Mechanical Project Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Mechanical Project Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, manufacturing, or systems engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in aerospace, automotive, energy, and industrial manufacturing regularly hire OPT candidates for these positions.
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Company Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson provides multidisciplinary design services for some of the largest and most forward-thinking and desirable companies in the world to work for. The large hyperscale data center campuses we design throughout the U.S. will give you the opportunity to work on some of the largest and most complex engineering-driven projects being built today. Our clients are relationship based and truly value the work we do for them, affording us the opportunity to contribute to society’s technological and connected community through the design of the critical infrastructure that is the foundation of these projects. As a Project Mechanical Engineer on our Data Center team, you will be a part of the firm’s largest and most complex projects. You will serve as a project manager on some projects and lead design engineer on others. A typical day includes preparing planning and design documents, processing design calculations, and developing and maintaining team and client standards. You may lead quality assurance/quality control and act as an advisor on complex projects. You will also coordinate with other Olsson teams, professional staff, technical staff, clients, and other consultants.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others
- Having ownership in the work you do
- Using your talents to positively affect communities
- Solving problems
- Providing excellence in client service
You Bring To The Team
- 6 years of related mechanical engineering experience required
- Proficient in Revit
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team
- Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering
- Strong communication skills
- Must be a registered professional engineer
- Previous experience managing employees preferred
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.

Company Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson provides multidisciplinary design services for some of the largest and most forward-thinking and desirable companies in the world to work for. The large hyperscale data center campuses we design throughout the U.S. will give you the opportunity to work on some of the largest and most complex engineering-driven projects being built today. Our clients are relationship based and truly value the work we do for them, affording us the opportunity to contribute to society’s technological and connected community through the design of the critical infrastructure that is the foundation of these projects. As a Project Mechanical Engineer on our Data Center team, you will be a part of the firm’s largest and most complex projects. You will serve as a project manager on some projects and lead design engineer on others. A typical day includes preparing planning and design documents, processing design calculations, and developing and maintaining team and client standards. You may lead quality assurance/quality control and act as an advisor on complex projects. You will also coordinate with other Olsson teams, professional staff, technical staff, clients, and other consultants.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others
- Having ownership in the work you do
- Using your talents to positively affect communities
- Solving problems
- Providing excellence in client service
You Bring To The Team
- 6 years of related mechanical engineering experience required
- Proficient in Revit
- Ability to contribute and work well on a team
- Bachelor's Degree in mechanical engineering
- Strong communication skills
- Must be a registered professional engineer
- Previous experience managing employees preferred
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Mechanical Project Engineer
Lead with your STEM OPT timeline upfront
Mechanical Project Engineer roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Tell employers this early. It removes uncertainty and signals you understand your own authorization, which experienced hiring managers appreciate.
Target industries with established OPT pipelines
Aerospace, automotive, energy, and industrial equipment manufacturers regularly hire OPT engineers. These industries work with DSOs and legal teams routinely, so the sponsorship conversation is less unfamiliar than at smaller generalist firms.
Emphasize project ownership in your resume
Hiring managers for project engineer roles want evidence you can run a workstream, not just support one. Quantify scope: budget managed, team size, delivery timeline. Concrete project outcomes move your resume past the initial screen faster.
Obtain your EAD card before your start date
You cannot begin work as a Mechanical Project Engineer until your physical EAD card arrives. File the OPT application 90 days before graduation and confirm your card is in hand before accepting any firm start date from an employer.
Research employer H-1B filing history before applying
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas for engineers in the past are far more likely to do it again. This is a reliable signal of sponsorship willingness that helps you prioritize applications before investing time in interviews.
Mechanical Project Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Mechanical Project Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in almost all cases. Mechanical Project Engineer positions typically fall under qualifying STEM SOC codes, including 17-2141 (Mechanical Engineers) and related engineering classifications. Your degree must be from a STEM-designated program on the DHS STEM list. Confirm the SOC code alignment with your DSO before applying for the 24-month extension.
How do I find Mechanical Project Engineer employers who sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-friendly employers, so you're not manually screening hundreds of postings to find companies open to work authorization. Focus your search on aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial manufacturing sectors, where OPT sponsorship for engineering roles is most common and the hiring infrastructure to support it already exists.
Can I work as a Mechanical Project Engineer while my STEM OPT extension application is pending?
Yes, if your initial OPT EAD is still valid when you file the STEM extension, you receive an automatic 180-day cap-out period that lets you continue working while USCIS processes the application. Do not let your initial EAD expire before filing. Coordinate the timing closely with your DSO to avoid any gap in authorization.
What does the employer verification requirement mean for Mechanical Project Engineers on STEM OPT?
During STEM OPT, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, complete a formal training plan with you using Form I-983, and conduct evaluations at the midpoint and end of your extension. Mechanical engineering roles must involve work that directly relates to your degree field. A role focused purely on general operations or procurement without an engineering function may not satisfy this requirement.
What happens to my OPT status if my Mechanical Project Engineer role is eliminated?
If you lose your job, you enter a 60-day unemployment grace period. During this time you must either secure a new Mechanical Project Engineer role with a qualifying employer, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the United States. Report the job loss to your DSO immediately, as the 60-day window begins from your last day of employment, not when you notify the school.
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