OPT Hoist Operator Jobs
Hoist Operator jobs on OPT are available across construction, mining, and industrial sectors, where employers regularly sponsor skilled trades workers. Your F-1 OPT authorization covers full-time hoist operation roles, but STEM OPT extensions don't apply here since this is a non-STEM field, making your initial 12-month window the key timeline to plan around.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Drafter/Space Planner
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Director of Product Development and Sourcing
Job Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt, 40 Hours per Week, 100% In-Office
Pay: $25 to $29 per hour
Job Description
HOIST Fitness Systems, a leading manufacturer in fitness strength equipment, has an immediate opening for a detail-oriented Drafter/Space Planner who possesses a strong understanding of drafting principles and techniques, as well as expertise in fitness equipment configurations. This position supports the engineering and sales departments in the configuration of new and existing products.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the Sales Department with custom fitness equipment configurations.
- Create accurate technical drawings and models of fitness equipment, as well as provide guidance and support in configuring fitness equipment layouts for the sales department as well as clients.
- Collaborate with engineers and designers to ensure the feasibility and functionality of the equipment designs.
- Utilize software tools and other resources to create 2D or 3D layouts of fitness equipment within given spaces.
- Maintain accurate records of equipment designs and configurations.
- Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Engineering, Marketing, Product Support, and Purchasing to ensure smooth project execution.
- Create manuals utilizing SolidWorks & SolidWorks Composer
- Document control internally and with outside manufacturers
- Revise and update drawings in Solidworks based on feedback and design changes.
Qualifications
- AA degree or equivalent in drafting, engineering, or related field
- Strong knowledge of Solidworks (Configurations and Explosions, Solidworks PDM preferred)
- SolidWorks Composer experience a plus
- ECDesign experience is a plus
- Ability to read, produce and edit engineering drawings when required
- Strong ability to visualize how things are assembled
- Solid general computer skills a must with an emphasis on Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint)
- Ability to anticipate and solve problems
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong ability to communicate and ask questions!
- Must be able to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail!
- Adobe Illustrator a Plus
Why Join Us
Innovative Culture: We cultivate an environment where creativity thrives. Our commitment to advancing fitness technology allows us to deliver products that enhance performance and inspire progress.
Dedicated Team: Our team is made up of enthusiastic individuals united by a common purpose: helping others lead healthier, happier lives. Joining HOIST Fitness means becoming part of a community focused on making a positive impact.
Benefits:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) Plan + 401(k) Matching
- Access to our state-of-the-art gym
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement:
HOIST Fitness Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Monday - Friday 7 AM to 3:30 PM
8 Hours per Day Excluding Breaks
Job Title: Drafter/Space Planner
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Director of Product Development and Sourcing
Job Type: Full-Time Non-Exempt, 40 Hours per Week, 100% In-Office
Pay: $25 to $29 per hour
Job Description
HOIST Fitness Systems, a leading manufacturer in fitness strength equipment, has an immediate opening for a detail-oriented Drafter/Space Planner who possesses a strong understanding of drafting principles and techniques, as well as expertise in fitness equipment configurations. This position supports the engineering and sales departments in the configuration of new and existing products.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the Sales Department with custom fitness equipment configurations.
- Create accurate technical drawings and models of fitness equipment, as well as provide guidance and support in configuring fitness equipment layouts for the sales department as well as clients.
- Collaborate with engineers and designers to ensure the feasibility and functionality of the equipment designs.
- Utilize software tools and other resources to create 2D or 3D layouts of fitness equipment within given spaces.
- Maintain accurate records of equipment designs and configurations.
- Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including Sales, Engineering, Marketing, Product Support, and Purchasing to ensure smooth project execution.
- Create manuals utilizing SolidWorks & SolidWorks Composer
- Document control internally and with outside manufacturers
- Revise and update drawings in Solidworks based on feedback and design changes.
