OPT Engineering Technician Jobs
Engineering Technician roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering technology. Most positions qualify as STEM-designated, giving you access to the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in manufacturing, defense, and utilities regularly hire OPT candidates for hands-on technical support roles.
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Get Access To All JobsNature of Work
Performs para-professional civil engineering work in the development and implementation of City projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Position may work either primarily indoors or outdoors, depending on specialization; outdoor work involves exposure to all weather conditions, dust, noise, heavy traffic conditions, construction equipment and animals.
PHYSICAL FACTORS
Position involves light to moderate physical activity; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 60 pounds; may involve squatting, bending, stooping, balancing, traversing, crawling, kneeling, crouching and climbing into and out of channels and trenches; ability to move about construction sites; visual acuity to evaluate field conditions; oral and listening abilities sufficient to perform essential job functions; safety clothing includes hard hat, steel toe boots and traffic vest.
WORK SITUATION FACTORS
Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.
FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.
Position will be advertised as continuous until filled, with periodic review of applications.
This recruitment will be utilized to fill a full-time, regular, FLSA non-exempt position in the Public Works Department. However, it may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, temporary, contract, or similar positions that become available in various City Departments.
Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt
This position is graded at RN14.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Designs City projects, including street lights, roadways, traffic systems, parking lots, drainage systems, utilities, earth work and other related projects for review by a professional engineer; collects field data and/or receives survey information; prepares drawings according to field conditions and in accordance with City design standards.
- Reviews commercial plans to ensure compliance with City design standards; meets with engineers, architects and designers to discuss designs.
- Performs three-dimensional modeling of buildings, landscapes and architecture; creates various presentation materials, including power point, brochures and posters of projects.
- Conducts surveys using GPS instruments; downloads GPS information and produces drawings of utilities.
- Reviews subdivision plans and documentation; researches legal documents to verify utility easements; uses GPS to mark locations of easements and utilities.
- Provides information to private entities regarding water surface rights; updates and modifies water rights data and GIS maps regarding surface water land; researches technical trends regarding water rights, water supply and water transfers.
- Researches the validity of water rights presented for sale or lease to the City.
- Drafts design projects using technical manuals and computer-aided design equipment; creates engineering drawings from field data, sketches, rough drawings, raw data, diagrams and verbal or written narrative instructions.
- Prepares contracts, contract documents, material specifications, specifications, written reports, cost estimates, schedules, bid tabs and correspondence.
- Reviews contract documents and plans against actual construction; maintains record drawings.
- Coordinates project design and construction with contractors, government agencies, outside utilities and the public.
- Reviews contract documents and plans internally and externally for engineers, architects, developers and contractors.
- Conducts traffic plan reviews as part of private development plans; conducts traffic studies.
- Maintains and organizes data; analyzes findings; and performs calculations to obtain data for accident statistics and high accident locations; recommends corrective actions.
- Designs, bids and prepares City Council action forms and resolutions for maintenance contracts; processes payments; maintains records of maintenance contracts.
- Coordinates activities in resolving neighborhood traffic problems; schedules meetings with residents and/or City staff; initiates the field data collection process; obtains necessary resources/equipment.
- Responds to phone or personal inquiries from the public regarding various questions, problems or concerns; supplies information and documentation for various projects.
- Researches property and right of way information; collects field data; creates a plat of survey, subdivision plat and summary plat; submits plats for review; files and makes copies of plats; maintains notes and files.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the senior level in the Engineering Technician job series and as such employees are expected to apply a greater degree of technical knowledge to assignments of greater complexity and broader responsibility; serves as the technical resource to other technicians.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate Degree in Engineering Technology or related field PLUS three years of experience in civil engineering operations, including plan review, design and GIS. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Valid driver's license required; position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of: Principles and practices of civil engineering; utility permits, drafting, traffic, surveying, mapping, GIS and GPS technologies; engineering design and construction project procedures; water rights.
Ability to: Communicate technical information in writing; read and interpret engineering plans, specifications, plats, maps and other related documents; read and understand regulations and ordinances; perform complex mathematical calculations; establish effective working relationships; operate a motorized vehicle; operate a personal computer and various software applications; use drafting equipment.
Skills in: Personal computer and equipment use.
Benefits - Home
Nature of Work
Performs para-professional civil engineering work in the development and implementation of City projects.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Position may work either primarily indoors or outdoors, depending on specialization; outdoor work involves exposure to all weather conditions, dust, noise, heavy traffic conditions, construction equipment and animals.
PHYSICAL FACTORS
Position involves light to moderate physical activity; ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 60 pounds; may involve squatting, bending, stooping, balancing, traversing, crawling, kneeling, crouching and climbing into and out of channels and trenches; ability to move about construction sites; visual acuity to evaluate field conditions; oral and listening abilities sufficient to perform essential job functions; safety clothing includes hard hat, steel toe boots and traffic vest.
WORK SITUATION FACTORS
Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.
FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS.
Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.
Position will be advertised as continuous until filled, with periodic review of applications.
This recruitment will be utilized to fill a full-time, regular, FLSA non-exempt position in the Public Works Department. However, it may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, temporary, contract, or similar positions that become available in various City Departments.
Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt
This position is graded at RN14.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Designs City projects, including street lights, roadways, traffic systems, parking lots, drainage systems, utilities, earth work and other related projects for review by a professional engineer; collects field data and/or receives survey information; prepares drawings according to field conditions and in accordance with City design standards.
- Reviews commercial plans to ensure compliance with City design standards; meets with engineers, architects and designers to discuss designs.
- Performs three-dimensional modeling of buildings, landscapes and architecture; creates various presentation materials, including power point, brochures and posters of projects.
