H-1B Visa Program Associate Jobs
Program Associate roles at nonprofits, research institutions, and policy organizations regularly appear on H-1B visa LCA filings, making them a viable path for sponsored employment. These positions typically qualify as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Migrate Mate filters Program Associate openings by verified H-1B visa sponsorship history.
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Get Access To All JobsCREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.
The Opportunity:
Mattel is seeking a Development Program Management Associate I to join our Product Development team at our campus in El Segundo, CA. You will help manage projects from concept through production, in collaboration with a worldwide, cross-functional team consisting of representatives from Design, Development, Marketing, Manufacturing and others throughout the product design and development process.
What Your Impact Will Be:
- Managing multiple projects of varying product types and complexities while maintaining cost and schedule targets.
- Working closely with overseas development, tooling, and manufacturing to ensure successful project completion.
- Troubleshoot production level samples and make suggestions to fix defects, improve mechanisms, and guarantee end-consumer satisfaction.
- Develop, maintain and drive schedule execution of worldwide products.
- Act as liaison between El Segundo teams and overseas locations throughout the product life cycle.
- Reviewing concept sketches and providing support for products in the preliminary design phase.
- Working with external development sources to engineer the product.
- Managing project schedules and product costs.
- Working in a team environment with Design, Packaging, Product Integrity, Marketing, Planning, Cost Engineering, Model Shop, Electrical Engineering, Materials Lab, Sculpting, manufacturing plants, and offshore development sources.
- Develop cost estimates and provide cost/financial analyses for different types of products.
- Analyze product design to affect maximum utilization of materials, methods and processes in order to meet cost objectives and quality specifications.
- Examine product components to ascertain purpose, cost and value by utilizing knowledge of product design and budgetary considerations.
- Guide cross-functional teams into optimizing the content and features of products given the constraints of selling price and margins.
What We’re Looking For:
- BA/BS Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial) or related discipline
- 0-2 years of relevant project management experience
- Proven ability to juggle multiple projects, make quick decisions, and possess excellent problem-solving skills
- Comfortable leading cross-functional teams
- Excellent organizational skills are must
- Must be comfortable with systems and data entry
- Relationship building and customer-facing skills
- Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!
How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:
- We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
- We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
- We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.
Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.
Beware of recruiting scams: Mattel will only contact you through official @mattel.com or @smartrecruiters.com email addresses and will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information during the hiring process.
Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
Compensation:
- The pay range for this position is $71,000 - $82,000 annual USD. The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
CREATIVITY IS OUR SUPERPOWER. It’s our heritage and it’s also our future. Because we don’t just make toys. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire fans, entertain audiences and develop children through play. Mattel is at its best when every member of our team feels respected, included, and heard—when everyone can show up as themselves and do their best work every day. We value and share an infinite range of ideas and voices that evolve and broaden our perspectives with a reach that extends into all our brands, partners, and suppliers.
The Opportunity:
Mattel is seeking a Development Program Management Associate I to join our Product Development team at our campus in El Segundo, CA. You will help manage projects from concept through production, in collaboration with a worldwide, cross-functional team consisting of representatives from Design, Development, Marketing, Manufacturing and others throughout the product design and development process.
What Your Impact Will Be:
- Managing multiple projects of varying product types and complexities while maintaining cost and schedule targets.
- Working closely with overseas development, tooling, and manufacturing to ensure successful project completion.
- Troubleshoot production level samples and make suggestions to fix defects, improve mechanisms, and guarantee end-consumer satisfaction.
- Develop, maintain and drive schedule execution of worldwide products.
- Act as liaison between El Segundo teams and overseas locations throughout the product life cycle.
- Reviewing concept sketches and providing support for products in the preliminary design phase.
- Working with external development sources to engineer the product.
- Managing project schedules and product costs.
- Working in a team environment with Design, Packaging, Product Integrity, Marketing, Planning, Cost Engineering, Model Shop, Electrical Engineering, Materials Lab, Sculpting, manufacturing plants, and offshore development sources.
- Develop cost estimates and provide cost/financial analyses for different types of products.
- Analyze product design to affect maximum utilization of materials, methods and processes in order to meet cost objectives and quality specifications.
- Examine product components to ascertain purpose, cost and value by utilizing knowledge of product design and budgetary considerations.
- Guide cross-functional teams into optimizing the content and features of products given the constraints of selling price and margins.
What We’re Looking For:
- BA/BS Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial) or related discipline
- 0-2 years of relevant project management experience
- Proven ability to juggle multiple projects, make quick decisions, and possess excellent problem-solving skills
- Comfortable leading cross-functional teams
- Excellent organizational skills are must
- Must be comfortable with systems and data entry
- Relationship building and customer-facing skills
- Demonstrated a growth mindset by staying curious and continuously learning, embracing challenges, and improving themselves.
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Mattel, we are dedicated to an inclusive workplace and a culture of belonging. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. Join Mattel's Talent Community and start receiving exciting updates about our company, our employees, and our culture. Also, interested in signing up for job alerts? Do so here!
