Education F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in North Carolina
Education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina are concentrated in the Research Triangle, where institutions like Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State University, alongside edtech employers in Raleigh and Durham, file Labor Condition Applications for STEM-designated roles in data science, instructional technology, and educational research.
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Department EM-Commissioning-247101
Career Area Engineering and Architecture
Posting Open Date 05/04/2026
Application Deadline 05/18/2026
Open Until Filled No
Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)
Working Title Senior Commissioning Engineer
Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty
Position Number 00057812
Vacancy ID NF0009726
Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent
FTE 1
Hours per week 40
Position Location North Carolina, US
Proposed Start Date 06/22/2026
Be a Tar Heel!
A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The Engineering Services Department (ES) within Facilities Services provides energy management and engineering support to the UNC Chapel Hill, a highly complex campus with a large number and variety of buildings and structures. ES leads energy management and water conservation efforts on campus, supports building commissioning services, provides engineering expertise for the campus on all engineering facets and supports facilities operation and maintenance teams.
Position Summary
As part of the Energy Management unit, the Senior Commissioning Engineer focuses on commissioning efforts to achieve efficient operation of building systems and sub systems ensuring reduced energy and water consumption at the campus. The incumbent works closely with other Engineers in the unit and serves as the University’s steward and advocates for proper commissioning efforts on campus. The incumbent would also be the primary subject matter expert in all matters related to comprehensive building commissioning including new constructions, renovations, repairs and all commissioning activities at existing facilities including re-commissioning, retro-commissioning and continuous commissioning efforts. As the most senior commissioning professional for campus facilities, the incumbent provides expert input and will update and maintain the University’s Commissioning standards / Guidelines and coordinate with internal stakeholders to protect campus’ interests.
The Senior Commissioning Engineer is responsible for multiple facets of commissioning work on capital building projects, including development of commissioning scope of work, qualification-based selection of the 3rd party commissioning agents, contract negotiation, and oversight of the work. Related tasks on capital building projects include review of plans from designers, equipment submittals, assisting with development of ‘basis of design’ documents, coordination of functional testing and system training, along with general coordination between project team, UNC Facilities, and end users. Provide direct commissioning services and retro commissioning services for smaller capital building projects (customer funded or otherwise) to include control schematic development, BAS functional testing, troubleshooting, and training. Interface with complex mechanical and control systems supporting research lab space, including high-containment (BSL-3) labs and lab animal vivaria. Responsibilities also include implementation and management of a robust continuous commissioning program by utilizing building automation systems as well as Fault Detection and Diagnostic (FDD) systems across the campus. Tasks include creation of appropriate rules, identification of control points, integration of control points with the FDD software (like Skyspark), and review effectiveness of the program semi-annually.
The incumbent is also responsible to identify and analyze new energy and water conservation projects (scoping and life cycle cost analysis), building audits and drawing reviews to develop the energy conservation projects with fundable cost estimations and savings calculations. Familiarity with building energy modeling software like Trane Trace and Bin data calculations is a plus. Partner with Engineering and other units within UNC Facilities Services during implementation of energy conversation measures, new strategies for optimizing HVAC systems to improve operational efficiencies while considering O&M concerns and ensuring projects are completed under budget and on schedule. Track issues encountered during each project in an ‘Issues Log’ to ensure discrepancies are addressed properly and in a timely manner. Record and share lessons learnt from projects and from past experience to train the team and to improve internal processes. Provide technical support for building control technicians and EMCS system operators and provide support on technical, process and other aspects related to energy management unit’s responsibilities, as needed by the Director.
This position is neither remote nor hybrid and will require the incumbent to be present at the office located at Chapel Hill, NC and work on the UNC campus buildings and facilities during the work week.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in the engineering discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. Some positions may require licensure by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Substantial knowledge of professional engineering theory, techniques, practices, procedures, building codes and laws and skills in applying these for problem-solving, system design, and identification for energy conservation opportunities.
- Thorough knowledge and understanding of concepts, practices, and theories used in the engineering specialty area and the ability to use it in practice.
- May require the general knowledge to oversee compliance regarding multiple specialties.
- Working level understanding of the organizational and business objectives of section/specialty.
- Ability to evaluate and approve moderately complex program/project specifications for completeness, compatibility, compliance with engineering principles, standards, codes and design needs; ability to perform inspections/audits to ensure that proper procedures are followed.
