STEM OPT Maintenance Engineer Jobs
Maintenance Engineer roles in manufacturing, utilities, and facilities management qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in engineering or a related CIP-coded field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build hands-on U.S. work experience.
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Posting Information
Posting Number PG194571EP
Internal Recruitment No
Working Title Senior Facilities Maintenance Engineer
Anticipated Hiring Range $98,000 - $102,879
Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Job Location Raleigh, NC
Department Building Maintenance & Operations
About the Department
The NC State University Facilities Division is home to nearly 900 professionals who plan, build, and maintain the spaces that foster an environment where innovation, learning, and community thrive. Through this work, we help create spaces that empower students, faculty, and staff to reach their full potential. Operating year-round, we manage more than 16.7 million gross square feet of built space and oversee 4,733 acres of campus infrastructure through a series of core departments, each composed of multiple specialized units:
- Design & Construction
- Business Operations
- Campus Operations and Maintenance
- Campus Planning and Strategic Investment
Whether responding to a maintenance request, shaping future facilities, or creating spaces that inspire discovery, our team is grounded in excellence, service, and stewardship.
Join the pack and become part of one of the largest and most respected employers in the state, helping shape the future of our campus community. Take a look below to see what we offer!
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.
What we offer:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision
- Flexible Spending Account
- Retirement Programs
- Disability Plans
- Life Insurance
- Accident Plan
- Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
- 12 Holidays Each Year
- Tuition and Academic Assistance
- And so much more!
Attain work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties
Join our Facilities team as a Senior Facilities Maintenance Engineer, where you will play a critical role in shaping the performance, reliability, and sustainability of campus building systems. This position provides high-level engineering expertise supporting the design, construction, and ongoing operations of complex facilities infrastructure.
In this role, you will apply advanced engineering knowledge to evaluate, troubleshoot, and improve building systems across campus, including HVAC, mechanical, steam, plumbing, life safety, and specialized lab environments. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, guide project execution, and help drive solutions for complex renovation and operational challenges that directly impact the campus community.
This is an exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking engineer who enjoys solving complex problems, influencing system design, and ensuring facilities operate at peak efficiency. If you are passionate about engineering excellence, collaboration, and making a tangible impact in a dynamic campus environment, we encourage you to apply.
Key responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:
- Provide expert engineering support for the design, construction, and operation of campus facilities.
- Analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex issues across building systems, including HVAC, mechanical, steam, plumbing, life safety, and laboratory environments.
- Lead design reviews of building systems and infrastructure to ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and best practices.
- Develop project scopes, plans, and technical specifications aligned with regulatory and university requirements.
- Guide and support project management efforts, including oversight of junior staff, temporary employees, and interns.
- Manage the Facilities Warranty Program, including reviewing as-built documents and O&M manuals, leading quarterly review meetings, assigning investigations, and resolving warranty-related issues.
- Evaluate system performance and recommend improvements to enhance operational efficiency and reliability.
- Collaborate with Facilities Division units and campus stakeholders to support project planning, execution, and operational needs.
- Manage external designers and consultants; develop in-house schematic drawings as needed.
- Prepare and review project budgets and cost estimates.
- Ensure compliance with applicable building codes and standards within state government and university environments.
- Coordinate resolution of post-construction issues and support training on new systems and equipment.
- Oversee the design review portal, ensuring timely communication and resolution of reported issues.
- Maintain warranty records, track work orders, and ensure timely follow-up on all warranty-related items.
- Manage attic stock inventory and maintain documentation for project checklists and system assets.
- Track and report cost avoidance associated with completed warranty repairs.
Other Responsibilities
- This position is designated as Essential Personnel for the University and may be required to report to work during adverse weather conditions even though the University may be operating on an alternate schedule. This position may assist with snow and ice removal and/or provide direction for others during snow and ice removal.
- Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in the Engineering discipline related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Some positions may require licensure by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Other Required Qualifications
- Demonstrated knowledge of design, construction practices, and building systems including HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, steam, and life safety systems.
- Ability to analyze complex technical issues, interpret codes and regulations, and develop effective, compliant solutions.
- Strong organizational, project coordination, and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
- Effective communication and collaboration skills, along with proficiency in Microsoft Office and standard business software tools.
