OPT Mechanic Jobs
Mechanic jobs on OPT are available across automotive dealerships, aerospace maintenance, and industrial equipment sectors. Your F-1 OPT work authorization lets you work full-time for any qualifying employer, but STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on whether your degree aligns with the specific mechanical role.
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Georgia-Pacific's Naheola Mill in Pennington, AL is seeking experienced Maintenance Mechanics to support day shift operations. This role focuses on maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing industrial equipment to improve reliability, safety, and production uptime.
This position works a typical schedule of Monday-Friday, with occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. Starting pay for this role is $42.69 per hour.
Our Team
The Naheola Mill is a large-scale manufacturing facility known for producing a wide range of products for the consumer business, including Angel Soft® bath tissue and Sparkle® paper towels, as well as bleached paperboard used in Dixie® paper cups and plates. The mill is the largest employer in the community and is engaged in supporting community outreach, workforce development and education.
What You Will Do
- Assemble, repair and fabricate metal parts by operating mechanical equipment and by using blueprints and designs sketches to ensure proper dimensions and tolerance levels of finished product
- Assemble parts into sub-units or completed units
- Install and maintain machinery and equipment using hoists, lift trucks, hand tools and power tools
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Journeyman Millwright and Pipefitter and/or a Machinist in an Industrial environment OR a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Journeyman Millwright and Pipefitter and/or Machinist AND a two year degree or higher in Industrial Technology
- Confirmed Journeyman status, e.g.; written documentation that shows journeyman status for the required time frame
What Will Put You Ahead
- Bachelor's degree in industrial technology
- Experience using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
- Experience working in a pulp and paper and/or heavy manufacturing environment
This role is part of the collective bargaining agreement and the starting pay for this role is set at $42.69 per hour.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please visit the following website for additional information: http://www.kochcareers.com/doc/Everify.pdf
Your Job
Georgia-Pacific's Naheola Mill in Pennington, AL is seeking experienced Maintenance Mechanics to support day shift operations. This role focuses on maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing industrial equipment to improve reliability, safety, and production uptime.
This position works a typical schedule of Monday-Friday, with occasional weekends, holidays, and overtime as needed. Starting pay for this role is $42.69 per hour.
Our Team
The Naheola Mill is a large-scale manufacturing facility known for producing a wide range of products for the consumer business, including Angel Soft® bath tissue and Sparkle® paper towels, as well as bleached paperboard used in Dixie® paper cups and plates. The mill is the largest employer in the community and is engaged in supporting community outreach, workforce development and education.
What You Will Do
- Assemble, repair and fabricate metal parts by operating mechanical equipment and by using blueprints and designs sketches to ensure proper dimensions and tolerance levels of finished product
- Assemble parts into sub-units or completed units
- Install and maintain machinery and equipment using hoists, lift trucks, hand tools and power tools
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience as a Journeyman Millwright and Pipefitter and/or a Machinist in an Industrial environment OR a minimum of two (2) years of experience as a Journeyman Millwright and Pipefitter and/or Machinist AND a two year degree or higher in Industrial Technology
- Confirmed Journeyman status, e.g.; written documentation that shows journeyman status for the required time frame
What Will Put You Ahead
- Bachelor's degree in industrial technology
- Experience using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
- Experience working in a pulp and paper and/or heavy manufacturing environment
This role is part of the collective bargaining agreement and the starting pay for this role is set at $42.69 per hour.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please visit the following website for additional information: http://www.kochcareers.com/doc/Everify.pdf
See all 112+ OPT Mechanic Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Mechanic
Target STEM-aligned mechanic roles
Positions in aerospace, industrial, or electromechanical systems often qualify for STEM OPT extension if your degree is in engineering or a related field. Confirm SOC code alignment with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work period.
Prioritize employers with E-Verify enrollment
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be registered with E-Verify. Ask HR directly during early conversations. Dealerships and large fleet operators are more likely to be enrolled than small independent auto shops.
Document that your role relates to your degree
Your DSO must confirm your mechanic job is directly related to your field of study. Keep a written job description on hand that connects your daily duties to your engineering or technology coursework for DSO review.
Address OPT proactively, not at the offer stage
Bring up your work authorization status before final interviews. Many employers in automotive and industrial maintenance are unfamiliar with OPT. A brief, confident explanation early prevents last-minute confusion that kills otherwise strong offers.
Pursue certifications that signal employer readiness
ASE certifications are widely recognized across automotive and equipment maintenance. Holding one reduces employer hesitation about hiring OPT candidates because it demonstrates job-readiness independent of visa status, making sponsorship conversations easier to initiate.
Track your OPT end date against hiring timelines
Mechanic hiring cycles at large fleet operators and aerospace MRO facilities can take 60 to 90 days. Start your job search early enough that an offer and start date land well within your authorized period, with buffer.
Mechanic OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a mechanic on F-1 OPT?
Yes, F-1 OPT authorizes you to work full-time as a mechanic as long as the role is directly related to your field of study. An automotive technology or mechanical engineering degree supports most mechanic roles. Your DSO confirms the connection between the job and your degree before you begin work.
Do mechanic jobs qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension?
Some do. Mechanic roles in aerospace maintenance, electromechanical systems, or industrial equipment can qualify if they fall under an eligible STEM SOC code and your degree is in engineering, engineering technology, or a related STEM field. Standard automotive technician roles at dealerships often do not qualify. Confirm your specific SOC code with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find mechanic employers who are open to hiring OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the recommended place to find mechanic jobs from employers familiar with OPT and visa sponsorship. Larger employers such as aerospace MRO companies, public transit agencies, and national fleet operators are generally more OPT-friendly than independent shops, which rarely have HR infrastructure to navigate work authorization requirements.
What happens if my OPT expires before I find a mechanic job?
If your OPT period ends without active employment, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you cannot work. You must either change visa status, depart the U.S., or have begun a timely filed STEM OPT extension application. Applying for STEM OPT before your current EAD expires keeps your authorization continuous while USCIS processes the extension.
Does an employer need to sponsor me for a visa to hire me as a mechanic on OPT?
Not during your OPT period. OPT work authorization is tied to your F-1 status, so no employer sponsorship is required to hire you. Sponsorship only becomes relevant if you want to remain in the U.S. after OPT ends, typically through an H-1B visa petition. Discussing long-term sponsorship intent with employers early avoids misunderstandings later.