OPT Assembly Technician Jobs
Assembly Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or mechatronics. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in aerospace, automotive, and electronics manufacturing regularly hire OPT candidates for hands-on production and quality roles.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
The thru-hole technician candidate will be assembling circuit boards and utilizing SMT and thru-hole soldering techniques. Candidates must have strong soldering background and electrical assembly experience.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Read work orders, follow production drawings, and routings
- Perform soldering duties; pre-wave assembly, through-hole and surface mount
- Prepare components using a variety of lead forming tools
- Connect or route component lead wires between individual component leads or other components, connectors, terminals, and contact points
- Perform online visual inspection and produce products to acceptable production level
- Ensures quality of product, conformance to designated process controls, and written procedures and maintains efficiency to comply with schedule requirements
- Must be familiar with Surface-Mount and Through-hole Technology
- Ability to identify component packages and values
- Follow all work instructions and documents according to company standards
- Testing and packaging of PCBA assemblies
- Communicate any quality issues to the immediate supervisor/team lead
- Solder rework and touch up of PCBA assemblies
- Maintain a clean and safe working environment
- Have a good mechanical understanding and ability to learn, use, maintain and repair assembly equipment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be able to work full time
- Must be able to remove and replace defective components
- Knowledge and experience with complex soldering
- Basic computer and math knowledge
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to read and write English, follow verbal instructions
- Must be a team player
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- A High School diploma or GED required
- Min 3-5 years SMT inspection experience on component identification
- Min 3-5 years’ experience of mechanical, pre-wave assembly, through-hole, surface mount, electronic component identification, and performing reworks on printed circuits boards
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Occasionally lifting ~30 lbs.
INTRODUCTION
The thru-hole technician candidate will be assembling circuit boards and utilizing SMT and thru-hole soldering techniques. Candidates must have strong soldering background and electrical assembly experience.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Read work orders, follow production drawings, and routings
- Perform soldering duties; pre-wave assembly, through-hole and surface mount
- Prepare components using a variety of lead forming tools
- Connect or route component lead wires between individual component leads or other components, connectors, terminals, and contact points
- Perform online visual inspection and produce products to acceptable production level
- Ensures quality of product, conformance to designated process controls, and written procedures and maintains efficiency to comply with schedule requirements
- Must be familiar with Surface-Mount and Through-hole Technology
- Ability to identify component packages and values
- Follow all work instructions and documents according to company standards
- Testing and packaging of PCBA assemblies
- Communicate any quality issues to the immediate supervisor/team lead
- Solder rework and touch up of PCBA assemblies
- Maintain a clean and safe working environment
- Have a good mechanical understanding and ability to learn, use, maintain and repair assembly equipment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be able to work full time
- Must be able to remove and replace defective components
- Knowledge and experience with complex soldering
- Basic computer and math knowledge
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to read and write English, follow verbal instructions
- Must be a team player
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- A High School diploma or GED required
- Min 3-5 years SMT inspection experience on component identification
- Min 3-5 years’ experience of mechanical, pre-wave assembly, through-hole, surface mount, electronic component identification, and performing reworks on printed circuits boards
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Occasionally lifting ~30 lbs.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Assembly Technician
Confirm your degree supports the role
Assembly Technician positions typically require a degree in manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or a related field. Before applying, verify your degree field aligns with the role so your OPT authorization holds up if USCIS or the employer reviews your status.
Target STEM-designated programs early
If your degree is STEM-designated, you're eligible for a 24-month OPT extension beyond the initial 12 months. Prioritize employers willing to file the E-Verify enrollment required for STEM OPT before your standard authorization period expires.
Highlight hands-on technical training
Assembly employers value documented experience with tools, equipment, and production processes. List any lab work, internships, or capstone projects involving electronics assembly, precision measurement, or quality inspection to strengthen your application and show practical readiness.
Understand your reporting obligations
OPT students must report employer changes to their DSO within 10 days. For Assembly Technician roles, also confirm the position is directly related to your field of study before accepting an offer, as unrelated work can jeopardize your OPT status.
Ask about E-Verify enrollment upfront
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Raise this early in the interview process, not after receiving an offer. Most large manufacturers are already enrolled, but smaller contract manufacturers may not be.
Use your OPT period to build toward H-1B sponsorship
Assembly Technician roles at larger manufacturers often lead to H-1B visa sponsorship for candidates who demonstrate strong performance. Use your OPT period to build a track record and have a direct conversation with HR about long-term sponsorship timelines.
Assembly Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Assembly Technician jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or mechatronics, and the Assembly Technician role directly applies that knowledge, you likely qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's STEM designation with your DSO before applying.
How do I know if an Assembly Technician role is directly related to my degree?
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your major field of study. For Assembly Technician positions, this means your role should involve applying engineering principles, quality systems, or technical knowledge from your degree program. Roles focused purely on manual labor with no connection to your academic training may not qualify. Review the job description carefully and consult your DSO if you're unsure.
Where can I find Assembly Technician jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship and work authorization compatibility. Searching on Migrate Mate surfaces Assembly Technician roles from employers who are actively open to OPT candidates, which saves you from applying to positions where your authorization will be an immediate disqualifier.
Can I work as an Assembly Technician on OPT before my STEM extension is approved?
Yes. If you apply for the STEM OPT extension before your initial 12-month OPT expires, you receive an automatic 180-day extension of work authorization while USCIS processes your application. You can continue working in your Assembly Technician role during this bridge period as long as your employer is E-Verify enrolled and your DSO has submitted the updated I-20.
Do Assembly Technician employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
It varies by employer size and role classification. Large aerospace and electronics manufacturers such as Boeing, Raytheon, and Jabil have established H-1B sponsorship programs and regularly sponsor technician-level roles that require specialized engineering knowledge. Smaller contract manufacturers are less consistent. During the interview process, ask directly whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas for similar roles in the past.