OPT Mechanical Engineering Jobs
Mechanical engineering graduates are recruited across a wide range of industries on OPT, from automotive and aerospace to medical devices and consumer products, and the STEM OPT extension is available for all mechanical engineering degree programs. Employers in manufacturing, product development, and R&D have consistent demand for entry-level mechanical engineers and many have established pathways from OPT to H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Established in 1991, Collabera has been a leader in IT staffing for over 22 years and is one of the largest diversity IT staffing firms in the industry. As a half a billion dollar IT company, with more than 9,000 professionals across 30+ offices, Collabera offers comprehensive, cost-effective IT staffing & IT Services. We provide services to Fortune 500 and mid-size companies to meet their talent needs with high quality IT resources through Staff Augmentation, Global Talent Management, Value Added Services through CLASS (Competency Leveraged Advanced Staffing & Solutions) Permanent Placement Services and Vendor Management Programs.
Collabera recognizes true potential of human capital and provides people the right opportunities for growth and professional excellence.
JOB DESCRIPTION
- Applies basic knowledge of engineering principles and practices to assigned tasks in the design, development, analysis and release of products and subsystems through the product life cycle.
- Assists in creating design specifications considering application, cost, weight, performance, product life, manufacture, assembly and service.
- Verifies design using analysis and or functional testing, interprets results, drives decisions and assesses risk.
- Works with other engineering disciplines and cross-functional disciplines to resolve product issues.
- Evaluates customer needs and aligns requirements with identified customer expectations.
LOCATION: Stoughton, WI 53589
DURATION: 6+ Months (Strong possibility of extension)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- A Bachelors’ Degree is required. Manager’s first preference would be to see candidates with Mechanical Engineering degrees, other engineering degrees however would also be fine.
- Cross-Functional Design Review - Cross-functional design reviews are a series of in-depth and disciplined sessions that bring broad cross-functional experience to bear on designs/or process approaches and details. Able to apply the cross-functional design review procedure with limited guidance.
- Engineering Standards - Developing knowledge in Engineering Standards.
- Technical Documentation - Developing knowledge in Technical Documentation.
- Product Structure - Product structure involves an understanding of the rationale around the identification of product items and the methodology for structuring this information into saleable, manufacturable and serviceable product. Users are expected to demonstrate proficiency in understanding and applying product structure rules such as item compatibilities, dependencies and relationships.
- Intellectual Property - Understands what is meant by the term Intellectual Property (IP) and has some basic understanding the importance of protecting IP for both the corporation and the individual inventors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE MANAGER:
- The need driving this new request is because there is that much more work to get done within his group.
- He advised that these new hires will be working on after treatment assemblies and components.
- Some of the skills he advised would be beneficial for candidates to have when being considered for these openings is the following – please note that these are “nice to haves” and are not a specific requirement of this position:
- 3D modeling
- Analysis Led Design (ALD)
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD)
- Statistical software experience
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To know more about this position, please contact:
Himanshu Prajapat
973-606-3290
himanshu.prajapat(at)collabera.com
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Established in 1991, Collabera has been a leader in IT staffing for over 22 years and is one of the largest diversity IT staffing firms in the industry. As a half a billion dollar IT company, with more than 9,000 professionals across 30+ offices, Collabera offers comprehensive, cost-effective IT staffing & IT Services. We provide services to Fortune 500 and mid-size companies to meet their talent needs with high quality IT resources through Staff Augmentation, Global Talent Management, Value Added Services through CLASS (Competency Leveraged Advanced Staffing & Solutions) Permanent Placement Services and Vendor Management Programs.
Collabera recognizes true potential of human capital and provides people the right opportunities for growth and professional excellence.
JOB DESCRIPTION
- Applies basic knowledge of engineering principles and practices to assigned tasks in the design, development, analysis and release of products and subsystems through the product life cycle.
- Assists in creating design specifications considering application, cost, weight, performance, product life, manufacture, assembly and service.
- Verifies design using analysis and or functional testing, interprets results, drives decisions and assesses risk.
- Works with other engineering disciplines and cross-functional disciplines to resolve product issues.
- Evaluates customer needs and aligns requirements with identified customer expectations.
LOCATION: Stoughton, WI 53589
DURATION: 6+ Months (Strong possibility of extension)
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
- A Bachelors’ Degree is required. Manager’s first preference would be to see candidates with Mechanical Engineering degrees, other engineering degrees however would also be fine.
- Cross-Functional Design Review - Cross-functional design reviews are a series of in-depth and disciplined sessions that bring broad cross-functional experience to bear on designs/or process approaches and details. Able to apply the cross-functional design review procedure with limited guidance.
