OPT Diesel Technician Jobs
Diesel Technician jobs on OPT are available with trucking fleets, equipment dealers, and municipal agencies that regularly sponsor work visas. Your F-1 OPT gives you up to 12 months of work authorization, with a 24-month STEM extension possible if your degree qualifies. Hands-on diagnostic and repair experience strengthens your profile significantly.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Summary:
Technical specialist and primary customer support contact to diagnose and execute complex repairs to engine products at the customer’s site.
Key Responsibilities:
- Establishes and continually develops productive customer relations and ensures prompt and efficient attention to customer needs.
- Applies the use of specialized tools and follows documented procedures and policies to diagnose and complete complex repairs at customer site.
- Performs preventative maintenance activities as per documented schedules and standards on engines and related components in the field.
- Escalates unresolved issues to product specialists or supervisor.
- Coaches and develops technicians and/or apprentices and transfers knowledge and experience to others; may provide work direction; may review repair plans, parts lists, etc.
- Completes required documentation, such as service worksheets, timesheets, warranty claims, quality documents via handwritten forms or business system input screens.
- Identifies additional sales and service opportunities with customer.
- Completes training in line with skill and business requirements.
- Maintains service vehicle and tools for cleanliness and proper operation.
- Ensure adherence to all relevant Health Safety & Environmental policies, procedures and legislation and reports any issues / incidents to site management and to their supervisor.
Competencies:
- Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- Customer focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
- Develops talent - Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals.
- Manages complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Manages conflict - Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
- Self-development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
- Health and Safety Fundamentals - Champions and models proactive health and safety behaviors by identifying, reporting and participating in actions to improve health and safety in order to build an interdependent culture and contribute to an injury-free workplace.
- Diagnostics Application - Translates customer complaints to develop troubleshooting plan; troubleshoots issue following guided workflows, procedures, specialized equipment such as mechanical and electronic service tools, and diagnoses computer software to isolate failed components to enable a successful repair; validates repair by duplicating complaint to ensure it has been resolved; documents results of troubleshooting in business systems to communicate what has been done for payment and historical tracking.
- Electronic Service Tool Application - Identifies the suite of available hardware and software tools required for a service event; utilizes the appropriate electronic tool set to maintain the product or diagnose and troubleshoot an issue; interprets electronic tool results or recommendations to determine next steps for service resolution.
- Engine Systems Interactions - Interprets and analyzes the interactions of internal and external electrical and mechanical systems (exhaust, heating, cooling, fuel systems, driveline, aftertreatment, controls, sensors, etc.) by applying tools, service publications (Cummins, Original Equipment Manufacturer) and taking measurements to efficiently and correctly diagnose and repair.
- Product Repair and Maintenance - Repairs and maintains mechanical/electrical products following guidelines, using required tools within standard repair time to ensure a quality repair; disassembles and assembles engines or power generators following guidelines, using required tools to ensure a clean and organized environment; inspects and replaces parts and components following re-use guidelines to minimize customers cost of ownership; performs progressive damage check following guidelines to restore to pre-failure condition.
- Service Documentation - Creates and verifies customer, equipment and technical information; captures specific data using required service tools; follows procedures and documents required information in the service management system in order to have an accurate record of the work done.
- Technical Escalation - Obtains product technical issue information and utilizes available resources including data management tools; elevates issues to a higher level of expertise, balancing timeliness of customer response with investigation efforts; captures all troubleshooting steps in the appropriate database in order to ensure seamless transitions and accurate response to ticket resolution in a timely manner.
- Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
Education, Licenses, Certifications:
- Apprentice Trained Engine Technician (Preferred)
- Vocational diploma from relevant technical institution
- Locally valid driving permit
- This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience:
- Significant field service work experience
- Expert level knowledge of and/or experience with engine products
- Customer service experience
- Experience providing technical advice and coaching to more junior technicians (preferred)
Key responsibilities include:
- Safety observation
- Customer communication
- Customer service
- Technical communication and escalation to support teams and persons.
- Maintaining shared service vehicle.
- Managing company credit card.
- Commercial travel to job sites by plane. Expect 50% of jobs.
- Verifying unit information including but not limited to Hours/miles on unit, and make and model of unit.
- Understanding of OEM components for access and repairs of the Cummins engine in a variety of engine applications and systems to include automotive, marine, industrial, and power generation. (not looking for an expert on any 1 application, the focus is to maintain a safe and successful repair)
- Tech will be responsible for documenting their time and sending the story and hours on job in a timely manner when clocking in and out is not possible.
Experience:
- Working on Cummins diesel engines in a variety of applications automotive, marine, industrial, power generation.
- Use of Cummins Insite
- Use of Cummins Quickserve Online
- Use of Cumminsparts.com (preferred)
- Ability to operate and test engines in multiple applications and environment within the safety guidelines Cummins provides.
