OPT Commissioning Manager Jobs
Commissioning Manager jobs on OPT involve overseeing system testing, verification, and handover for construction, energy, or industrial projects. Your 12-month OPT window (up to 24 additional months on STEM OPT) covers full project cycles, making early employer engagement on H-1B visa sponsorship essential.
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JOB OVERVIEW:
Skanska is searching for a dynamic Commissioning Manager. This is a great opportunity to start a career with a company that builds things that matter and values its team. We are proud to share our culture of diversity and inclusion.
Our work makes a clear contribution to society and the environment around us. We build in many different verticals. Whether we are building schools to provide inspiring spaces for learning, roads to connect communities, or hospitals to care for patients, it all contributes to our purpose – we build for a better society.
Skanska's values —Be Better Together, Act Ethically and Transparently, Commit to Customer, and Care for Life—are deeply engrained in how we work, which is why our values support and drive our D&I efforts.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Commissioning Manager leads the CX efforts through all levels (1-5). This individual possesses the technical background and understanding of major Electrical and Mechanical equipment that most construction professionals do not. This includes but is not limited to; Medium and High Voltage Equipment, Sequence of Operations, BAS/BMS/EPMS operating procedures, Load Banking, third Party NETA testing standards, Test and Balance of an HVAC system. Knowledge and management of the CX effort is required in the construction process of a Mission Critical facility, specifically Data Centers. The Commissioning Manager coordinates, schedules and manages equipment vendors, creates and manages CX schedule. Assists QA/QC in pre-energization inspections of equipment. You will work with the EHS and Field Supervision to ensure LOTO practices are communicated and safe. Tracks, communicates and brings to resolution any issues or functional defects of equipment prior and during the CX process. The Commissioning Manager reviews third party test reports and coordinates with third party CX teams. Reviews CX/Load Banking/IR Scanning test reports and drives any open items to closure. Manages 3rd party CX teams while on site.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- 3+ Years experience in all CX Levels (1-5) inspections, testing and commissioning of Electrical/Mechanical systems.
- Has a detailed understanding of MEP system designs and how they integrate to meet the requirements outlined in the Contract Documents and Sequence of Operations.
- 3+ Years experience with Automated Commissioning Management Software.
- Ability to read, review, and interpret technical details of high value MEP equipment.
- Bachelor’s Degree – Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or 8 years equivalent experience plus minimum 7 years prior relevant experience. Experience can be from Military service. Specifically the Navy Nuke or Electrician/HVAC Program.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- We believe that Benefits should connect you to the support you need when it matters most, and should help you care for those who matter most. That’s why we provide an array of options (including medical, dental, and vision insurance plans), expert guidance, and always-on tools, that are personalized to meet the needs of your reality – to help support you physically, financially, and emotionally through the big milestones and in your everyday life. Please visit the compensation and Benefits summary on our careers site for more details.
- As a Skanska community, our values ground us, and our diversity of experience propels us forward. No matter what your career stage, there’s a place for you to thrive here and partner with us in shaping how our world lives, moves, and connects.
- At Skanska, we Care for Life. And we’re committed to supporting your whole health and peace of mind through inclusive and personalized total rewards.
- We’re committed to your success by developing you in your role and supporting your career growth.
- Compensation and financial well-being – Competitive base salary, excellent bonus program, 401k, & Employee ownership program.
Come work with us and join a winning team!
Apply Today for Immediate Consideration!
Background Check Required
Skanska is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, citizenship, protected veteran status, or any other categories protected under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Skanska Equal Employment Opportunity
Skanska uses knowledge & foresight to shape the way people live, work, and connect. More than 135 years in the making, we’re one of the world’s largest construction and project development companies. With operations in select markets throughout the Nordics, Europe, and the United States, global revenue totaled $15.9 billion in 2024.
Skanska in the U.S. operates 28 offices across the country, with its headquarters in New York City. In 2024, the U.S. construction sector generated $8.2 billion in revenue, and the U.S. development sector’s net investments in commercial projects totaled $224 million.
Together with our customers and the collective expertise of our 6,300 teammates in the U.S. and 26,300 globally, we create innovative and sustainable solutions that support healthy living beyond our lifetime.
LOCATION:
Primary Location: US-VA-South Hill
Primary Work Location/Assignment: Onsite
Skanska Business Unit: Skanska USA Building Inc.
Employee Status: Full Time
Telecommute (Used for Career Site): false
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Commissioning Manager
Target engineering-heavy industries first
Oil and gas, renewable energy, and large-scale construction firms hire Commissioning Managers regularly and have established H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. These sectors are more accustomed to visa processes than smaller specialty contractors.
Leverage your STEM OPT extension
A degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. That three-year total window covers two full H-1B lottery cycles, significantly improving your odds of securing long-term sponsorship.
Quantify commissioning experience concretely
Employers and USCIS both need to see specialty occupation evidence. Document the systems you commissioned, team sizes managed, and project values. Specific technical scope strengthens both your application and any future H-1B petition.
Engage the H-1B conversation before accepting offers
Ask directly whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas for engineering managers before. Companies with prior petitions on record have internal processes ready, reducing delays when your OPT authorization approaches its end date.
Pursue professional certifications strategically
Credentials like PMP, CIRO, or NCCER Commissioning certifications demonstrate specialty occupation standing beyond your degree. These strengthen your H-1B petition narrative and differentiate you from candidates without formal commissioning credentials.
Build relationships with project-side decision makers
Hiring decisions for Commissioning Managers often sit with project directors or engineering leads, not HR. Direct relationships with technical stakeholders improve sponsorship conversations because they understand the role's specialized nature firsthand.
Commissioning Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Commissioning Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, Commissioning Manager roles typically qualify as specialty occupations because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering, systems integration, or a related technical discipline. The role involves complex technical judgment, regulatory compliance, and cross-disciplinary coordination that supports the specialty occupation standard. Your employer's attorney will document this when filing the H-1B petition.
Can I work as a Commissioning Manager on OPT without a sponsoring employer immediately lined up?
Yes. OPT authorizes you to work in a role directly related to your field of study without employer sponsorship during the OPT period itself. You must secure employment within 90 days of your OPT start date to avoid accruing unemployment. Browse Commissioning Manager roles on Migrate Mate to find employers actively open to OPT candidates.
Which industries hire the most Commissioning Managers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Energy (oil, gas, and renewables), data center construction, industrial manufacturing, and large infrastructure firms are the most active hirers. These sectors run multi-year capital projects that require dedicated commissioning oversight, making them more willing to invest in visa sponsorship for qualified engineers who can manage full project handover cycles.
How does the 90-day unemployment rule affect Commissioning Managers on OPT between projects?
USCIS counts unemployment days cumulatively across your OPT period, not per employer. If you finish one commissioning project and spend time between contracts, those gaps count toward your 90-day limit. Contract or project-based roles are common in commissioning, so tracking your cumulative gap days carefully is essential to maintaining valid OPT status.
What should I look for in an employer to maximize my H-1B sponsorship chances as a Commissioning Manager?
Prioritize employers with prior H-1B filing history in engineering roles, internal legal or immigration teams, and long project timelines that extend beyond your OPT period. Mid-to-large engineering, energy, or EPC firms are better positioned to sponsor than small specialty contractors. Migrate Mate surfaces employers who have sponsored OPT and visa candidates before, making it easier to focus your search.