. Tacoma and the broader Puget Sound area also have pharma-adjacent employers. Most STEM OPT sponsorship activity in Washington is concentrated in the greater Seattle metropolitan region.

What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington?

Roles that qualify for STEM OPT must correspond to a STEM-designated CIP code from your degree program. In biotech and pharma, this commonly includes positions in bioinformatics, computational biology, process development, analytical chemistry, regulatory affairs with scientific components, quality control, and research associate positions. O*NET occupation profiles can help verify whether a specific job title aligns with a qualifying STEM category. Your DSO must confirm the match before your extension is approved.

How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters biotech and pharma listings in Washington by employers with F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history, so you're not sifting through roles at companies that don't sponsor. Search by location and industry to surface active openings in Seattle, Bothell, and surrounding areas. Verifying an employer's Labor Condition Application history through OFLC Wage Search can also confirm whether a company has previously filed for international workers in similar roles.

Are there any Washington-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in biotech and pharma?

Washington does not impose state-level visa or work authorization requirements beyond federal STEM OPT rules, but the state's life sciences sector is research-intensive and many roles require lab clearances or involvement with federally regulated biologics, which can affect sponsorship timelines. Washington employers in pharma manufacturing are often subject to FDA oversight, so regulatory compliance roles may have additional hiring criteria. Working with a DSO familiar with STEM OPT requirements in research-heavy environments is advisable before accepting an offer.