DOT
- A CDL may be required to obtain upon hire
- Federal law requires a CDL holder to be 21 years of age or older
- A current valid license is required for this role
- This role requires a 5 year motor vehicle report, free from major violations
- This role requires applicant to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical
- 3 years driving experience
- This role is subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) driving regulations including Hours of Service and Electronic Log Booking Device use
- Federal law requires operators of commercial vehicles to be 21 years of age or older, applicant must be 21 years of age
Job Service
Organization Cummins Inc.
Role Category On-site with Flexibility
Job Type Technician
Min Salary $34.72
Max Salary $52.01
ReqID 2428681
Relocation Package Yes
100% On-Site No
At Cummins, we are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law. Cummins validates the right to work using E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Visit http://EEOC.gov to know your rights on workplace discrimination.
Job Summary:
Technical specialist and primary customer support contact to diagnose and execute complex repairs to engine products at the customer’s site.
Key Responsibilities:
- Establishes and continually develops productive customer relations and ensures prompt and efficient attention to customer needs.
- Applies the use of specialized tools and follows documented procedures and policies to diagnose and complete complex repairs at customer site.
- Performs preventative maintenance activities as per documented schedules and standards on engines and related components in the field.
- Escalates unresolved issues to product specialists or supervisor.
- Coaches and develops technicians and/or apprentices and transfers knowledge and experience to others; may provide work direction; may review repair plans, parts lists, etc.
- Completes required documentation, such as service worksheets, timesheets, warranty claims, quality documents via handwritten forms or business system input screens.
- Identifies additional sales and service opportunities with customer.
- Completes training in line with skill and business requirements.
- Maintains service vehicle and tools for cleanliness and proper operation.
- Ensure adherence to all relevant Health Safety & Environmental policies, procedures and legislation and reports any issues / incidents to site management and to their supervisor.
Competencies:
- Communicates effectively - Developing and delivering multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
- Customer focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.
- Develops talent - Developing people to meet both their career goals and the organization’s goals.
- Manages complexity - Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
- Manages conflict - Handling conflict situations effectively, with a minimum of noise.
- Self-development - Actively seeking new ways to grow and be challenged using both formal and informal development channels.
- Health and Safety Fundamentals - Champions and models proactive health and safety behaviors by identifying, reporting and participating in actions to improve health and safety in order to build an interdependent culture and contribute to an injury-free workplace.
- Diagnostics Application - Translates customer complaints to develop troubleshooting plan; troubleshoots issue following guided workflows, procedures, specialized equipment such as mechanical and electronic service tools, and diagnoses computer software to isolate failed components to enable a successful repair; validates repair by duplicating complaint to ensure it has been resolved; documents results of troubleshooting in business systems to communicate what has been done for payment and historical tracking.
- Electronic Service Tool Application - Identifies the suite of available hardware and software tools required for a service event; utilizes the appropriate electronic tool set to maintain the product or diagnose and troubleshoot an issue; interprets electronic tool results or recommendations to determine next steps for service resolution.
- Engine Systems Interactions - Interprets and analyzes the interactions of internal and external electrical and mechanical systems (exhaust, heating, cooling, fuel systems, driveline, aftertreatment, controls, sensors, etc.) by applying tools, service publications (Cummins, Original Equipment Manufacturer) and taking measurements to efficiently and correctly diagnose and repair.
- Product Repair and Maintenance - Repairs and maintains mechanical/electrical products following guidelines, using required tools within standard repair time to ensure a quality repair; disassembles and assembles engines or power generators following guidelines, using required tools to ensure a clean and organized environment; inspects and replaces parts and components following re-use guidelines to minimize customers cost of ownership; performs progressive damage check following guidelines to restore to pre-failure condition.
- Service Documentation - Creates and verifies customer, equipment and technical information; captures specific data using required service tools; follows procedures and documents required information in the service management system in order to have an accurate record of the work done.
- Technical Escalation - Obtains product technical issue information and utilizes available resources including data management tools; elevates issues to a higher level of expertise, balancing timeliness of customer response with investigation efforts; captures all troubleshooting steps in the appropriate database in order to ensure seamless transitions and accurate response to ticket resolution in a timely manner.
- Values differences - Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
Education, Licenses, Certifications:
- Apprentice Trained Engine Technician (Preferred)
- Vocational diploma from relevant technical institution
- Locally valid driving permit
- This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
Experience:
- Significant field service work experience
- Expert level knowledge of and/or experience with engine products
- Customer service experience
- Experience providing technical advice and coaching to more junior technicians (preferred)
Key responsibilities include:
- Safety observation
- Customer communication
- Customer service
- Technical communication and escalation to support teams and persons.
