STEM OPT Plant Engineer Jobs
Plant Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT because they draw on engineering degrees in fields like mechanical, industrial, or chemical engineering. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your STEM degree unlocks a 24-month OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months, giving you up to 36 months to build experience in manufacturing operations, process optimization, and facilities management.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely — even if they’re daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love — driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together — lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You’ll be managing all engineering, maintenance, and enhancements to the Outside Plant Telephony Network, including structures, cables, and associated equipment. This critical role will coordinate with a variety of teams and have direct contact with business and residential customers. You’ll work in diverse environments, both indoors and outdoors, to solve complex problems and implement innovative solutions to keep our customers happy.
- Leading large scale and complex projects.
- Designing additions, upgrades, repairs and enhancements.
- Managing vendor relationships.
- Selecting and pricing solutions based on the most effective, efficient, and timely design.
- Coordinating with internal departments and liaising with residential and business end-users, building contractors, and property owners to implement solutions appropriately.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
You’ll need to have:
- Associate’s degree or two or more years of work experience.
- Three or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through work experience and/or military experience.
- Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time.
- Experience in working with outside plant engineering principles and procedures.
- Valid Driver's license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Even better if you have one or more of the following:
- A degree in engineering or technical/science/mathematics fields.
- Experience in windows-based programs and corporate database systems.
- Experience in FiberX, Canvas, ICON, NAR, Tableau.
- Experience in CAD, and Google Suites.
- Experience in corporate data and reporting platforms (Excel, Tableau, Cheetah, or others).
If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above.
LOCATION
In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.
SCHEDULED WEEKLY HOURS
40
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.
The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.
INTRODUCTION
You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely — even if they’re daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love — driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together — lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the #VTeamLife.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You’ll be managing all engineering, maintenance, and enhancements to the Outside Plant Telephony Network, including structures, cables, and associated equipment. This critical role will coordinate with a variety of teams and have direct contact with business and residential customers. You’ll work in diverse environments, both indoors and outdoors, to solve complex problems and implement innovative solutions to keep our customers happy.
- Leading large scale and complex projects.
- Designing additions, upgrades, repairs and enhancements.
- Managing vendor relationships.
- Selecting and pricing solutions based on the most effective, efficient, and timely design.
- Coordinating with internal departments and liaising with residential and business end-users, building contractors, and property owners to implement solutions appropriately.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
You’ll need to have:
- Associate’s degree or two or more years of work experience.
- Three or more years of relevant experience required, demonstrated through work experience and/or military experience.
- Willingness to travel up to approximately 25% of the time.
- Experience in working with outside plant engineering principles and procedures.
- Valid Driver's license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Even better if you have one or more of the following:
- A degree in engineering or technical/science/mathematics fields.
- Experience in windows-based programs and corporate database systems.
- Experience in FiberX, Canvas, ICON, NAR, Tableau.
- Experience in CAD, and Google Suites.
- Experience in corporate data and reporting platforms (Excel, Tableau, Cheetah, or others).
If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above.
LOCATION
In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes working from home and a minimum of three days per week in the office, which will be set by your manager. Employees are responsible for maintaining compliance with hybrid work policies.
SCHEDULED WEEKLY HOURS
40
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Verizon is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to veteran status, disability or other legally protected characteristics.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
Our benefits are designed to help you move forward in your career, and in areas of your life outside of Verizon. From health and wellness benefit options including: medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability, basic life insurance, supplemental life insurance, AD&D insurance, identity theft protection, pet insurance and group home & auto insurance. We also offer a matched 401(k) savings plan, up to 8 company paid holidays per year and up to 6 personal days per year, paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition assistance, plus other incentives, we’ve got you covered with our award-winning total rewards package. Depending on the role, employees have the opportunity to receive compensation in the form of premium pay such as overtime, shift differential, holiday pay, allowances, etc. Newly hired employees receive up to 15 days of vacation per year, which grows with additional service. For part-timers, your coverage will vary as you may be eligible for some of these benefits depending on your individual circumstances.
The salary will vary depending on your location and confirmed job-related skills and experience. This is an incentive based position with the potential to earn more. For part-time roles, your compensation will be adjusted to reflect your hours.
See all 56+ STEM OPT Plant Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Plant Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Plant Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Plant Engineer roles typically map to CIP codes in mechanical, industrial, or chemical engineering. Check your diploma and transcripts to confirm your degree's CIP code qualifies for STEM OPT extension before submitting applications, so you don't lose time pursuing roles at non-qualifying employers.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor your STEM OPT extension. Ask HR directly during the offer stage or search the E-Verify employer search tool to confirm enrollment status before signing, since unenrolled employers cannot legally extend your work authorization.
Target manufacturers with engineering headcount and filing history
Large-scale manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, food processing, and chemicals hire plant engineers regularly and tend to have established processes for OPT students. Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by STEM OPT hiring history and E-Verify status so you're targeting the right facilities.
Align your I-983 training plan to plant operations goals
Your I-983 must show a direct connection between your STEM degree and your on-the-job training objectives. For plant engineering roles, frame learning goals around process improvement methodologies, equipment reliability, or safety compliance, and get your supervisor to co-sign specific performance benchmarks before your OPT extension is filed.
Time your STEM OPT extension filing around plant hiring cycles
Manufacturing facilities often ramp hiring in Q1 and Q3 ahead of production cycles. USCIS recommends filing your STEM OPT extension up to 90 days before your current OPT expires. Coordinating your application timeline with peak hiring periods reduces the risk of a work authorization gap between roles.
Use O*NET to document specialty occupation eligibility
Plant Engineer maps to SOC 17-2112 in O*NET with a Job Zone 4 classification, indicating a bachelor's degree requirement. Print the O*NET occupation profile and include it in your employer's documentation to support STEM OPT training plan approval and any future H-1B visa petition for specialty occupation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Plant Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a qualifying STEM field such as mechanical, industrial, chemical, or manufacturing engineering. The role must also directly relate to your degree program, and your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. USCIS evaluates both the degree field and the job's connection to that field when approving a STEM OPT extension.
How do I find Plant Engineer employers who are enrolled in E-Verify?
You can search Migrate Mate to browse Plant Engineer openings filtered for E-Verify-enrolled employers, which is required for your STEM OPT extension. You can also verify any employer independently through the E-Verify employer search tool before accepting an offer, since enrollment status can change and your DSO will need confirmation before filing your I-983.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for a Plant Engineer?
Your I-983 must describe how your on-the-job training directly relates to your STEM degree. For plant engineering, this means documenting learning objectives tied to areas like process control, facility operations, or engineering analysis. Both you and your employer's supervisor must sign the plan, and it needs to be updated if your role or responsibilities change materially.
What happens to my work authorization if my Plant Engineer offer comes after my OPT expires?
If you're in a cap-gap period because your employer has filed an H-1B petition on your behalf, USCIS automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. Outside of cap-gap, there's no grace period for expired OPT. Filing your STEM OPT extension before your current OPT end date is the only way to maintain continuous authorization.
Can I switch Plant Engineer employers during my STEM OPT extension?
Yes, but you must report the change to your DSO within 10 days and submit a new or updated I-983 training plan with your new employer. The new employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. USCIS does not require a new EAD for an employer change during STEM OPT, but your DSO must update your SEVIS record to reflect the transition.