OPT Hvac Engineer Jobs
HVAC Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical engineering or a closely related field. HVAC roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization, and employers in construction, building systems, and energy sectors actively hire OPT candidates.
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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
LI-NC1
See all 123+ OPT Hvac Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Hvac Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Hvac Engineer
Verify your degree field aligns with the role
HVAC Engineer positions require a mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering background for OPT eligibility. Confirm your degree field directly matches the job description before applying to avoid authorization complications with your DSO.
Apply to firms with established OPT workflows
Larger MEP engineering firms and building systems companies file OPT paperwork regularly. Targeting employers who have sponsored OPT students before significantly reduces onboarding delays and the risk of authorization errors from unfamiliar HR teams.
Highlight your STEM OPT extension eligibility upfront
Tell hiring managers early that your degree qualifies for a 36-month STEM OPT extension. This extends your effective runway significantly and reduces pressure on employers to immediately pursue H-1B visa sponsorship after your initial 12-month period ends.
Pursue PE licensure preparation during OPT
Starting your FE exam during OPT signals long-term commitment to engineering employers. Many HVAC firms prioritize candidates on a clear path to Professional Engineer licensure, which directly strengthens your case for H-1B sponsorship after OPT ends.
Emphasize hands-on software proficiency in applications
Employers hiring HVAC Engineers on OPT want immediate productivity. Demonstrating proficiency in tools like AutoCAD MEP, Revit MEP, or HAP energy modeling software positions you as a day-one contributor rather than a candidate requiring extended ramp-up time.
Prioritize companies with active H-1B sponsorship history
Before accepting an offer, research whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visas for engineers in the past. Companies with consistent H-1B filing history are far more likely to sponsor you when your OPT authorization period concludes.
Hvac Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do HVAC Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes, HVAC Engineer roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree is in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related STEM field listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. This gives you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify to support the extension.
Can I work as an HVAC Engineer on OPT without employer sponsorship?
OPT authorization itself does not require employer sponsorship in the traditional sense. Your employer does not file a petition with USCIS, but they must be a legitimate employer offering work directly related to your STEM degree. For the STEM OPT extension specifically, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan on Form I-983.
Where can I find HVAC Engineer jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by visa-friendliness, so you can browse HVAC Engineer roles at employers who have demonstrated willingness to work with OPT candidates. Searching through a general job board makes it difficult to identify which employers understand OPT requirements and have the HR processes to support your authorization.
What happens to my OPT status if I switch HVAC employers?
You can change employers during OPT, but the new role must still be directly related to your degree field. Report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days so your SEVP record is updated. If you are on a STEM OPT extension, your new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify, and you will need a new Form I-983 training plan signed by the incoming employer.
Do HVAC Engineer employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Sponsorship rates vary by employer size and sector. Large MEP engineering consultancies, commercial construction firms, and building systems manufacturers have more established immigration programs and file H-1B petitions more consistently than smaller contractors. Targeting companies with documented H-1B filing history in engineering roles is the most reliable way to assess sponsorship likelihood before accepting an offer.