H-1B Visa Quality Control Specialist Jobs
Quality Control Specialist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as engineering, chemistry, or materials science. Employers in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices regularly file LCAs for these roles, making them a reliable category for H-1B job seekers.
Find H-1B Visa Quality Control Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 529+ Quality Control Specialist jobs










See all 529+ Quality Control Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Quality Control Specialist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq ARWR) is a commercial stage biopharmaceutical company that develops medicines that treat intractable diseases by silencing the genes that cause them. Using a broad portfolio of RNA chemistries and efficient modes of delivery, Arrowhead therapies trigger the RNA interference mechanism to induce rapid, deep, and durable knockdown of target genes. RNA interference, or RNAi, is a mechanism present in living cells that inhibits the expression of a specific gene, thereby affecting the production of a specific protein. Arrowhead’s RNAi-based therapeutics leverage this natural pathway of gene silencing. Arrowhead is focused on developing innovative drugs for diseases with a genetic basis, typically characterized by the overproduction of one or more proteins that are involved with disease. The depth and versatility of our RNAi technologies enables us to potentially address conditions in virtually any therapeutic area and pursue disease targets that are not otherwise addressable by small molecules and biologics. Arrowhead is leading the field in bringing the promise of RNAi to address diseases outside of the liver, and our clinical pipeline includes disease targets in the liver and lung with a promising pipeline of preclinical candidates. Arrowhead’s corporate headquarters is in Pasadena, CA with research and development teams in Madison, WI & San Diego, CA, and a state of the art manufacturing facility in Verona, WI. Our employees are nimble, science-driven innovators who are collaborating to bring new therapies to patients in need.
THE POSITION
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Scientist I, Quality Control to join our growing Quality organization in Verona, Wisconsin. In this role, you will support analytical method validation, method transfer, and quality control testing for pharmaceutical raw materials, in-process manufacturing samples, drug substance, drug product, and stability studies across our innovative RNAi therapeutic pipeline. This position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced GMP laboratory, applying advanced analytical techniques while collaborating closely with Analytical Development and Manufacturing. You'll serve as a technical resource within the laboratory, contribute to scientific problem-solving, and help ensure the quality and integrity of products advancing through development and commercialization. This role is 2nd shift and eligible for a 10% shift differential.
Responsibilities
- Perform analytical testing of raw materials, in-process samples, drug substances, drug products, and stability samples using validated analytical methods.
- Execute method validation, method transfer, and routine QC testing activities in accordance with cGMP requirements and ICH guidelines.
- Operate, troubleshoot, and interpret data from analytical instrumentation, including:
- LC-MS
- HPLC/UHPLC (RP and AEX)
- Gas Chromatography (GC)
- Karl Fischer titration
- FTIR
- Endotoxin/LAL testing
- Raman spectroscopy
- Analyze and interpret analytical data, including stability trends and degradation profiles.
- Independently investigate analytical results and make sound scientific decisions while ensuring data quality and compliance.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Analytical Development, Manufacturing, and Quality teams to support product development and manufacturing activities.
- Lead technical discussions, troubleshoot analytical challenges, and contribute to continuous process improvements.
- Train and mentor laboratory colleagues on analytical techniques, instrumentation, and laboratory best practices.
- Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with cGMP, Good Documentation Practices (GDP), and internal procedures.
- Support laboratory investigations, method improvements, and other Quality Control initiatives as needed.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline with 5+ years of relevant laboratory experience, or Master's degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline with 3+ years of relevant laboratory experience.
- Fully knowledgeable of cGMP and ICH laboratory requirements and operations.
- Strong attention to detail and good documentation practices; comfort working against defined hold times and turnaround targets.
- Prior experience testing oligonucleotides, peptides, or other synthetic biomolecules.
- Hands-on experience with LCMS, AEX-HPLC, RP-HPLC/UHPLC, Karl Fischer titration, or LAL/endotoxin testing.
