Food & Beverage STEM OPT Jobs in Florida
Florida's food and beverage industry spans citrus processing in Central Florida, seafood and aquaculture along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and large-scale distribution operations across Miami-Dade and Tampa. Companies like Tropicana, Publix, and Dole Foods have established presences here, and employers in this sector do sponsor F-1 STEM OPT workers in food science, supply chain, and quality assurance roles.
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Description
CPH is a multi-disciplinary Engineering and Architecture firm that ranks in the nation’s Top 500 Design Firms by ENR Magazine. We are seeking a Mechanical Designer to join our dynamic MEP team in Sanford, FL.
The Mechanical Designer is responsible for assisting with MEP design solutions on Commercial and Municipal Projects. It is anticipated that the candidate will specialize in either HVAC or plumbing. However, it is beneficial for the candidate to have a working knowledge of both HVAC and plumbing.
The ideal candidate is self-motivated and works effectively in a team or individual situations. Must have excellent communication skills and be able to prioritize work activities.
Duties Include
Potential Mechanical Duties Include:
- Perform Building Load Calculations using Trane Trace 700 load program, compile Outside Air Calculations and complete Building Air Balance requirements
- Develop a design including selection of HVAC equipment to comply with local, state, federal, and international building codes and standards.
- Develop duct and piping layouts, Size Ductwork for medium and low velocity pressure systems, and schedule mechanical equipment.
- Produce detailed Construction Documents for Mechanical Designs with limited oversight in both REVIT/CAD.
- Compile floorplans, detail sheets, and diagrams.
- Coordinate with a multi-disciplined design team to streamline project workflow.
- Manage REVIT/CAD files, plotting, and document archiving.
- Edit Sheet or Book Specifications and General Notes per project specific requirements.
- Complete ComCheck and other energy compliance forms.
Potential Plumbing Duties Include:
- Complete Fixture Unit Calculations as well as Water Heater Sizing Calculations
- Develop plumbing designs to comply with local, state, federal, and international building codes and standards.
- Design layout and size piping for Domestic Water, Natural Gas, Sanitary Waste or Grease Waste Systems
- Compile plumbing fixture schedules in accordance with local codes and owners requirements
- Produce detailed Construction Documents for Plumbing Designs with limited oversight in REVIT/AutoCAD
- Compile floorplans, detail sheets, and riser diagrams.
- Coordinate with a multi-disciplined design team to streamline project workflow
- Manage REVIT/AutoCAD files, plotting, and document archiving
- Edit Sheet Specifications and General Notes per project specific requirements.
Requirements
- Minimum of three years of experience in an A/E or Consulting Firm, Construction Contractor, or commercial/industrial engineering group environment.
- Vocational school training, military training or Associate’s degree is a minimum. BSME degree with EIT is a plus.
- Proficiency in using REVIT and AutoCAD.
- Proficiency with MS Office Suite and Bluebeam.
- Experience in Commercial Retail, Restaurants, Office Buildings, Industrial, and Public Sector is preferred.
- This candidate needs to be adaptable and able to listen and learn from others.
- This candidate will be comfortable working independently as well as collaboratively to produce Design Development and Construction Documents.
- Background in construction trades with functional knowledge of HVAC and plumbing systems is a plus.
- This candidate must have strong written and communication skills and engage a collaborative team environment.
- This candidate must be comfortable working with team members remotely through Teams and Outlook as the main form of communication.
Compensation & Benefits
- Dependent upon experience.
- CPH offers Medical, Dental and Vision and Long-Term Disability with a quality insurance company.
- Company Paid Life Insurance and Short-Term Disability.
- 401K, Paid Personal Time Off, Paid Holidays, and Paid Paternal Leave.
CPH is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Drug Free Work Environment Employer.
About CPH
CPH is a multi-disciplined design firm that’s growing quickly across the country. Our diverse team of almost 400 individuals are the heartbeat of our company and the reason for our success. The unique contributions that people bring to our firm sets us apart and allows us to bring exceptional service to the communities and clients we serve.
At CPH, we offer small company culture with a big company presence. Founded by three visionaries in 1981, CPH has grown over 40 years to serve a long list of public and private clients across a spectrum of markets. Our comprehensive offering of services and broad reach has provided CPH the opportunity to team with clients in Building Stronger Communities Together across the nation and throughout the Caribbean.
CPH is a part of the Trilon Group of companies. Its mission is to bring together North America's best infrastructure consulting firms in a collaborative environment with a People-First focus to accelerate their ability to deliver smart and sustainable solutions to clients. Through the partnership with Trilon, CPH professionals have the opportunity to network and share best practices with a host of other professionals across the country.
Our future is bright, and we need more talented professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit to grow with us! Could this be you?
STEM OPT Food & Beverage Job Roles in Florida
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Search Food & Beverage Jobs in FloridaFood & Beverage STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Which food and beverage companies in Florida sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Florida-based and Florida-operating food and beverage employers that have filed Labor Condition Applications for STEM-related roles include companies in citrus processing, seafood production, packaged goods manufacturing, and large grocery distribution. Tropicana's Bradenton operations, Dole's Florida facilities, and national food manufacturers with Florida distribution hubs have historically engaged STEM OPT workers in technical and supply chain capacities. Sponsorship availability varies by role, location, and current hiring cycle.
Which cities in Florida have the most food and beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Miami-Dade County leads in food and beverage employer density, driven by international trade, food import and export operations, and a large packaged goods sector. Tampa and Bradenton have significant food manufacturing activity, including citrus processing. Orlando attracts food science and hospitality-adjacent food technology roles. Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale also host distribution and logistics operations within the food and beverage supply chain that recruit STEM OPT candidates.
How do I find food & beverage F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Florida?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship eligibility, including food and beverage roles in Florida. You can search by state and industry to surface employers who have actively filed LCAs for STEM-related positions in this sector. This is more targeted than a general job search because it focuses on employers with a documented sponsorship history, helping you prioritize applications to companies already familiar with STEM OPT authorization requirements.
What types of food and beverage roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Florida?
Roles that commonly qualify include food scientist, quality assurance engineer, process engineer, supply chain analyst, data analyst in food operations, and agricultural or aquaculture research positions. These roles must align with a STEM-designated degree program under USCIS guidelines. Positions in food safety testing, product formulation, and operations research often meet the degree-requirement threshold. Front-of-house, culinary, and general hospitality roles typically do not qualify because they do not require a STEM degree.
Are there any Florida-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in food and beverage?
Florida's food and beverage sector has a strong seasonal and agricultural component, particularly in citrus, sugar, and aquaculture, which means some employer hiring cycles align with harvest or production seasons rather than standard recruiting timelines. Employers in food manufacturing must also comply with federal E-Verify requirements for certain contract types, which intersects with STEM OPT employment eligibility. Students should confirm their role's STEM degree classification maps to a STEM-designated field before accepting an offer, as this determines STEM OPT extension eligibility under USCIS rules.