Research And Development Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Research and development engineers are strong candidates for H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation, typically requiring a bachelor's degree in engineering, materials science, or a related technical field. Large manufacturers, biotech firms, and defense contractors sponsor regularly. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
APP Engineering, Inc. is a leading original equipment manufacturer of electrical recording equipment for power companies and large industrial plants. Our recording equipment, disturbance monitoring equipment, is installed in transmission line substations, sub transmission substations, distribution substations, and various types of power plants to record bulk electric system voltages, currents, power, and stream power system telemetry. Our product line of instrumentation performs digital fault recording, sequence of event recording, dynamic disturbance recording, synchro phasor streaming, and power quality recording. With a need for innovative recording products and a need to meet power company requested recording and analyzing functions, APP Engineering needs to grow our Research and Development Department.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (RDE)
The RDE position applies broad based knowledge involving theoretical aspects of power generation, transmission, and distribution; digital signal processing; digital electronics and hardware; basic manufacturing processes; computer hardware, design and develop new and improve features for multifunction recording instruments while understanding bulk electric standards developed by IEEE and IEC.
The RDE in this position should be able to design, implement, and code algorithms for digital signal processing, develop and maintain software for interfacing with hardware, and create testing procedures and documentation for new products and features. They should also be able to configure and troubleshoot the platforms used by the software. They should be able to lead and guide a team of engineers.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree in both electrical engineering and computer engineering with a minimum of two years of experience in design and development.
JOB DUTIES
1) The RDE will research, develop, and test design new recording instrumentation that has been identified by senior management and requested by power company protection and control engineers and power quality engineers.
2) The RDE will test, research, develop, and design new recording features for existing products identified by senior management and requested by power company protection and control engineers and power quality engineers.
3) The RDE will test, research, develop, and design improvements for existing products that will increase reliability and allow operation in substation and power plant conditions for a period of 20 years.
4) The RDE will define and oversee industry type testing, in-house and with third party laboratories, which must be passed to install such recording equipment on the bulk electric system.
5) The RDE will ensure these newly developed products can be manufactured in a cost-effective way and will demonstrate such processes to senior management.
6) The RDE will test, design, and implement computer hardware to be used with recording instrumentation.
7) The RDE will test, design, and implement software for network communications and recording, interfacing with hardware to record and analyze signals.
8) The RDE will test and document new features and procedures for installations and deployment of new equipment and improved equipment.
9) The RDE will select and configure operating systems or micro controls or PLC’s that are integral to the operation of the recording and PQ equipment. Such as Windows, Windows Enterprise Iot operating systems, and Linux operating systems.
10) The RDE will test, design, and develop software that analyzes data from our recorders, and such software must be application and web based.
11) The RDE will apply mathematical theories to process incoming data, captured or streamed, by recording instrumentation. This mathematical processing will provide meaningful data and analysis for the engineers and technicians working at power companies to remedy problems with power signals.
12) The RDE will seek to identify scientific trends by attending industry conferences such as the Georgia Tech University, Texas A&M University, and Washington State University protective relaying and fault disturbance analysis conferences to research industry needed instrumentation and trends such as cutting edge 61850 digital substation.
13) The RDE will be programming in C++, C#/.NET, Assembly, and CSHARP.
14) The RDE will interface with APP Engineering customers to explain operational theory and functions of our Disturbance Monitoring Equipment as well as assist with any applicable troubleshooting.
15) The RDE will interface with APP Engineering vendors and contractors.
16) The RDE will communicate with senior level management regarding R&D projects and provide road maps with timelines.
17) The RDE will supervise other engineers and provide technical support and improved manufacturing tools and software for various areas with APP Engineering.
SKILLS
The RDE will have used programming languages of at least C++ and C#. The RDE will have used AutoCAD and circuit board layout software. The RDE will have excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills, deductive reasoning ability, ability to influence and persuade to achieve desired outcomes, ability to multi-task and lead, strong organizational skills, and be proficient with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
COMMENTS
Signing an employment agreement is required. APP Engineering, Inc. is an E-Verify Participant, an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001 Registered Company, and Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- Did you provide a resume and cover letter?
- Do you have experience with ISO 9001?
- Do you have experience with ISO 27001?
- Do you have a PE certificate?
