OPT Maintenance Jobs
Maintenance roles in facilities management, manufacturing, and property operations regularly sponsor F-1 OPT students with engineering or technology degrees. Your 12-month OPT window, or 24-month STEM extension if your degree qualifies, gives employers a meaningful runway to evaluate you before pursuing H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsGeneral Purpose:
The Maintenance Manager is responsible for directing and coordinating the facility maintenance operation to meet Company objectives for Production, Quality, Quantity and Cost. Participate in the overall strategic design and direction of the maintenance processes and related specification. Oversee the training of employees, setting of departmental production and performance goals, organization of work, and maintenance of a productive and motivational climate.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Plan, direct and control the efforts of the Maintenance Department to maintain plant equipment and facilities commensurate with good engineering practices.
- Manage assets to execute an effective preventive maintenance program, to minimize unscheduled down time, and ensure that equipment is ready to run when scheduled.
- Ensure that all equipment and facility installations and or modifications meet or exceed all regulatory agency (i.e. USDA, FSA, OSHA, ADA, EPA) standards and comply with all DFA policies and or procedures.
- Assure that production equipment is capable of producing within the specifications and tolerances established by the equipment manufacturer.
- Food safety and regulatory responsibilities, and responsible for meeting the requirements of the SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing, and shall report food safety problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
- Consult with Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering and the Production Department regarding desirable modifications of existing equipment and facilities and the possible replacement of existing equipment, which will improve operations and reduce maintenance costs.
- Monitor and report maintenance key indicators to top management and make recommendations for necessary changes to drive improvement.
- Keep and update equipment and facility records and procedures such as equipment manuals, schematic drawings, and facility drawings.
- Actively participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives (i.e. 5S, Kaizen, lean tools and etc.).
- Develop and maintain an effective department through proper selection, training and assignment of personnel capable of maintaining all equipment and facilities in a safe and efficient working condition.
- Develop objectives and standards of performance for projects within the Maintenance Department required to meet departmental, divisional and corporate goals and objectives.
- Maintain and control departmental budget and ensure all work completed is within budget parameters and time constraints.
- Participate in meetings or other communications with other departments regarding the resolution of ongoing problems, the implementation of new procedures or processes, or the development of new plans and designs.
- Utilize industry approved methodologies to ensure proper inventory control of MRO parts.
- Adhere to all DFA Food Safety and Quality policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
- Adhere to all DFA Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
- Adhere to all GMP policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
- Understand and implement problem solving techniques, motivational techniques, long range planning, and Employee & Labor Relations.
- Availability 24/7.
- Other duties may be assigned as required.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Minimum Requirements
- BS Degree in Engineering or Technical Discipline
- 3 Years direct supervision or management in maintenance and/or production environment.
- Computer skills to include Microsoft Suite products, and AutoCAD
- Ability to work any shift
- Must be able to read, write and speak English
Preferred Qualifications
- Better Process Control School
- Knowledge of factory automation to include PLC and HMI programming, Network Configuration, and servo systems.
- Knowledge of Boiler Operation, Sanitary welding
- Various computer applications - SAP or similar operating system
Travel:
15%-25% (1-2 times per quarter)
An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans
Compensation:
$100000 - $110000/year
General Purpose:
The Maintenance Manager is responsible for directing and coordinating the facility maintenance operation to meet Company objectives for Production, Quality, Quantity and Cost. Participate in the overall strategic design and direction of the maintenance processes and related specification. Oversee the training of employees, setting of departmental production and performance goals, organization of work, and maintenance of a productive and motivational climate.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
- Plan, direct and control the efforts of the Maintenance Department to maintain plant equipment and facilities commensurate with good engineering practices.
- Manage assets to execute an effective preventive maintenance program, to minimize unscheduled down time, and ensure that equipment is ready to run when scheduled.
- Ensure that all equipment and facility installations and or modifications meet or exceed all regulatory agency (i.e. USDA, FSA, OSHA, ADA, EPA) standards and comply with all DFA policies and or procedures.
- Assure that production equipment is capable of producing within the specifications and tolerances established by the equipment manufacturer.
- Food safety and regulatory responsibilities, and responsible for meeting the requirements of the SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing, and shall report food safety problems to personnel with authority to initiate action.
- Consult with Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering and the Production Department regarding desirable modifications of existing equipment and facilities and the possible replacement of existing equipment, which will improve operations and reduce maintenance costs.
- Monitor and report maintenance key indicators to top management and make recommendations for necessary changes to drive improvement.
- Keep and update equipment and facility records and procedures such as equipment manuals, schematic drawings, and facility drawings.
