STEM OPT Mechanical Designer Jobs
Mechanical Designer roles in CAD modeling, tooling, and product development qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan before your extension begins. This page surfaces Mechanical Designer openings at verified E-Verify employers.
Find STEM OPT Mechanical Designer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 103+ Mechanical Designer jobs
See all 103+ Mechanical Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Mechanical Designer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
CommScope, an Amphenol company, is hiring for a Mechanical Designer I position in Shakopee MN.
Join a team in our Shakopee, MN facility working on new product development for fiber optic assemblies used in data centers around the world. A Mechanical Designer I develops and releases designs and detailed drawings of components and assemblies leveraging CAD software. This position focuses on fiber optic connector, cable assembly, and apparatus product development. This role requires on-site work five days a week in Shakopee, MN.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Perform 3D modeling for new product components and assemblies in Creo. Previous Creo knowledge is not required to be hired if the candidate has previous experience in another CAD system. However, if hired, the candidate must learn Creo. CommScope will support that transition to Creo.
- Create design concepts and solutions for fiber optic products
- Document designs by creating drawings and bills of materials (BOM) per CommScope and GD&T standards and specifications
- Manage CAD file versions in the SAP database
- Coordinate requests for prototypes of new designs
- Collaborate with Mechanical Engineers to ensure materials and designs will meet performance specifications
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers to ensure designs are efficient to manufacture and cost-competitive by applying DFM/DFA principles
- Gain and apply understanding of fiber optic products, installation, industry standards, and test methods to all new product development projects
- Develop awareness of corporate, business unit, and department quality management system documentation
- Develop awareness of design and manufacturing practices for the range of parts and assemblies
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Proficiency in parametric modeling (Creo, SolidWorks, others)
- Familiarity with drawing and tolerance standards
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Strongly Desired Skills & Qualifications:
- Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Design, Industrial Design, or a related field
- Knowledge of Creo CAD software. Previous Creo knowledge is not required to be hired if the candidate has previous experience in another CAD system. However, if hired, the candidate must learn Creo. CommScope will support that transition to Creo.
- Experience with prototyping and manufacturing methods
- Familiarity with ERP systems and Bill of Material structure
- Knowledge of sheet metal or plastics design and manufacturing techniques
- Experience with the product development process in a manufacturing environment
The candidate will be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, life and accidental death insurance, a 401(k) plan, and participation in the Company’s Incentive Plan. Candidates starting with the Company will be eligible for eleven paid holidays in a full calendar year, 10 days paid vacation (prorated based on start date), and other leave options. Salary Range: $53,000-$64,000.
What Happens After You Apply:
Learn how to prepare yourself for the next steps in our hiring process by visiting https://jobs.commscope.com/content/How-We-Hire/?locale=en_US
Why CommScope:
CommScope is on a quest to deliver connectivity that empowers how we live, work, and learn. Our employees push the boundaries of communications technology that enabling game-changing discoveries like 5G, the Internet of Things, and gigabit speeds for everyone, everywhere. With our unmatched expertise in copper, fiber, and wireless infrastructure, our global clients rely on us to outperform today and be ready for tomorrow's needs.
If you want to grow your career alongside bright, passionate, and caring people who strive to create what's next…..come connect to your future at CommScope.
CommScope is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), including people with disabilities and veterans. If you are seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact us to submit your request at talentacquisition@commscope.com.
INTRODUCTION
CommScope, an Amphenol company, is hiring for a Mechanical Designer I position in Shakopee MN.
Join a team in our Shakopee, MN facility working on new product development for fiber optic assemblies used in data centers around the world. A Mechanical Designer I develops and releases designs and detailed drawings of components and assemblies leveraging CAD software. This position focuses on fiber optic connector, cable assembly, and apparatus product development. This role requires on-site work five days a week in Shakopee, MN.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Perform 3D modeling for new product components and assemblies in Creo. Previous Creo knowledge is not required to be hired if the candidate has previous experience in another CAD system. However, if hired, the candidate must learn Creo. CommScope will support that transition to Creo.
- Create design concepts and solutions for fiber optic products
- Document designs by creating drawings and bills of materials (BOM) per CommScope and GD&T standards and specifications
- Manage CAD file versions in the SAP database
- Coordinate requests for prototypes of new designs
- Collaborate with Mechanical Engineers to ensure materials and designs will meet performance specifications
- Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers to ensure designs are efficient to manufacture and cost-competitive by applying DFM/DFA principles
- Gain and apply understanding of fiber optic products, installation, industry standards, and test methods to all new product development projects
- Develop awareness of corporate, business unit, and department quality management system documentation
- Develop awareness of design and manufacturing practices for the range of parts and assemblies
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Proficiency in parametric modeling (Creo, SolidWorks, others)
- Familiarity with drawing and tolerance standards
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Strongly Desired Skills & Qualifications:
- Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Design, Industrial Design, or a related field
- Knowledge of Creo CAD software. Previous Creo knowledge is not required to be hired if the candidate has previous experience in another CAD system. However, if hired, the candidate must learn Creo. CommScope will support that transition to Creo.
