OPT HVAC Technician Jobs
HVAC Technician roles qualify for F-1 OPT when the work directly relates to your engineering technology, mechanical engineering, or HVAC-specific degree program. Many positions involve hands-on systems work that counts toward your authorized training period. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree classification.
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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 Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT HVAC Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a HVAC Technician
Verify your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires OPT work to be directly related to your major. A degree in mechanical engineering technology, HVAC systems, or building systems engineering gives you the strongest connection to technician roles. Document how your coursework maps to the job duties.
Target employers with licensed contractor status
Licensed HVAC contractors have structured hiring pipelines and are more likely to understand work authorization requirements. Larger commercial and industrial contractors often have HR teams familiar with OPT, making the authorization conversation more straightforward than with small residential shops.
Lead with your EPA 608 certification
EPA Section 608 certification is federally required to handle refrigerants and signals job-readiness to employers. Having it before you apply removes a common hiring barrier and demonstrates you can contribute immediately, which matters when employers are weighing OPT paperwork complexity.
Clarify your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility upfront
HVAC roles at qualifying employers may support a 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is on the STEM designated degree list. Confirming this early helps employers plan beyond your initial OPT period and reduces hesitation about short authorization windows.
Focus on commercial and industrial employers over residential
Commercial HVAC contractors, facilities management companies, and building automation firms tend to hire under formal processes and are more experienced with employment verification requirements. Residential contractors often hire informally and may not be set up to sponsor or support OPT students.
Use Migrate Mate to find HVAC employers already open to sponsorship
Not every HVAC employer is willing to hire on OPT. Migrate Mate filters for employers actively open to sponsoring international candidates, saving you time on outreach to companies that will decline before the conversation even starts.
HVAC Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does HVAC Technician work qualify for F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your HVAC Technician role is directly related to your degree field. Degrees in mechanical engineering technology, HVAC systems technology, or building systems engineering typically qualify. Your job duties should connect to your coursework, and you'll need to report the employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting.
Can I get a STEM OPT extension as an HVAC Technician?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your degree appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, such as mechanical engineering technology or engineering technology, and your employer is E-Verify enrolled, you can apply for the 24-month STEM extension. The technician role itself does not determine eligibility. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific CIP code qualifies.
Do I need an EPA 608 certification to work on OPT as an HVAC Technician?
EPA 608 certification is a federal job requirement for any technician who handles refrigerants, separate from your OPT work authorization. You can legally work on OPT without it, but most employers require it before you can perform core HVAC duties. Getting certified before applying makes you immediately deployable and strengthens your candidacy.
Where can I find HVAC Technician jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists HVAC Technician positions from employers who are open to hiring F-1 OPT students. Standard job boards don't filter for visa-friendly employers, so you can spend weeks applying to companies that won't hire on OPT. Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students in this situation.
What happens to my OPT if I'm hired as a contractor rather than a full-time employee?
OPT allows self-employment and contract work as long as the work is directly related to your degree and you work at least 20 hours per week. However, for STEM OPT extension purposes, you must have a formal employer-employee relationship with an E-Verify enrolled company. Pure independent contracting does not qualify for the STEM extension, so the employment structure matters if you're planning beyond your initial OPT period.