- Actively participate in Continuous Improvement initiatives (i.e. 5S, Kaizen, lean tools and etc.).
- Develop and maintain an effective department through proper selection, training and assignment of personnel capable of maintaining all equipment and facilities in a safe and efficient working condition.
- Develop objectives and standards of performance for projects within the Maintenance Department required to meet departmental, divisional and corporate goals and objectives.
- Maintain and control departmental budget and ensure all work completed is within budget parameters and time constraints.
- Participate in meetings or other communications with other departments regarding the resolution of ongoing problems, the implementation of new procedures or processes, or the development of new plans and designs.
- Utilize industry approved methodologies to ensure proper inventory control of MRO parts.
- Adhere to all DFA Food Safety and Quality policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
- Adhere to all DFA Safety policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
- Adhere to all GMP policies and procedures, reporting any nonconformity.
- Understand and implement problem solving techniques, motivational techniques, long range planning, and Employee & Labor Relations.
- Availability 24/7.
- Other duties may be assigned as required.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Minimum Requirements
- BS Degree in Engineering or Technical Discipline
- 3 Years direct supervision or management in maintenance and/or production environment.
- Computer skills to include Microsoft Suite products, and AutoCAD
- Ability to work any shift
- Must be able to read, write and speak English
Preferred Qualifications
- Better Process Control School
- Knowledge of factory automation to include PLC and HMI programming, Network Configuration, and servo systems.
- Knowledge of Boiler Operation, Sanitary welding
- Various computer applications - SAP or similar operating system
Travel:
15%-25% (1-2 times per quarter)
An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans
Compensation:
$100000 - $110000/year
See all 791+ OPT Maintenance Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Maintenance
Target employers with in-house engineering teams
Large manufacturers, hospitals, universities, and commercial real estate firms maintain dedicated maintenance departments that regularly hire OPT workers. Smaller contractors often lack the HR infrastructure to manage work authorization paperwork reliably.
Align your degree to the job description
Maintenance roles in industrial or facilities settings often qualify for STEM OPT extension when your degree is in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field. Confirm the SOC code matches your EAD authorization before accepting an offer.
Clarify sponsorship intent before the final interview round
Ask directly whether the employer has sponsored H-1B visa workers in maintenance or engineering roles before. Employers with a track record of sponsorship are far more likely to follow through when your OPT authorization approaches its end date.
Highlight certifications that reduce employer risk
EPA Section 608 certification, OSHA 30, or a stationary engineer license signals that you meet compliance requirements independently. Employers weigh these credentials heavily when evaluating whether sponsoring an OPT worker is worth the administrative cost.
Report your employer through your DSO immediately after hiring
SEVIS requires you to report your employer name, address, and start date within 10 days of beginning work. Failing to update your record can jeopardize your OPT authorization even if your EAD card is still physically valid.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly maintenance openings
Migrate Mate surfaces maintenance and facilities roles from employers with documented sponsorship history. Filtering by work authorization type saves significant time compared to manually screening postings that rarely disclose sponsorship willingness upfront.
Maintenance OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do maintenance jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or industrial technology appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, you may be eligible for the extension. The job must also relate directly to your field of study. Your DSO confirms eligibility and files the updated I-20.
Can I work as a maintenance technician on OPT if my degree is in engineering technology?
Yes, engineering technology degrees from accredited U.S. universities qualify for OPT. The key requirement is that your maintenance role must be directly related to your degree program. Facilities engineering, HVAC systems, and industrial maintenance positions typically satisfy this requirement for engineering technology graduates. Document the connection clearly when reporting employment to your DSO.
How do I find maintenance employers who are willing to sponsor OPT workers?
Migrate Mate is the most efficient option. The platform shows maintenance and facilities roles from employers with verified sponsorship activity, so you're not cold-applying to companies that won't support your work authorization. Government contractors, large manufacturers, and university facilities departments are among the employer types most consistently open to sponsoring OPT and eventual H-1B candidates.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I'm laid off from a maintenance position?
You enter a 60-day unemployment grace period, which counts against your total allowed unemployment days. On standard 12-month OPT, you're permitted up to 90 cumulative days of unemployment. STEM extension holders have the same 60-day grace period per extension period. You must actively seek new employment related to your degree and notify your DSO if you exceed the allowed unemployment limit.
Does working for a subcontractor or staffing agency count as valid OPT employment in maintenance?
It can count, but the relationship must be structured correctly. You must have a formal employment arrangement with the staffing agency, not just a work site placement agreement. The work itself must relate to your degree. Some staffing arrangements qualify; others do not. Consult your DSO before accepting a contract or agency-placed maintenance role to confirm your employment structure is compliant.