OPT HVAC Jobs
HVAC jobs on OPT are a strong fit for mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering graduates. Many positions qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers range from commercial contractors to building automation firms actively hiring international graduates.
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Get Access To All JobsBuild your best future with the Johnson Controls team
As a global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Join a winning team that enables you to build your best future! Our teams are uniquely positioned to support a multitude of industries across the globe. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful work projects and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with an experience, focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Become a member of the Johnson Controls family and thrive in an empowering company culture where your voice and ideas will be heard – your next great opportunity is just a few clicks away!
What we offer:
- Competitive salary
- Paid vacation/holidays/sick time
- Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, pension, medical, dental, and vision care
- On the job/cross training opportunities
- Encouraging and collaborative team environment
- Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy
What you will do
As a Controls Project Manager for our HVAC division, you will under general direction, act as the on-site project leader to plan, execute, and complete control systems projects with assigned customers.
- Must have: HVAC Controls Knowledge, Customer Communication experience, Organizational skills, proven ability to lead projects.
- Perform or delegate tasks as required to execute and fully complete assigned projects including hardware design, system programming, installation coordination, system and network commissioning and project closeout.
- Provide work direction to subcontractors, electrical installers, technicians, designers, and administration as necessary.
- You will be responsible for the overall financial results of assigned projects including costs, project billings, and collections.
- Maintain an effective balance between customer satisfaction and project financial results.
- Coordinate communication with the customer during all phases of the project, actively pursues selling change orders.
- Ensure work performed is in compliance with state, local and Federal legal requirements and operates on the job with the highest of ethics.
How you will do it
- Completes typical installation hardware design and software programming using established standards as the need arises. Validates complete system functionality and resolves issues with subcontractors and others to accurate proper operation. Provides accurate project as-built and commissioning documentation.
- Evaluates the contractual scope of work and the impact of client issued bulletins, field directives and/or scheduling changes. Communicates both technical and business related issues with the clients. Actively pursues additional work through change orders.
- Leads and completes the loading, device verification, and commissioning of all system controllers as the need arises.
- Provides jobsite coordination for panel and field device physical locations. Ensuring installation is in accordance with Johnson Controls literature and project requirements.
- Optimally communicates the status of projects to management as the need arises and provides monthly forecasts of revenue, costs, and gross margin.
- Develops project plans and coordinates the required resources to ensure accurate and cost effective installation and completion of assigned projects.
- Performs site-specific training for owner/operator on the total system in full or with assistance. Provides accurate documentation and manuals for system operation.
- Sends warranty letter to customer upon meaningful completion of project and ensures proper execution of warranty.
- Provides detailed information to communicate design and operation to customers, Johnson Controls staff and subcontractors.
- Provides coaching, mentoring and technical assistance to System Technicians, Electrical Installers, System Designers and Subcontractors.
- Ensures that delegated tasks are done accurately, on-time, billed, within budget and within scope of the contract.
- Develops and maintains viable long-term relationships with contractors, clients, consultants and subcontractors.
- Attends job progress meetings as required.
- Adheres and ensures Johnson Controls staff and subcontractors make sure to all safety standards.
- Is responsible for the selection, ordering, budget and delivery schedule of materials to be procured for the projects assigned.
- Secures pricing and availability from outside vendors and suppliers, mechanical and electrical subcontractors including scope, terms and conditions. May request several bids in pricing process.
- Handles costs, billings and collections. Completes project billings in a timely and accurate format to the client. Maintains profitability goals and positive cash flow.
- Is responsible for subcontractor payment and billing processes.
What we look for
Required
- Minimum of a technical associate's degree with four years of field experience or six years of equivalent related field experience in the HVAC/Building Automation industry.
- Must have relevant technical hands on experience in systems design and commissioning of digital HVAC/ Building Automation controls systems.
- Along with HVAC Controls Knowledge, this role requires Customer Communication, Organization, Ability to lead projects.
- Proven verbal and written communication skills; must be able to communicate technical material to a non-technical audience.
- Must demonstrate the ability to perform work independently.
- Computer proficiency in Windows, Excel, and other.
- Must have knowledge of control theory and HVAC/ Building Automation systems.
- Knowledge of project accounting, costing principals and contracting preferred.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, or equivalent and six years field experience in the HVAC industry.
- Experience in preparing reports for upper management regarding status of project.
- High degree of regard to employee and subcontractor safety.
HIRING SALARY RANGE: $92,400 to $130,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, location and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site.
LI-Onsite
LI-NC1
Build your best future with the Johnson Controls team
As a global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Join a winning team that enables you to build your best future! Our teams are uniquely positioned to support a multitude of industries across the globe. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful work projects and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with an experience, focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing. Become a member of the Johnson Controls family and thrive in an empowering company culture where your voice and ideas will be heard – your next great opportunity is just a few clicks away!
What we offer:
- Competitive salary
- Paid vacation/holidays/sick time
- Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, pension, medical, dental, and vision care
- On the job/cross training opportunities
- Encouraging and collaborative team environment
- Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy
What you will do
As a Controls Project Manager for our HVAC division, you will under general direction, act as the on-site project leader to plan, execute, and complete control systems projects with assigned customers.
- Must have: HVAC Controls Knowledge, Customer Communication experience, Organizational skills, proven ability to lead projects.
- Perform or delegate tasks as required to execute and fully complete assigned projects including hardware design, system programming, installation coordination, system and network commissioning and project closeout.
- Provide work direction to subcontractors, electrical installers, technicians, designers, and administration as necessary.
- You will be responsible for the overall financial results of assigned projects including costs, project billings, and collections.
- Maintain an effective balance between customer satisfaction and project financial results.
- Coordinate communication with the customer during all phases of the project, actively pursues selling change orders.
