OPT Engineering Director Jobs
Engineering Director roles on OPT require employers who can sponsor H-1B visa or O-1 visas before your authorization expires. These senior leadership positions typically demand 8-plus years of experience, so STEM OPT extensions are common stepping stones. Targeting companies with established visa sponsorship programs is essential at this level.
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Get Access To All JobsWhy us?
Sage Hospitality Group is set to hire a Director of Engineering to join us at the upcoming Indigo Raleigh in North Carolina!
As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. More than a slogan, we empower our employees to make positive impacts on the communities in which we live and work. By providing genuine service we build relationships with our guests and value for our shareholders, and we create unforgettable experiences.
We are looking for independent thinkers. Those who harness their entrepreneurial spirit so that it breaks preconceived notions. We’re not afraid to forge our own path. After all, it’s what industry leaders do. That’s why we welcome risk takers and creative spirits alike. No matter your daily role, Sage recognizes that your success is about more than the work you do—it’s really about who you are, which is why we invest in your personal and professional growth. We hope you consider joining us!
Job Overview
Develop, implement and manage emergency programs for the operation and maintenance of all equipment and physical structures and landscaping in compliance with corporate/franchise standards, local, state and national codes and regulations to protect the asset, guests and employees, to ensure optimum operations, minimize expenses and maximize customer satisfaction. Position is responsible for the short and long term planning and day-to-day operations of the engineering division. Recommends the department's budget and capital expenditures and manages expenses within approved budget constraints. Participates in total hotel management as a member of the hotel Executive Committee.
Responsibilities
- Supervise the Human Resources in the division to attract, retain and motivate the staff; hire, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems, provide open communication vehicles, discipline and terminate, as appropriate.
- Develop, recommend, implement and manage the department's budget capital expenditure plan, forecasts and objectives consistent with maintaining a first class property and management's expectations.
- Develop, implement and manage a maintenance program and negotiate maintenance contracts for the hotel, the grounds and all of the equipment in compliance with corporate/franchise standards and local, state and national codes and regulations to ensure the safety, convenience and satisfaction of all guests, managers and employees to protect the asset and maintain the property in first class condition.
- Develop, implement and direct all Emergency Programs; ensure all equipment is maintained, conduct inspections and drills, ensure compliance with all codes and regulations, train all employees and maintain accurate records to ensure a safe environment which protects the asset, guests and employees.
- Develop, implement and manage energy conservation programs for the property to minimize expenses.
- Coordinate renovation bidding, define the cost and scope of the project and oversee the general contractor and subcontractors to ensure quality work is performed for minimal cost.
Qualifications
Education/Formal Training
More than two years of post high school education
Experience
Experience required by position is from four to five years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).
Knowledge/Skills
- Requires advanced knowledge of building management/engineering. May require advanced working knowledge of other major areas in the hotel and the skill to integrate and communicate that information.
- Requires advanced knowledge of building management/engineering and housekeeping operations.
- May require considerable working knowledge of other major areas in the hotel and the skill to integrate and communicate that information.
- Must have advanced working knowledge in the following areas:
- General plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning, electrical systems, boilers, bathroom fixtures and tiling,
- painting – prep to finish, basic carpentry, groundskeeping. Requires advanced knowledge of building management/engineering.
- Requires analyzing activities and/or information involving some original data manipulation or interpretation to arrive at logical conclusions.
- Requires management skills.
- Ability to provide information and associated services to hotel management and guests.
- Excellent comprehension and literacy required for procedures, reports, budgets, instructions.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to communicate with management and staff.
- Ability check hotel premises.
- Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying of weights up to 25 lbs. and occasionally greater, for all hotel equipment and machinery. 50-75% of job function.
- Frequent bending and/or kneeling throughout the day for repairs and maintenance of hotel property, equipment and machinery. 50% of job function.
- Mobility - throughout the hotel, all floors, varying heights and distances. Use of ladders and lifts required at times. Generally 75-80% of job function.
- Continuous standing required in varying degrees throughout the day.
- Climbing stairs up to approximately 210 steps 5% of each day.
- Driving - limited driving on an occasional basis for supplies, equipment, etc. Generally within 20 miles.
Environment
Work inside 95% of week; outside 5% of week. Abnormal temperatures - walk-in freezers - below 32 degrees, 1% of the time.
