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 JobsJob ID: 13175
Location: Raymond, Ohio, 43067
Shift: 1st
Salary Range: $71,100.00 - $106,600.00
Legal Entity: Honda Dev. and Mfg. of Am., LLC
Business Unit: Frame & Interior Development BU
Department: HVAC Development Dep
Division: INTERIOR DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM DIV
Work Location: Auto Development Center
Workstyle: 100% Onsite
Career Level: 3
Job Grade: Exempt-1
Job Purpose
In this role you will be responsible for the design and maturation of HVAC components as you work with a group of supportive and experienced engineers in a fast paced, continuous learning environment. As an associate within the Interior Development Division, you will be responsible for exceeding customer’s expectations by contributing to their “fun to drive” experience, as your designs will contribute to the customer’s comfort each time they drive.
Key Accountabilities
- Responsible for, and able to clearly convey, part design details (customer usability, assembly, material, texture, maintenance, tooling technical requirements, etc.)
- Setting vehicle targets and achievement methods
- Collaboration, communication and negotiation with other design groups, manufacturing, Styling, and suppliers to ensure the vehicle image can be met while meeting all regulations and part technical requirements
- Creation of detailed layouts (2D), basic part data (3D) and drawings
- Manage part cost and investment throughout development to ensure program targets are being met
- Problem Solving to address part concerns
- Hands on activity – communicating design ideas using VR or mock-ups
- Schedule and milestone management, including part testing and validation activities
Qualifications, Experience, and Skills
Minimum Educational Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
Minimum Experience
0-2 years of relevant experience.
Other Job-Specific Skills
- Experience with CAD software (CATIA V5 or V6 preferred).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to travel and work overtime as needed.
Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.
Job ID: 13175
Location: Raymond, Ohio, 43067
Shift: 1st
Salary Range: $71,100.00 - $106,600.00
Legal Entity: Honda Dev. and Mfg. of Am., LLC
Business Unit: Frame & Interior Development BU
Department: HVAC Development Dep
Division: INTERIOR DEVELOPMENT PLATFORM DIV
Work Location: Auto Development Center
Workstyle: 100% Onsite
Career Level: 3
Job Grade: Exempt-1
Job Purpose
In this role you will be responsible for the design and maturation of HVAC components as you work with a group of supportive and experienced engineers in a fast paced, continuous learning environment. As an associate within the Interior Development Division, you will be responsible for exceeding customer’s expectations by contributing to their “fun to drive” experience, as your designs will contribute to the customer’s comfort each time they drive.
Key Accountabilities
- Responsible for, and able to clearly convey, part design details (customer usability, assembly, material, texture, maintenance, tooling technical requirements, etc.)
- Setting vehicle targets and achievement methods
- Collaboration, communication and negotiation with other design groups, manufacturing, Styling, and suppliers to ensure the vehicle image can be met while meeting all regulations and part technical requirements
- Creation of detailed layouts (2D), basic part data (3D) and drawings
- Manage part cost and investment throughout development to ensure program targets are being met
- Problem Solving to address part concerns
- Hands on activity – communicating design ideas using VR or mock-ups
- Schedule and milestone management, including part testing and validation activities
Qualifications, Experience, and Skills
Minimum Educational Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field.
Minimum Experience
0-2 years of relevant experience.
Other Job-Specific Skills
- Experience with CAD software (CATIA V5 or V6 preferred).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to travel and work overtime as needed.
Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.
See all 538+ 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.