OPT Service Engineer Jobs
Service Engineer jobs are well-suited for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field routinely sponsor H-1B visas, making it a strong long-term path.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards
Job Description
Unity Lab Services (ULS), a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, provides integrated solutions, instrument, and enterprise services to our customers. As a team of Field Service Engineers, we are responsible for leading all aspects of field service support and customer relationship management. The successful candidate will provide complete services on mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, and ion chromatography systems including installation, repairs, preventative maintenance, and instrument qualifications. Our ideal candidate will be customer oriented, an advocate for Thermo Fisher Scientific in customer laboratories, and be eager to drive growth.
Location:
The territory primarily covers San Diego and surrounding areas (to include LA, Bay Area and Washington) with up to 75% overnight travel required. Ideal candidate would reside within a 20-miles radius of San Diego, CA.
Responsibilities:
- Perform on-site installation, repair, maintenance and qualifications.
- Must be client-focused, working in conjunction with other service and sales teams.
- Must be proficient with the use of customer management software to track service calls, manage parts inventories, and complete job tasks.
- Review reports and documentation from customers and inspect malfunctioning product to pinpoint nature and scope of problem.
- Analyze review and inspection findings to understand source of problem, and recommends repair, replacement, or other corrective action.
- Coordinate problem resolution with engineering, customer service, and other service support personnel to expedite repairs.
- Analyze chemistry reports of technical problems to recommend modifications to eliminate future problems.
- Provide a communication link between the customer and the company to help ensure that effective service is provided to the customer.
- Develop and conduct training on the safe operations of the equipment and demonstrates skills to trainees, including both team members and customers.
- Other duties may be assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, science, or a related field with 2+ years of hands-on experience as an operator or service engineer working with analytical instrumentation, including Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry systems, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
- Effective interpersonal skills and ability to establish good customer rapport are critical.
- Ability to prioritize service requests and produce clear and concise documentation.
- Ability to work independently within a customer location.
- Must be available to travel overnight up to 75% within the territory or other areas as the need arises.
Essential Functions and Physical Requirements:
- Ability to safely lift 50 Lbs with assistance on occasion.
- Ability to safely lift and carry 25-30 Lbs continuously throughout the day.
- Ability to bend, squat, stretch, and reach every day in a service function.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $31.76–$47.60. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards
Job Description
Unity Lab Services (ULS), a part of Thermo Fisher Scientific, provides integrated solutions, instrument, and enterprise services to our customers. As a team of Field Service Engineers, we are responsible for leading all aspects of field service support and customer relationship management. The successful candidate will provide complete services on mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography, and ion chromatography systems including installation, repairs, preventative maintenance, and instrument qualifications. Our ideal candidate will be customer oriented, an advocate for Thermo Fisher Scientific in customer laboratories, and be eager to drive growth.
Location:
The territory primarily covers San Diego and surrounding areas (to include LA, Bay Area and Washington) with up to 75% overnight travel required. Ideal candidate would reside within a 20-miles radius of San Diego, CA.
Responsibilities:
- Perform on-site installation, repair, maintenance and qualifications.
- Must be client-focused, working in conjunction with other service and sales teams.
- Must be proficient with the use of customer management software to track service calls, manage parts inventories, and complete job tasks.
- Review reports and documentation from customers and inspect malfunctioning product to pinpoint nature and scope of problem.
- Analyze review and inspection findings to understand source of problem, and recommends repair, replacement, or other corrective action.
- Coordinate problem resolution with engineering, customer service, and other service support personnel to expedite repairs.
- Analyze chemistry reports of technical problems to recommend modifications to eliminate future problems.
- Provide a communication link between the customer and the company to help ensure that effective service is provided to the customer.
- Develop and conduct training on the safe operations of the equipment and demonstrates skills to trainees, including both team members and customers.
- Other duties may be assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, science, or a related field with 2+ years of hands-on experience as an operator or service engineer working with analytical instrumentation, including Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry systems, or equivalent relevant industry experience.
