OPT Mechanical Engineer Jobs
Mechanical Engineer roles qualify for OPT work authorization, and the field consistently ranks among the top STEM-designated occupations, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Most employers file H-1B visa sponsorship for qualified mechanical engineers, giving you a realistic path to long-term U.S. work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Holly, Michigan | Employee Type: Full-time
About Kais-AIR®:
Kais-AIR® is a leader in the design, engineering, fabrication, installation, and service of modular industrial equipment and mission-critical facilities. As part of the Kaiser Enterprise, we offer customers a single point of contact to execute a wide variety of critical needs across multiple markets including Data Centers, Battery Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace, Renewable Energy, and Healthcare.
Role Overview:
The Mechanical Proposals Engineer is responsible for developing accurate cost estimates for custom mechanical equipment and modular systems serving both industrial and mission-critical markets.
Within the industrial market, the Mechanical Proposals Engineer supports estimating for custom air handling units (AHUs) and desiccant dehumidification units (DHUs) designed for specialized environmental control applications.
Within the mission-critical market, the Mechanical Proposals Engineer supports estimating for custom air handling units, electrical skids, and modular data center infrastructure products.
Working within the Sales & Estimating group, the Mechanical Proposals Engineer collaborates closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and sales teams to evaluate project scope, obtain vendor pricing, develop cost models, and support customer proposals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Equipment Cost Estimating:
- Develop cost estimates for custom mechanical equipment and modular assemblies.
- Review project drawings, specifications, and performance requirements to determine scope.
- Prepare conceptual, budgetary, and detailed estimates to support customer proposals and internal planning.
Industrial Market Equipment
Support estimating activities for industrial environmental control systems including:
- Custom air handling units (AHUs)
- Desiccant dehumidification units (DHUs)
- Specialized humidity and environmental control systems
Responsibilities include estimating major equipment components such as:
- Fans and fan arrays
- Cooling and heating coils
- Desiccant dehumidification systems
- Filtration stages
- Energy recovery devices
- Dampers and airflow control devices
- Structural housings and equipment frames
Coordinate with engineering to understand performance requirements such as airflow capacity, static pressure, temperature control, and humidity control targets.
Mission Critical Market Equipment
Support estimating activities for mission-critical infrastructure including:
- Custom air handling units
- Electrical skid assemblies
- Modular data center mechanical and electrical infrastructure
Responsibilities include reviewing system layouts and coordinating with engineering and manufacturing teams to estimate equipment components, fabrication, assembly, and testing requirements.
Vendor and Component Pricing:
- Solicit and evaluate vendor pricing for major mechanical and electrical components including:
- Fans and motors
- Coils and heat exchangers
- Desiccant wheels and humidity control equipment
- Electrical components and controls
- Maintain supplier relationships and track historical cost data.
Manufacturing and Assembly Coordination:
- Coordinate with engineering and manufacturing teams to estimate:
- Fabrication labor
- Assembly and integration time
- Testing and commissioning requirements
- Packaging and shipping considerations
- Ensure equipment designs align with manufacturing capabilities and cost targets.
Proposal and Sales Support:
- Support the Sales team in preparing technical proposals and estimate summaries.
- Assist with development of proposal documentation and cost breakdowns.
- Participate in internal bid review meetings and scope discussions.
Cost Analysis and Continuous Improvement:
- Track estimated versus actual project costs to improve future estimate accuracy.
- Maintain estimating templates and internal cost databases.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization and value engineering during proposal development.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field, or equivalent industry experience.
- 1–5 years of experience in mechanical estimating, HVAC equipment estimating, or industrial equipment design.
- Ability to read and interpret:
- Mechanical drawings
- Equipment schedules
- Electrical one-line diagrams
- Technical specifications.
- Strong proficiency with Excel and cost analysis tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience estimating custom air handling units or HVAC equipment.
- Familiarity with desiccant dehumidification technologies.
- Experience estimating modular equipment or skid-mounted systems.
- Exposure to data center infrastructure equipment.
- Familiarity with BIM tools such as Revit or Navisworks.
Degree Required
Bachelor's Degree
Travel Requirement
No
Job Requirements
- Cost modeling and analysis
- Revit
- Vendor pricing coordination
- BIM
- Microsoft Excel
- Navisworks
- Estimating
Division
Kais-AIR®
Location: Holly, Michigan | Employee Type: Full-time
About Kais-AIR®:
Kais-AIR® is a leader in the design, engineering, fabrication, installation, and service of modular industrial equipment and mission-critical facilities. As part of the Kaiser Enterprise, we offer customers a single point of contact to execute a wide variety of critical needs across multiple markets including Data Centers, Battery Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace, Renewable Energy, and Healthcare.
Role Overview:
The Mechanical Proposals Engineer is responsible for developing accurate cost estimates for custom mechanical equipment and modular systems serving both industrial and mission-critical markets.
Within the industrial market, the Mechanical Proposals Engineer supports estimating for custom air handling units (AHUs) and desiccant dehumidification units (DHUs) designed for specialized environmental control applications.
Within the mission-critical market, the Mechanical Proposals Engineer supports estimating for custom air handling units, electrical skids, and modular data center infrastructure products.
Working within the Sales & Estimating group, the Mechanical Proposals Engineer collaborates closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and sales teams to evaluate project scope, obtain vendor pricing, develop cost models, and support customer proposals.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Equipment Cost Estimating:
- Develop cost estimates for custom mechanical equipment and modular assemblies.
- Review project drawings, specifications, and performance requirements to determine scope.
- Prepare conceptual, budgetary, and detailed estimates to support customer proposals and internal planning.
