H-1B Visa Manufacturing Associate Jobs
Manufacturing Associate roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology, or a directly related field. Employers in automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and electronics regularly file LCAs for these roles. Prevailing wage compliance and specialty occupation documentation are the two factors that determine whether your offer converts to a petition.
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About Commonwealth Fusion Systems:
Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.
Combining decades of research, top talent, and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And we're working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future.
We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised nearly $3 billion in capital, making us the largest and leading private fusion company in the world.
Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team.
If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering will be responsible for leading the manufacturing engineering organization across multiple production sites, including CFS1 and Fusionova, supporting the scale-up of advanced magnet component and assembly manufacturing from development through full-scale production. This leader is responsible for defining and executing the manufacturing engineering strategy across sites, developing high-performing teams and managers, and establishing scalable manufacturing systems to support aggressive production and operational goals.
They are responsible for developing and standardizing manufacturing techniques, scaling production capability, driving operational excellence, resolving complex manufacturing challenges, and partnering cross-functionally to ensure manufacturing readiness across all phases of production.
What you'll do:
- Lead and develop manufacturing engineering teams across multiple sites, including managers, technical leads, and engineers
- Define and execute the manufacturing engineering strategy supporting production, quality, capacity, and cost objectives across CFS1 and Fusionova
- Establish standardized manufacturing processes, tooling strategies, work instructions, and operational best practices across facilities
- Own process development of the manufacturing line for HTS magnets from low-volume R&D builds through full-scale production
- Develop and qualify manufacturing techniques, automation strategies, process flows, and work instructions for superconducting magnet components and assemblies
- Drive transition from manual processes to scalable semi-automated and automated manufacturing systems
- Organize cross-functional project milestones and schedules to meet company strategic targets and production goals
- Communicate manufacturing risks, project status, resource requirements, and operational priorities to senior leadership
- Lead resolution of complex manufacturing discrepancies with a focus on continuous improvement, throughput, quality, and safety
- Develop manufacturing capacity models, staffing plans, factory layouts, and capital equipment roadmaps to support future factory expansion
- Partner with Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Facilities, and Design Engineering to improve production execution and manufacturing readiness
- Implement and standardize DFM (design for manufacturability), PFMEA (process failure mode and effects analysis), statistical process controls, and Lean manufacturing methodologies across sites
- Influence make-vs-buy decisions and manage relationships with external vendors and manufacturing partners
- Drive implementation of KPIs, operational metrics, and data-driven manufacturing decision making
- Build organizational capability through hiring, mentoring, coaching, and developing managers and technical leaders
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, urgency, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical field is required
- 10+ years’ experience as a manufacturing engineer supporting complex electro-mechanical systems
- 5+ years’ experience leading manufacturing engineering organizations, including experience managing managers
- Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams across multiple production lines, facilities, or sites
- Experience taking products from R&D into production, including development of scalable and automated manufacturing processes
- Strong background in process development, tooling, automation, production scale-up, and factory operations
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional organizations and drive execution in fast-paced technical environments
- Experience developing manufacturing strategies, staffing plans, capital roadmaps, and operational improvement initiatives
- Proficiency in work instruction writing, process mapping, capacity modeling, production planning, and manufacturing systems development
- High self-motivation and ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, high-growth environments with excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, or related field
- Experience with superconducting magnets, thermo-mechanical assemblies, machining, welding, and/or VPI (vacuum pressure impregnation)
- Experience with advanced manufacturing systems, factory expansion, and production system design
- Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma methodologies in production environments
- Experience implementing MES, ERP-integrated manufacturing systems, or digital manufacturing tools
MUST-HAVE REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs occasionally
- Perform activities such as typing, standing, stooping, and sitting, for extended periods of time
- Dedication to safety to mitigate hazards that may include heat, cold, noise, fumes, strong magnets, lead, high voltage, and cryogenics
- Willingness to occasionally travel or work required nights/weekends/on-call
COMPENSATION
Salary range for this full-time position + equity + benefits. The actual salary will depend on level, location, qualifications, and experience. The range displayed on each job posting reflects new hire salaries for the position across all US locations. Benefits include:
- Competitive compensation with equity
- 13 Company-wide Holidays
- Flexible vacation days
- 10 sick days
- Generous parental leave policy
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with employer matching
- Professional growth opportunities
- Team-building activities
LI-Onsite
At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.
We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law.
This role requires compliance with U.S. laws concerning the export of controlled or protected technologies or information (collectively, “Export Control Laws"). Any offer of employment will be contingent on the need for compliance with such Export Control Laws.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Manufacturing Associate
Verify your role meets specialty occupation
Pull the O*NET profile for Manufacturing Associate and confirm the job description explicitly requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field. Positions listed as 'degree preferred' rather than 'required' can trigger a USCIS Request for Evidence.
Check prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Run the SOC code for your role through the OFLC Wage Search before signing anything. Your offered wage must meet at least the Level 1 prevailing wage for your work location, or the LCA certification will fail.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Manufacturing Associate roles by employers who have certified LCAs for this occupation. That filing history confirms the employer understands the H-1B process for production and operations roles.
Prioritize E-Verify enrolled manufacturers
Ask recruiters whether the facility is E-Verify enrolled before advancing to an offer. STEM OPT extensions and cap-gap protections both require E-Verify enrollment, so this affects your authorization timeline if you're transitioning from F-1 status.
Understand cap-exempt employer options
Manufacturing roles at universities, affiliated research institutions, or nonprofit research organizations are cap-exempt, bypassing the annual lottery entirely. If you're at risk of going unselected, these employers let your employer file any time of year.
Document your degree equivalency for three-year programs
If your engineering or technology degree is a three-year program from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member agency before your employer files the I-129. USCIS scrutinizes three-year degrees heavily for specialty occupation petitions.
H-1B Visa Manufacturing Associate: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Manufacturing Associate role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the position is defined. USCIS evaluates whether the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field like industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or materials science. Generic production roles without a degree requirement won't qualify. Roles in pharmaceuticals, aerospace, or semiconductor manufacturing that require engineering credentials typically do meet the standard.
How do I find Manufacturing Associate employers who sponsor H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate filters Manufacturing Associate openings by employers with verified LCA filing history, so you're only seeing companies that have already gone through the H-1B process for this type of role. That's a faster signal than asking a recruiter directly, since LCA certifications are public DOL records tied to specific job titles and work locations.
What SOC code is typically used for Manufacturing Associate H-1B petitions?
Most employers file under SOC 17-2112 (Industrial Engineers) or 51-9199 (Production Workers, All Other), depending on the role's actual duties. The SOC code determines the prevailing wage tier, so a misclassified code can result in an underpaid offer that fails LCA certification. Confirm the SOC code with your employer before the LCA is filed.
Can I switch Manufacturing Associate employers while on H-1B status?
Yes, H-1B portability under AC21 lets you start working for a new employer once they file a new I-129 petition, as long as your original petition has been approved and you've been in valid H-1B status for at least 180 days. Your new employer must file before your current status expires, and the new role must still qualify as a specialty occupation.
What documentation does a Manufacturing Associate need for an H-1B petition?
You'll need your degree transcripts and diploma, a credential evaluation if your degree is from outside the U.S., and your current resume showing relevant work history. Your employer supplies the LCA, a support letter explaining why the role requires your specific degree, and any professional licenses required in your state. USCIS may also request detailed job duty descriptions as part of the specialty occupation analysis.