- Maintaining shared service vehicle.
- Managing company credit card.
- Commercial travel to job sites by plane. Expect 50% of jobs.
- Verifying unit information including but not limited to Hours/miles on unit, and make and model of unit.
- Understanding of OEM components for access and repairs of the Cummins engine in a variety of engine applications and systems to include automotive, marine, industrial, and power generation. (not looking for an expert on any 1 application, the focus is to maintain a safe and successful repair)
- Tech will be responsible for documenting their time and sending the story and hours on job in a timely manner when clocking in and out is not possible.
Experience:
- Working on Cummins diesel engines in a variety of applications automotive, marine, industrial, power generation.
- Use of Cummins Insite
- Use of Cummins Quickserve Online
- Use of Cumminsparts.com (preferred)
- Ability to operate and test engines in multiple applications and environment within the safety guidelines Cummins provides.
DOT
- A CDL may be required to obtain upon hire
- Federal law requires a CDL holder to be 21 years of age or older
- A current valid license is required for this role
- This role requires a 5 year motor vehicle report, free from major violations
- This role requires applicant to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical
- 3 years driving experience
- This role is subject to Department of Transportation (DOT) driving regulations including Hours of Service and Electronic Log Booking Device use
- Federal law requires operators of commercial vehicles to be 21 years of age or older, applicant must be 21 years of age
Job Service
Organization Cummins Inc.
Role Category On-site with Flexibility
Job Type Technician
Min Salary $34.72
Max Salary $52.01
ReqID 2428681
Relocation Package Yes
100% On-Site No
At Cummins, we are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law. Cummins validates the right to work using E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Visit http://EEOC.gov to know your rights on workplace discrimination.
See all 78+ OPT Diesel Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Diesel Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Diesel Technician
Target fleet operators and dealerships
Large trucking companies, heavy equipment dealers, and construction firms hire diesel technicians at scale and have established HR processes for visa sponsorship. Smaller independent shops rarely have the infrastructure to file H-1B visa petitions or navigate OPT documentation requirements.
Highlight manufacturer certifications
Certifications from Cummins, Detroit Diesel, or Caterpillar signal employer-specific training investment and make sponsorship easier to justify. Employers are more willing to sponsor technicians who hold credentials that take years to earn and are difficult to replace quickly.
Start your OPT job search early
USCIS processing for your EAD card can take several months. Apply for OPT authorization at least 90 days before your program end date so your card arrives before your start date. Late applications leave you unable to work legally even with an offer in hand.
Clarify your STEM extension eligibility
If your degree is in mechanical engineering, automotive technology, or a related STEM field, you may qualify for a 24-month OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO early, as this significantly extends the window employers have to pursue H-1B sponsorship for you.
Address sponsorship directly in interviews
Bring up your OPT status proactively rather than waiting for employers to ask. Explain your authorized work period, the STEM extension if applicable, and the H-1B timeline clearly. Employers unfamiliar with OPT often assume it is more complicated than it actually is.
Focus applications on OPT-friendly employers
Not every diesel shop has sponsored a visa before. Prioritize employers with a documented history of H-1B or OPT hiring. Browse Migrate Mate to find Diesel Technician roles filtered specifically for F-1 OPT students, saving time you would otherwise spend filtering manually.
Diesel Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Diesel Technician on F-1 OPT?
Yes. F-1 OPT authorizes you to work in a job directly related to your field of study. If you earned a degree in diesel technology, mechanical engineering, or automotive systems, a Diesel Technician role qualifies. Your EAD card is your proof of work authorization, and you must have it in hand before your first day.
Does a Diesel Technician job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your program falls under a qualifying STEM CIP code, such as mechanical engineering technology or engineering science, you may be eligible for the 24-month extension. Confirm your CIP code with your designated school official. The job itself does not determine STEM eligibility, your degree program does.
How do I find Diesel Technician employers who sponsor OPT students?
The most efficient approach is to search on Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship history. Fleet operators, heavy equipment dealers, and municipal transit authorities are the most consistent sponsors in this field. Applying broadly to any shop without filtering for sponsorship willingness wastes significant time.
What happens to my OPT status if I get laid off as a Diesel Technician?
You enter a 60-day unemployment grace period during which you remain in valid F-1 status but are not authorized to work. You must find a new qualifying position within that window or risk falling out of status. Track your cumulative unemployment days carefully, as OPT allows no more than 90 days of total unemployment across the full authorization period.
Do Diesel Technician employers typically sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Some do, particularly large national fleet companies and equipment manufacturers with dedicated HR teams, but many smaller regional shops do not have established sponsorship processes. The H-1B requires the role to qualify as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree, which can be a genuine obstacle for technician roles. Discussing long-term sponsorship intent with the employer before accepting an offer is strongly advisable.