- Must be able to lift up to 30 pounds occasionally, with or without reasonable accommodations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in Facilities Management of building systems
- Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Software programs
- Experience consisting of project management, maintenance, and operations activities.
- Experience in higher education, state government, or similar institutional environments.
- Knowledge of North Carolina building codes and applicable regulatory standards.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Valid NC driver’s license required within 60 days of hire.
Valid NC Driver's License required Yes
Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions
Job Open Date 05/19/2026
Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
Please include as attachments a resume/CV and contact information for at least 3 professional references.
Position Details
Position Number 00101770
Position Type Exempt Professional Staff
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00
Appointment 12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Mandatory - Fire/Explosions, Mandatory - Medical Emergencies, Mandatory - Hazardous Material Incidents, Mandatory - Transportation Accidents, Mandatory - Evacuations/Natural Hazards, Mandatory - Utilities/Infrastructure Failure, Mandatory - Threats of Violence/Terrorism/Interpersonal Emergencies
Department ID 445030 - Building Maintenance & Operations
EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Maintenance Engineer
Verify your degree CIP code qualifies
Check that your engineering degree maps to an approved STEM CIP code before applying. Mechanical, electrical, industrial, and systems engineering degrees commonly qualify, but your DSO confirms the exact code on your I-20.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your recruiter directly whether the hiring entity, not just the parent company, is enrolled in E-Verify. Subsidiaries and job sites sometimes operate under separate EIN registrations that aren't covered by a parent company's enrollment.
Target facilities-heavy industries with engineering headcount
Maintenance Engineer roles in semiconductor fabrication, automotive plants, and energy infrastructure tend to have structured engineering teams familiar with OPT paperwork. Search Migrate Mate to filter for employers with active STEM OPT hiring history in these sectors.
Build your I-983 training plan around technical competencies
Your I-983 must show how the Maintenance Engineer role applies your STEM degree. Document specific learning objectives tied to predictive maintenance, reliability engineering, or systems troubleshooting, and get supervisor sign-off before your extension start date.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer
Maintenance Engineer prevailing wages vary by region and industry classification. Run the OFLC Wage Search using SOC code 17-3029 before negotiations so you can evaluate whether an offer meets the wage level your employer will certify on your training plan.
File your extension request 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be submitted within the 90-day window before your initial OPT end date. Missing this window means a gap in work authorization that can't be corrected retroactively, so track your I-20 end date carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Maintenance Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not the job title alone. If your degree is in mechanical, electrical, industrial, or systems engineering and maps to an approved STEM CIP code, the role qualifies as long as it applies that engineering knowledge directly. Your DSO reviews the connection between your degree and the position before endorsing the STEM OPT extension on your I-20.
How do I find Maintenance Engineer employers enrolled in E-Verify?
E-Verify enrollment is required for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student, but enrollment isn't always visible on job postings. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active STEM OPT hiring history, so you can focus on companies already set up to onboard you without delays. You can also ask HR to confirm enrollment by requesting their E-Verify company ID.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Maintenance Engineer?
Your I-983 must describe how the Maintenance Engineer role relates to your STEM degree with specific, measurable learning goals. For this role, that typically means documenting objectives around preventive maintenance systems, equipment reliability analysis, or root cause investigation methods. Both you and your supervisor sign the form, and your DSO must endorse it before your STEM OPT extension begins. USCIS can audit these plans, so vague descriptions aren't sufficient.
What happens to my work authorization during cap-gap if I'm on STEM OPT?
If you're on STEM OPT and your employer files an H-1B visa petition before your OPT expires, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can keep working as a Maintenance Engineer during this period without interruption. If your H-1B petition is selected and approved, your status transitions on October 1. USCIS provides cap-gap guidance covering exactly which OPT categories are eligible.
Can I work at multiple sites or for a staffing agency on STEM OPT as a Maintenance Engineer?
Maintenance Engineers sometimes work across multiple facilities or through contract staffing arrangements, which creates OPT compliance questions. The E-Verify requirement applies to your actual employer of record, not each client site. If a staffing agency is your employer, that agency must be enrolled in E-Verify and must sign your I-983. Third-party placement where the staffing firm isn't your legal employer doesn't satisfy STEM OPT requirements under USCIS rules.