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 JobsDESCRIPTION
Are you passionate about the physical systems that power cloud computing at a massive scale? Amazon is looking for a Data Center Infrastructure Engineer to help design, develop, deploy, and maintain the critical infrastructure that keeps our global data center fleet running. In this role, you will work on mechanical and electrical systems that directly impact the availability, efficiency, and reliability of our infrastructure. You will collaborate with engineers and cross-functional partners to solve real technical challenges, propose improvements, and deliver solutions that serve millions of customers worldwide. If you are a curious, adaptable problem-solver who thrives in a hands-on engineering environment, we want to hear from you.
Key job responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain data center infrastructure components, applying engineering best practices to ensure efficiency, security, and availability of physical resources such as power, cooling, and server rack systems.
- Troubleshoot equipment and system issues by conducting root cause analysis, documenting corrective actions, and thoroughly resolving defects to prevent recurrence.
- Collaborate with peer engineers and internal partners to identify technical requirements, communicate design considerations, and deliver projects on time with consistent quality.
- Develop and clearly document infrastructure solutions, including engineering models and technical drawings, so that current and future team members understand design intent and system dependencies.
- Evaluate opportunities to integrate tools—including generative artificial intelligence where appropriate—to improve workflows, and ensure all work complies with relevant regulations and Amazon policies.
A day in the life
You will start your day reviewing active infrastructure projects and coordinating with your team on priorities. Much of your time will be spent in the field inspecting mechanical and electrical systems, gathering data, and validating that installations meet design specifications. You will participate in design reviews, contribute to engineering audits, and work closely with operations and construction partners to resolve issues as they arise. Expect a balance of hands-on technical work and collaborative problem-solving sessions that keep you engaged and growing.
About the team
Our team is focused on ensuring that Amazon's data center infrastructure is reliable, efficient, and ready to meet growing customer demand. We work at the intersection of mechanical engineering, data center design, and operational excellence, tackling challenges that range from component-level improvements to facility-wide upgrades. We value collaboration, clear communication, and a willingness to take on problems end to end. If you are excited about building infrastructure that supports innovation at global scale, this is the team for you.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of critical data center mechanical and electrical equipment
- Experience with the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of mission critical facilities, especially data centers
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of building codes and regulations for your region
- Knowledge of commercial or industrial power systems or mechanical systems
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Experience using a variety of web-based and other software tools for calculation and data processing
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, MS, Canton
SALARY
86,900.00 - 152,100.00 USD annually
DESCRIPTION
Are you passionate about the physical systems that power cloud computing at a massive scale? Amazon is looking for a Data Center Infrastructure Engineer to help design, develop, deploy, and maintain the critical infrastructure that keeps our global data center fleet running. In this role, you will work on mechanical and electrical systems that directly impact the availability, efficiency, and reliability of our infrastructure. You will collaborate with engineers and cross-functional partners to solve real technical challenges, propose improvements, and deliver solutions that serve millions of customers worldwide. If you are a curious, adaptable problem-solver who thrives in a hands-on engineering environment, we want to hear from you.
Key job responsibilities
- Design, develop, and maintain data center infrastructure components, applying engineering best practices to ensure efficiency, security, and availability of physical resources such as power, cooling, and server rack systems.
- Troubleshoot equipment and system issues by conducting root cause analysis, documenting corrective actions, and thoroughly resolving defects to prevent recurrence.
- Collaborate with peer engineers and internal partners to identify technical requirements, communicate design considerations, and deliver projects on time with consistent quality.
- Develop and clearly document infrastructure solutions, including engineering models and technical drawings, so that current and future team members understand design intent and system dependencies.
- Evaluate opportunities to integrate tools—including generative artificial intelligence where appropriate—to improve workflows, and ensure all work complies with relevant regulations and Amazon policies.
A day in the life
You will start your day reviewing active infrastructure projects and coordinating with your team on priorities. Much of your time will be spent in the field inspecting mechanical and electrical systems, gathering data, and validating that installations meet design specifications. You will participate in design reviews, contribute to engineering audits, and work closely with operations and construction partners to resolve issues as they arise. Expect a balance of hands-on technical work and collaborative problem-solving sessions that keep you engaged and growing.
About the team
Our team is focused on ensuring that Amazon's data center infrastructure is reliable, efficient, and ready to meet growing customer demand. We work at the intersection of mechanical engineering, data center design, and operational excellence, tackling challenges that range from component-level improvements to facility-wide upgrades. We value collaboration, clear communication, and a willingness to take on problems end to end. If you are excited about building infrastructure that supports innovation at global scale, this is the team for you.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of critical data center mechanical and electrical equipment
- Experience with the design, construction, operation, or maintenance of mission critical facilities, especially data centers
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Knowledge of building codes and regulations for your region
- Knowledge of commercial or industrial power systems or mechanical systems
- Experience carrying design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment or mass production
- Experience using a variety of web-based and other software tools for calculation and data processing
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The base salary range for this position is listed below. Your Amazon package will include sign-on payments and restricted stock units (RSUs). Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, qualifications, and location. Amazon also offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage), 401(k) matching, paid time off, and parental leave. Learn more about our benefits at https://amazon.jobs/en/benefits.
LOCATION
USA, MS, Canton
SALARY
86,900.00 - 152,100.00 USD annually
See all 652+ 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.