OPT Mechanical Designer Jobs
Mechanical Designer jobs on OPT are a strong fit for F-1 graduates in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, or product design. Most roles require CAD proficiency and qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization without H-1B visa sponsorship from day one.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
CommScope, an Amphenol company, is hiring for a Designer I position in Shakopee MN.
Join a team in our Shakopee, MN facility working on new product development for fiber optic assemblies used in data centers around the world. A Designer I develops and releases designs and detailed drawings of components and assemblies leveraging CAD software. This position focuses on fiber optic connector, cable assembly, and apparatus product development. This role requires on-site work five days a week.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Contribute to project assignments
- Creates design concepts and solutions that solve customer problems
- Models product components and assemblies in CAD software following company practice
- Manages CAD file versions in the CAD database
- Initiates engineering change orders that release drawings and bills of materials into the MRP system
- Request prototypes of new designs using relevant methods and suppliers
- Collaborates with the lead Design Engineer to evaluate form, fit, and function of prototypes
- Documents designs in drawings and bills of materials per standards and specifications. Also adds detailed dimensions to drawings
- Collaborate with a Design Engineer to assure materials and designs are meeting relevant specifications
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Process Development to assure components and assemblies are manufacturable
- Collaborate with Field Application Engineering to assure that products are usable by the customer in an application setting
-
Participate in process improvement efforts and group training
-
Contribute to department needs and assignments as applicable
- Develop awareness of corporate, business unit, and department quality management system documentation
- Develop awareness of relevant industry standards for fiber optic products
- Develop awareness of CAD software capabilities
- Develop awareness of fiber optic products and applications
- Develop awareness of design practices for the range of parts and assemblies
- Develop awareness of manufacturing practices for the range of parts and assemblies
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with MCAD software and database management
- Experience with prototyping and manufacturing methods
- Familiarity with ERP systems and Bill of Material structure
- Familiarity with drawing and tolerance standards
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associates degree in Applied Science in Engineering Drafting and Design desired
- Knowledge of CREO CAD software
- Knowledge of SAP
- Knowledge of sheet metal or plastics design and manufacturing techniques
- Experience with the product development process in a manufacturing environment
- Experience with fiber optic products
The candidate will be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, life and accidental death insurance, a 401(k) plan, and participation in the Company’s Incentive Plan. Candidates starting with the Company will be eligible for eleven paid holidays in a full calendar year, 10 days paid vacation (prorated based on start date), and other leave options.
Salary Range: $53,000-$63,000.
What Happens After You Apply:
Learn how to prepare yourself for the next steps in our hiring process by visiting https://jobs.commscope.com/content/How-We-Hire/?locale=en_US.
Why CommScope:
CommScope is on a quest to deliver connectivity that empowers how we live, work, and learn. Our employees push the boundaries of communications technology that enabling game-changing discoveries like 5G, the Internet of Things, and gigabit speeds for everyone, everywhere. With our unmatched expertise in copper, fiber, and wireless infrastructure, our global clients rely on us to outperform today and be ready for tomorrow's needs.
If you want to grow your career alongside bright, passionate, and caring people who strive to create what's next…..come connect to your future at CommScope.
CommScope is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), including people with disabilities and veterans. If you are seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact us to submit your request at talentacquisition@commscope.com.
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INTRODUCTION
CommScope, an Amphenol company, is hiring for a Designer I position in Shakopee MN.
Join a team in our Shakopee, MN facility working on new product development for fiber optic assemblies used in data centers around the world. A Designer I develops and releases designs and detailed drawings of components and assemblies leveraging CAD software. This position focuses on fiber optic connector, cable assembly, and apparatus product development. This role requires on-site work five days a week.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Contribute to project assignments
- Creates design concepts and solutions that solve customer problems
- Models product components and assemblies in CAD software following company practice
- Manages CAD file versions in the CAD database
- Initiates engineering change orders that release drawings and bills of materials into the MRP system
- Request prototypes of new designs using relevant methods and suppliers
- Collaborates with the lead Design Engineer to evaluate form, fit, and function of prototypes
- Documents designs in drawings and bills of materials per standards and specifications. Also adds detailed dimensions to drawings
- Collaborate with a Design Engineer to assure materials and designs are meeting relevant specifications
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Process Development to assure components and assemblies are manufacturable
- Collaborate with Field Application Engineering to assure that products are usable by the customer in an application setting
-
Participate in process improvement efforts and group training
-
Contribute to department needs and assignments as applicable
- Develop awareness of corporate, business unit, and department quality management system documentation
- Develop awareness of relevant industry standards for fiber optic products
- Develop awareness of CAD software capabilities
- Develop awareness of fiber optic products and applications
- Develop awareness of design practices for the range of parts and assemblies
- Develop awareness of manufacturing practices for the range of parts and assemblies
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with MCAD software and database management
- Experience with prototyping and manufacturing methods
- Familiarity with ERP systems and Bill of Material structure
- Familiarity with drawing and tolerance standards
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Associates degree in Applied Science in Engineering Drafting and Design desired
- Knowledge of CREO CAD software
- Knowledge of SAP
- Knowledge of sheet metal or plastics design and manufacturing techniques
- Experience with the product development process in a manufacturing environment
- Experience with fiber optic products
The candidate will be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, life and accidental death insurance, a 401(k) plan, and participation in the Company’s Incentive Plan. Candidates starting with the Company will be eligible for eleven paid holidays in a full calendar year, 10 days paid vacation (prorated based on start date), and other leave options.