Education
Bachelor's (Required)
Experience
ISO9001/ISO27001: 1 year (Required)
Electrical engineering: 4 years (Required)
LANGUAGE
English (Required)
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Drivers License (Required)
PE Certificate (Preferred)
LOCATION
Indianapolis, IN 46203 (Required)
ABILITY TO COMMUTE
Indianapolis, IN 46203 (Required)
WILLINGNESS TO TRAVEL
25% (Required)
WORK LOCATION: In person
INTRODUCTION
APP Engineering, Inc. is a leading original equipment manufacturer of electrical recording equipment for power companies and large industrial plants. Our recording equipment, disturbance monitoring equipment, is installed in transmission line substations, sub transmission substations, distribution substations, and various types of power plants to record bulk electric system voltages, currents, power, and stream power system telemetry. Our product line of instrumentation performs digital fault recording, sequence of event recording, dynamic disturbance recording, synchro phasor streaming, and power quality recording. With a need for innovative recording products and a need to meet power company requested recording and analyzing functions, APP Engineering needs to grow our Research and Development Department.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ENGINEER (RDE)
The RDE position applies broad based knowledge involving theoretical aspects of power generation, transmission, and distribution; digital signal processing; digital electronics and hardware; basic manufacturing processes; computer hardware, design and develop new and improve features for multifunction recording instruments while understanding bulk electric standards developed by IEEE and IEC.
The RDE in this position should be able to design, implement, and code algorithms for digital signal processing, develop and maintain software for interfacing with hardware, and create testing procedures and documentation for new products and features. They should also be able to configure and troubleshoot the platforms used by the software. They should be able to lead and guide a team of engineers.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Master’s degree in both electrical engineering and computer engineering with a minimum of two years of experience in design and development.
JOB DUTIES
1) The RDE will research, develop, and test design new recording instrumentation that has been identified by senior management and requested by power company protection and control engineers and power quality engineers.
2) The RDE will test, research, develop, and design new recording features for existing products identified by senior management and requested by power company protection and control engineers and power quality engineers.
3) The RDE will test, research, develop, and design improvements for existing products that will increase reliability and allow operation in substation and power plant conditions for a period of 20 years.
4) The RDE will define and oversee industry type testing, in-house and with third party laboratories, which must be passed to install such recording equipment on the bulk electric system.
5) The RDE will ensure these newly developed products can be manufactured in a cost-effective way and will demonstrate such processes to senior management.
6) The RDE will test, design, and implement computer hardware to be used with recording instrumentation.
7) The RDE will test, design, and implement software for network communications and recording, interfacing with hardware to record and analyze signals.
8) The RDE will test and document new features and procedures for installations and deployment of new equipment and improved equipment.
9) The RDE will select and configure operating systems or micro controls or PLC’s that are integral to the operation of the recording and PQ equipment. Such as Windows, Windows Enterprise Iot operating systems, and Linux operating systems.
10) The RDE will test, design, and develop software that analyzes data from our recorders, and such software must be application and web based.
11) The RDE will apply mathematical theories to process incoming data, captured or streamed, by recording instrumentation. This mathematical processing will provide meaningful data and analysis for the engineers and technicians working at power companies to remedy problems with power signals.
12) The RDE will seek to identify scientific trends by attending industry conferences such as the Georgia Tech University, Texas A&M University, and Washington State University protective relaying and fault disturbance analysis conferences to research industry needed instrumentation and trends such as cutting edge 61850 digital substation.
13) The RDE will be programming in C++, C#/.NET, Assembly, and CSHARP.
14) The RDE will interface with APP Engineering customers to explain operational theory and functions of our Disturbance Monitoring Equipment as well as assist with any applicable troubleshooting.
15) The RDE will interface with APP Engineering vendors and contractors.
16) The RDE will communicate with senior level management regarding R&D projects and provide road maps with timelines.
17) The RDE will supervise other engineers and provide technical support and improved manufacturing tools and software for various areas with APP Engineering.
SKILLS
The RDE will have used programming languages of at least C++ and C#. The RDE will have used AutoCAD and circuit board layout software. The RDE will have excellent interpersonal skills, communication skills, deductive reasoning ability, ability to influence and persuade to achieve desired outcomes, ability to multi-task and lead, strong organizational skills, and be proficient with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
COMMENTS
Signing an employment agreement is required. APP Engineering, Inc. is an E-Verify Participant, an ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 27001 Registered Company, and Equal Opportunity Employer.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Application Question(s):
- Did you provide a resume and cover letter?