- Ensure work performed is in compliance with state, local and Federal legal requirements and operates on the job with the highest of ethics.
How you will do it
- Completes typical installation hardware design and software programming using established standards as the need arises. Validates complete system functionality and resolves issues with subcontractors and others to accurate proper operation. Provides accurate project as-built and commissioning documentation.
- Evaluates the contractual scope of work and the impact of client issued bulletins, field directives and/or scheduling changes. Communicates both technical and business related issues with the clients. Actively pursues additional work through change orders.
- Leads and completes the loading, device verification, and commissioning of all system controllers as the need arises.
- Provides jobsite coordination for panel and field device physical locations. Ensuring installation is in accordance with Johnson Controls literature and project requirements.
- Optimally communicates the status of projects to management as the need arises and provides monthly forecasts of revenue, costs, and gross margin.
- Develops project plans and coordinates the required resources to ensure accurate and cost effective installation and completion of assigned projects.
- Performs site-specific training for owner/operator on the total system in full or with assistance. Provides accurate documentation and manuals for system operation.
- Sends warranty letter to customer upon meaningful completion of project and ensures proper execution of warranty.
- Provides detailed information to communicate design and operation to customers, Johnson Controls staff and subcontractors.
- Provides coaching, mentoring and technical assistance to System Technicians, Electrical Installers, System Designers and Subcontractors.
- Ensures that delegated tasks are done accurately, on-time, billed, within budget and within scope of the contract.
- Develops and maintains viable long-term relationships with contractors, clients, consultants and subcontractors.
- Attends job progress meetings as required.
- Adheres and ensures Johnson Controls staff and subcontractors make sure to all safety standards.
- Is responsible for the selection, ordering, budget and delivery schedule of materials to be procured for the projects assigned.
- Secures pricing and availability from outside vendors and suppliers, mechanical and electrical subcontractors including scope, terms and conditions. May request several bids in pricing process.
- Handles costs, billings and collections. Completes project billings in a timely and accurate format to the client. Maintains profitability goals and positive cash flow.
- Is responsible for subcontractor payment and billing processes.
What we look for
Required
- Minimum of a technical associate's degree with four years of field experience or six years of equivalent related field experience in the HVAC/Building Automation industry.
- Must have relevant technical hands on experience in systems design and commissioning of digital HVAC/ Building Automation controls systems.
- Along with HVAC Controls Knowledge, this role requires Customer Communication, Organization, Ability to lead projects.
- Proven verbal and written communication skills; must be able to communicate technical material to a non-technical audience.
- Must demonstrate the ability to perform work independently.
- Computer proficiency in Windows, Excel, and other.
- Must have knowledge of control theory and HVAC/ Building Automation systems.
- Knowledge of project accounting, costing principals and contracting preferred.
Preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field, or equivalent and six years field experience in the HVAC industry.
- Experience in preparing reports for upper management regarding status of project.
- High degree of regard to employee and subcontractor safety.
HIRING SALARY RANGE: $92,400 to $130,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, location and alignment with market data.) This role offers a competitive Bonus plan that will take into account individual, group, and corporate performance. This position includes a competitive benefits package. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site.
LI-Onsite
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See all 123+ OPT HVAC Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in HVAC
Confirm your role qualifies as STEM OPT
HVAC engineering and controls roles often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in mechanical or electrical engineering. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to avoid authorization gaps.
Target commercial and industrial contractors
Large commercial HVAC contractors and building automation firms hire engineers for design, commissioning, and controls work. These employers are more likely to have established HR processes for OPT and eventual H-1B visa sponsorship than smaller residential contractors.
Emphasize building systems and software skills
Employers value candidates who can work with BAS platforms, energy modeling software, and HVAC design tools like Revit MEP or HAP. Listing these skills specifically signals technical depth and makes you competitive against non-OPT candidates.
Ask about sponsorship history before interviews
Research whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visas before. HVAC firms that have previously hired OPT workers understand the timeline and are less likely to withdraw offers over visa concerns when your OPT period ends.
Get your EAD card before your start date
HVAC roles are typically full-time and on-site from day one. Apply for your EAD at least 90 days before your program end date so your card arrives before you start. Working without a valid EAD violates your OPT status.
Document the STEM nexus between your degree and the role
For STEM OPT extensions, your employer must complete a formal training plan showing how the HVAC role relates to your engineering degree. Work with your supervisor early to draft this accurately and meet your DSO's submission deadline.
HVAC OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many HVAC roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related STEM field. The job must directly apply your technical training. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your CIP code and role description, so clarify this before accepting an offer.
Can I work as an HVAC technician on OPT, or does it need to be an engineering role?
OPT requires your job to be directly related to your degree field. A hands-on technician role may qualify if your degree is in HVAC technology or engineering technology, but a general labor or installation position is unlikely to meet the standard. Engineering, design, commissioning, and controls roles are the strongest fit for most OPT students.
How do I find HVAC employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa-friendly employers, making it easier to find HVAC firms that have hired OPT students before. Larger mechanical contractors, building automation companies, and engineering consulting firms tend to have established processes for work authorization. Smaller residential contractors rarely sponsor visas.
What happens to my OPT status if my HVAC employer goes through layoffs?
If you lose your HVAC job, you have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during standard OPT (150 days for STEM OPT extension). You must report the job loss to your DSO promptly. If you exceed the unemployment limit without securing a new qualifying role, you fall out of valid OPT status.
Does on-site HVAC fieldwork count toward OPT employment, or does it need to be office-based?
Location does not determine whether work counts as valid OPT employment. Site visits, commissioning work, and field installation oversight all qualify as long as the role is directly related to your degree and you are employed by an authorized employer. Remote, hybrid, and fully on-site arrangements are all permissible under OPT rules.