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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Engineer I, under close supervision, assists with engineering system design during all phases of multiple, simultaneous projects by performing design calculations, specifications, interpreting and preparing reports, and preparing cost estimates, impact studies, permits and producing deliverable drawings.
Job Responsibilities
- Assist Engineers and Designers in the design and detail of engineering systems; write/edit specifications and research design options on appropriate devices, equipment, and system selections.
- Apply prescribed techniques and procedures in accordance with established criteria to perform assigned tasks. Research document findings and providing recommendations.
- Collects data, gathers information and performs basic and standard computations or analysis. May prepare drawings and visual aids.
- Participate in meetings and reviews to ensure code compliance. May conduct site investigations and observations.
- May interact with staff, the public, officials, and contractors. Limited client-facing responsibilities.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering
Preferred Education & Experience
- 0 - 1 year experience
- Engineer-in-Training/Fundamentals of Engineering (EIT)
- Strong grasp of core engineering principles relevant to their discipline (e.g., civil, mechanical, electrical).
- Ability to analyze complex problems, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
- Familiarity with tools like AutoCAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks, or discipline-specific software.
- Competence in interpreting data, using statistics, and applying analytical tools.
- Understanding of timelines, budgeting, and resource allocation
- Critical Thinking and Attention to Detail
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, status, or local laws and to prohibit discrimination and harassment based on any of these factors. Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability. Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process may contact the Human Resources Department at 713-266-6900 or by email using peopleoperations@leoadaly.com. For more information about your rights under the law, see: Know Your Rights
Job Summary
Engineer I, under close supervision, assists with engineering system design during all phases of multiple, simultaneous projects by performing design calculations, specifications, interpreting and preparing reports, and preparing cost estimates, impact studies, permits and producing deliverable drawings.
Job Responsibilities
- Assist Engineers and Designers in the design and detail of engineering systems; write/edit specifications and research design options on appropriate devices, equipment, and system selections.
- Apply prescribed techniques and procedures in accordance with established criteria to perform assigned tasks. Research document findings and providing recommendations.
- Collects data, gathers information and performs basic and standard computations or analysis. May prepare drawings and visual aids.
- Participate in meetings and reviews to ensure code compliance. May conduct site investigations and observations.
- May interact with staff, the public, officials, and contractors. Limited client-facing responsibilities.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering
Preferred Education & Experience
- 0 - 1 year experience
- Engineer-in-Training/Fundamentals of Engineering (EIT)
- Strong grasp of core engineering principles relevant to their discipline (e.g., civil, mechanical, electrical).
- Ability to analyze complex problems, identify root causes, and develop effective solutions.
- Familiarity with tools like AutoCAD, MATLAB, SolidWorks, or discipline-specific software.
- Competence in interpreting data, using statistics, and applying analytical tools.
- Understanding of timelines, budgeting, and resource allocation
- Critical Thinking and Attention to Detail
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, status, or local laws and to prohibit discrimination and harassment based on any of these factors. Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc., is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity, including providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability. Applicants with a physical or mental disability who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process may contact the Human Resources Department at 713-266-6900 or by email using peopleoperations@leoadaly.com. For more information about your rights under the law, see: Know Your Rights
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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.