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 many industries worldwide. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful service work and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with 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 - 10 days of vacation first year
- Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care – Available day one
- Encouraging and collaborative team environment
- Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy
What you will do
Under minimal supervision, conducts preventive maintenance, repair, installation, and commissioning and general servicing of systems (including detailed troubleshooting of systems). Responsible for high levels of customer satisfaction through direct, on site, customer interface. With a high level of complete technical competence, mentors control technicians, service technicians and mechanical technicians on building automation activities. Properly completes required project and service documentation. Provide our customers with the highest level of service to solve building inefficiencies and resolve service-related items. As a trusted advisor to our customers, you will provide solutions and outcomes at the time of service.
How you will do it
- Diagnoses and repairs complex control systems malfunctions requiring extensive knowledge of a variety of electronic or digital controls systems and ability to test and write modifications in multiple languages of systems software.
- Consults with the customer through data gathered and site assessments. Provides field proposals for retrofits, upgrades and or enhancements to existing equipment. Assists sales by providing technical recommendations for sales leads.
- Manages assigned work to meet professional and efficient execution of time and customer satisfaction. Reports problems or changes to management immediately. Interfaces with branch manager, service manager, service project manager or subcontractors on projects to coordinate activities as required ethically and professionally.
- Provides sketches of field changes and discrepancies for engineering corrections and drawings. May assist with job layouts and bid proposals.
- Communicates with customers upon arrival and before leaving the work site. Ensures high levels of customer satisfaction. Meets regularly with customers to become familiar with operating problems. Keeps customer informed on the service provided, outstanding issues and recommends system enhancements, upgrades, and replacement. Promotes the sale of add-on work.
- Adheres to all Johnson Controls and customer safety standards. Provides safety leadership and instruction to all control's technicians in the branch. Provides safety awareness while working onsite with Johnson Controls subcontractors.
- Trains the customer in control systems operations. Delivers manuals and documentation to the customer for training needs as required.
- Provides mentorship for certification of Controls Technicians and Service Technicians on complex building automation systems. Coaches, supports and trains the technical workforce on non-complex, non-critical equipment.
- Compiles job documentation, such as certificate of completion, customer training form, training certificates and punch lists.
- Conducts extensive self-study (reading, research and practice) to improve and maintain technical proficiency in company's product lines. Completes certifications as required by the company.
- Other duties related to the installing, commissioning and servicing of building controls and facilities management systems and energy management systems, as assigned.
- Assists in the design and configuration of building control systems as defined by the contract documents. Creates flow diagrams, sequence of operations, and bill of material, network layouts and electrical schematics as required.
- Assists in developing and testing software programs necessary to operate the system per the project requirements' intent.
- Compiles and/or completes project as built and close-out documentation.
- Assists in the coordination and creation of necessary drawings and equipment schedules for submittals and installation.
- Selects, orders, and tracks the delivery of materials for assigned projects. Coordinates factory-mounting processes to meet factory and project schedule.
- Assists in the loading and commissioning of all system and network-level controllers as required. Assists in validation of complete system functionality and troubleshoots problems with subcontractors and other trades to ensure proper operation.
- May provide field change information to the project team for the creation of as-built drawings and software.
- Keeps management and JCI contractor or customer informed of job progress and issues.
- Assists in performing site-specific training for owner/operator on the total building control system.
- Participates in release meeting with project field team.
- Provide recommendations and solutions to ensure facility is running efficiently to include upselling opportunities.
- Provide quotes to support recommendations and solutions.
What we look for
Required
- Be a dedicated member of a North America Branch team willing to learn and be responsible for system trouble shooting, repair and aftermarket services for this fast-growing business.
- Minimum of Four (4) years Commercial Controls troubleshooting experience in the HVAC industry. This includes buildings, chiller plants and systems.
- Vocational School program graduate or an associate's degree in a technical field, or two years’ experience in servicing electronic and or mechanical systems.
- Demonstrated ability to install and/or service electronic control systems and HVAC equipment.
- Effective communication skills to represent Johnson Controls on customer sites.
- Possesses the ability to explain technical information to technical and non-technical people.
- Demonstrate effective writing skills as well as understanding of programs and software applications.
- Knowledge of control theory, automatic temperature controls, building automation systems and other building subsystems.
HIRING HOURLY RANGE: $29-39 (Hourly rate to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site.
