OPT Welding Engineer Jobs
Welding Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, materials, or manufacturing engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in aerospace, automotive, and heavy manufacturing regularly hire and sponsor international engineers for this specialty.
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Get Access To All JobsResponsibilities
- Coordinates, monitors, and performs technical processes related to Welding shop in maintenance department to meet company goals.
- Report on status of assigned tasks at beginning, during and conclusion.
- Develop detailed action plan to meet shop wise maintenance index. (Downtime, PM Plan & Actual, Equipment monitoring system, Equipment improvements, Safety/Environmental etc.)
- Prepare a detailed training plan for each team member to meet skill level target of each section.
- Prepare & execute annual operation plan and report status of each task.
- Support AM/MGR to encourage good teamwork. (Meeting, Events, Collaboration)
- Analysis Welding shop downtime and provide improvement plan.
- Need Flexible work schedule based on department shift rotation plan and can be requested to take care any urgent equipment issue (Night, Weekends, Holidays)
- Analysis shop wise maintenance budget of the year.
- Verify exact specification of all parts and create material numbers to make PR.
- 1st counterpart for purchasing team to get PO of each PR process.
- In charge of PR, Parts receiving, Organizing, Parts issuing and payment with supervisor’s approval.
- Monitor purchasing, distribution, and inventory control of maintenance material. (Include Tools, Subsidiary materials etc.)
- Need excellent communication with AM/MGR to supervise and control conflicts in the organization and take care of individual distress from the work.
- Need to be a mentor for shop members to encourage continuous improvement.
Skills
- More than 3 years maintenance career in the field of automated plants.
- Trouble shooting ability for PLC based automation equipment.
- Ability to understand drawing and specifications of electrical, mechanical systems.
- Domestic / International travel required.
Preferred:
- More than 1 years Welding shop maintenance career in major automotive industry
- Holders of mechanical or electrical certifications
- AB PLC program and control circuit experience
- Performed many equipment installations including design study, paperwork, inspection and testing new/modified equipment and processes
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
Join us as a Welding Maintenance Specialist if you’re passionate about keeping manufacturing operations running smoothly through expert maintenance practices!
Pay: $23.58 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Responsibilities
- Coordinates, monitors, and performs technical processes related to Welding shop in maintenance department to meet company goals.
- Report on status of assigned tasks at beginning, during and conclusion.
- Develop detailed action plan to meet shop wise maintenance index. (Downtime, PM Plan & Actual, Equipment monitoring system, Equipment improvements, Safety/Environmental etc.)
- Prepare a detailed training plan for each team member to meet skill level target of each section.
- Prepare & execute annual operation plan and report status of each task.
- Support AM/MGR to encourage good teamwork. (Meeting, Events, Collaboration)
- Analysis Welding shop downtime and provide improvement plan.
- Need Flexible work schedule based on department shift rotation plan and can be requested to take care any urgent equipment issue (Night, Weekends, Holidays)
- Analysis shop wise maintenance budget of the year.
- Verify exact specification of all parts and create material numbers to make PR.
- 1st counterpart for purchasing team to get PO of each PR process.
- In charge of PR, Parts receiving, Organizing, Parts issuing and payment with supervisor’s approval.
- Monitor purchasing, distribution, and inventory control of maintenance material. (Include Tools, Subsidiary materials etc.)
- Need excellent communication with AM/MGR to supervise and control conflicts in the organization and take care of individual distress from the work.
- Need to be a mentor for shop members to encourage continuous improvement.
Skills
- More than 3 years maintenance career in the field of automated plants.
- Trouble shooting ability for PLC based automation equipment.
- Ability to understand drawing and specifications of electrical, mechanical systems.
- Domestic / International travel required.
Preferred:
- More than 1 years Welding shop maintenance career in major automotive industry
- Holders of mechanical or electrical certifications
- AB PLC program and control circuit experience
- Performed many equipment installations including design study, paperwork, inspection and testing new/modified equipment and processes
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering
Join us as a Welding Maintenance Specialist if you’re passionate about keeping manufacturing operations running smoothly through expert maintenance practices!
Pay: $23.58 - $32.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See all 34+ OPT Welding Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Welding Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Welding Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT extension before applying. Welding engineering roles typically satisfy the STEM requirement, but your DSO must verify your specific program is on the STEM OPT designated degree list.
Highlight AWS certifications
American Welding Society credentials signal technical credibility to U.S. employers. Even entry-level certifications distinguish your application in a field where hands-on competency matters as much as your academic qualifications and degree specialization.
Focus on manufacturing-heavy industries
Aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, and defense manufacturers hire welding engineers regularly and have established H-1B visa sponsorship pipelines. These industries are accustomed to sponsoring international engineers and are less likely to reject OPT candidates outright.
Quantify process improvements in your resume
Employers want engineers who reduce defect rates, improve weld efficiency, or cut material waste. Attach specific numbers to your project outcomes. Concrete results make your application competitive and help justify sponsorship investment to hiring managers.
Apply before your OPT start date
Hiring timelines for engineering roles often run six to ten weeks from application to offer. Start applying two to three months before your OPT begins so authorization is active before your employment start date, avoiding compliance issues for you and the employer.
Address sponsorship directly but briefly
State your OPT status and STEM extension eligibility in your cover letter or early in interviews. Employers unfamiliar with OPT appreciate a clear, confident explanation. Framing your 36-month timeline positively reduces hesitation without making it the focus of the conversation.
Welding Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Welding Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Welding Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, materials science, or manufacturing engineering. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. Your Designated School Official can confirm your specific CIP code appears on the official STEM OPT designated degree list before you apply.
Can I work as a Welding Engineer on OPT without employer sponsorship?
Yes, during your initial OPT period you can work for any employer without them sponsoring a visa. However, your position must be directly related to your degree field. For STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan with your DSO. Sponsorship only becomes a requirement if you transition to an H-1B or other long-term work visa after OPT expires.
Is Welding Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Welding Engineer roles that require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field, such as mechanical or materials engineering, generally meet the H-1B specialty occupation standard. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field, or that could be filled without a degree, face more scrutiny. Employers should ensure the job description ties the role explicitly to a specific engineering discipline when filing the petition.
How do I find Welding Engineer employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to find Welding Engineer jobs from employers open to OPT candidates and visa sponsorship. Beyond that, large aerospace and defense manufacturers such as Boeing, Raytheon, and Lockheed Martin have established international hiring programs. Oil and gas companies and heavy equipment manufacturers also sponsor regularly. Prioritizing companies with existing H-1B filing histories gives you the strongest indication of sponsorship willingness.
What happens to my Welding Engineer OPT if I change employers?
You can change employers on OPT as long as your new role is related to your degree and you report the change to your DSO within 10 days. There is no gap restriction, but you should not go more than 90 days of unemployment during standard OPT or 150 days during the STEM extension combined. Update your SEVIS record promptly and confirm your new employer meets E-Verify requirements if you are on the STEM extension.