CPT Manufacturing Laborer Jobs
Manufacturing Laborer roles on CPT must connect directly to your academic program, whether that's industrial engineering, supply chain management, or operations management. Your DSO authorizes each CPT placement individually, so you'll need an offer letter naming the employer, start date, and how the work integrates with your coursework before authorization begins.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: Detroit, MI
Ferrous Processing and Trading (FPT) is one of North America’s premier processors, buyers, sellers, and recyclers of scrap metals of all kinds and is a key supplier to the metals industry of North America. FPT is a wholly-owned business of Cleveland-Cliffs and has an immediate opportunity for a General Laborer at our Detroit, MI location. The General Laborer is responsible for the processing of scrap metals using various tools and equipment.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Ensure adherence to safety standards including use of required personal protective equipment (PPE), remove hazards as identified, and maintain cleanliness of the site.
- Load and unload materials from storage, production areas, docks, delivery vehicles, staging areas, or containers using mobile equipment or by hand.
- Sort a variety of recycled materials and metals to separate out high-grade metals and removes any non-conforming metals.
- Operate & maintain mobile equipment including but not limited to forklifts, skid steers, street sweeper, and/or water trucks.
- Perform tasks involving physical labor using tools, including but not limited to standard hand tools, torch, bander, chop saw, alligator shear, saw zall, and wire snips.
- Identify scrap including the grade and type of material and any undesirable elements within the material.
- Remove fluids from incoming materials or vehicles as required.
- Perform cleaning duties related to plant equipment and general housekeeping.
- Assist mechanics in the maintenance of equipment including plant equipment.
- Interact with customers or drivers to direct or assist them.
- Perform other general laborer tasks as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be able to read, write, and perform basic math.
- Experience operating mobile equipment preferred.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to follow oral and written communication.
- Ability to climb ladders or steps to reach objects.
- Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
- Work cooperatively with other employees and the public.
- Must be able to work in an environment where routinely exposed to dust, dirt, vibrations, extreme climate and changes in weather.
- Pre-Employment background, physical, and hair drug screen required.
Ferrous Processing and Trading is a subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. Cleveland-Cliffs is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package including competitive pay, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off, and more.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to careers@clevelandcliffs.com or call 1-(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.
Location: Detroit, MI
Ferrous Processing and Trading (FPT) is one of North America’s premier processors, buyers, sellers, and recyclers of scrap metals of all kinds and is a key supplier to the metals industry of North America. FPT is a wholly-owned business of Cleveland-Cliffs and has an immediate opportunity for a General Laborer at our Detroit, MI location. The General Laborer is responsible for the processing of scrap metals using various tools and equipment.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Ensure adherence to safety standards including use of required personal protective equipment (PPE), remove hazards as identified, and maintain cleanliness of the site.
- Load and unload materials from storage, production areas, docks, delivery vehicles, staging areas, or containers using mobile equipment or by hand.
- Sort a variety of recycled materials and metals to separate out high-grade metals and removes any non-conforming metals.
- Operate & maintain mobile equipment including but not limited to forklifts, skid steers, street sweeper, and/or water trucks.
- Perform tasks involving physical labor using tools, including but not limited to standard hand tools, torch, bander, chop saw, alligator shear, saw zall, and wire snips.
- Identify scrap including the grade and type of material and any undesirable elements within the material.
- Remove fluids from incoming materials or vehicles as required.
- Perform cleaning duties related to plant equipment and general housekeeping.
- Assist mechanics in the maintenance of equipment including plant equipment.
- Interact with customers or drivers to direct or assist them.
- Perform other general laborer tasks as required.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be able to read, write, and perform basic math.
- Experience operating mobile equipment preferred.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to follow oral and written communication.
- Ability to climb ladders or steps to reach objects.
- Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
- Work cooperatively with other employees and the public.
- Must be able to work in an environment where routinely exposed to dust, dirt, vibrations, extreme climate and changes in weather.
- Pre-Employment background, physical, and hair drug screen required.
Ferrous Processing and Trading is a subsidiary of Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. Cleveland-Cliffs is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package including competitive pay, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off, and more.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to careers@clevelandcliffs.com or call 1-(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.
Manufacturing Laborer CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Manufacturing Laborer role qualify for CPT authorization?
It depends on whether the work directly integrates with your academic program. Roles involving production processes, quality assurance, inventory management, or lean manufacturing operations can qualify for programs in industrial engineering, operations management, or supply chain. Your DSO makes the final determination based on how the job duties map to your specific curriculum and degree requirements.
Can I work full-time as a Manufacturing Laborer on CPT?
Yes, but full-time CPT carries a serious consequence: if you accumulate 12 or more months of full-time CPT, you lose OPT eligibility entirely. Most manufacturing co-op placements are structured as full-time, so you need to track your cumulative full-time CPT months carefully and discuss the tradeoff with your DSO before accepting a full-time offer.
What documents does my manufacturing employer need from me before I start?
Your employer needs your updated I-20 with CPT authorization endorsed for their specific location and dates, plus your valid F-1 visa stamp and passport for I-9 verification. Some manufacturers also request a copy of your enrollment verification. Make sure the CPT start date on your I-20 matches the date on your offer letter exactly, because any mismatch can flag your I-9 as incomplete.
How do I find manufacturing employers who have hired F-1 CPT students before?
Migrate Mate surfaces employers with documented F-1 work authorization history, which helps you avoid facilities that haven't navigated international student onboarding before. Targeting experienced employers matters in manufacturing because shift supervisors and plant HR teams don't always understand CPT documentation requirements, and an inexperienced employer can delay your start date or mishandle your I-9.
What happens if my CPT end date falls before my manufacturing assignment ends?
You cannot legally work past the CPT end date listed on your I-20, even if your employer wants you to continue. You'd need to return to your DSO for a new CPT authorization covering the extended period, which requires another offer letter or written extension from the employer specifying the new end date. Plan for this buffer before you sign any employment agreement with a fixed project timeline.