- Effective interpersonal skills and ability to establish good customer rapport are critical.
- Ability to prioritize service requests and produce clear and concise documentation.
- Ability to work independently within a customer location.
- Must be available to travel overnight up to 75% within the territory or other areas as the need arises.
Essential Functions and Physical Requirements:
- Ability to safely lift 50 Lbs with assistance on occasion.
- Ability to safely lift and carry 25-30 Lbs continuously throughout the day.
- Ability to bend, squat, stretch, and reach every day in a service function.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly pay range estimated for this position based in California is $31.76–$47.60. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy. We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:
- A choice of national medical and dental plans, and a national vision plan, including health incentive programs.
- Employee assistance and family support programs, including commuter benefits and tuition reimbursement.
- At least 120 hours paid time off (PTO), 10 paid holidays annually, paid parental leave (3 weeks for bonding and 8 weeks for caregiver leave), accident and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability in accordance with company policy.
- Retirement and savings programs, such as our competitive 401(k) U.S. retirement savings plan.
- Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) offers eligible colleagues the opportunity to purchase company stock at a discount.
For more information on our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.thermofisher.com/global/en/total-rewards
See all 299+ OPT Service Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Service Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Service Engineer
Lead with your technical specialization
Service Engineer roles span industries from medical devices to industrial automation. Specifying your domain, whether robotics, HVAC systems, or semiconductor equipment, helps recruiters match you to roles where your background directly reduces their onboarding investment.
Verify your role qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Service Engineer positions tied to engineering degrees in mechanical, electrical, or systems fields typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your employer is registered with E-Verify before accepting an offer, as that registration is required.
Highlight field service and customer-facing experience
Employers hiring Service Engineers value hands-on troubleshooting and client-site experience. If you completed internships, co-ops, or CPT work involving equipment installation or diagnostics, lead with those in your resume summary and interviews.
Target companies with established sponsorship histories
Large OEMs and field service organizations in industries like medical imaging, industrial automation, and telecom infrastructure have consistent H-1B filing histories. Prioritizing these employers reduces sponsorship uncertainty during your OPT window.
Clarify travel requirements before accepting an offer
Many Service Engineer roles require regional or national travel for customer site visits. Confirm how travel interacts with your OPT work location obligations, since your authorized employment address must accurately reflect where you primarily work.
Submit your I-983 training plan before your start date
For STEM OPT, your employer must sign the I-983 training plan outlining your learning objectives in a role related to your degree. Complete this before your extension begins, not after, to avoid gaps in authorization.
Service Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Service Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Service Engineer positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM field such as mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering and the role directly applies that knowledge. Your employer must also be registered with E-Verify. Review your job description against your degree CIP code with your DSO before filing the extension.
How do I find Service Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-eligible candidates, making it straightforward to find Service Engineer roles at employers open to sponsoring F-1 students. Many large OEMs and field service companies post on Migrate Mate because they actively hire internationally educated engineers and have H-1B sponsorship programs already in place.
Can I work as a Service Engineer if my role requires frequent travel to different customer sites?
Yes, but you need to ensure your OPT employment authorization reflects your primary worksite accurately. If your role is based out of a central office with regional travel, your DSO typically records the employer's primary address. Roles involving extended assignments at a single client location may require additional documentation. Confirm the specifics with your DSO.
Do Service Engineer employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas after OPT?
Companies in industries like medical devices, industrial automation, telecommunications infrastructure, and semiconductor equipment regularly sponsor H-1B visas for Service Engineers because the roles require specialized technical knowledge that is difficult to hire for domestically. Checking an employer's public LCA filings through the Department of Labor can confirm whether they have an active sponsorship history before you apply.
What should I include in my I-983 training plan as a Service Engineer on STEM OPT?
Your I-983 should describe how the role develops skills directly tied to your engineering degree, including technical competencies like equipment diagnostics, systems integration, or field calibration procedures. Your employer must sign it and identify a supervisor responsible for your training. The plan should be specific to your actual job duties rather than a generic job description restatement. Your DSO reviews and approves it before submission.