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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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly motivated, entry-level Mechanical Engineer to join our EV Battery Technology team. This role focuses on equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, and support of manufacturing systems used in EV battery development, including automation, robotics, inspection systems, and data acquisition equipment.
The Mechanical Engineer will work closely with engineering, production, and external partners to support maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of mechanical and electromechanical systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
This position requires fluency in both Korean and English to support collaboration with Korean-speaking stakeholders and global teams.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform and support preventive and corrective maintenance for production and laboratory equipment to ensure operational reliability
- Assist with installation, setup, troubleshooting, and improvement of mechanical and electromechanical systems
- Collaborate with engineering teams on automation systems and equipment enhancements
- Support automation equipment, industrial computers, and related system infrastructure
- Coordinate maintenance activities and troubleshooting efforts with production teams
- Maintain accurate documentation of maintenance activities, equipment performance, and improvement actions
- Work with external vendors on equipment repairs, diagnostics, and system upgrades
- Ensure all work is completed in compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance equipment efficiency and reliability
QUALIFICATIONS
- Korean and English bilingual proficiency required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field
- 0–5 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, or equipment support environments (entry-level candidates welcome)
- Basic understanding of mechanical systems, industrial equipment, and production processes
- Exposure to automation systems, industrial controls, or robotics preferred
- Familiarity with Windows-based industrial systems and basic networking is a plus
- Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and overtime as needed
BENEFITS: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; paid time off, paid sick leave, paid holiday; life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), and long-term disability (LTD) insurance; and optional voluntary life/AD&D coverage. Benefits are subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
PAY SCALE ($56,500 - $59,500)
WHY WORK AT BTI?
We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Our team benefits from competitive compensation, comprehensive health and wellness offerings, and opportunities for professional development. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those related to fair hiring practices, pay transparency, workplace safety, and reasonable accommodations. We are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and contribute meaningfully.
INTRODUCTION
We are seeking a highly motivated, entry-level Mechanical Engineer to join our EV Battery Technology team. This role focuses on equipment reliability, preventive maintenance, and support of manufacturing systems used in EV battery development, including automation, robotics, inspection systems, and data acquisition equipment.
The Mechanical Engineer will work closely with engineering, production, and external partners to support maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of mechanical and electromechanical systems, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
This position requires fluency in both Korean and English to support collaboration with Korean-speaking stakeholders and global teams.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Perform and support preventive and corrective maintenance for production and laboratory equipment to ensure operational reliability
- Assist with installation, setup, troubleshooting, and improvement of mechanical and electromechanical systems
- Collaborate with engineering teams on automation systems and equipment enhancements
- Support automation equipment, industrial computers, and related system infrastructure
- Coordinate maintenance activities and troubleshooting efforts with production teams
- Maintain accurate documentation of maintenance activities, equipment performance, and improvement actions
- Work with external vendors on equipment repairs, diagnostics, and system upgrades
- Ensure all work is completed in compliance with safety, quality, and environmental standards
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance equipment efficiency and reliability
QUALIFICATIONS
- Korean and English bilingual proficiency required
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering field
- 0–5 years of experience in manufacturing, automation, or equipment support environments (entry-level candidates welcome)
- Basic understanding of mechanical systems, industrial equipment, and production processes
- Exposure to automation systems, industrial controls, or robotics preferred
- Familiarity with Windows-based industrial systems and basic networking is a plus
- Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, and overtime as needed
BENEFITS: Medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; paid time off, paid sick leave, paid holiday; life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), and long-term disability (LTD) insurance; and optional voluntary life/AD&D coverage. Benefits are subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms.
PAY SCALE ($56,500 - $59,500)
WHY WORK AT BTI?
We’re committed to creating a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. Our team benefits from competitive compensation, comprehensive health and wellness offerings, and opportunities for professional development. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.
We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those related to fair hiring practices, pay transparency, workplace safety, and reasonable accommodations. We are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and contribute meaningfully.
See all 37+ STEM OPT Maintenance Engineer Jobs
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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.