STEM OPT Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs
Mechanical Design Engineer roles in CAD modeling, product development, and systems integration qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in mechanical, aerospace, or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and co-sign your I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The Mechanical Design Engineer is a key member of a cross-disciplinary team driving the design, development and execution of the actuation systems program for the next generation of military and commercial aircraft. The role's primary focus will be the design and development of rotary actuation products in the Civil and Military Defense industries. The Mechanical Design Engineer will apply principles and techniques of mechanical engineering to ensure design preparation is in accordance with applicable specifications, customer requirements and standard work practices; interfaces with various functional groups to coordinate conceptual, preliminary, and detailed unit design, engineering documentation releases, development testing, qualification testing, and entry into service.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Contribute to the design effort for mechanical actuation products. These designs will be to Aerospace standard including but not limited to DO-160.
- Innovates to improve technical solutions and/or processes while working with limited oversight.
- Ability to be mentored by experienced mechanical engineering colleagues.
- Customer or supplier focal throughout for product development and support activities.
- Evaluate and analyze mechanical hardware to determine relevancy and cost effectiveness for incorporation into current and future products.
- Coordinate/Collaborate across the Actuation System Business Units to identify opportunities for commonization and optimization of product and process.
- Generate design documentation including requirements specifications, design details, test procedures and reports.
- Support the selection and coordination of product vendors throughout the entire product lifecycle to include vendor qualification, issue resolution, and product acceptance.
- Manage, execute, document, and present the results of Root Cause Corrective Action investigations crossing functional boundaries.
- Prepare and review the drawings and layouts for production parts and test equipment.
- Evaluate concepts by creating analytical models and provide direction on which concept will meet component and or system level performance.
- Provide analysis support throughout the development of a product/concept.
- Analyze data and performance of designs, recommend actions to create optimized design.
- Interact cross-functionally with a wide variety of people and teams. Work closely with engineers to identify opportunities for design improvements.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
- 2 years of previous relevant experience or an advanced degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.
- Previous Actuation or gearbox design experience preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Must be a self-directed individual requiring minimal supervision.
- Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts.
- NX software experience.
- Microsoft Office Suite and MATLAB experience.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Leadership Skills / Management Skills / Personal Skills
- Inductive reasoning.
- Integrity.
- Judgement and problem solving.
- Leadership.
- Communication, both verbally and written and through active listening and reading comprehension.
- Customer Oriented.
- Adaptable and flexible.
- Ability to summarize complex information.
- A deep understanding of root cause corrective action.
- Knowledge of change control management.
- Analytical thinking.
- Dependability.
- Change agent.
- Planning, organization and prioritizing.
TRAVEL SPECIFICITY
Potential travel between Rockford Illinois and other locations up to 15%.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.
LOCATION
Location: Rockford, Illinois, United States
Contract type: Permanent
Contract duration: Full-time
Required degree: Bachelor's Degree
Required experience: First experience
Professional status: Employees / Staff
Salary range: $80,000 - $110,000
ITAR: ITAR Controlled position
2026-179778
INTRODUCTION
The Mechanical Design Engineer is a key member of a cross-disciplinary team driving the design, development and execution of the actuation systems program for the next generation of military and commercial aircraft. The role's primary focus will be the design and development of rotary actuation products in the Civil and Military Defense industries. The Mechanical Design Engineer will apply principles and techniques of mechanical engineering to ensure design preparation is in accordance with applicable specifications, customer requirements and standard work practices; interfaces with various functional groups to coordinate conceptual, preliminary, and detailed unit design, engineering documentation releases, development testing, qualification testing, and entry into service.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Contribute to the design effort for mechanical actuation products. These designs will be to Aerospace standard including but not limited to DO-160.
- Innovates to improve technical solutions and/or processes while working with limited oversight.
- Ability to be mentored by experienced mechanical engineering colleagues.
- Customer or supplier focal throughout for product development and support activities.
- Evaluate and analyze mechanical hardware to determine relevancy and cost effectiveness for incorporation into current and future products.
- Coordinate/Collaborate across the Actuation System Business Units to identify opportunities for commonization and optimization of product and process.
- Generate design documentation including requirements specifications, design details, test procedures and reports.
- Support the selection and coordination of product vendors throughout the entire product lifecycle to include vendor qualification, issue resolution, and product acceptance.
- Manage, execute, document, and present the results of Root Cause Corrective Action investigations crossing functional boundaries.
- Prepare and review the drawings and layouts for production parts and test equipment.
- Evaluate concepts by creating analytical models and provide direction on which concept will meet component and or system level performance.
- Provide analysis support throughout the development of a product/concept.
- Analyze data and performance of designs, recommend actions to create optimized design.
- Interact cross-functionally with a wide variety of people and teams. Work closely with engineers to identify opportunities for design improvements.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering.