- Ability to manage moderately complex programs/projects for completeness, compatibility and compliance with engineering principles and design needs and standards.
- Ability to identify and resolve project/program changes.
- Ability to develop and manage program plan.
- Provide consultation on issues and requests from energy engineers.
- Consult with higher-level professionals to discuss alternative solutions.
- Supervise a team of up to 4 commissioning and project staff.
- Develop and implement short-term strategies consistent with agency/university goals.
- Make recommendations and occasional decisions on non-routine engineering and/or program matters or other areas requiring technical engineering expertise.
- Ability to make final decisions and execute is a plus.
- Provide technical analysis and serve as a mentor/resource to lower-level employees in the area of assignment.
- Address conflicting design constraints and approve moderately complex engineering/technical designs and/or program/project specifications of other engineers to meet desired compliance with engineering principles, standards, codes, designs and statutes.
- Ability to troubleshoot and optimize complex mechanical systems for efficiency and maintainability.
- Knowledge of control system sequence of operations and able to read, understand and comply with the university’s standards for mechanical and control systems.
- Knowledge of efficiency strategies for HVAC control systems such as discharge air reset, air side economizer, discharge static pressure reset, and heat recovery systems.
- Demonstrated experience programming HVAC control systems and experience with commissioning and retro commissioning of HVAC and building systems.
- Ability to read and comprehend complex mechanical, electrical and architectural plans and specifications.
- Working knowledge of current NC building codes.
- In-depth knowledge of commercial, institutional and laboratory heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.
- Ability to communicate verbally and in writing complex technical concepts to trades staff, engineers, and management.
- A valid NC driver’s license or ability to obtain one prior to start date.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of NC or the ability to obtain one prior to the start date. Out of state PEs may apply for a NC PE license after a contingent offer is made through the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) process found on the NCBELS.ORG website.
- Progressive experience with energy conservation methods for electrical and mechanical systems including lighting, HVAC, chilled waters systems, compressed air systems, building envelopes, and building pneumatic and digital building control systems.
- Advanced knowledge of building automation systems specifically Invensys, Johnson Controls, and Vista.
- Strong knowledge of maintenance requirements for HVAC systems.
- Cost estimating for design and construction projects.
- Adept at MS Work, MS Excel.
- Ability to participate in the development of long-range strategic goals.
- Knowledge of Trane trace modeling and programming for Continuous Commissioning using software like SkySpark is a plus.
Special Physical/Mental Requirements
Campus Security Authority Responsibilities
Not Applicable.
Education Job Roles in North Carolina
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Search Education Jobs in North CarolinaEducation Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which education companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in North Carolina?
North Carolina's largest education F-1 STEM OPT sponsors include major research universities such as Duke University, the University of North Carolina system, and NC State University, which regularly file Labor Condition Applications for STEM-designated roles. Edtech and curriculum technology companies based in the Research Triangle also appear in DOL disclosure data as active sponsors for qualifying technical and research positions.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill collectively account for the majority of education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship activity in North Carolina, driven by the density of research universities and edtech firms in the Research Triangle. Charlotte has a smaller but growing share, particularly in educational technology and data analytics roles tied to its expanding corporate and higher-education sector.
How do I find education F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate filters education job listings in North Carolina by employers with verified F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history, using DOL Labor Condition Application data. This lets you focus on institutions and edtech companies that have actively sponsored STEM-designated roles rather than applying broadly. Searching by North Carolina and filtering for the education industry on Migrate Mate narrows results to employers with a documented sponsorship track record.
What types of education roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in North Carolina?
Roles that commonly qualify are those with a STEM-designated SOC code and a degree requirement in a directly related field. In education, this includes data analyst and institutional research positions, instructional design technologists, educational software engineers, and learning analytics specialists. Roles requiring a general education degree without a STEM field alignment typically do not qualify, so verifying the SOC code against the STEM OPT designated degree list through USCIS is an important step.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in the North Carolina education sector?
North Carolina does not impose additional state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal obligations, but employers in the UNC system and private universities must comply with E-Verify enrollment as government-affiliated or federal-contractor entities. The Research Triangle's concentration of NSF and NIH-funded research positions means many sponsoring roles are grant-contingent, which can affect the duration and continuity of employment relevant to STEM OPT authorization periods.