STEM OPT Mechanical Engineer Jobs
Mechanical Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in mechanical, aerospace, or materials engineering. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan before your extension begins. You get up to 36 months total to build U.S. work experience and pursue H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you a passionate Mechanical Design Engineer eager to work on innovative projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? At Quality Electrical Systems (QES), we specialize in designing and developing advanced mechanical and electrical solutions. We’re seeking a skilled engineer to join our team and make an impact on high-profile projects while driving continuous improvement.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and develop mechanical components, assemblies, and systems using SolidWorks.
- Collaborate with crossfunctional teams to ensure designs meet functional and manufacturability requirements.
- Perform engineering calculations, simulations, and analyses to validate designs.
- Prepare detailed drawings, specifications, and documentation for manufacturing and assembly.
- Participate in design reviews, offering and receiving constructive feedback.
- Support prototype builds, testing, and validation activities.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and process enhancements.
- Apply continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing principles.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
- 3+ years of mechanical design and integration experience using SolidWorks.
- Strong knowledge of engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Proficiency in stress analysis, tolerance analysis, and engineering calculations.
- Experience with Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA).
- Familiarity with CAD and PLM systems (e.g., SolidWorks PDM).
- Excellent problemsolving skills and attention to detail.
- Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives (a plus).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Engaging projects with cuttingedge technologies
- Opportunities for growth and career advancement
- A collaborative, innovationdriven culture
BENEFITS
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- HSA, HRA, and FSA options
- Life and disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Telehealth and wellness resources
- Additional voluntary benefit options available
ABOUT QUALITY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Quality Electrical Systems is an electrical equipment manufacturer in West Jordan, UT. Our state-of-the-art facility has 350,000 square ft of manufacturing space and 75,000 square ft of inventory space. We’re an innovative company with countless years of combined experience in the industrial electrical industry. Our primary markets are data centers, oil/gas, water/wastewater, and mining and we have OEM manufacturing contracts with many major international manufactures such as GE/ABB, Yaskawa, Danfoss, TMEIC, and others. After 30 years of business, we now produce a wide variety of custom electrical products including Switchgear, PDCs, VFDs, and more that ship to customers worldwide.
INTRODUCTION
Are you a passionate Mechanical Design Engineer eager to work on innovative projects in a fast-paced, dynamic environment? At Quality Electrical Systems (QES), we specialize in designing and developing advanced mechanical and electrical solutions. We’re seeking a skilled engineer to join our team and make an impact on high-profile projects while driving continuous improvement.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and develop mechanical components, assemblies, and systems using SolidWorks.
- Collaborate with crossfunctional teams to ensure designs meet functional and manufacturability requirements.
- Perform engineering calculations, simulations, and analyses to validate designs.
- Prepare detailed drawings, specifications, and documentation for manufacturing and assembly.
- Participate in design reviews, offering and receiving constructive feedback.
- Support prototype builds, testing, and validation activities.
- Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and process enhancements.
- Apply continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing principles.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
- 3+ years of mechanical design and integration experience using SolidWorks.
- Strong knowledge of engineering principles, materials, and manufacturing processes.
- Proficiency in stress analysis, tolerance analysis, and engineering calculations.
- Experience with Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA).
- Familiarity with CAD and PLM systems (e.g., SolidWorks PDM).
- Excellent problemsolving skills and attention to detail.
- Strong communication and collaboration abilities.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing or continuous improvement initiatives (a plus).
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Competitive salary and benefits package
- Engaging projects with cuttingedge technologies
- Opportunities for growth and career advancement
- A collaborative, innovationdriven culture
BENEFITS
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- HSA, HRA, and FSA options
- Life and disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Telehealth and wellness resources
- Additional voluntary benefit options available
ABOUT QUALITY ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
Quality Electrical Systems is an electrical equipment manufacturer in West Jordan, UT. Our state-of-the-art facility has 350,000 square ft of manufacturing space and 75,000 square ft of inventory space. We’re an innovative company with countless years of combined experience in the industrial electrical industry. Our primary markets are data centers, oil/gas, water/wastewater, and mining and we have OEM manufacturing contracts with many major international manufactures such as GE/ABB, Yaskawa, Danfoss, TMEIC, and others. After 30 years of business, we now produce a wide variety of custom electrical products including Switchgear, PDCs, VFDs, and more that ship to customers worldwide.
See all 662+ STEM OPT Mechanical Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Mechanical Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Mechanical Engineer
Confirm your CIP code before applying
Pull your official transcript and cross-reference your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Mechanical Engineering (14.1901) qualifies, but closely related concentrations like engineering mechanics or manufacturing systems may use different codes that require DSO confirmation.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
Search the E-Verify employer database to confirm enrollment before you apply. Mechanical engineering roles at defense contractors, automotive OEMs, and aerospace suppliers are common, but not every division of a large company enrolls separately, so verify the specific hiring entity.
Use Migrate Mate to target STEM OPT employers
Search Migrate Mate to find mechanical engineering employers with verified STEM OPT hiring history. Filtering by E-Verify enrollment and engineering SOC codes cuts the time spent screening roles that can't legally employ you under the 24-month extension.
Negotiate your I-983 training plan before signing
The Form I-983 must detail learning objectives tied to your mechanical engineering degree, not just your job duties. Ask your offer-stage contact whether the training plan is customized per role or generic, since a generic plan can trigger a DSO rejection that delays your start date.
Time your application around cap-gap protection
If you're in your initial OPT year, file an H-1B registration during the March window. A timely-filed H-1B petition automatically extends your STEM OPT authorization through September 30 under cap-gap, protecting you from a gap if your extension approval is still pending.
Match your resume credentials to prevailing-wage tiers
Look up the prevailing wage for your target mechanical engineering SOC code and metro area using the OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Employers file an LCA at a specific wage level, and your offer must meet or exceed that figure or the DOL certification will fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a mechanical engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, Mechanical Engineering (CIP code 14.1901) appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and qualifies for the 24-month extension. Related degrees like aerospace engineering, materials science, and manufacturing engineering also qualify under their own CIP codes. Confirm your specific code with your DSO before submitting the I-765 extension application to USCIS.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my mechanical engineering employer?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify as an entity before your STEM OPT extension can begin. Enrollment at the parent company level is not enough if you're hired by a subsidiary or a specific plant location that operates as a separate legal entity. Verify enrollment for the exact hiring entity through the E-Verify employer search before accepting an offer.
What goes into the Form I-983 training plan for a mechanical engineer?
The I-983 must identify how your mechanical engineering role provides practical training in the engineering field covered by your degree. It should map specific job duties, such as finite element analysis, CAD design, or thermal systems testing, to learning objectives tied to your coursework. Both you and your supervisor sign it, and your DSO must review and approve it before your STEM OPT extension is filed.
How does cap-gap work if my mechanical engineering employer files an H-1B petition?
If you're on a timely-filed H-1B petition and your STEM OPT expires before October 1, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. You can continue working in your mechanical engineering role during this period without a separate filing. USCIS issues a cap-gap receipt notice you can show your employer to confirm continued employment eligibility.
Where can I find mechanical engineering jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate lets you search mechanical engineering roles filtered by employers enrolled in E-Verify, which is the baseline requirement for STEM OPT hiring. You can browse by engineering discipline, location, and employer hiring history to focus your applications on companies that have a track record of hiring F-1 students on STEM OPT rather than those encountering the authorization type for the first time.