Operations Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Florida
Florida's operations engineer market spans aerospace and defense contractors along the Space Coast, logistics hubs in Miami and Tampa, and data center operations tied to the state's growing tech sector. Major employers including Lockheed Martin, L3Harris, and Amazon have sponsored operations engineers across Florida, making it one of the more active states for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsThe USF Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is an integral part of USF and its mission by sponsoring a diverse and nationally competitive Division I athletic program. The program serves several significant constituencies, including its student-athletes, who are students first. The most important priority of the program is the progress of the student-athletes toward graduation. Other priorities include the health, fitness and emotional development of student-athletes at USF.
Intercollegiate Athletics provide a sense of collegiality, allegiance, and pride for students, staff, faculty, alumni, boosters and the greater Tampa Bay community at large and serves as a focal point for their support. Within the framework of competitive excellence, Intercollegiate Athletics at USF are also a contact vehicle leading supporters to a greater awareness of the University's mission, academic programs and prominence as an educational institution.
Lead the Retail Business Strategy
- Develop and execute the overall retail and merchandise strategy for USF Athletics, aligning revenue growth, fan engagement, and long-term business objectives.
Oversee Retail Operations Across All Channels
- Provide strategic oversight of all retail locations, game-day operations, venue stores, special events, and e-commerce platforms to ensure operational excellence.
Drive Revenue and Financial Performance
- Manage retail profitability, budgeting, forecasting, pricing strategies, and performance metrics to achieve revenue and growth targets.
Direct Merchandise and Product Development
- Establish merchandise strategies, product assortments, licensing initiatives, and exclusive retail offerings that strengthen the USF Athletics brand.
Lead E-Commerce and Omnichannel Growth
- Enhance customer experience by integrating physical retail, digital commerce, marketing, and technology to maximize sales and fan engagement.
Manage Strategic Partnerships and Business Development
- Build and maintain relationships with vendors, manufacturers, licensing partners, sponsors, and external stakeholders to expand retail opportunities and brand reach.
Develop and Lead a High-Performing Retail Organization
- Recruit, mentor, and manage retail staff while fostering a culture of customer service, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Perform Other Duties and Special Projects
- Perform other related duties, initiatives, and special projects as assigned to support the strategic, operational, financial, and organizational objectives of the USF Athletics retail enterprise.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in business, retail management, marketing, sports management, hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in retail, e-commerce, sports, entertainment, collegiate athletics, consumer products, or a related industry.
- Experience with revenue generation, financial management, inventory, merchandising, staffing, and vendor management.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic business plans.
- Experience with POS, inventory management, e-commerce, CRM, and retail analytics platforms.
- Strong analytical, financial, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by the athletics calendar.
- Senior-level experience in collegiate, professional sports, entertainment, or major venue retail.
- Experience managing retail operations across multiple venues.
- Experience with collegiate licensing and merchandise.
- Experience developing exclusive merchandise and strategic retail partnerships.
Compliance and Federal Notices
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
- (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
- (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
- (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
- (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
-
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
-
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
- Level 1 Criminal Background check is required.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
The USF Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is an integral part of USF and its mission by sponsoring a diverse and nationally competitive Division I athletic program. The program serves several significant constituencies, including its student-athletes, who are students first. The most important priority of the program is the progress of the student-athletes toward graduation. Other priorities include the health, fitness and emotional development of student-athletes at USF.
Intercollegiate Athletics provide a sense of collegiality, allegiance, and pride for students, staff, faculty, alumni, boosters and the greater Tampa Bay community at large and serves as a focal point for their support. Within the framework of competitive excellence, Intercollegiate Athletics at USF are also a contact vehicle leading supporters to a greater awareness of the University's mission, academic programs and prominence as an educational institution.
Lead the Retail Business Strategy
- Develop and execute the overall retail and merchandise strategy for USF Athletics, aligning revenue growth, fan engagement, and long-term business objectives.