How We Work:
We are a purpose driven company aiming to empower generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. We live up to our purpose employing the following behaviors:
- We collaborate: Being a part of Mattel means being part of one team with shared values and common goals. Every person counts and working closely together always brings better results. Partnership is our process and our collective capabilities is our superpower.
- We innovate: At Mattel we always aim to find new and better ways to create innovative products and experiences. No matter where you work in the organization, you can always make a difference and have real impact. We welcome new ideas and value new initiatives that challenge conventional thinking.
- We execute: We are a performance-driven company. We strive for excellence and are focused on pursuing best-in-class outcomes. We believe in accountability and ownership and know that our people are at their best when they are empowered to create and deliver results.
Who We Are:
Mattel is a leading global toy and family entertainment company and owner of one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world. We engage consumers and fans through our franchise brands, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Thomas & Friends, UNO, Masters of the Universe, Matchbox, Monster High, MEGA and Polly Pocket, as well as other popular properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include toys, content, consumer products, digital and live experiences. Our products are sold in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering generations to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.
Mattel’s award-winning workplace culture has been recognized by Forbes, Fast Company, Newsweek, Great Place to Work, TIME, and more.
Beware of recruiting scams: Mattel will only contact you through official @mattel.com or @smartrecruiters.com email addresses and will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information during the hiring process.
Mattel is an Equal Opportunity Employer where we want you to bring your authentic self to work every day. We welcome all job seekers, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran and protected veteran status, disability status, and or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.
Compensation:
- The pay range for this position is $71,000 - $82,000 annual USD. The pay range is indicative of projected hiring range, however base pay will be determined based on a candidate’s work location, skills and experience. Mattel offers competitive total pay programs, comprehensive benefits, and resources to help empower a culture where every employee can reach their full potential.
See all 285+ H-1B Visa Program Associate Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Program Associate
Confirm your degree field matches the role
Program Associate positions span policy, public health, international development, and education. USCIS requires your degree to align with the specific program area, not just management broadly. A mismatch between your transcript and the job's stated field is the most common RFE trigger for this title.
Target LCA-filing nonprofits and research institutions
Use Migrate Mate to filter Program Associate openings by employers with verified H-1B filing history. Nonprofits and federally funded research organizations file LCAs consistently and are often cap-exempt, which removes the lottery risk entirely for qualifying roles.
Check prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Run your prospective job title and location through the OFLC Wage Search before you sign. Employers must pay at least the prevailing wage for your work location. A salary below that threshold will get the LCA rejected, delaying your start date.
Clarify the SOC code your employer will use
Program Associate roles get filed under different Standard Occupational Classification codes depending on the employer. Ask HR which SOC code they're using before the LCA is submitted. The wrong code can misalign your prevailing wage requirement and create unnecessary compliance risk.
Time your application around the October 1 start date
If your offer is at a cap-subject employer, your H-1B can only take effect on October 1. File in the April lottery window. If you're on OPT, confirm your EAD end date gives you enough runway to bridge through the cap-gap period without a work authorization gap.
Review the O*NET profile before your visa interview
USCIS officers and consular officials sometimes reference occupational databases to assess specialty occupation claims. Reviewing the O*NET profile for your role lets you speak precisely to the degree requirements and specialized knowledge the position demands, which strengthens your case.
H-1B Visa Program Associate: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Program Associate role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires that the role normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific specialty. Program Associate jobs in public health, international development, policy research, and education generally qualify. Generalist coordinator roles without a clear degree requirement in a defined field are more likely to face an RFE or denial.
Are nonprofit Program Associate employers cap-exempt for H-1B purposes?
Some are. Nonprofits affiliated with universities or government research entities can qualify as cap-exempt employers, meaning they can file H-1B petitions outside the annual 85,000-cap lottery at any time of year. Standard nonprofits without that affiliation are cap-subject. Ask the employer directly which category applies before you factor the lottery into your timeline.
How do I find Program Associate jobs at employers who sponsor H-1B visas?
Search Migrate Mate, which filters openings by verified H-1B LCA filing history so you can see which organizations have sponsored this role before. Employers at research institutions, multilateral organizations, and federally funded nonprofits file LCAs for Program Associate titles regularly. Filtering by sponsorship history upfront saves time compared to applying broadly and asking about sponsorship after the interview.
Can my employer file my H-1B while I'm working as a Program Associate on OPT?
Yes. If you're on OPT and your employer files an H-1B petition in the April registration window, you're covered by the cap-gap rule if your OPT expires before October 1. Your work authorization extends automatically while the petition is pending. Make sure your employer submits the I-129 before your OPT end date to keep the cap-gap protection intact.
What happens if USCIS sends an RFE on my Program Associate H-1B petition?
An RFE doesn't mean denial. For Program Associate roles, RFEs typically challenge whether the position requires a specific degree rather than any bachelor's degree. Your employer should respond with documentation showing the specialized nature of the duties, internal job descriptions, and evidence that similar roles in the industry require a degree in the relevant field. You have up to 84 days to respond.