Industrial Market Equipment
Support estimating activities for industrial environmental control systems including:
- Custom air handling units (AHUs)
- Desiccant dehumidification units (DHUs)
- Specialized humidity and environmental control systems
Responsibilities include estimating major equipment components such as:
- Fans and fan arrays
- Cooling and heating coils
- Desiccant dehumidification systems
- Filtration stages
- Energy recovery devices
- Dampers and airflow control devices
- Structural housings and equipment frames
Coordinate with engineering to understand performance requirements such as airflow capacity, static pressure, temperature control, and humidity control targets.
Mission Critical Market Equipment
Support estimating activities for mission-critical infrastructure including:
- Custom air handling units
- Electrical skid assemblies
- Modular data center mechanical and electrical infrastructure
Responsibilities include reviewing system layouts and coordinating with engineering and manufacturing teams to estimate equipment components, fabrication, assembly, and testing requirements.
Vendor and Component Pricing:
- Solicit and evaluate vendor pricing for major mechanical and electrical components including:
- Fans and motors
- Coils and heat exchangers
- Desiccant wheels and humidity control equipment
- Electrical components and controls
- Maintain supplier relationships and track historical cost data.
Manufacturing and Assembly Coordination:
- Coordinate with engineering and manufacturing teams to estimate:
- Fabrication labor
- Assembly and integration time
- Testing and commissioning requirements
- Packaging and shipping considerations
- Ensure equipment designs align with manufacturing capabilities and cost targets.
Proposal and Sales Support:
- Support the Sales team in preparing technical proposals and estimate summaries.
- Assist with development of proposal documentation and cost breakdowns.
- Participate in internal bid review meetings and scope discussions.
Cost Analysis and Continuous Improvement:
- Track estimated versus actual project costs to improve future estimate accuracy.
- Maintain estimating templates and internal cost databases.
- Identify opportunities for cost optimization and value engineering during proposal development.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field, or equivalent industry experience.
- 1–5 years of experience in mechanical estimating, HVAC equipment estimating, or industrial equipment design.
- Ability to read and interpret:
- Mechanical drawings
- Equipment schedules
- Electrical one-line diagrams
- Technical specifications.
- Strong proficiency with Excel and cost analysis tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience estimating custom air handling units or HVAC equipment.
- Familiarity with desiccant dehumidification technologies.
- Experience estimating modular equipment or skid-mounted systems.
- Exposure to data center infrastructure equipment.
- Familiarity with BIM tools such as Revit or Navisworks.
Degree Required
Bachelor's Degree
Travel Requirement
No
Job Requirements
- Cost modeling and analysis
- Revit
- Vendor pricing coordination
- BIM
- Microsoft Excel
- Navisworks
- Estimating
Division
Kais-AIR®
See all 863+ OPT Mechanical Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Mechanical Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Mechanical Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Companies enrolled in E-Verify can sponsor your STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT. Filter your search to E-Verify employers early, since not all mechanical engineering firms are enrolled, particularly smaller manufacturers.
Highlight your degree field clearly
Your mechanical engineering degree must match the job's specialty occupation requirement. Use your transcript field of study exactly as it appears on your EAD card when applying, so employers and their immigration attorneys can confirm STEM OPT eligibility without extra back-and-forth.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Many engineering firms run multi-round hiring cycles lasting eight to twelve weeks. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT authorization begins gives employers enough runway to complete interviews and onboarding before your work authorization is active.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship history directly
Mechanical engineering is one of the most H-1B visa-sponsored occupations. Ask recruiters whether the company has filed H-1B petitions for engineers in your role before. Firms with a track record are far more likely to sponsor you before your OPT period ends.
Pursue roles in industries with high sponsorship rates
Aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, and industrial automation firms sponsor mechanical engineers at significantly higher rates than general manufacturing. Targeting these sub-industries increases your odds of finding an employer both willing and experienced in H-1B sponsorship for your role.
Document your training plan for STEM OPT reporting
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan signed by your employer and DSO. Discuss this requirement with your hiring manager early in the offer negotiation, so the company's HR team isn't surprised by the reporting obligations when your extension period begins.
Mechanical Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Mechanical Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Mechanical Engineering is a STEM-designated field under the Department of Homeland Security's STEM OPT list, which means you're eligible for a 24-month extension beyond your initial 12-month OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan to activate the extension. That gives you up to 36 months of total OPT authorization.
How do I find mechanical engineering employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-eligible and visa-sponsoring employers, so you're not sorting through roles that don't fit your situation. Beyond that, aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and automotive companies have the strongest H-1B filing histories for mechanical engineers. Prioritizing larger firms and subsidiaries of multinationals increases your chances of finding structured sponsorship programs.
Can I work as a mechanical engineer at a startup on OPT?
Yes, but startups carry more risk for OPT students. The company must be a legitimate employer willing to sign your STEM OPT training plan, and E-Verify enrollment is required for the extension. Early-stage startups may not have HR infrastructure to handle OPT reporting requirements, and smaller companies are statistically less likely to file H-1B petitions before your OPT period expires.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from a mechanical engineering job?
You have a 90-day unemployment buffer during your standard OPT period. If you're on STEM OPT extension, the total unemployment allowance is 150 days across the full OPT period, not just the extension. You must report the job loss to your DSO promptly. Using that time to apply through Migrate Mate for open mechanical engineering roles with sponsoring employers is the most efficient path forward.
Does my mechanical engineering degree need to match my OPT job exactly?
The role must be directly related to your degree field. A mechanical engineering degree generally supports roles in product design, thermal systems, manufacturing engineering, and robotics without issue. Where it gets complicated is with adjacent roles like systems engineering or project management, where the connection to your specific major may be questioned by your DSO or a future H-1B petitioner. Staying close to your core discipline is the safest approach.