- Engineering Standards - Developing knowledge in Engineering Standards.
- Technical Documentation - Developing knowledge in Technical Documentation.
- Product Structure - Product structure involves an understanding of the rationale around the identification of product items and the methodology for structuring this information into saleable, manufacturable and serviceable product. Users are expected to demonstrate proficiency in understanding and applying product structure rules such as item compatibilities, dependencies and relationships.
- Intellectual Property - Understands what is meant by the term Intellectual Property (IP) and has some basic understanding the importance of protecting IP for both the corporation and the individual inventors.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE MANAGER:
- The need driving this new request is because there is that much more work to get done within his group.
- He advised that these new hires will be working on after treatment assemblies and components.
- Some of the skills he advised would be beneficial for candidates to have when being considered for these openings is the following – please note that these are “nice to haves” and are not a specific requirement of this position:
- 3D modeling
- Analysis Led Design (ALD)
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Computational Fluid dynamics (CFD)
- Statistical software experience
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
To know more about this position, please contact:
Himanshu Prajapat
973-606-3290
himanshu.prajapat(at)collabera.com
See all 909+ OPT Mechanical Engineering Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Mechanical Engineering Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsMechanical Engineering OPT Job Search Tips
Mechanical engineering is a STEM degree, so STEM OPT extension applies
Your ME degree qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension at an E-Verify employer, giving you up to three years of work authorization. This is one of the most significant advantages mechanical engineering graduates have in the U.S. job market.
Manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive are strong sectors for OPT ME graduates
These industries hire mechanical engineers consistently and have well-established processes for sponsoring international talent. Many of the largest employers, including Boeing, General Motors, and Raytheon, are regular H-1B visa sponsors with dedicated immigration support.
CAD and simulation skills are among the most in-demand
Proficiency in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, ANSYS, or CATIA is often the deciding factor for entry level mechanical engineering roles. Highlighting these skills clearly in your resume and portfolio strengthens your application regardless of limited U.S. work experience.
Check security clearance requirements for defense-adjacent roles
Some mechanical engineering roles at defense contractors or government facilities require clearances that aren’t available to non-citizens. Confirming requirements before applying keeps your search focused on accessible opportunities.
Report any change in employer to your DSO within 10 days
If you switch employers during your OPT window or take on a second job, you need to update your DSO within 10 days. This is especially important in engineering, where contract and project-based roles can lead to employer changes. Keep your SEVIS record accurate throughout.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship history before accepting any offer
Mechanical engineering is a strong H-1B sponsorship category, but not every employer sponsors. Asking about their history, how many times they’ve filed and what their process looks like, is a reasonable question that experienced employers will answer directly.
Mechanical Engineering OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries hire mechanical engineering OPT students most actively?
Automotive, aerospace, medical devices, industrial equipment, consumer products, and energy companies are the most active hirers of mechanical engineering graduates on OPT. Manufacturing companies with active product development and R&D programs have recurring graduate hiring needs and established immigration support. The medical device sector in particular combines strong hiring volume with high H-1B sponsorship rates for engineering roles.
What mechanical engineering skills are most valued by OPT employers?
CAD proficiency in SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD is typically the first technical requirement. Finite element analysis, GD&T, manufacturing process knowledge, and thermal or fluid simulation experience are valuable depending on the specific industry. Hands-on lab, internship, or capstone project experience that demonstrates these skills in an applied context makes your application significantly more competitive.
Do mechanical engineering jobs at smaller manufacturers offer OPT hiring?
Many smaller manufacturers and engineering firms hire OPT students, particularly those with prior internship experience in the industry. Smaller companies may have less formal immigration support than large corporations, but this does not mean they are unwilling to sponsor H-1B later. Having an early, transparent conversation about your OPT timeline and future sponsorship needs helps smaller employers plan ahead rather than treating it as a surprise.
Can I work in research and development on STEM OPT as a mechanical engineer?
Yes, R&D roles at companies and research institutions are well-suited to STEM OPT because the work directly applies your engineering degree. University research labs, corporate R&D centers, and national laboratories with civilian research mandates all hire mechanical engineering graduates on OPT. These environments also tend to be familiar with STEM OPT requirements and supportive of the process.
How do I make the transition from OPT to H-1B as a mechanical engineer?
The most important step is choosing an employer with a clear sponsorship track record in mechanical or manufacturing engineering roles. Building a strong performance record during OPT, having the H-1B conversation with your manager well before the March registration window, and making sure your employer has immigration counsel in place are the practical steps. Mechanical engineering roles at established manufacturers and product companies have strong sponsorship histories.