- Experience with prototyping and manufacturing methods
- Familiarity with ERP systems and Bill of Material structure
- Knowledge of sheet metal or plastics design and manufacturing techniques
- Experience with the product development process in a manufacturing environment
The candidate will be rewarded with a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, life and accidental death insurance, a 401(k) plan, and participation in the Company’s Incentive Plan. Candidates starting with the Company will be eligible for eleven paid holidays in a full calendar year, 10 days paid vacation (prorated based on start date), and other leave options. Salary Range: $53,000-$64,000.
What Happens After You Apply:
Learn how to prepare yourself for the next steps in our hiring process by visiting https://jobs.commscope.com/content/How-We-Hire/?locale=en_US
Why CommScope:
CommScope is on a quest to deliver connectivity that empowers how we live, work, and learn. Our employees push the boundaries of communications technology that enabling game-changing discoveries like 5G, the Internet of Things, and gigabit speeds for everyone, everywhere. With our unmatched expertise in copper, fiber, and wireless infrastructure, our global clients rely on us to outperform today and be ready for tomorrow's needs.
If you want to grow your career alongside bright, passionate, and caring people who strive to create what's next…..come connect to your future at CommScope.
CommScope is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO), including people with disabilities and veterans. If you are seeking an accommodation for the application or interview process, please contact us to submit your request at talentacquisition@commscope.com.
See all 103+ STEM OPT Mechanical Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Mechanical Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Mechanical Designer
Verify your CIP code maps correctly
Mechanical Engineering Technology and Manufacturing Engineering both carry CIP codes that qualify for STEM OPT, but your DSO must confirm the exact code on your I-20 before approving the extension. A mismatch delays your filing and can cut into your authorized period.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask hiring managers directly whether their company is enrolled in E-Verify before you sign anything. Employers can look up their own status in the E-Verify portal, and you can ask for their E-Verify company ID as confirmation.
Search Mechanical Designer roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters Mechanical Designer openings by E-Verify enrollment, so you're only seeing employers who can legally support your STEM OPT extension, not just companies that look relevant in a general job search.
Tailor your I-983 to mechanical design work
Your Form I-983 training plan must connect your day-to-day tasks, such as SolidWorks modeling or GD&T review, to learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. Generic job descriptions get flagged during USCIS audits, so be specific about engineering skills you're developing.
Target employers filing LCAs for design roles
Run your target companies through the OFLC Wage Search to see whether they've filed Labor Condition Applications for Mechanical Designer or similar roles. Regular LCA activity signals an established process for employing international workers in technical positions.
Check O*NET to document specialty occupation fit
The O*NET profile for Mechanical Designers specifies the degree requirements and core competencies that define the role. Referencing this in your I-983 and in conversations with HR strengthens the case that your work qualifies under STEM OPT's training plan requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Mechanical Designer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in an eligible STEM field such as Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Engineering Technology, and the role involves applying that technical training directly. Your DSO confirms eligibility by checking the CIP code on your I-20 against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The job title alone doesn't determine eligibility; the degree-to-role connection does.
What does the E-Verify requirement mean for my Mechanical Designer job search?
Every employer who hires you on STEM OPT must be enrolled in E-Verify, a federal employment eligibility verification system. If an employer isn't enrolled at the time you start, your extension is invalid regardless of approval. Before you invest time in an application or interview process, confirm enrollment directly with HR or through E-Verify's public employer search. Migrate Mate surfaces Mechanical Designer roles at employers already confirmed in E-Verify.
What goes into the Form I-983 training plan for a Mechanical Designer?
The I-983 must describe how your daily tasks, such as 3D modeling, tolerance stack-up analysis, or design-for-manufacturability review, connect to learning objectives rooted in your STEM degree. You list the skills you're developing, the supervision structure, and how your employer will evaluate your progress. Both you and your employer sign it, and your DSO must approve it before USCIS processes the extension. A vague or generic plan is a common audit trigger.
How does cap-gap coverage work if I'm applying for H-1B while on STEM OPT?
If your STEM OPT is still valid when you file an H-1B visa petition and your status doesn't expire before October 1, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. For Mechanical Designers, this means you can keep working at your E-Verify employer without interruption while USCIS adjudicates the H-1B. You don't need to take any separate action; the extension is triggered by the timely H-1B filing itself.
How do I find Mechanical Designer employers who support STEM OPT?
Start with employers who have a track record of filing Labor Condition Applications for engineering roles, which you can verify through the OFLC Wage Search. E-Verify enrollment is the other non-negotiable filter. Migrate Mate combines both signals, showing you Mechanical Designer openings at employers who meet the E-Verify requirement and have demonstrated history of sponsoring technical roles, so you're not researching each company manually.