Qualifications
- AA degree or equivalent in drafting, engineering, or related field
- Strong knowledge of Solidworks (Configurations and Explosions, Solidworks PDM preferred)
- SolidWorks Composer experience a plus
- ECDesign experience is a plus
- Ability to read, produce and edit engineering drawings when required
- Strong ability to visualize how things are assembled
- Solid general computer skills a must with an emphasis on Microsoft Office (especially PowerPoint)
- Ability to anticipate and solve problems
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong ability to communicate and ask questions!
- Must be able to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail!
- Adobe Illustrator a Plus
Why Join Us
Innovative Culture: We cultivate an environment where creativity thrives. Our commitment to advancing fitness technology allows us to deliver products that enhance performance and inspire progress.
Dedicated Team: Our team is made up of enthusiastic individuals united by a common purpose: helping others lead healthier, happier lives. Joining HOIST Fitness means becoming part of a community focused on making a positive impact.
Benefits:
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Company-Paid Life Insurance
- 401(k) Plan + 401(k) Matching
- Access to our state-of-the-art gym
- Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
Affirmative Action/EEO Statement:
HOIST Fitness Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type based on race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
Monday - Friday 7 AM to 3:30 PM
8 Hours per Day Excluding Breaks
See all 68+ OPT Hoist Operator Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Hoist Operator
Target union contractors first
Union construction firms and industrial contractors hire hoist operators regularly and often have established visa sponsorship processes. They're more likely than smaller operators to have HR infrastructure capable of handling H-2B visa or H-1B visa sponsorship paperwork after your OPT period ends.
Get your NCCCO certification before applying
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators credentials signal professional readiness to employers. Certified hoist operators are harder to replace, which strengthens your case for sponsorship when your OPT window closes and an employer must justify the hiring cost.
Apply early in your OPT authorization period
With only 12 months of OPT and no STEM extension for this trade, starting your job search immediately after EAD approval gives employers maximum runway to evaluate you before any visa transition conversation becomes urgent or stressful.
Be upfront about your authorization timeline
Construction and industrial employers schedule projects months ahead. Disclosing your OPT end date early lets hiring managers plan crew transitions or initiate sponsorship before a gap becomes a problem. Surprises late in a project cycle rarely go well for either side.
Document your operating hours and equipment types
Keep a detailed log of hoist types operated, load capacities, and project environments. Sponsoring employers and immigration attorneys need this evidence to demonstrate specialty skill when building a visa petition case on your behalf after OPT.
Focus on employers with active federal or state contracts
Government-contracted construction firms operate under stricter workforce continuity requirements, making them more willing to invest in retaining qualified operators. Check project bids in your region and prioritize applying to contractors already mobilized on multi-year infrastructure jobs.
Hoist Operator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Hoist Operator on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Hoist Operator roles qualify as practical training in fields related to engineering technology, construction management, or industrial operations programs, depending on your degree. Your EAD card authorizes full-time employment. Confirm your specific degree field aligns with the role before accepting an offer, since USCIS requires a direct connection between your major and the job.
Does my Hoist Operator job qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
No. Hoist operation is not classified under a STEM-designated degree program, so the 24-month STEM OPT extension is not available for this role. You have a single 12-month authorization window. Planning your visa transition well before that window closes is critical, whether through H-2B, H-1B, or another employer-sponsored pathway.
What visa can an employer sponsor after my OPT expires for this role?
H-2B is the most common path for skilled trades workers like hoist operators, covering temporary non-agricultural labor. Some employers with long-term projects may pursue H-1B if the role can be framed as a specialty occupation. EB-3 immigrant visas are another option for employers willing to commit to permanent sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process.
Where can I find Hoist Operator jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, making it the most direct way to find hoist operator roles where employers are already open to candidates on work authorization. Searching there filters out the friction of cold-applying to employers who haven't considered OPT candidates before.
Do I need to report my Hoist Operator employer to my DSO while on OPT?
Yes. You must report your employer name, address, and job start date to your Designated School Official within 10 days of beginning work. Your DSO updates SEVIS with this information. Failing to report on time is a status violation. If you change employers or work sites during OPT, each change must also be reported promptly.