- Experience supporting in-process (real-time) testing in a manufacturing-adjacent QC lab.
- Proficient and demonstrated experience with analytical instrumentation, test methodology/validations/transfers, data acquisition systems, and typical cGMP policies/practices.
COMPENSATION
- Wisconsin pay range: $90,000 USD - $108,000 USD
Arrowhead provides competitive salaries and an excellent benefit package. Candidates must have current, valid authorization to work in the country where this role is located.
California Applicant Privacy Policy
See all 529+ H-1B Visa Quality Control Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Quality Control Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Quality Control Specialist
Match your degree to the role
H-1B approval for QC Specialist roles depends on your degree field directly matching the job duties. Engineering, chemistry, biology, and materials science degrees consistently satisfy specialty occupation requirements. A general business degree rarely does, so tailor your applications accordingly.
Target industries with consistent LCA filings
Pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device companies, and semiconductor fabs file LCAs for QC Specialists at far higher rates than general manufacturing. Use OFLC Wage Search to filter by SOC code 51-9061 and identify which industries file most frequently in your target region.
Verify employer E-Verify enrollment before applying
Your employer must be E-Verify enrolled to petition for your H-1B. QC roles in federal contractor supply chains are often already enrolled, but smaller contract manufacturers may not be. Confirm enrollment status during the interview stage, not after an offer arrives.
Find QC employers sponsoring H-1B visas on Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to surface QC Specialist roles at employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history. Filtering by filing activity removes employers who've never navigated sponsorship, saving you from offers that stall at the petition stage.
Align your start date with the H-1B cap timeline
Cap-subject H-1B petitions have an October 1 employment start date. If you're interviewing in late fall or winter, your actual start date could be 12 to 18 months away. Discuss this timeline with employers early so both sides plan the offer and onboarding around the cap schedule.
Document quality certifications before the I-129 is filed
ASQ certifications, ISO auditor credentials, and Six Sigma belt levels strengthen your specialty occupation argument in the I-129 petition. Gather official certificates and letters of verification before your employer files, since USCIS may request them in an RFE.
H-1B Visa Quality Control Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Quality Control Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer defines the position. A QC Specialist role qualifies when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as engineering, chemistry, or biology as a normal condition of entry. Roles where any bachelor's degree is acceptable, regardless of field, are harder to defend as specialty occupations. USCIS evaluates the job description and industry norms, so the offer letter and LCA need to reflect the degree requirement precisely.
Which industries hire QC Specialists and sponsor H-1B visas most often?
Pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturers, medical device companies, semiconductor fabricators, and aerospace suppliers are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for QC Specialist roles. These industries operate under FDA, ISO, or FAA quality frameworks that require degree-level expertise, which supports the specialty occupation argument. You can browse employers with active H-1B LCA filing history for QC roles on Migrate Mate.
What SOC code applies to Quality Control Specialists, and why does it matter for H-1B?
The DOL typically maps QC Specialist roles to SOC code 51-9061 (Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers) or 17-2112 (Industrial Engineers), depending on job duties. The SOC code your employer selects on the LCA determines the prevailing wage level USCIS and DOL use to evaluate your offer. You can verify prevailing wage rates for your specific code and location using the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer.
Can I use OPT or STEM OPT as a QC Specialist while waiting for H-1B cap selection?
Yes. If your QC role at a STEM-designated employer falls under an eligible CIP code, you can extend your OPT by 24 months after your initial 12-month OPT period. Your employer must be E-Verify enrolled to authorize the STEM OPT extension. The combined 36 months of OPT authorization can bridge you through one or two H-1B lottery cycles while you remain in status and continue building QC experience.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement affect QC Specialist job offers?
The LCA your employer files must certify that your offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for your SOC code, job level, and work location. DOL sets four wage levels based on experience and complexity. A Level I wage applies to entry-level QC roles; a Level II or III wage applies to roles requiring independent judgment or supervisory responsibility. Accepting a wage below the certified LCA wage violates the terms of your H-1B status.