OPT Commissioning Engineer Jobs
Commissioning Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in energy, construction, and industrial automation regularly hire and sponsor engineers at this level.
Find OPT Commissioning Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 154+ Commissioning Engineer jobs










See all 154+ Commissioning Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Commissioning Engineer roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
At Midrex, you will do work that matters alongside people who believe you matter. The work won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. You’ll be part of a great team with plenty of autonomy to bring out your best. And you’ll be well compensated and have a best-in-class benefits package. Take a look:
- Competitive benefits effective from Day 1
- Dollar-for-dollar 401(k) matching (up to 6%)
- Profit sharing with 401(k) kicker
- Generous overtime for qualified positions
- 4 weeks of paid vacation
- Tuition reimbursement
- Raffles for professional sports tickets
- Half-day Fridays
- Flexible home/office work practices
- Paid time to volunteer
- Employee recognition awards
Since 1987, Midrex has been the world leader in direct reduction technology, offering the best proven method for decarbonization in the iron and steel industry available today. Our rapid growth is transforming the steel industry and our planet. And none of it would be possible without our people, who bring vision, compassion, and extraordinary expertise to this work every day. So, if you’re looking to do big work in a small-team environment, Midrex is just the place for you.
Position Summary:
The Panel Operator will work closely with the Shift Supervisor/Coordinator to provide direction and received feedback from Field Operators in the performance of routine and non-routine tasks according to the instruction. Panel operators will control process parameters and make adjustments based on operating conditions and instruction from the Operations Commissioning Lead, Shift Supervisor or Chief – Operations, as well as performing check-out of equipment during the commissioning phases both in the control room and in the field.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
- N/A
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Interface with engineers inside and outside of Midrex main office to accomplish the assigned project.
- Assist with the development of training programs for client operations personnel. This includes preparation of training manuals, aids, and lesson plans for the program.
- Assist with the preparation of operating instructions, maintenance manuals, commissioning procedures, and other operating literature.
- Participate in conducting training programs by assisting in on-the-job training as well as formal classroom lectures on plant systems.
- Perform pre-operations activities, such as checking and testing the electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation systems prior to startup of a new plant.
- Participate in the initial phase of operations during the startup of a new plant.
- Adjust process parameters within the plant control system to optimize plant performance during commissioning.
- Monitor and provide guidance for process parameter changes during handover to clients team.
- Maintain logs electronically and written of plant conditions to enable transitions between shifts.
- Travel on business trips and/or field assignments as required to carry out assigned tasks.
- Provide assistance to mechanical, electrical, and/or process departments during design phase, as required.
- Work as a team player with company departments and teammates on multiple assignments.
Skills/Abilities:
Required:
- Previous experience with Microsoft Products including Word and Excel.
- Previous experience working with a team.
- Ability to effectively communicate information to client personnel and other team members.
- Ability to interpret process and basic mechanical and electrical drawings.
- Must be willing to work overtime as business needs require.
- Ability to work different shifts when required.
- Demonstrated ability to problem solve with creative thinking.
Preferred:
- Previous experience in production operations such as steel, chemical, mining and mineral processing.
- Control Room Operations.
- Bilingual – preferably in Spanish or Arabic.
- Experience in training others.
Education and Experience:
- Associates degree.
- Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited University - preferred.
- Trade Certification – Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation - preferred.
Travel Requirements:
- Up to 90% International and Domestic travel, often in a continuous period of up to six (6) continuous months or longer.
Physical Requirements:
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Physical ability to move around plant sites and climb ladders and stairs.
- Work within hot and cold environments ie. Middle East and/or Europe.
Other Duties:
Please note this position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Midrex is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable laws. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Midrex will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the People and Culture department.
See all 154+ OPT Commissioning Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Commissioning Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Commissioning Engineer
Target STEM-designated roles from day one
Commissioning Engineer positions typically fall under STEM OPT when your degree is in engineering or a related technical field. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can present your 36-month eligibility confidently to employers.
Focus on industries with established sponsorship pipelines
Energy, oil and gas, industrial automation, and building systems integration regularly hire commissioning engineers and have experience sponsoring H-1B visas. Targeting these sectors improves your chances of finding employers familiar with the OPT-to-H-1B transition process.
Highlight field-specific technical certifications
Certifications like NICET, PMP, or vendor-specific controls training signal readiness to contribute immediately on job sites. Employers are more willing to navigate OPT paperwork when a candidate reduces their onboarding burden with verifiable technical credentials.
Address travel requirements and OPT proactively
Commissioning roles often involve extended site travel. Clarify early that your OPT authorization travels with you across U.S. project sites. Employers unfamiliar with OPT sometimes assume multi-site work creates compliance issues, and correcting that assumption removes a common objection.
File your OPT extension application well before your current authorization expires
USCIS processing for a STEM OPT extension can take several months. Submit your application at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date to protect your ability to keep working without a gap during active project assignments.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly commissioning roles
Most general job boards don't filter for OPT sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 students, so you can browse Commissioning Engineer roles where employers are already open to candidates on work authorization.
Commissioning Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Commissioning Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most Commissioning Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in mechanical, electrical, systems, or a related engineering field. The key is that both your degree's CIP code and the job itself must align with a STEM-designated field. Confirm eligibility with your DSO before accepting an offer, since the employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor a STEM OPT extension.
How does site-based travel affect my OPT status?
Your OPT work authorization covers employment anywhere in the United States, so traveling between project sites or working at client facilities doesn't affect your status. What matters is that your employer remains the same and your job duties stay consistent with what's listed on your EAD and OPT application. If you're changing employers or taking on a substantially different role mid-project, notify your DSO and update your SEVIS record promptly.
Are Commissioning Engineer employers familiar with OPT sponsorship?
Familiarity varies by employer size and industry. Large engineering firms in energy, utilities, and industrial automation regularly hire OPT candidates and understand the H-1B transition process. Smaller contractors or regional firms may have less experience. When you find a promising employer, ask directly during the interview whether they've sponsored OPT workers before and whether they have an immigration counsel on retainer. Migrate Mate surfaces roles from employers already open to candidates on work authorization.
What documentation do I need to start work as a Commissioning Engineer on OPT?
You'll need your valid EAD card, a copy of your I-20 with the OPT authorization page signed by your DSO, and your unexpired passport. Your employer will complete Form I-9 on or before your first day using these documents. For STEM OPT extensions, you'll also need a signed Form I-983 training plan in place before the extension period begins. Keep copies of all documents in case of an E-Verify query or worksite audit.
Can I work as a contractor or on project-based contracts during OPT?
Yes, but the structure matters. OPT allows contract and project-based work as long as you have a bona fide employer-employee relationship with the company sponsoring your OPT. Third-party staffing arrangements are permitted, but for STEM OPT, the employer of record must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign your I-983 training plan. Independent self-employment, where you are your own employer, is not permitted under OPT regulations.