- Conducts surveys using GPS instruments; downloads GPS information and produces drawings of utilities.
- Reviews subdivision plans and documentation; researches legal documents to verify utility easements; uses GPS to mark locations of easements and utilities.
- Provides information to private entities regarding water surface rights; updates and modifies water rights data and GIS maps regarding surface water land; researches technical trends regarding water rights, water supply and water transfers.
- Researches the validity of water rights presented for sale or lease to the City.
- Drafts design projects using technical manuals and computer-aided design equipment; creates engineering drawings from field data, sketches, rough drawings, raw data, diagrams and verbal or written narrative instructions.
- Prepares contracts, contract documents, material specifications, specifications, written reports, cost estimates, schedules, bid tabs and correspondence.
- Reviews contract documents and plans against actual construction; maintains record drawings.
- Coordinates project design and construction with contractors, government agencies, outside utilities and the public.
- Reviews contract documents and plans internally and externally for engineers, architects, developers and contractors.
- Conducts traffic plan reviews as part of private development plans; conducts traffic studies.
- Maintains and organizes data; analyzes findings; and performs calculations to obtain data for accident statistics and high accident locations; recommends corrective actions.
- Designs, bids and prepares City Council action forms and resolutions for maintenance contracts; processes payments; maintains records of maintenance contracts.
- Coordinates activities in resolving neighborhood traffic problems; schedules meetings with residents and/or City staff; initiates the field data collection process; obtains necessary resources/equipment.
- Responds to phone or personal inquiries from the public regarding various questions, problems or concerns; supplies information and documentation for various projects.
- Researches property and right of way information; collects field data; creates a plat of survey, subdivision plat and summary plat; submits plats for review; files and makes copies of plats; maintains notes and files.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the senior level in the Engineering Technician job series and as such employees are expected to apply a greater degree of technical knowledge to assignments of greater complexity and broader responsibility; serves as the technical resource to other technicians.
Minimum Qualifications
Associate Degree in Engineering Technology or related field PLUS three years of experience in civil engineering operations, including plan review, design and GIS. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.
LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS
Valid driver's license required; position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of: Principles and practices of civil engineering; utility permits, drafting, traffic, surveying, mapping, GIS and GPS technologies; engineering design and construction project procedures; water rights.
Ability to: Communicate technical information in writing; read and interpret engineering plans, specifications, plats, maps and other related documents; read and understand regulations and ordinances; perform complex mathematical calculations; establish effective working relationships; operate a motorized vehicle; operate a personal computer and various software applications; use drafting equipment.
Skills in: Personal computer and equipment use.
Benefits - Home
See all 240+ OPT Engineering Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Engineering Technician
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Engineering technology programs at accredited U.S. universities are typically on the STEM OPT designated degree program list. Verify your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, since the extension depends on it.
Target employers with existing OPT or H-1B track records
Companies that have previously hired OPT students or filed H-1B visa petitions are far more likely to understand the process. Search OFLC disclosure data to identify engineering firms with active sponsorship histories before sending applications.
Apply before your OPT EAD expires, not after
Hiring timelines for technical roles can run six to ten weeks. Start your job search at least three months before your OPT end date so authorization gaps don't force you to decline offers mid-process.
Highlight hands-on lab and equipment experience prominently
Engineering Technician roles prioritize demonstrated technical skills over academic credentials alone. List specific instruments, testing equipment, software platforms, and calibration procedures you've used. Concrete technical detail shortens the evaluation process for hiring managers.
Address OPT authorization proactively in your cover letter
Many employers assume international candidates require complex sponsorship immediately. Stating clearly that you're currently authorized to work on OPT with a STEM extension available removes a common early-stage objection before it becomes a rejection.
Focus on industries with consistent OPT hiring patterns
Defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, utilities, and aerospace firms hire Engineering Technicians regularly and tend to have dedicated HR processes for work authorization. These sectors sponsor significantly more OPT and H-1B holders than general manufacturing.
Engineering Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Engineering Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Engineering Technician roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code such as electrical engineering technology or mechanical engineering technology. The role itself must also involve work directly related to your field of study. Confirm both conditions with your DSO before applying, since approval depends on the degree program, not just the job title.
How do I find Engineering Technician employers who are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters Engineering Technician jobs specifically for OPT-eligible candidates, removing the guesswork of identifying sponsorship-friendly employers. Beyond that, reviewing OFLC H-1B disclosure data shows which engineering firms have a demonstrated history of hiring international workers, which is a reliable proxy for OPT openness. Defense contractors, semiconductor companies, and large manufacturers tend to have the most established international hiring processes.
Can I work as an Engineering Technician if my degree is in engineering, not engineering technology?
Yes. A bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, civil, or industrial engineering fully satisfies the educational requirement for Engineering Technician roles. The field of study must relate directly to the job duties for OPT authorization to apply. In most cases, a four-year engineering degree is considered more than sufficient, and your DSO can confirm the connection between your degree and the specific position.
What should I know about the 60-day grace period as an Engineering Technician on OPT?
If your Engineering Technician position ends before your OPT EAD expires, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the United States. During the grace period you are not authorized to work. Because technical hiring cycles can take four to eight weeks, starting your job search before employment ends gives you the most practical runway.
Do Engineering Technician roles require H-1B sponsorship, or can I stay on OPT long-term?
OPT provides 12 months of work authorization, extendable to 36 months total with a STEM extension for qualifying degrees. Staying beyond that requires transitioning to a sponsored visa, most commonly the H-1B. Engineering Technician positions do qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B standard when a degree in a directly related field is required. Discussing the employer's long-term sponsorship willingness early in the process helps you avoid accepting a role with no viable path forward.