Oversee Retail Operations Across All Channels
- Provide strategic oversight of all retail locations, game-day operations, venue stores, special events, and e-commerce platforms to ensure operational excellence.
Drive Revenue and Financial Performance
- Manage retail profitability, budgeting, forecasting, pricing strategies, and performance metrics to achieve revenue and growth targets.
Direct Merchandise and Product Development
- Establish merchandise strategies, product assortments, licensing initiatives, and exclusive retail offerings that strengthen the USF Athletics brand.
Lead E-Commerce and Omnichannel Growth
- Enhance customer experience by integrating physical retail, digital commerce, marketing, and technology to maximize sales and fan engagement.
Manage Strategic Partnerships and Business Development
- Build and maintain relationships with vendors, manufacturers, licensing partners, sponsors, and external stakeholders to expand retail opportunities and brand reach.
Develop and Lead a High-Performing Retail Organization
- Recruit, mentor, and manage retail staff while fostering a culture of customer service, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Perform Other Duties and Special Projects
- Perform other related duties, initiatives, and special projects as assigned to support the strategic, operational, financial, and organizational objectives of the USF Athletics retail enterprise.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in business, retail management, marketing, sports management, hospitality, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in retail, e-commerce, sports, entertainment, collegiate athletics, consumer products, or a related industry.
- Experience with revenue generation, financial management, inventory, merchandising, staffing, and vendor management.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic business plans.
- Experience with POS, inventory management, e-commerce, CRM, and retail analytics platforms.
- Strong analytical, financial, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by the athletics calendar.
- Senior-level experience in collegiate, professional sports, entertainment, or major venue retail.
- Experience managing retail operations across multiple venues.
- Experience with collegiate licensing and merchandise.
- Experience developing exclusive merchandise and strategic retail partnerships.
Compliance and Federal Notices
Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
- (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
- (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
- (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
- (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
-
(e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
-
Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
- Level 1 Criminal Background check is required.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Operations Engineer Job Roles in Florida
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Search Operations Engineer Jobs in FloridaOperations Engineer Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for operations engineers in Florida?
Florida's largest visa sponsors for operations engineers include aerospace and defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies, and Northrop Grumman, primarily along the Space Coast near Orlando and Melbourne. Logistics and tech operations employers like Amazon, Chewy, and Roper Technologies also sponsor in this role. Sponsorship activity tends to be highest at large, established employers with dedicated HR and immigration compliance teams.
Which visa types are most common for operations engineer roles in Florida?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for operations engineers in Florida, provided the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering or technical field. Canadians and Mexicans may qualify for the TN visa under the NAFTA/USMCA engineer category. Experienced candidates with multinational employer backgrounds sometimes qualify for the L-1A or L-1B intracompany transfer. Australians can explore the E-3 visa, which has no lottery.
How to find operations engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Florida?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to find operations engineer roles in Florida without sorting through positions that won't support work authorization. You can search by state and role to surface employers actively hiring for this position. Given Florida's concentration of aerospace, logistics, and data center employers, filtering to the state surfaces a meaningful range of sponsoring companies across multiple industries.
Which cities in Florida have the most operations engineer sponsorship jobs?
Orlando and the broader Space Coast corridor, including Melbourne and Cape Canaveral, account for a significant share of operations engineer sponsorship activity due to the aerospace and defense industry presence. Miami generates demand through logistics, port operations, and growing tech employers. Tampa is active in healthcare operations, financial services infrastructure, and manufacturing. Jacksonville also surfaces opportunities through logistics and distribution operations tied to its port and rail network.
Are there any Florida-specific factors operations engineers should know when pursuing visa sponsorship?
Florida has no state income tax, which affects total compensation comparisons but does not change federal visa requirements. Operations engineer roles in defense-adjacent industries may require security clearances, which can complicate or limit sponsorship for some visa categories. Florida's universities, including University of Florida, University of Central Florida, and Florida Tech, produce engineering graduates who sometimes transition from OPT to employer-sponsored status with Florida-based companies.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored operations engineer jobs in Florida?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.