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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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 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.