Benefits
- Eligible to participate in Sage bonus plan
- Unlimited paid time off
- Medical, dental, & vision insurance
- Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching
- Health savings and flexible spending accounts
- Basic Life and AD&D insurance
- Company-paid short-term disability
- Paid FMLA leave for up to a period of 12 weeks
- Employee Assistance Program
- Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.
ID: 2026-33780
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Property: Indigo Raleigh Hotel
Outlet: Hotel
Category: Building & Facility Maintenance
City: Raleigh
State: North Carolina
EOE Protected Veterans/Disability
Why us?
Sage Hospitality Group is set to hire a Director of Engineering to join us at the upcoming Indigo Raleigh in North Carolina!
As part of Sage Hospitality Group, we passionately strive to be the best and create excellence in everything we do. We believe in enriching lives one experience at a time. More than a slogan, we empower our employees to make positive impacts on the communities in which we live and work. By providing genuine service we build relationships with our guests and value for our shareholders, and we create unforgettable experiences.
We are looking for independent thinkers. Those who harness their entrepreneurial spirit so that it breaks preconceived notions. We’re not afraid to forge our own path. After all, it’s what industry leaders do. That’s why we welcome risk takers and creative spirits alike. No matter your daily role, Sage recognizes that your success is about more than the work you do—it’s really about who you are, which is why we invest in your personal and professional growth. We hope you consider joining us!
Job Overview
Develop, implement and manage emergency programs for the operation and maintenance of all equipment and physical structures and landscaping in compliance with corporate/franchise standards, local, state and national codes and regulations to protect the asset, guests and employees, to ensure optimum operations, minimize expenses and maximize customer satisfaction. Position is responsible for the short and long term planning and day-to-day operations of the engineering division. Recommends the department's budget and capital expenditures and manages expenses within approved budget constraints. Participates in total hotel management as a member of the hotel Executive Committee.
Responsibilities
- Supervise the Human Resources in the division to attract, retain and motivate the staff; hire, train, develop, empower, coach and counsel, conduct performance and salary reviews, resolve problems, provide open communication vehicles, discipline and terminate, as appropriate.
- Develop, recommend, implement and manage the department's budget capital expenditure plan, forecasts and objectives consistent with maintaining a first class property and management's expectations.
- Develop, implement and manage a maintenance program and negotiate maintenance contracts for the hotel, the grounds and all of the equipment in compliance with corporate/franchise standards and local, state and national codes and regulations to ensure the safety, convenience and satisfaction of all guests, managers and employees to protect the asset and maintain the property in first class condition.
- Develop, implement and direct all Emergency Programs; ensure all equipment is maintained, conduct inspections and drills, ensure compliance with all codes and regulations, train all employees and maintain accurate records to ensure a safe environment which protects the asset, guests and employees.
- Develop, implement and manage energy conservation programs for the property to minimize expenses.
- Coordinate renovation bidding, define the cost and scope of the project and oversee the general contractor and subcontractors to ensure quality work is performed for minimal cost.
Qualifications
Education/Formal Training
More than two years of post high school education
Experience
Experience required by position is from four to five years of employment in a related position with this company or other organization(s).
Knowledge/Skills
- Requires advanced knowledge of building management/engineering. May require advanced working knowledge of other major areas in the hotel and the skill to integrate and communicate that information.
- Requires advanced knowledge of building management/engineering and housekeeping operations.
- May require considerable working knowledge of other major areas in the hotel and the skill to integrate and communicate that information.
- Must have advanced working knowledge in the following areas:
- General plumbing, refrigeration, air conditioning, electrical systems, boilers, bathroom fixtures and tiling,
- painting – prep to finish, basic carpentry, groundskeeping. Requires advanced knowledge of building management/engineering.
- Requires analyzing activities and/or information involving some original data manipulation or interpretation to arrive at logical conclusions.
- Requires management skills.
- Ability to provide information and associated services to hotel management and guests.
- Excellent comprehension and literacy required for procedures, reports, budgets, instructions.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to communicate with management and staff.
- Ability check hotel premises.
- Frequent lifting, pushing, pulling and carrying of weights up to 25 lbs. and occasionally greater, for all hotel equipment and machinery. 50-75% of job function.