Salary Range: $53,000-$63,000.
What Happens After You Apply:
Learn how to prepare yourself for the next steps in our hiring process by visiting https://jobs.commscope.com/content/How-We-Hire/?locale=en_US.
Why CommScope:
CommScope is on a quest to deliver connectivity that empowers how we live, work, and learn. Our employees push the boundaries of communications technology that enabling game-changing discoveries like 5G, the Internet of Things, and gigabit speeds for everyone, everywhere. With our unmatched expertise in copper, fiber, and wireless infrastructure, our global clients rely on us to outperform today and be ready for tomorrow's needs.
If you want to grow your career alongside bright, passionate, and caring people who strive to create what's next…..come connect to your future at CommScope.
CommScope is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), including people with disabilities and veterans. If you are seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact us to submit your request at talentacquisition@commscope.com.
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See all 195+ OPT Mechanical Designer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Mechanical Designer
Lead with your CAD software stack
Hiring managers for Mechanical Designer roles filter by software first. List SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA, or Creo prominently at the top of your resume, not buried in a skills section. Specificity here signals you can contribute from week one.
Target STEM OPT-eligible roles from the start
Mechanical Designer positions typically fall under CIP codes for mechanical engineering, which qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree field matches before applying so you're not surprised by a shorter authorization window mid-job search.
Prioritize employers already filing H-1B petitions
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas in mechanical engineering roles are far more likely to extend your status after OPT. Search OFLC disclosure data to verify whether a prospective employer has an active sponsorship track record before investing in an application.
Frame internship and co-op experience as production work
Many Mechanical Designers come from co-op programs. Translate that experience into output: parts designed, tolerances met, design reviews completed. Employers want confidence you've worked in a real product development environment, not just a classroom simulation.
Address OPT timing directly in outreach
When reaching out to hiring managers, state your OPT authorization period and STEM extension eligibility upfront. Removing ambiguity about your work authorization timeline reduces hesitation and positions you as organized and transparent, which matters for roles involving compliance-sensitive manufacturing work.
Build a portfolio of technical drawings and assemblies
A PDF portfolio showing GD&T drawings, assembly models, or tolerance stacks differentiates you from candidates who only list software skills. One or two documented projects demonstrating design intent and manufacturing awareness can move you past the resume screening stage faster.
Mechanical Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Mechanical Designer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Mechanical Designer roles do qualify, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related discipline. The extension gives you 24 additional months beyond your initial 12-month OPT period, for a total of 36 months. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since the role itself must align with your specific degree field to qualify.
What CAD skills do employers most commonly require for Mechanical Designer OPT roles?
SolidWorks is the most frequently listed requirement across manufacturing, aerospace, and consumer product companies. AutoCAD remains common for 2D drafting-heavy environments. CATIA appears regularly in aerospace and automotive postings. Creo shows up at defense contractors and industrial manufacturers. Proficiency in at least one parametric modeling tool is effectively a baseline requirement, and fluency in GD&T is expected at most companies beyond entry level.
How do I find Mechanical Designer jobs that sponsor OPT and are open to visa sponsorship later?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers who have a track record of sponsoring work visas, so you're not applying blindly to companies that will decline once your OPT expires. Browsing Migrate Mate for Mechanical Designer openings surfaces roles where employers are already engaged with the H-1B or O-1 visa process, which is the practical filter that matters most for long-term stay in the U.S.
Can I work as a Mechanical Designer on OPT if my degree is in a related field like industrial engineering or materials science?
Yes, as long as the Mechanical Designer role is directly related to your degree field. OPT requires that the job be in a field that is related to your major. Industrial engineering and materials science can support a Mechanical Designer role, but the connection needs to be defensible if your DSO or employer's immigration counsel reviews it. Document the overlap between your coursework and the job description to be prepared.
What industries hire the most Mechanical Designers on OPT?
Aerospace and defense, automotive, medical devices, and industrial equipment manufacturing are the highest-volume sectors for Mechanical Designer roles. Companies like aerospace suppliers, tier-one auto suppliers, and contract manufacturers in those verticals tend to hire in volume and have established immigration infrastructure. Medical device companies in particular have strong demand and are often accustomed to sponsoring international engineers through OPT and into H-1B status.