Tower Technician Jobs for OPT Students
Tower Technician jobs are physically demanding, federally regulated roles that F-1 OPT students can pursue with a degree in electrical engineering, telecommunications, or a related field. Most employers require OSHA safety certifications before you start. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to complete tower climbing training and build meaningful field experience.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At MasTec Communications Group we build for the future. Yours and ours.
As a Tower Technician II, you will develop new skills, work in a safety-minded environment, and join us in expanding technology for a better community. Join the MasTec family and help us provide the highest level of quality service to our customers and communities while maintaining our commitment to safety!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Tower Technician II, you are responsible for installing, maintaining, and operating wired, wireless, fiber optic, and microwave telecommunications equipment and systems. Being the best. And you’re up for the challenge.
In addition, you will:
- Understand and implement MasTec Communications Group Health, Safety, and Environmental Policies (Safety Manual)
- Understand and implement Industry standards (OSHA, TIA10-48, NATE CTS, and ANSI)
- Climb towers and ladders at various heights
- Conduct the erection of various tower types
- Offload material and inventory
- Prepare and clean sites
- Install new carriers on new build and existing towers
- Assist in tower erection using helicopters, cranes, and gin poles
- Assist in the assembly of the monopole, all weld and knock down self-support and guyed towers
- Assist in the antenna installation of microwave parabolic 1 to 15-foot, VHF, UHF, cellular, and FM broadcast antennas
- Assist in the transmission line and installation of foam/air dielectric coaxial, hardline, and elliptical waveguides
- Assist in the installation of all aspects of the electrical site foundations, grounding, and conduits, with electrical installations where applicable
- Serve as a mentor to new, less experienced technicians
- Complete other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
About You:
- Safety is a part of your day-to-day
- You have a track record of completing work with a high level of quality
- You have a knack for figuring out hard problems and enjoy a hands-on approach to your work
- You are looking for long-term projects
- You enjoy getting your hands dirty with your team
- You have a High School Degree
- You have a minimum of 2 years of tower experience
- You have the ability to read, comprehend, and carry out instructions as printed
- You possess working knowledge of safety standards and regulations
- Possession of a PWSA certification is a plus
- You must have the ability to climb towers, be able to pick up 50 lbs., and be capable of working up to 12 hours
- You must have a valid driver’s license and driving record meeting the company's policy conditions
COMPENSATION
Compensation of $20-$23 per hour.
Hard work pays off. See what you will get for your effort:
Financial Security
- 401(k) with company match
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Life insurance
- Short-term and Long-term disability
- Red Wing Boot Voucher
Health and Wellness
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Dependent care and medical flexible spending accounts
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Work/Life Balance
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Family and medical leave
- Paid sick time
We meet your commitment with competitive pay and benefits. If this sounds like you, let’s talk. Build your career with MasTec!
MasTec, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasTec's policy to comply with all applicable state, federal and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.
INTRODUCTION
At MasTec Communications Group we build for the future. Yours and ours.
As a Tower Technician II, you will develop new skills, work in a safety-minded environment, and join us in expanding technology for a better community. Join the MasTec family and help us provide the highest level of quality service to our customers and communities while maintaining our commitment to safety!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Tower Technician II, you are responsible for installing, maintaining, and operating wired, wireless, fiber optic, and microwave telecommunications equipment and systems. Being the best. And you’re up for the challenge.
In addition, you will:
- Understand and implement MasTec Communications Group Health, Safety, and Environmental Policies (Safety Manual)
- Understand and implement Industry standards (OSHA, TIA10-48, NATE CTS, and ANSI)
- Climb towers and ladders at various heights
- Conduct the erection of various tower types
- Offload material and inventory
- Prepare and clean sites
- Install new carriers on new build and existing towers
- Assist in tower erection using helicopters, cranes, and gin poles
- Assist in the assembly of the monopole, all weld and knock down self-support and guyed towers
- Assist in the antenna installation of microwave parabolic 1 to 15-foot, VHF, UHF, cellular, and FM broadcast antennas
- Assist in the transmission line and installation of foam/air dielectric coaxial, hardline, and elliptical waveguides
- Assist in the installation of all aspects of the electrical site foundations, grounding, and conduits, with electrical installations where applicable
- Serve as a mentor to new, less experienced technicians
- Complete other duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
About You:
- Safety is a part of your day-to-day
- You have a track record of completing work with a high level of quality
- You have a knack for figuring out hard problems and enjoy a hands-on approach to your work
- You are looking for long-term projects
- You enjoy getting your hands dirty with your team
- You have a High School Degree
- You have a minimum of 2 years of tower experience
- You have the ability to read, comprehend, and carry out instructions as printed
- You possess working knowledge of safety standards and regulations
- Possession of a PWSA certification is a plus
- You must have the ability to climb towers, be able to pick up 50 lbs., and be capable of working up to 12 hours
- You must have a valid driver’s license and driving record meeting the company's policy conditions
COMPENSATION
Compensation of $20-$23 per hour.
