OPT Mechanical Technician Jobs
Mechanical Technician roles are among the more OPT-friendly engineering positions because hands-on technical work often qualifies as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Most employers in manufacturing, aerospace, and energy sectors are familiar with sponsoring international engineers at the technician level.
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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 Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Mechanical Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Mechanical Technician
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program has a STEM designation before applying. Mechanical technology and engineering technology programs typically qualify, giving you 36 months of OPT instead of 12. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before job searching.
Lead with your OPT timeline upfront
Disclose your OPT status early in the application process. Employers in manufacturing and aerospace are accustomed to hiring international technicians and will appreciate knowing your authorization period before investing time in interviews.
Emphasize hands-on lab and equipment experience
Hiring managers for mechanical technician roles prioritize practical skills over GPA. Highlight specific machinery, diagnostic tools, or testing equipment you have operated. CAD software proficiency and any quality control certifications strengthen your candidacy significantly.
Pursue roles at companies with active H-1B filings
Companies that have previously sponsored H-1B visas are more likely to continue sponsoring after your OPT expires. Search Department of Labor disclosure data for employers in your target sector who have consistent sponsorship histories in engineering roles.
Get relevant certifications before you apply
Certifications like OSHA 10, Six Sigma Yellow Belt, or manufacturer-specific credentials signal job readiness to employers. They also demonstrate commitment to U.S. industry standards, which matters when a hiring manager is weighing an OPT hire against a local candidate.
Negotiate your start date around OPT approval timing
OPT EAD card processing can take two to three months after your DSO files the I-20. Apply early and communicate realistic start dates to employers. Most engineering teams in manufacturing can accommodate a structured onboarding delay if you set expectations clearly.
Mechanical Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mechanical Technician work qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your mechanical technology or engineering technology degree carries a STEM-designated CIP code, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you 36 months total. Confirm your program's designation with your DSO before you accept an offer, because your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify.
What types of employers typically hire Mechanical Technicians on OPT?
Aerospace manufacturers, automotive companies, energy firms, defense contractors, and industrial equipment makers are the most active hirers of mechanical technicians on OPT. Large companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and General Electric have established international hiring pipelines and are comfortable with OPT work authorization. Smaller precision manufacturing firms also hire OPT students but may have less experience navigating the paperwork.
Where is the best place to find Mechanical Technician jobs that sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is the most targeted option for F-1 OPT students. The platform focuses specifically on employers open to sponsoring international candidates, so you are not wasting applications on roles where OPT is a dealbreaker. Filtering by STEM-eligible roles on Migrate Mate also helps you prioritize opportunities with the strongest long-term visa pathway.
Can I work as a Mechanical Technician on pre-completion OPT while still finishing my degree?
Yes, but you are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic term on pre-completion OPT. Most full-time mechanical technician positions will not accommodate that restriction, so this option works best for part-time, contract, or co-op arrangements. Post-completion OPT removes the hour limit and is what most employers expect when hiring for full-time roles.
Does Mechanical Technician experience count toward the H-1B specialty occupation requirement?
It can, but the role must require a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field as a minimum requirement, not just as a preference. Technician-level positions sometimes fall short of that bar if the job description allows non-degree candidates. Work with an immigration attorney to evaluate whether your specific role and employer's job requirements would support an H-1B petition before your OPT expires.