OPT Equipment Mechanic Jobs
Equipment Mechanic jobs on OPT are available across construction, agriculture, mining, and transportation industries. Most roles require hands-on diagnostic and repair skills rather than a four-year degree, so STEM OPT extension eligibility depends heavily on how your employer classifies the position and your academic background.
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Summary of Primary Functions:
Dobbs Equipment is seeking an experienced Road Building Field Service Technician. The position will mainly focus on the paving equipment for our Road Building/Paving department. Technicians are responsible for the repair, diagnosis, overhaul, and reconditioning maintenance of customer and company heavy equipment and components. Depending on the location and assignment, the technician will be responsible for some, or all the functions and duties listed below. These repairs may require working hours in addition to the normal work schedule for emergency calls or routine service as required. This job description does not include a complete listing of all the duties and functions of the position. Management reserves the right to assign other duties or projects as necessary.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned.
- Follow all safety rules and regulations in performing work assignments while maintaining a safe work environment and safe work habits.
- Reads job order and observes and listens to equipment in operation to determine malfunction and plans work procedures.
- Installs fuel injection nozzles and pumps, changes, or recharges batteries, and replaces transmissions, hydraulic systems, and component parts.
- Examines protective guards, loose bolts, and specified safety devices on equipment, and makes adjustments.
- Check and report any shortages and malfunctions to the Service Manager.
- Lubricates moving parts and drives repaired equipment to verify conformance to specifications.
- Fabricates special lifting or towing attachments, hydraulic systems, shields, or other devices according to blueprints or schematic drawings.
- Removes, replaces, and repairs tires, undercarriages, and earth moving and timber harvesting attachments.
- Maintain records and account for all time, parts, work orders and supplies used in repairing and servicing both customer and dealership equipment.
- Report to Service Manager any additional work required to ensure proper operation and safety of equipment.
- Maintains and cares for the shop tools and equipment.
- Ensures work is performed safely and safe work procedures are followed throughout the department.
- Reads schematics demoting operating specifications for unit or component and type of evaluation required.
- Continues to work on revenue producing work as needed.
- Tests unit for conformance with operating requirements such as specified horsepower and lifting performance.
- Helps ensure that our new and used whole goods are in good working conditions.
- Maintains assigned service vehicle in areas of cleanliness, daily maintenance, and inspections.
- Participate in service training programs required for development of skills and knowledge.
- Represent the dealership as a professional Service Technician at all times.
- Reports to work on time, as scheduled.
- Ability to work up to 12-hour days, varying shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Ability to operate company vehicles and follow all motor vehicle state safety laws.
- All employees are expected to adhere to the safety policies of Dobbs Equipment and the clients for whom we work.
- Following the safety policies of Dobbs is a condition of employment and is everyone’s responsibility.
Qualification: The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- Valid Driver’s License and maintain a clean driving record.
- Knowledge of industrial equipment maintenance and operation.
- Ability to perform basic repairs and required maintenance using special tools and equipment following Technical Manual procedures.
- Ability to operate heavy equipment safely.
Education, Skill, and/or Experience Requirements:
- Associate degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school or a minimum of 2 years related experience and/or equivalent combination (preferred).
- Stay current with technical changes.
- Proficient knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems.
- Maintains current product knowledge of John Deere and competitive products.
- Forklift Certification (preferred).
- Ability to communicate effectively with teammates.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Excellent time management skills.
- Must be able to self-manage/self-motivate.
- Flexible schedule (sometimes weekends or overtime).
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.
- Ability to write diagnosis and work completed on routine reports and correspondence.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Develop skills in disassembly, assembly and repair of components and machines.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Quick learner with the ability to think out of the box.
- Overnight travel less than 5% (Training).
- Bilingual a plus.
Work Environment:
While performing the functions of this job, the employee regularly works in a service field setting and is exposed to frequently changing temperatures, wet or humid conditions, noise, vibration, fumes, odors, dust, and close proximity to moving mechanical parts.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continuously required to:
- Ability to work using Personal Protective Equipment, including welding shields, hard hats, vests, safety glasses, goggles, gloves and etc.