- Do you have experience with ISO 9001?
- Do you have experience with ISO 27001?
- Do you have a PE certificate?
Education
Bachelor's (Required)
Experience
ISO9001/ISO27001: 1 year (Required)
Electrical engineering: 4 years (Required)
LANGUAGE
English (Required)
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
Drivers License (Required)
PE Certificate (Preferred)
LOCATION
Indianapolis, IN 46203 (Required)
ABILITY TO COMMUTE
Indianapolis, IN 46203 (Required)
WILLINGNESS TO TRAVEL
25% (Required)
WORK LOCATION: In person
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Research And Development Engineer
Target employers with active R&D budgets
Companies with dedicated research divisions file LCAs and H-1B petitions consistently. Defense contractors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and semiconductor firms sponsor R&D engineers at higher rates than general engineering employers. Look for roles with "research" in the job posting title.
Align your degree to the specific R&D discipline
Specialty occupation approval depends on your degree matching the role's technical focus. A mechanical engineering degree supports product R&D; a chemistry degree supports materials research. Mismatched credentials are a common RFE trigger that can delay or derail your petition.
Document your research output before applying
Publications, patents, and conference presentations strengthen your H-1B petition and are essential for an O-1A application. Compile citations, co-author credits, and any awards before your employer files. USCIS weighs demonstrated research contributions heavily for this role category.
Understand the cap-exempt employer pathway
Universities, nonprofit research institutions, and certain government-affiliated labs are exempt from the H-1B lottery. If you're open to academic or institutional R&D roles, these employers can file at any time of year without waiting for the annual selection cycle.
Ask about O-1A eligibility if you have a strong research record
R&D engineers with peer-reviewed publications, patents, or industry awards may qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa. It has no annual cap and no lottery. Employers who know your background can evaluate this pathway alongside the standard H-1B route.
Request premium processing when project timelines are tight
R&D project cycles often have hard start dates tied to funding or product milestones. Premium processing guarantees a USCIS decision within 15 business days. Discuss this with your employer during the offer stage, not after the petition is already filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a research and development engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. R&D engineer roles consistently qualify as specialty occupations because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical discipline such as mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, or electrical engineering. USCIS expects the degree field to correspond directly to the research domain. Roles where any general engineering degree satisfies the requirement can face scrutiny, so job descriptions should specify the technical discipline clearly.
What visa options exist for R&D engineers beyond the H-1B?
The O-1A visa is a strong alternative for engineers with a documented research record, including patents, publications, or industry awards. The L-1B visa applies if you're transferring within a multinational company and have specialized knowledge of proprietary R&D processes. Researchers at universities or nonprofit institutions can also pursue cap-exempt H-1B visa filings, bypassing the lottery entirely. Browse current openings by visa type on Migrate Mate to identify which employers are actively sponsoring.
How does a mismatched degree affect H-1B approval for R&D roles?
A degree outside the specific research domain is one of the most common reasons USCIS issues a Request for Evidence on R&D engineer petitions. If your degree is in a tangentially related field, your employer's attorney should prepare a detailed explanation of the connection. Relevant graduate coursework, certifications, or a master's degree in the target discipline can help bridge the gap. Without that documentation, approval odds drop meaningfully.
Are R&D engineering roles more likely to be sponsored by certain industries?
Yes. The highest concentrations of H-1B LCA filings for R&D engineering roles appear in semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceutical and biotech R&D, aerospace and defense, and automotive systems development. Companies like Intel, Qualcomm, and major pharmaceutical manufacturers file regularly. Startups with venture-backed research programs also sponsor, though their petition volume is lower. Filtering by industry on Migrate Mate makes it easier to identify employers with consistent sponsorship history.
Can an R&D engineer on OPT work for an employer before the H-1B is approved?
Yes, if your OPT authorization is still valid and covers the start date of employment. STEM OPT extensions give eligible graduates up to 24 additional months of work authorization, which is often enough to bridge the gap through the H-1B lottery and approval cycle. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to support a STEM OPT extension. Plan the timeline carefully with your DSO to avoid any gap between OPT expiration and H-1B activation.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Research And Development Engineer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.