H-1B Visa Manufacturing Operator Jobs
Manufacturing Operator roles can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, manufacturing technology, or a related field. Many large-scale manufacturers and defense contractors file LCAs annually for these roles, making employer selection and wage-level matching critical steps in your job search.
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Get Access To All JobsManufacturing Machine Operator I - Entry-US
Location:
Traverse City, MI, US, 48686
On-site or Remote: Onsite
REQ ID: 48531
About Kennametal
With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Learn more at kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Machine Operator
Traverse City, MI 2nd Shift: 2:00pm - 10:30pm (Monday - Friday)
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The Machine Operator performs essential job functions within the manufacturing departments. This position is responsible for ensuring continuous product flow. This position is also involved in new Product Development. A Machine Operator will be 100% safe.
SUPERVISION:
A Machine Operator works under the supervision of the Manufacturing Manager and Off-Shift Production Supervisor, with the daily functional direction of the Senior Manufacturing Coordinator and / or Team Leader. The position is reviewed on an annual basis.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- High school or GED graduate required with additional technical school training preferred
- Excellent blue print reading skills
- 3-5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
- Versatile machining experience
- Strong mechanical background helpful
- Commitment to quality and customer satisfaction and the ability to work in a team environment
- Experience with Lean manufacturing a plus
KEY JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Setup and operate several types of machine of a similar type (conventional or CNC) on a regular basis working on a variety of complex parts to close tolerances with average to complicated setups. Works with minimal support or supervision. Selects appropriate feeds, speeds and tooling. (85%)
- Assists in problem solving and troubleshooting of equipment breakdowns and production efficiency issues. Assures appropriate material and tools are available. (10%)
- Supports Lean Enterprise, Quality, Safety and Productivity initiatives through appropriate levels of participation. (5%)
COMPETENCIES:
- Performance Driven
- Listening skills
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- Commitment to Excellence
WORK CONDITIONS:
45 DEGREES - 85 DEGREES
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Walking
- Reaching
- Sitting
- Bending
- Lifting and Carrying over 40lbs
Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer
Nearest Major Market: Midland Michigan
Nearest Secondary Market: Saginaw
Job Segment: CNC, Machinist, Materials Science, Social Media, Manufacturing, Science, Marketing
Manufacturing Machine Operator I - Entry-US
Location:
Traverse City, MI, US, 48686
On-site or Remote: Onsite
REQ ID: 48531
About Kennametal
With over 85 years as an industrial technology leader, Kennametal Inc. delivers productivity to customers through materials science, tooling and wear-resistant solutions. Customers across aerospace and defense, earthworks, energy, general engineering and transportation turn to Kennametal to help them manufacture with precision and efficiency. Learn more at kennametal.com. Follow @Kennametal: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Machine Operator
Traverse City, MI 2nd Shift: 2:00pm - 10:30pm (Monday - Friday)
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
The Machine Operator performs essential job functions within the manufacturing departments. This position is responsible for ensuring continuous product flow. This position is also involved in new Product Development. A Machine Operator will be 100% safe.
SUPERVISION:
A Machine Operator works under the supervision of the Manufacturing Manager and Off-Shift Production Supervisor, with the daily functional direction of the Senior Manufacturing Coordinator and / or Team Leader. The position is reviewed on an annual basis.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
- High school or GED graduate required with additional technical school training preferred
- Excellent blue print reading skills
- 3-5 years of experience in a manufacturing environment
- Versatile machining experience
- Strong mechanical background helpful
- Commitment to quality and customer satisfaction and the ability to work in a team environment
- Experience with Lean manufacturing a plus
KEY JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Setup and operate several types of machine of a similar type (conventional or CNC) on a regular basis working on a variety of complex parts to close tolerances with average to complicated setups. Works with minimal support or supervision. Selects appropriate feeds, speeds and tooling. (85%)
- Assists in problem solving and troubleshooting of equipment breakdowns and production efficiency issues. Assures appropriate material and tools are available. (10%)
- Supports Lean Enterprise, Quality, Safety and Productivity initiatives through appropriate levels of participation. (5%)
COMPETENCIES:
- Performance Driven
- Listening skills
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- Commitment to Excellence
WORK CONDITIONS:
45 DEGREES - 85 DEGREES
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Walking
- Reaching
- Sitting
- Bending
- Lifting and Carrying over 40lbs
Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer
Nearest Major Market: Midland Michigan
Nearest Secondary Market: Saginaw
Job Segment: CNC, Machinist, Materials Science, Social Media, Manufacturing, Science, Marketing
See all 57+ H-1B Visa Manufacturing Operator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Manufacturing Operator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Manufacturing Operator
Verify your degree aligns with the role
H-1B requires a specialty occupation, so confirm your engineering or manufacturing technology degree maps directly to the operator position. USCIS scrutinizes cases where the degree field and job duties don't clearly correspond.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating offers
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage for your specific SOC code and work location before accepting any offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above that threshold.
Target manufacturers with active LCA filing history
Search Migrate Mate to filter Manufacturing Operator roles by employers who have filed LCAs for this occupation, so you're applying to companies with a documented H-1B sponsorship track record rather than guessing at willingness.
Prioritize E-Verify enrolled employers early
Manufacturers enrolled in E-Verify are already set up to verify your work authorization electronically. If you're transitioning from OPT, an E-Verify enrollment is also required for your STEM OPT extension, so confirming it upfront avoids complications later.
Understand cap-exempt employer options
Some manufacturing roles at universities, nonprofit research institutions, or government-affiliated facilities are cap-exempt, meaning your petition bypasses the lottery entirely. Review the O*NET profile for this SOC code to identify which institutional employers post these positions.
Request premium processing before your start date
If your current status has a firm end date, ask your employer to file with USCIS premium processing. Standard adjudication can take months, and a gap between your authorized period and an I-129 approval can complicate your ability to continue working.
H-1B Visa Manufacturing Operator: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Manufacturing Operator role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. A general production line role typically doesn't qualify, but a Manufacturing Operator requiring a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, industrial technology, or a closely related field can meet the specialty occupation standard. The employer must document in the I-129 petition that the degree is a normal minimum requirement for the role as they've structured it.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Manufacturing Operator jobs?
Large defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and automotive suppliers are among the most consistent H-1B sponsors for manufacturing roles. These employers file LCAs with the DOL each time they hire, creating a public record of sponsorship activity. Migrate Mate filters Manufacturing Operator postings by employers with verified LCA filing history, so you can focus your applications on companies that have already committed to the process.
What wage level should I expect an employer to certify on the LCA?
The DOL assigns wage levels based on your experience and job complexity, ranging from Level I for entry-level to Level IV for senior or supervisory roles. Your employer must certify the actual wage they'll pay you on the LCA, and that wage must meet or exceed the prevailing wage for your SOC code in your work location. You can verify the applicable prevailing wage yourself using the OFLC Wage Search before any offer is finalized.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new manufacturing employer if I change jobs?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer as soon as they file an I-129 transfer petition, without waiting for approval, as long as you've been in valid H-1B status and the petition is non-frivolous. The new employer still needs to file a certified LCA with the DOL covering the new work location and the specific manufacturing role before submitting the I-129 to USCIS.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my chances of getting sponsored for a Manufacturing Operator role?
Most Manufacturing Operator H-1B petitions are subject to the annual cap of 65,000 visas, plus 20,000 additional slots for U.S. master's degree holders. USCIS runs an electronic registration lottery each March for the following fiscal year. If your employer is a university, nonprofit research organization, or government research entity, the cap doesn't apply and your petition can be filed at any time of year.