- 2 years of previous relevant experience or an advanced degree in mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.
- Previous Actuation or gearbox design experience preferred.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Must be a self-directed individual requiring minimal supervision.
- Ability to apply advanced mathematical concepts.
- NX software experience.
- Microsoft Office Suite and MATLAB experience.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Leadership Skills / Management Skills / Personal Skills
- Inductive reasoning.
- Integrity.
- Judgement and problem solving.
- Leadership.
- Communication, both verbally and written and through active listening and reading comprehension.
- Customer Oriented.
- Adaptable and flexible.
- Ability to summarize complex information.
- A deep understanding of root cause corrective action.
- Knowledge of change control management.
- Analytical thinking.
- Dependability.
- Change agent.
- Planning, organization and prioritizing.
TRAVEL SPECIFICITY
Potential travel between Rockford Illinois and other locations up to 15%.
COMPANY INFORMATION
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Electronics & Defense offers its customers onboard intelligence solutions allowing them to understand the environment, reduce mental load and guarantee a trajectory, even in critical situations, in all environments: on land, at sea, in the sky or space. The company harnesses the expertise of its 13,000 employees towards these three functions: observe, decide and guide, for the civil and military markets.
LOCATION
Location: Rockford, Illinois, United States
Contract type: Permanent
Contract duration: Full-time
Required degree: Bachelor's Degree
Required experience: First experience
Professional status: Employees / Staff
Salary range: $80,000 - $110,000
ITAR: ITAR Controlled position
2026-179778
See all 312+ STEM OPT Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Mechanical Design Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code determines STEM OPT eligibility. Mechanical engineering typically maps to CIP 14.1901, but interdisciplinary programs vary. Confirm your DSO has the correct code on your I-20 before you submit any extension paperwork.
Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
An employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify to legally hire you on STEM OPT. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name and location to confirm enrollment status before you reach the offer stage, not after.
Target engineering firms with federal contracts
Federal contractors are legally required to use E-Verify for all new hires, which removes the enrollment guesswork. Defense, aerospace, and infrastructure firms commonly fall into this category and are experienced hiring STEM OPT students for design roles.
Use O*NET to align your training plan goals
The I-983 training plan requires specific learning objectives tied to your role. Pull the Mechanical Design Engineer occupation profile from O*NET to identify core skills and tasks, then map each objective to engineering work you'll perform on the job.
Search Migrate Mate to filter STEM OPT employers
Migrate Mate shows verified E-Verify enrollment and DOL Labor Condition Application filing history by role, so you can identify Mechanical Design Engineer positions at companies already set up to hire on STEM OPT before you spend time on applications.
Negotiate your start date around I-983 approval timing
Your STEM OPT extension must be approved and your new EAD in hand before your initial OPT expires. Build at least 90 days of lead time into your start date negotiation to account for DSO processing and USCIS adjudication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a mechanical engineering degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, mechanical engineering degrees are explicitly covered under the STEM OPT extension, as the field maps to a designated CIP code on the STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Interdisciplinary or combined programs such as mechatronics or manufacturing engineering also often qualify, but you should confirm the exact CIP code with your DSO before filing your extension application with USCIS.
What does my employer need to do before I can start on STEM OPT?
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify and must co-sign your I-983 Training Plan for STEM OPT Students before your extension is approved. The I-983 must describe the specific engineering skills and learning objectives tied to your Mechanical Design Engineer role, including mentorship structure and how the position relates to your degree field. You submit the signed I-983 to your DSO, who then recommends the extension in SEVIS before you file with USCIS.
What is the I-983 training plan and what should it include for a design engineering role?
The I-983 is a formal training agreement between you and your employer that documents how your Mechanical Design Engineer position provides practical training connected to your STEM degree. For design roles, it should outline specific objectives such as developing proficiency in CAD tools, applying finite element analysis, learning product lifecycle processes, or working within cross-functional engineering teams. USCIS requires the plan to detail compensation, supervision, and how you'll evaluate progress at regular intervals.
How does cap-gap protection work if my employer files for H-1B before my STEM OPT expires?
If your employer files a timely H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization until October 1 of the fiscal year the H-1B takes effect. You can continue working as a Mechanical Design Engineer without interruption during that bridge period. USCIS provides guidance confirming that cap-gap covers both status and employment authorization when a properly filed H-1B petition is pending.
How do I find Mechanical Design Engineer jobs where the employer is already set up for STEM OPT hiring?
The fastest way is to use Migrate Mate, which filters job listings by verified E-Verify enrollment and shows DOL filing history for each employer, so you can confirm an employer has experience with STEM work authorization before you apply. Engineering firms with federal contracts are also a reliable category to target, since federal prime contractors are required by law to use E-Verify for all new hires.