OPT Electrical Technician Jobs
Electrical Technician roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in electrical engineering, electronics, or a related technical field. Most positions qualify as STEM-designated roles, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in manufacturing, utilities, and defense regularly hire for this role.
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PRIMARY PURPOSE: Maintains, tests, diagnoses problems and repairs electrical and electronic equipment on refined liquid petroleum pipeline, right of way, remote delivery terminals, tank farms and static locations in assigned geographical area to insure safe and efficient operation of the pipeline, protection of the environment and compliance with state and federal regulations and company policies and procedures.
This position will be located at the Baton Rouge Tank Farm in Baton Rouge, La.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Installs and/or modifies, maintains, tests, diagnoses equipment problems and repairs electrical equipment and electronic systems used for pipeline control, instrumentation, indication and operations.
- Calibrates electrical and electronic equipment.
- Performs preventative maintenance on electrical and electronic equipment.
- Maintains data transmission and general computer-directed data communication equipment associated with product movement, metering, leak surveillance and power optimization programs.
- Diagnoses equipment problems and corrects circuit faults in contractor-installed equipment.
- Provides HAZWOPER support and is involved in emergency response activities.
- Provides assistance in repairing, maintenance and operation of all equipment and right-of-way.
- Participates in the training of Operations & Maintenance classification personnel.
- May be required to handle basic mechanical, right of way, operational, or general maintenance duties.
- Handle, as necessary, basic mechanical, right of way, operations, and general maintenance duties.
- Drive company vehicle to work sites.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education:
- 4 year Electrical Engineering Technology degree or 2 year Degree in Electrical Technology and experience equivalent to 4 year degree
Experience/Specific Knowledge:
- 4 year Electrical Engineering Technology degree and understanding of principles of installing, maintaining, and repairing various electrical and electronic equipment or 2 year Degree in Electrical Technology and 2 years work experience installing, maintaining, and repairing various electrical and electronic equipment
- Ability to troubleshoot PLCs
Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:
- Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Company Insurance Carrier
Competencies, Skills, and Abilities:
- Ability to use multimeters, meg-ohmmeter, oscilloscope, and other tools of the trade.
- Ability to adjust / calibrate, and repair various types of instrumentation
- Basic computer skills. (Microsoft Word, Excel and Email). Send and receive email, prepare reports and use Excel spread sheets
- Accept supervision / direction and work cooperatively with other people.
- Clearly and concisely communicate in writing and orally in English.
- Read and interpret equipment schematics, plot plans, diagrams and prints
- Perform mathematical calculations in the performance of duties.
- Dependably perform job duties with little supervision.
Physical Demands:
- Manually open and close valves, dig, lift, carry / move weights regularly weighing 40 -50 lbs and occasionally up to 100 lbs.
- Walk on paved, gravel or unpaved broken terrain and other uneven surfaces.
- Stand, sit, ascend/descend stairs; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, use various hand and other tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, or crouch; talk and hear.
- See to perform various written communications and maintenance tasks
Working Conditions:
- Work as scheduled and as necessary including overtime and unexpected call-outs, including weekends and holidays, to keep the pipeline and supporting equipment operating, or to quickly return the pipeline or supporting equipment to operation.
- Work outside in all weather conditions in daylight and darkness.
- May occasionally be away from home over night
Preferred Education, Experience, Certifications, Competencies, Skills, and Abilities: Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:
- Knowledge of SCADA Systems
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Electrical Technician
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Electrical Technician roles typically fall under STEM OPT when your degree is in electrical engineering, electronics technology, or a related field. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying to ensure you can claim the 24-month extension.
Target employers with active government contracts
Defense contractors, utilities, and infrastructure firms hire Electrical Technicians regularly and are experienced with OPT work authorization. These employers often have dedicated HR teams familiar with I-983 reporting requirements and STEM OPT compliance obligations.
Get your licenses and certifications in order
Employers in electrical roles often look for OSHA 10, NFPA 70E, or state-specific journeyman certifications. Having these credentials before you apply signals work readiness and reduces employer hesitation about your shorter initial OPT authorization window.
Address your OPT timeline early in conversations
Electrical Technician hiring cycles can move slowly in regulated industries. Bring up your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility before the offer stage so employers can plan around your authorization timeline without last-minute surprises delaying a start date.
Emphasize hands-on lab and field experience
OPT employers want evidence you can work independently from day one. Highlight internship projects, university lab work, or capstone experience involving circuit testing, PLC programming, or equipment calibration to reduce concern about your learning curve on the job.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers
Not every employer who posts an Electrical Technician role is open to OPT candidates. Migrate Mate filters job listings by sponsorship willingness, saving you time by surfacing employers who have hired international candidates and understand work authorization requirements.
Electrical Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Electrical Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, but it depends on your degree, not just the job title. If your degree is in electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or a closely related STEM field, and the role is directly related to that field of study, your DSO can authorize the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code qualifies with your international student office before you accept an offer.
What does the I-983 training plan requirement mean for Electrical Technician OPT students?
If you're on STEM OPT, your employer must complete a Form I-983 training plan that describes how the job provides practical training in your field of study. For Electrical Technicians, this typically covers areas like circuit analysis, equipment maintenance, or systems testing. Your employer must also conduct mid-point and final evaluations. Make sure your hiring manager understands this before you start.
Can I work as an Electrical Technician at a staffing agency or on contract placements while on OPT?
Yes, but with conditions. On standard OPT, you can work for a staffing agency as long as the work is related to your field of study. On STEM OPT, staffing arrangements are more complicated because the I-983 employer of record requirements become harder to satisfy with third-party client sites. Talk to your DSO and the staffing agency's compliance team before accepting a contract placement.
Which industries hire the most Electrical Technicians open to OPT candidates?
Manufacturing, defense contracting, utilities, semiconductor fabrication, and telecommunications are the strongest industries for OPT-friendly Electrical Technician roles. Employers in these sectors frequently hire international candidates and are familiar with work authorization documentation. You can browse current openings from employers experienced with OPT on Migrate Mate, filtered specifically for sponsorship-willing companies.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my Electrical Technician job ends before my EAD expires?
You have a 60-day grace period after your employment ends to find a new qualifying position, transfer to a different visa status, or leave the country. During this window, you cannot work. If you find a new Electrical Technician role within the grace period, your OPT authorization continues under the same EAD card. Report any employment changes to your DSO promptly to stay in valid status.