Mechanical Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Mechanical engineering roles are regularly sponsored under H-1B as specialty occupations, with demand across manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and energy sectors. A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field is typically required, and STEM degree holders benefit from extended OPT eligibility.
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Do you want to work with high caliber professionals in a dynamic and growing company? Are you entrepreneurial, hard-working, and collegial? Join us at SB Energy, a leading company backed by SoftBank and Ares pairing cutting-edge innovation with best-in-class execution. Our Mission is to provide reliable, affordable energy at scale to support America’s growing energy demands. Headquartered in Redwood City, CA, SB Energy develops, builds, owns & operates some of the largest and most technically advanced energy and data center infrastructure projects in the United States. Since launching in 2019, the company has rapidly grown into a top-tier integrated platform with over 3 gigawatts (GW) in operation and a multi-GW pipeline of energy and data center infrastructure nationwide. SB Energy also utilizes its strong culture of innovation to identify and incorporate new technology into our projects, including our AI-based digital platform, to deliver energy infrastructure that is local, reliable, and matched to load. We are building the energy and technology future—today. Come join us in accelerating the energy transition to cleaner, more sustainable sources of power!
Basic Function
SB Energy is looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to be part of the Data Center Design & Engineering team that leads the standardization of products across SB Energy’s companywide portfolio. In this role, you will be responsible for the design development of large-scale industrial chiller plants and the development of associated standards and specifications to enable the establishment of a procurement program. Regular collaboration and coordination will be required with architects, other engineering disciplines, procurement, and facility operations teams. You will work with regional design and execution teams to ensure that new standards are established, existing standards are implemented, and any required enhancements are incorporated into standard designs and specifications. Knowledge of all aspects of mechanical engineering is required, including central utility plants, built-up mechanical rooms, packaged equipment, chilled water equipment and piping, DX systems, airside and water-side economization, humidity control, raised access floor plenums, and value engineering as they relate to designing state-of-the-art data centers. Knowledge in plumbing and fire protection design for data centers is helpful.
Responsibilities
- Participate in the new product development process from inception to implementation and apply for and obtain patents to retain company IP.
- Research and evaluate new vendors and products to achieve operational improvements, reduce project cost, and improve schedule.
- Review and approve OFCI equipment submittals to ensure compliance with company specifications and coordinate details with other teams.
- Coordinate with regional design execution teams to understand OPR deviations and lessons learned from projects.
- Analyze whether OPR deviations and lessons learned from site-adapted projects can improve SB Energy standards and specifications.
- Participate in creating and standardizing mechanical sequences of operations (SOOs) in coordination with internal automation teams.
- Conduct value engineering analyses and provide system recommendations based on ROI and IRR analysis.
- Identify and create tools and templates that add value to delivered products.
- Standardize commissioning documentation for global application.
- Work closely with Operations to balance cost-effective solutions and operational sustainability.
- Optimize designs to meet company sustainability targets.
- Utilize engineering analysis programs and professional judgment to analyze:
+ Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies and rack layout optimization.
+ Psychrometric chart evaluations and ASHRAE extreme design day temperature impacts.
+ Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) and Water Usage Effectiveness (WUE) calculations.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by management.
Qualifications/Requirements
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration preferred.
- 7+ years of experience in large-scale industrial chiller plant system design and construction required (8–12 years preferred).
- Data center and/or mission-critical experience required.
- Experience with North American or European construction markets required.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, Excel, and Word, and CFD modeling software; familiarity with Revit, BIM, and Navisworks.
- Solid understanding of critical cooling infrastructure within data centers.
- Well-versed in building codes and ordinances.
- Plumbing and fire protection infrastructure background within data centers preferred.
- National and international travel required, typically 10–15%, but may increase as business evolves.
Location: On-site near Temple, TX
Base Pay
$100,000 - $165,000
The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks—while ensuring internal parity across our teams. In addition to competitive base pay, total compensation may include a discretionary annual bonus and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.
Our Health & Wellness Benefits
At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:
- 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
- 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
- Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions)
- Flexible Work Arrangements & Hybrid Office Setup Benefits
- Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
- Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
- Device Purchase Support
At SB Energy, the success of our projects is driven by a desire to see our projects benefit as many people as possible. We work to serve local communities through volunteering, fundraising, and much more. For example, we’re proud to support access and opportunity in engineering and clean energy through impactful mentorship programs and workforce training. When you join SB Energy, you can become a part of these efforts, collaborating with team members who share a vision of building a better future now!
SB Energy is built on a foundation of collaboration and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sex, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, citizenship, or any other legally protected class.

How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Mechanical Engineer
Use the TN visa if you're a Canadian or Mexican citizen
Mechanical engineers qualify under the USMCA Engineer category for TN status. There's no annual cap, no lottery, and Canadian citizens can apply directly at the border - making it one of the fastest paths to U.S. work authorization.
Target automotive and aerospace employers with active sponsorship
Ford, GM, Tesla, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and RTX regularly sponsor mechanical engineers on H-1B visas. Focus on companies with large engineering workforces where sponsorship is part of standard hiring practice.
Specialize in FEA, CFD, or advanced CAD tools
Expertise in finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), or advanced CAD platforms like CATIA and ANSYS sets you apart from general mechanical engineers. These specializations are harder to fill domestically and strengthen the case for sponsorship.
Focus on commercial roles to avoid security clearance barriers
Many defense and aerospace positions require U.S. security clearance, which is only available to citizens and permanent residents. Prioritize commercial divisions at companies like SpaceX, Rivian, and GE Aerospace where clearance is not required.
Leverage STEM OPT for up to 3 years of work authorization
Mechanical engineering is STEM-eligible, giving you 12 months of OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension. Use this time to earn your Professional Engineer (PE) license, which further strengthens any future visa petition.
Consider the growing EV and clean energy sector
Electric vehicle and renewable energy companies are expanding U.S. operations rapidly. Tesla, Rivian, Lucid Motors, and battery manufacturers like Panasonic and LG Energy Solution are hiring mechanical engineers and sponsoring visas to meet demand.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
What degree do I need to get sponsored as a mechanical engineer?
A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline is the standard requirement. H-1B sponsorship for mechanical engineering roles is well-established since the role clearly qualifies as a specialty occupation. Having an ABET-accredited equivalent degree or a U.S. master's degree strengthens both your H-1B petition and lottery odds.
Which industries sponsor the most mechanical engineers?
Aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, manufacturing, and medical device companies are the most active sponsors for mechanical engineers. Large firms with global operations (e.g., Boeing, Lockheed Martin, GE, Tesla, Caterpillar) tend to have the most established sponsorship programs.
Do I need a PE license to get a mechanical engineering job with visa sponsorship?
Not for most entry-level or mid-level positions. A Professional Engineer (PE) license is typically required for roles where you're signing off on designs for public safety, but many sponsored engineering positions don't require one. Having a PE or FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) credential can be a differentiator but isn't a sponsorship prerequisite.
Can STEM OPT help me get a mechanical engineering job before H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. If you graduated from a U.S. university with a mechanical engineering degree, you're eligible for 12 months of OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to 3 years to work and find an employer willing to file an H-1B petition. Many employers use this window to evaluate candidates before committing to sponsorship.
Are mechanical engineering roles affected by export control restrictions?
Some are. Roles in aerospace, defense, and certain manufacturing sectors may require ITAR or EAR compliance, which can restrict employment to U.S. citizens or permanent residents only. Job postings will typically specify these restrictions. This is an important filter when searching - not all mechanical engineering roles are available to visa holders, even with sponsorship.
See which Mechanical Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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