STEM OPT Engineering Design Manager Jobs
Engineering Design Manager roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree aligns with the position's technical requirements. The 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build management experience while your employer, who must be enrolled in E-Verify, files a training plan through your DSO.
Find STEM OPT Engineering Design Manager JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 20+ Engineering Design Manager jobs
See all Engineering Design Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Engineering Design Manager roles.
Get Access To All JobsDescription
Truck-Lite is seeking a Design Engineering Manager to lead our Product Design Engineering team. This role is responsible for managing mechanical design activities across new product development, lifecycle support, and productivity initiatives while ensuring projects are delivered on time and meet performance goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and supervise a team of design engineers, setting priorities and guiding daily work.
- Manage engineering activities for new product introduction (NPI), lifecycle, and cost improvement projects.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve manufacturing and quality issues.
- Coach, develop, and evaluate team members to support performance and career growth.
- Ensure compliance with engineering standards, policies, and procedures.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field).
- Proven experience in mechanical design and team leadership.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Join us to lead innovative engineering projects and drive team success in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
Description
Truck-Lite is seeking a Design Engineering Manager to lead our Product Design Engineering team. This role is responsible for managing mechanical design activities across new product development, lifecycle support, and productivity initiatives while ensuring projects are delivered on time and meet performance goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and supervise a team of design engineers, setting priorities and guiding daily work.
- Manage engineering activities for new product introduction (NPI), lifecycle, and cost improvement projects.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve manufacturing and quality issues.
- Coach, develop, and evaluate team members to support performance and career growth.
- Ensure compliance with engineering standards, policies, and procedures.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field).
- Proven experience in mechanical design and team leadership.
- Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Join us to lead innovative engineering projects and drive team success in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
See all STEM OPT Engineering Design Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Engineering Design Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Engineering Design Manager
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull your degree's CIP code from your I-20 and cross-reference it against the STEM Designated Degree Program List that USCIS maintains. Engineering design roles typically require engineering or industrial design degrees, so a mismatch disqualifies the extension before you start.
Check E-Verify status before accepting offers
Ask recruiters directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before you invest time in interviews. Hiring managers at smaller engineering firms often don't know their E-Verify status off the top of their head, so ask HR specifically.
Build a portfolio showing cross-functional leadership
Engineering Design Manager roles require demonstrated team leadership, not just technical output. Compile documentation of design reviews you led, engineers you mentored, and product decisions you owned, because hiring panels screen for managerial readiness before visa considerations.
Use Migrate Mate to target verified employers
Search Engineering Design Manager listings on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment. This cuts the dead-end applications that come from pursuing companies that can't legally support your STEM OPT extension.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan scope early
The I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, not just your job duties. Before signing an offer, confirm with HR that they'll support a training plan naming engineering design methodologies, systems development cycles, or equivalent technical competencies relevant to the role.
Understand cap-gap coverage if your OPT expires mid-hiring
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection extends your authorization through September 30. Time your application cycle around USCIS registration windows to avoid gaps between your OPT end date and H-1B activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Engineering Design Manager role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your underlying degree is in a STEM field listed on the USCIS Designated Degree Program List and the role requires that technical foundation. Engineering design management typically draws on mechanical, electrical, industrial, or systems engineering degrees. Your DSO confirms eligibility by matching your CIP code to the role's requirements before recommending the extension.
How does the I-983 training plan apply to a management role?
The I-983 must identify specific STEM-related learning goals, which for a design manager means documenting objectives like engineering project methodologies, design systems oversight, or technical team development. Generic management duties alone won't satisfy the requirement. Your employer's HR or engineering leadership typically drafts this with input from your DSO to ensure the plan reflects your degree's technical scope.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for Engineering Design Manager applicants?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify before you can begin STEM OPT employment. Enrollment is the employer's responsibility, but the obligation to confirm it is yours. Many mid-size engineering firms participate but haven't extended enrollment to all subsidiaries or acquired entities, so verify the specific legal entity that will employ you, not just the parent company's status.
Where can I find Engineering Design Manager jobs that support STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate lists Engineering Design Manager roles filtered for employers with E-Verify enrollment, which is the baseline requirement for STEM OPT eligibility. Searching there reduces time spent pursuing companies that can't legally support your extension and surfaces firms already familiar with STEM OPT training plan obligations.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer loses E-Verify status?
If your employer's E-Verify enrollment lapses or is terminated after you've started, your STEM OPT authorization is at risk. USCIS requires continuous E-Verify enrollment for the duration of your extension. You should notify your DSO immediately and begin identifying a compliant employer, as working for a non-enrolled employer violates your OPT terms and can affect future visa eligibility.