- Frequent bending and/or kneeling throughout the day for repairs and maintenance of hotel property, equipment and machinery. 50% of job function.
- Mobility - throughout the hotel, all floors, varying heights and distances. Use of ladders and lifts required at times. Generally 75-80% of job function.
- Continuous standing required in varying degrees throughout the day.
- Climbing stairs up to approximately 210 steps 5% of each day.
- Driving - limited driving on an occasional basis for supplies, equipment, etc. Generally within 20 miles.
Environment
Work inside 95% of week; outside 5% of week. Abnormal temperatures - walk-in freezers - below 32 degrees, 1% of the time.
Benefits
- Eligible to participate in Sage bonus plan
- Unlimited paid time off
- Medical, dental, & vision insurance
- Eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) program with employer matching
- Health savings and flexible spending accounts
- Basic Life and AD&D insurance
- Company-paid short-term disability
- Paid FMLA leave for up to a period of 12 weeks
- Employee Assistance Program
- Great discounts on Hotels, Restaurants, and much more.
ID: 2026-33780
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Property: Indigo Raleigh Hotel
Outlet: Hotel
Category: Building & Facility Maintenance
City: Raleigh
State: North Carolina
EOE Protected Veterans/Disability
See all OPT Engineering Director Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Engineering Director Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Engineering Director
Target companies with dedicated immigration programs
Large tech firms and well-funded scale-ups maintain immigration counsel on retainer, making H-1B visa sponsorship routine. Smaller companies may be willing but lack the infrastructure. Prioritize employers who have sponsored engineering leadership roles before.
Leverage your STEM OPT extension strategically
If your degree is in engineering, computer science, or a related STEM field, you qualify for a 24-month OPT extension, giving you up to three H-1B lottery cycles. Frame this clearly to hiring managers so they understand your timeline.
Build a case for O-1A as a parallel path
Engineering Directors with patents, conference presentations, industry awards, or teams they've built may qualify for O-1A extraordinary ability classification. This bypasses the lottery entirely and is worth discussing with an immigration attorney early.
Quantify your leadership scope in every application
Sponsorship decisions often involve legal review. Clearly documenting team size, budget ownership, and product impact helps immigration counsel classify the role as a specialty occupation, which is essential for H-1B approval at director level.
Negotiate sponsorship terms during the offer stage
Ask explicitly whether the company covers H-1B filing fees, premium processing, and legal costs. Many do, but it varies. Clarifying this before signing protects you from unexpected expenses during your OPT-to-H-1B transition period.
Start the sponsorship conversation in final-round interviews
Waiting until after an offer creates awkward renegotiations. Once you reach final rounds, it is appropriate to confirm the company's sponsorship process, typical timeline, and which immigration firm they use to manage petitions.
Engineering Director OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Engineering Director on OPT?
Yes. OPT authorizes full-time employment in your field of study, and Engineering Director roles qualify as long as the work is directly related to your degree. STEM graduates can extend OPT by 24 months, giving you additional time to secure H-1B sponsorship before authorization expires.
Do Engineering Director roles commonly come with H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, more consistently than most roles. Companies hiring at the director level have already invested significantly in the search process and are motivated to retain talent. That said, sponsorship is not guaranteed. You can browse Engineering Director positions from verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to filter for companies with a confirmed sponsorship track record.
What visa options exist beyond H-1B for Engineering Directors on OPT?
The O-1A visa for individuals with extraordinary ability is a realistic option at this career stage. If you have published research, patents, conference speaking credits, or have built and scaled engineering organizations, you may meet the threshold. The L-1A intracompany transferee visa is another path if your employer has international offices and you've managed teams abroad.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my job search timeline as an OPT student?
H-1B registration opens each March for an October 1 start date. If your OPT expires before October 1 and you are not selected in the lottery, you may need to leave the country or find a cap-exempt employer. STEM OPT students get multiple lottery attempts, which is why starting your Engineering Director job search early in your OPT period matters significantly.
What should I expect in an Engineering Director interview as an OPT candidate?
Expect behavioral questions on team building, cross-functional leadership, and technical roadmap decisions alongside standard work authorization questions. Be prepared to explain your OPT timeline clearly, including your extension eligibility and the H-1B process. Employers hiring at director level rarely let sponsorship complexity derail a strong candidate, but transparency builds trust.