Hard work pays off. See what you will get for your effort:
Financial Security
- 401(k) with company match
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
- Life insurance
- Short-term and Long-term disability
- Red Wing Boot Voucher
Health and Wellness
- Medical, dental and vision insurance
- Dependent care and medical flexible spending accounts
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Work/Life Balance
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- Family and medical leave
- Paid sick time
We meet your commitment with competitive pay and benefits. If this sounds like you, let’s talk. Build your career with MasTec!
MasTec, Inc. is an equal employment opportunity employer. The Company's policy is not to unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military status or any other consideration made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Company also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also MasTec's policy to comply with all applicable state, federal and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Tower Technician
Get OSHA and tower climbing certifications before applying
Employers hiring tower technicians expect OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification and Competent Climber training on day one. Completing these before you apply removes a common hiring barrier and signals you're ready to work immediately.
Target employers with active FCC or carrier contracts
Companies contracted to maintain cell tower infrastructure for major carriers tend to hire continuously and are more familiar with OPT work authorization. Consistent project pipelines make them more likely to sponsor H-1B or E-3 visas down the line.
Disclose your OPT status and EAD card timeline clearly
Tower technician employers operate on tight project schedules. Being upfront about your OPT end date and whether STEM extension applies lets hiring managers plan around your authorization window without surprises during project deployment.
Highlight any RF, fiber, or telecom lab experience from your degree
Employers treat hands-on technical coursework as a proxy for field readiness. Coursework involving antenna systems, signal propagation, or network infrastructure directly maps to tower technician responsibilities and strengthens your candidacy considerably.
Apply early in your OPT period to maximize time for H-1B sponsorship
The H-1B lottery runs annually in March. Starting your job search early gives you the employment history needed for sponsorship consideration before the next registration window opens, rather than scrambling near your OPT expiration date.
Check whether your degree supports a STEM OPT extension
Degrees in electrical engineering, telecommunications, or computer engineering typically qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirming eligibility with your DSO early significantly extends your authorized work period and increases employer willingness to invest in training.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as Tower Technicians?
Yes. Tower Technician roles qualify for OPT work authorization as long as your job is directly related to your degree field, typically electrical engineering, telecommunications, or a related discipline. Your EAD card is your employment authorization document, and you're permitted to work for any qualifying employer in your field without employer-filed petitions during the OPT period.
Do Tower Technician employers commonly sponsor visas after OPT?
Some do, particularly larger infrastructure contractors and companies with ongoing carrier maintenance contracts. These employers hire continuously and have established HR processes for immigration filings. Smaller subcontractors are less likely to sponsor. Browsing Tower Technician listings on Migrate Mate lets you identify which employers are experienced with international workers and more likely to pursue sponsorship.
Does a Tower Technician role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree. If your degree is in electrical engineering, telecommunications engineering, or a related STEM field included on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, you likely qualify for a 24-month extension. The job itself must also be directly related to that STEM degree. Confirm your eligibility with your Designated School Official before applying.
What certifications do I need as an OPT student entering this field?
Most employers require OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification and a Competent Climber credential from an accredited program before starting work. Some also require CPR and first aid certification. These are not visa-specific requirements but industry-standard safety prerequisites. Obtaining them before your OPT begins makes you immediately deployable and removes a common obstacle during the hiring process.
Can I switch Tower Technician employers during my OPT period?
Yes, but the new job must still be directly related to your degree field. You're required to report the employer change to your DSO within 10 days so your SEVIS record stays current. There's no government filing required to switch employers during OPT itself, but gaps in employment exceeding 90 cumulative days can jeopardize your status, so minimize time between roles.
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