OPT Marine Technician Jobs
Marine Technician jobs on OPT are available at boat manufacturers, marine service centers, and naval contractors. Most roles require hands-on mechanical skills and a degree in marine technology, mechanical engineering, or a related field. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your specific degree and employer.
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Get Access To All JobsIf you like variety and challenge and take satisfaction from knowing your work supports marine sustainability, consider joining the Michels Construction, Inc., Marine Operations team. Marine Operations provides services to include mechanical and hydraulic dredging, certified commercial diving, lock and dam repair, inspection, and debris removal, just to name a few. The end product might not be visible, but it will be essential. Our work improves lives. Find out how a career at Michels Construction, Inc. can change yours.
As a Project Manager, Marine Construction, your key responsibilities will be to manage a phase of a large complex project or manage multiple medium sized marine construction projects that are approximately greater than $1M and are up to $50M. It is also your responsibility to plan, direct and coordinate activities of designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives of the project are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Why Michels Construction, Inc.?
- We support dynamic and growing industries
- We are family owned and operated
- We invest an average of $5,000 per employee on training each year
- We reward hard work and dedication with limitless opportunities
- We are a part of the Michels family of companies – one of North America's largest, most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors
- We offer a comprehensive benefits program, including Health, Dental, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) plan, Legal Plan, and Identity Theft and Monitoring Plan. Depending on your positions and location you may participate in a different benefit plan.
Why you?
- You want to win.
- You thrive in fast-paced environments
- You relish new challenges and evolving technology
- You want your work to be meaningful
- You enjoy collaborating and communicating with your teammates
- You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated
- You are flexible and optimistic
What it takes:
- Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of both
- Project Management experience in Marine Construction or Heavy Civil is desired
- Ability to be on the water performing work in varying conditions
- Position requires extensive travel throughout the United States (50% or more)
- Experience with B2W, Microsoft Project, and AutoCad a plus but not required
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability
If you like variety and challenge and take satisfaction from knowing your work supports marine sustainability, consider joining the Michels Construction, Inc., Marine Operations team. Marine Operations provides services to include mechanical and hydraulic dredging, certified commercial diving, lock and dam repair, inspection, and debris removal, just to name a few. The end product might not be visible, but it will be essential. Our work improves lives. Find out how a career at Michels Construction, Inc. can change yours.
As a Project Manager, Marine Construction, your key responsibilities will be to manage a phase of a large complex project or manage multiple medium sized marine construction projects that are approximately greater than $1M and are up to $50M. It is also your responsibility to plan, direct and coordinate activities of designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives of the project are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Why Michels Construction, Inc.?
- We support dynamic and growing industries
- We are family owned and operated
- We invest an average of $5,000 per employee on training each year
- We reward hard work and dedication with limitless opportunities
- We are a part of the Michels family of companies – one of North America's largest, most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors
- We offer a comprehensive benefits program, including Health, Dental, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) plan, Legal Plan, and Identity Theft and Monitoring Plan. Depending on your positions and location you may participate in a different benefit plan.
Why you?
- You want to win.
- You thrive in fast-paced environments
- You relish new challenges and evolving technology
- You want your work to be meaningful
- You enjoy collaborating and communicating with your teammates
- You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated
- You are flexible and optimistic
What it takes:
- Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of both
- Project Management experience in Marine Construction or Heavy Civil is desired
- Ability to be on the water performing work in varying conditions
- Position requires extensive travel throughout the United States (50% or more)
- Experience with B2W, Microsoft Project, and AutoCad a plus but not required
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability
See all OPT Marine Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Marine Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Marine Technician
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Marine Technician roles can qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in marine technology, mechanical engineering, or a related STEM field. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Target employers with existing OPT infrastructure
Boat manufacturers, naval defense contractors, and large marine service companies are more likely to have HR teams familiar with OPT work authorization. Smaller independent marine shops may not understand the process at all.
Lead with your technical credentials, not your visa status
Certifications like ABYC or manufacturer-specific training from Yamaha or Mercury Marine make you stand out before the OPT conversation happens. Employers who see clear technical value are more willing to navigate authorization paperwork.
Address OPT proactively and clearly
When asked about work authorization, explain that OPT allows you to work without employer sponsorship during the authorization period. Many hiring managers confuse OPT with visa sponsorship, so a concise, confident explanation removes that friction.
Focus on employers in STEM OPT-friendly industries
Naval defense contractors, marine engineering firms, and boat manufacturers frequently hire on STEM OPT because they already employ engineers under similar authorizations. These employers understand compliance obligations and are less likely to reject OPT candidates outright.
Apply before your OPT end date with enough runway
Hiring for technical roles like Marine Technician can take four to eight weeks from application to offer. Starting your search at least three months before your OPT expires gives employers confidence you have sufficient time to contribute meaningfully.
Marine Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Marine Technician on OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a related field such as marine technology, mechanical engineering, or marine systems engineering. The work must be directly related to your degree program. Roles focused on engine diagnostics, systems repair, or vessel maintenance at marine companies typically satisfy the relationship requirement, but your DSO can confirm eligibility for your specific situation.
Does a Marine Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title itself. If your degree is classified under a qualifying STEM CIP code, such as mechanical engineering or marine engineering technology, and the employer meets the E-Verify requirement, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO early, since not all marine technology programs qualify.
Do Marine Technician employers typically understand OPT work authorization?
Larger employers in naval contracting, boat manufacturing, and commercial marine services are generally more familiar with OPT than small independent repair shops. When speaking with employers who seem unfamiliar, clarify that OPT work authorization does not require them to file any petition or pay any fees on your behalf. That distinction removes the most common point of hesitation.
Where can I find Marine Technician jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists Marine Technician roles from employers open to OPT work authorization. Searching on general platforms often produces listings that screen out international students before you even apply. Migrate Mate filters for OPT-friendly employers, which saves time during a period when your authorization window is limited.
What happens to my Marine Technician job if my OPT expires before H-1B sponsorship comes through?
You must stop working when your OPT employment authorization expires unless you have a bridging status in place, such as a timely filed H-1B visa cap-subject petition that triggers cap-gap protection. If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before April 1 of the relevant fiscal year and your OPT expires before October 1, cap-gap rules may extend your work authorization automatically. Consult an immigration attorney to plan the timing.