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 many industries worldwide. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful service work and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with 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 - 10 days of vacation first year
- Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care – Available day one
- Encouraging and collaborative team environment
- Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy
What you will do
Under minimal supervision, conducts preventive maintenance, repair, installation, and commissioning and general servicing of systems (including detailed troubleshooting of systems). Responsible for high levels of customer satisfaction through direct, on site, customer interface. With a high level of complete technical competence, mentors control technicians, service technicians and mechanical technicians on building automation activities. Properly completes required project and service documentation. Provide our customers with the highest level of service to solve building inefficiencies and resolve service-related items. As a trusted advisor to our customers, you will provide solutions and outcomes at the time of service.
How you will do it
- Diagnoses and repairs complex control systems malfunctions requiring extensive knowledge of a variety of electronic or digital controls systems and ability to test and write modifications in multiple languages of systems software.
- Consults with the customer through data gathered and site assessments. Provides field proposals for retrofits, upgrades and or enhancements to existing equipment. Assists sales by providing technical recommendations for sales leads.
- Manages assigned work to meet professional and efficient execution of time and customer satisfaction. Reports problems or changes to management immediately. Interfaces with branch manager, service manager, service project manager or subcontractors on projects to coordinate activities as required ethically and professionally.
- Provides sketches of field changes and discrepancies for engineering corrections and drawings. May assist with job layouts and bid proposals.
- Communicates with customers upon arrival and before leaving the work site. Ensures high levels of customer satisfaction. Meets regularly with customers to become familiar with operating problems. Keeps customer informed on the service provided, outstanding issues and recommends system enhancements, upgrades, and replacement. Promotes the sale of add-on work.
- Adheres to all Johnson Controls and customer safety standards. Provides safety leadership and instruction to all control's technicians in the branch. Provides safety awareness while working onsite with Johnson Controls subcontractors.
- Trains the customer in control systems operations. Delivers manuals and documentation to the customer for training needs as required.
- Provides mentorship for certification of Controls Technicians and Service Technicians on complex building automation systems. Coaches, supports and trains the technical workforce on non-complex, non-critical equipment.
- Compiles job documentation, such as certificate of completion, customer training form, training certificates and punch lists.
- Conducts extensive self-study (reading, research and practice) to improve and maintain technical proficiency in company's product lines. Completes certifications as required by the company.
- Other duties related to the installing, commissioning and servicing of building controls and facilities management systems and energy management systems, as assigned.
- Assists in the design and configuration of building control systems as defined by the contract documents. Creates flow diagrams, sequence of operations, and bill of material, network layouts and electrical schematics as required.
- Assists in developing and testing software programs necessary to operate the system per the project requirements' intent.
- Compiles and/or completes project as built and close-out documentation.
- Assists in the coordination and creation of necessary drawings and equipment schedules for submittals and installation.
- Selects, orders, and tracks the delivery of materials for assigned projects. Coordinates factory-mounting processes to meet factory and project schedule.
- Assists in the loading and commissioning of all system and network-level controllers as required. Assists in validation of complete system functionality and troubleshoots problems with subcontractors and other trades to ensure proper operation.
- May provide field change information to the project team for the creation of as-built drawings and software.
- Keeps management and JCI contractor or customer informed of job progress and issues.
- Assists in performing site-specific training for owner/operator on the total building control system.
- Participates in release meeting with project field team.
- Provide recommendations and solutions to ensure facility is running efficiently to include upselling opportunities.
- Provide quotes to support recommendations and solutions.
What we look for
Required
- Be a dedicated member of a North America Branch team willing to learn and be responsible for system trouble shooting, repair and aftermarket services for this fast-growing business.
- Minimum of Four (4) years Commercial Controls troubleshooting experience in the HVAC industry. This includes buildings, chiller plants and systems.
- Vocational School program graduate or an associate's degree in a technical field, or two years’ experience in servicing electronic and or mechanical systems.
- Demonstrated ability to install and/or service electronic control systems and HVAC equipment.
- Effective communication skills to represent Johnson Controls on customer sites.
- Possesses the ability to explain technical information to technical and non-technical people.
- Demonstrate effective writing skills as well as understanding of programs and software applications.
- Knowledge of control theory, automatic temperature controls, building automation systems and other building subsystems.
HIRING HOURLY RANGE: $29-39 (Hourly rate to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site.
See all 451+ OPT HVAC Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT HVAC Jobs.
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.