Energy STEM OPT Jobs in Washington
F-1 STEM OPT energy jobs in Washington draw candidates to utilities like Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light, clean-tech firms in Seattle and Bellevue, and federal energy contractors near Richland supporting the Hanford site. Washington's hydroelectric grid, offshore wind pipeline, and growing hydrogen sector create consistent demand for engineers, analysts, and scientists who qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extensions.
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INTRODUCTION
Puget Sound Energy is looking to grow our community with top talented individuals like you! With our rapidly growing, award winning energy efficiency programs, our pathway to an exciting and innovative future is now.
PSE's Customer & System Projects team is looking for qualified candidates to fill an open Engineer II - Public Improvement South position!
Specific details regarding the work arrangements for this position will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.
Job Description
Please note that the Senior Engineer - Public Improvement South (6642) & Engineer III - Public Improvement South (6643) & Engineer II - Public Improvement South (6644) & Engineer I - Public Improvement South (6645) are linked job postings for one opening. Please apply to the role that best matches your qualifications.
The South Regional Public Improvement Team at PSE partners with local jurisdictions to support project development and help navigate impacts to PSE facilities. When necessary, the team coordinates the relocation of PSE facilities to accommodate project requirements. Our team consists of project managers, engineers, and engineering specialists who work collaboratively to support jurisdictions and deliver successful project outcomes.
Under minimal supervision of more experienced staff, an Engineer prepares engineering plans, designs, specifications, standards, cost estimates, system studies, and other such evaluations. The engineer also works on project teams to support the successful completion of projects designed to reinforce the energy delivery or power generation systems. Work on assignments is also performed with the goal of growing the engineers’ technical and managerial knowledge about PSE processes and systems. Supports emergency response operations when needed.
All PSE employees are expected to uphold the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities and promote and support a culture of total safety. Additionally, employees need to demonstrate commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. All duties are to be performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.
This job is considered “safety sensitive” as defined in RCW 49.44.240 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening that includes screening for the presence of marijuana and marijuana metabolites.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Works on projects that are often composed of many interrelated elements.
- Interprets requirements and application of company and industry standards, guidelines, and methods.
- Applies engineering principles, practices, theories.
- Creates and reviews cost estimates, and provides economic analysis for project alternatives.
- Plans and develops project budgets with appropriate documentation.
- Identifies potential areas of weakness with assigned work, and initiates corrective action.
- Ensures compliance with codes, standards, and design requirements.
- Supports emergency response work as requested including immediate and extended restoration efforts driven by weather and other system failures.
- May coordinate the work of engineering assistants, technicians, or others who assist in specific assignments (including contractors/consultants).
- This position will be duel fuel (both electric and gas).
- Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science degree or PE license in electrical, mechanical, civil or other appropriate engineering field. A PE license may qualify in lieu of a degree.
- Experience in planning, design, specification preparation, technical field work, project cost estimating and scheduling (typically achieved after three (3) or more years practice as a degreed engineer). Years of acquired experience is provided as a guide and alone does not constitute readiness for job level as individual’s skill acquisition rates can vary significantly.
- Organization, documentation, prioritization, and project management skills.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience working with both internal and external customers on projects.
- Familiar with codes and equipment utilized in the design and operation of utility systems.
- Experience with coordinating external consultants in the execution of a project.
- Possession of EIT certificate and ability to acquire PE license.
- Knowledge of engineering economics and utility accounting practices.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
At PSE, we value our employees and provide them with opportunities to excel. We offer a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. To learn more about why PSE is a great place to work, see our Employee Value Proposition, which highlights our commitment to employee growth, work-life balance, and meaningful career opportunities in the energy sector.
The pay range for this position is $82,000.00 - $136,300.00, and this position is eligible for annual goals based incentive bonuses.
PSE offers a suite of benefits to our employees. Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance. There are additional voluntary options of supplemental life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent daycare, and an Employee assistance program (EAP). For long term savings, PSE offers a 401(k) investment option and a cash balance retirement plan. Employees will also receive Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays throughout the calendar year. Detailed benefit overviews can be found on our Career page - Why Work For Us (pse.com).
Families and businesses depend on PSE to provide the energy they need to pursue their dreams. Our steadfast commitment to serving Washington communities with safe, dependable and efficient energy started in 1873. Today we're building the Northwest's energy future through efforts like our award winning energy efficiency programs and our leadership in renewable energy.
Puget Sound Energy is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status or presence of a disability that with or without reasonable accommodation does not prevent performance of the essential functions of the job, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law.
Should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Staffing department at jobs@pse.com or 425-462-3017.
STEM OPT Energy Job Roles in Washington
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Search Energy Jobs in WashingtonEnergy STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
Which energy companies in Washington sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Washington utilities and energy firms with documented STEM OPT hiring include Puget Sound Energy, Seattle City Light, Avista Corporation, and Pacific Power. Federal contractors operating near the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Richland, such as BWXT and Amentum, also regularly file for STEM OPT workers. Clean-energy developers active in the state's offshore wind and solar sectors have similarly expanded sponsorship activity in recent years.
Which cities in Washington have the most energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Seattle and Bellevue concentrate the largest share of clean-energy startups, grid-technology firms, and corporate sustainability teams, making the Puget Sound corridor the primary hiring hub. Richland and the Tri-Cities area in eastern Washington support a dense cluster of nuclear-energy and Department of Energy contractor roles. Spokane is a secondary market, anchored by Avista's operations and regional utility infrastructure projects.
How do I find energy F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Washington?
Migrate Mate lets you filter job listings specifically by visa type and industry, so you can search for energy roles in Washington that have verified F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history. Because STEM OPT requires the employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and the role to fall under a qualifying STEM-designated CIP code, filtering by confirmed sponsorship activity on Migrate Mate narrows results to employers already set up to hire STEM OPT candidates.
What types of energy roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Washington?
Roles that qualify must appear on the STEM-designated CIP code list and involve a degree in a STEM field. In Washington's energy sector, qualifying positions commonly include electrical engineer, power systems analyst, environmental engineer, nuclear engineer, data scientist for grid operations, and software engineer working on energy management systems. O*NET occupation profiles can help confirm whether a specific job title aligns with a STEM-designated degree field recognized by SEVP.
Are there Washington-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in the energy sector?
Washington's energy mix is dominated by hydroelectric power, which means many employer roles involve grid integration and water-resource engineering, disciplines that map cleanly onto STEM-eligible degrees. Employers on federal Department of Energy sites near Richland may require security clearances, which can affect eligibility timelines for some international candidates. Washington also has active state-level clean-energy hiring incentives that encourage utilities and developers to expand technical workforces, supporting broader STEM OPT sponsorship activity.