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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Job Description:
Resident Service Engineer - Chicago, IL
Schedule: Thursday-Sunday 6pm-4:30am
About Packsize
Packsize is redefining the way businesses and their customers use and experience packaging around the world. We build the technology, design the right solutions, and automate the processes that propel the industry forward. To us, packaging is much more than a box—it’s delivering what’s right for our customers, their customers, our people, and the planet.
About the role
A Packsize Machine Technician will install, configure and maintain Packsize equipment solutions onsite at a designated customer’s facilities. They must be a creative problem solver with the ability to identify, analyze, maintain and repair complex mechanical equipment and answer difficult customer questions about product features. A Machine Technician will perform start-up testing and deliver customer training on product capabilities, features and general maintenance of the product. They will build and maintain a strong, trust-based customer relationship with their assigned customer(s) and will work closely with other supporting Packsize team members to provide exceptional customer service.
What You’ll Do
- Scheduling tasks at a customer’s job sites
- Troubleshooting issues, quickly and effectively, using technical drawings and documentation
- Work cross-functionally with R&D, Software and Quality Engineering teams
- Performing routine maintenance and emergency services as they arise
- Analyze customer Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) to identify new or ongoing machine performance issues resulting in problem-solving and machine maintenance
- Continuous learning, including the customer’s operational processes, packaging designs, technical specifications
- Installation of Packsize solutions and training others to use and maintain it
- Basic clerical and administrative duties, including timely reading and responding to emails, preparing and submitting expense reports, making travel arrangements, writing detailed technical reports, etc.
- Responsively and productively communicate information and ideas with Packsize and customer’s personnel so they will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- Adhere to all Packsize and customer’s safety requirements, and safety protocols related to exposed moving parts and electricity
- Excellent work ethic and time management skills
Machine Operation
Clearing jams, loading Z-fold, changing labels, changing bander paper and adding glue to the machine.
What You’ll Bring
- Customer service focus
- Knowledge of Windows platforms
- Knowledge of and effective use of hand tools
- Knowledge of mechanical platforms
- Ability to work independently with little or no direct supervision
- Basic Microsoft (Excel, Word) or Google Suite (Sheets, Docs) experience is helpful, but not required
- Associates Degree, Vocational Training or equivalent experience
- Bachelor's Degree in a related area preferred
Working Environment and Physical Demands
The following are representative of the typical working environment and physical demands of this position. To successfully perform the essential functions of this job, you will be required to:
- Communicate with others to exchange information
- Work within a production facility, warehouse, or manufacturing environment
- Move yourself in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments, including tight and confined spaces
- Convey yourself great distances within and around various work sites and from one work site to another
- Remain in a stationary position, often standing for prolonged periods.
- Work in a noisy environment at various temperatures
- Move objects (equipment, machinery, and products) weighing up to 50 lbs
- Ascend and descend ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, steps stools, and the like
- Perform tasks that require you to bend, stretch, push, pull, carry, and reach
Travel Requirements
- All work is performed at customer’s facilities
- Available on-call
- Overnight travel may be required, for initial and periodic training
- Ability to travel by vehicle or airplane, domestically.
What We Offer
The hourly rate for this role is $33-$36/hr + 10% night shift differential, however, Packsize considers several factors when determining compensation when extending a job offer, including but not limited to, the role being offered, the associated responsibilities, the candidate's prior work experience education/training, and any special skills. At Packsize, we’re committed to supporting the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; Paid Time Off; Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA); and life and disability insurance. Additional voluntary benefits include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, and legal/ID theft protection. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your overall well-being.
If this role excites you but you don’t meet each requirement listed, we encourage you to apply anyway. At Packsize, we welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences and understand that the best candidates may come from the most unlikely of places.
Packsize considers several factors when determining compensation when extending a job offer, including but not limited to, the role being offered, the associated responsibilities, the candidate's prior work experience, education/training, and any special skills. At Packsize, we’re committed to supporting the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; Paid Time Off; Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA); and life and disability insurance. Additional voluntary benefits include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, and legal/ID theft protection. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your overall well-being.
Packsize is an Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in its workforce. In compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Packsize policy of equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, veteran’s status, status as a qualified person with a disability, or genetic information. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.
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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.