- Ability to use full range of motion for back, arms, hands, and fingers.
- Able to use full range of motion for both legs, including climbing, twisting, squatting, and pushing with both legs.
- Able to use hand tools, fuel hoses, lubrication systems on all equipment.
- Able to climb onto or down from mobile construction equipment, typically 3-4 feet of climbing, for service and inspection.
- The employee is frequently required to lift or carry loads greater than 50 lbs but less than 75 lbs.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance and color vision.
- The employee is regularly required to talk or hear at moderate noise levels.
We’re an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer:
Dobbs Equipment is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination, harassment and retaliation both for our employees and applicants. We make all employment related decisions on the basis of an individual’s qualifications and job performance. We recruit, hire, promote, train, transfer, and make compensation decisions without regard to race, religion, color, creed, national origin, ancestry or citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy status, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
Notice to Applicants: We participate in E-Verify in the United States.
Drug Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace Notice. Dobbs Equipment is an Equal Opportunity and At-Will Employer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Equipment Mechanic
Clarify your OPT authorization type upfront
Tell employers early whether you're on standard 12-month OPT or a 24-month STEM extension. Equipment Mechanic roles under engineering or technology degree classifications may qualify for STEM OPT, which significantly expands your authorized work window.
Target employers with existing visa experience
Large construction firms, mining companies, and agricultural equipment manufacturers are more likely to have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller repair shops may be willing but need more guidance through the I-983 training plan process.
Prepare a clear explanation of your work authorization
Many hiring managers in trades industries haven't hired OPT students before. A one-paragraph plain-language summary of what OPT is, what documents you provide, and what the employer is responsible for removes friction from the conversation.
Align your degree field to the job description
For STEM OPT eligibility, your role must relate directly to your degree. Frame your application around mechanical engineering, industrial technology, or related fields. Ensure the job offer letter reflects duties connected to your specific program of study.
File your OPT application well before your program end date
USCIS recommends filing 90 days before your program end date. Equipment Mechanic hiring timelines can move quickly, and starting without valid work authorization creates serious status issues that are difficult to resolve once employment has begun.
Ask about the I-983 training plan before accepting an offer
STEM OPT requires your employer to complete and sign Form I-983. Confirm the employer understands this obligation before you accept. A willing employer who's unfamiliar with the form is manageable. An employer who refuses entirely is a dealbreaker.
Equipment Mechanic OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Equipment Mechanic on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. If your degree is in mechanical engineering, industrial technology, or a related field, Equipment Mechanic positions typically qualify. The connection between your coursework and your job duties is what USCIS and your DSO will assess when authorizing your OPT employment.
Do Equipment Mechanic jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree and how the employer classifies the role. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field and the job involves applying engineering or technology knowledge, it may qualify. Your DSO makes the final determination. Ask your employer to include technical and diagnostic responsibilities in the offer letter to strengthen the connection to your degree.
What documents do I need to show an Equipment Mechanic employer?
You'll need your valid EAD card, your I-20 with OPT authorization noted, and your passport. Employers complete Form I-9 using these documents. If you're on STEM OPT, your employer will also need to sign Form I-983 and enroll with E-Verify, which is a federal requirement for all STEM OPT employers regardless of company size.
Where can I find Equipment Mechanic jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship and work authorization compatibility. Browsing Equipment Mechanic listings on Migrate Mate shows you employers who have indicated openness to OPT candidates, saving you from applying to roles where your status will be an automatic disqualifier.
What happens to my OPT status if an Equipment Mechanic job ends before my EAD expires?
OPT allows up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment during the standard 12-month period, or 150 days during a STEM extension. If your Equipment Mechanic role ends, you have that window to find new authorized employment in a related field. Report any employment changes to your DSO promptly, since unreported gaps can jeopardize your status even within the allowed unemployment period.