OPT Chemical Process Engineer Jobs
Chemical Process Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students, with STEM OPT extension eligibility giving you up to three years of work authorization. Most roles in refining, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals require a bachelor's or master's in chemical engineering, which directly satisfies H-1B visa specialty occupation requirements.
Find OPT Chemical Process Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 66+ Chemical Process Engineer jobs
See all 66+ Chemical Process Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Chemical Process Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsAgency
Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Department
Division of Research & Innovation
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
San Antonio, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Under supervision of the Vice President for Research, the Biosafety Officer/ Chemical Safety Officer (BSO/CSO) assists in organizing, managing, implementing, and maintaining programs in compliance for laboratory and research safety in the specific areas of biosafety and chem-safety. Assists in the administration, promotion, development, presentation, training, and coordination of various Safety programs at the university to ensure research and laboratory compliance with University regulations, System regulations, regulatory agencies, and national guidelines.
Responsibilities:
- Assists in the development and implementation of chemical and environmental health and safety programs to meet university and Texas A&M System regulatory requirements. Establishes documents and communicates standards, guidelines and procedures. Develops and delivers training for assigned environmental health and safety programs.
- Develops, implements, and coordinates a comprehensive biological safety program for the university to enhance institutional biosafety-related objectives and to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, guidelines, policies, and directives. Assesses existing programs for regulatory compliance and recommends enhancements or modifications as required. Maintains current knowledge on existing and pending legislation relating to chemical and biological safety.
- Is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) Committee, and Chair of the Chemical Safety Committee as an expert on compliance matters related to research and teaching laboratories.
- Communicate and collaborate with the university Compliance Officer and with the Risk and Compliance Coordinator in the development and coordination of emergency response procedures.
- Prepares reports as requested or required. Liaises with regulatory agencies and the System Office.
- Provides general laboratory support, dispenses and maintains safety signage, collection/testing materials and spill kits, maintain list of investigators and responsible for notification of exposures, incidents and accidental releases to proper entities, testing of autoclaves and laboratory hoods.
- Assists with removal of all types of hazardous wastes and coordinate the proper disposal and removal of biohazard materials from research and teaching laboratories at the university.
- Conducts field audits for research and safety compliance to university, system, and federal regulations. Documents results and recommends corrective action where non-compliance is found. Follow-up as required.
- Coordinates, quality controls, and monitors the delivery of biosafety education and training to all Texas A&M-SA faculty, staff, and students who work with or have potential for exposure to biological pathogenic agents.
- Monitors all Texas A&M-SA teaching and research activities involving the use of hazardous biological materials and recombinant DNA molecules for compliance with appropriate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Inspects research and teaching facilities for compliance with regulations and guidelines pertaining to the use, handling, and disposal of potential biohazards and recombinant DNA; coordinates the review and investigation of all biosafety accidents occurring on university campus and develops corrective action plans.
- Develops and implements emergency response procedures for incidents involving biohazardous agents and materials and maintains TEXAS A&M SA Incident Action Plan for biohazards; develops medical surveillance criteria for activities involving biohazards and related materials; responds to biohazardous materials incidents as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to, administration of the blood borne pathogen program at the university.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field.
- Four (4) years of related experience.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or Occupational Health and Safety.
- Two (2) years of experience in biosafety administration, program management, risk management, research compliance, chemical safety, and/or related areas.
- Master’s degree is preferred or Master’s degree and five years of experience.
- Seven (7) years of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)
- Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP)
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong computer skills.
- Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of Biological and Chemical regulations as well as federal laboratory biosafety level regulations and guidelines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
Applicant Requirement Instructions:
Please make sure to provide the following documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume / CV
- Professional References
For detailed instructions on how to apply for any position on our website, please use the following link:
http://www.tamusa.edu/humanresources/job-opportunities/index.html
Summary of Employee Benefits:
www.tamusa.edu/human-resources/documents/Summary-of-Employees-Benefits1.pdf
Texas A&M University-San Antonio values community engagement and encourages applicants who are committed to advancing the well-being and prosperity of our communities.
Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting the application. Once the application is submitted, no changes or revisions can be made. If you have issues with adding documents to your application, please contact HR at 210-784-2058.
In compliance with ADA, if accommodations are needed for the application process, please contact HR at (210) 784-2058.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
Agency
Texas A&M University - San Antonio
Department
Division of Research & Innovation
Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate
Job Location
San Antonio, Texas
Job Type
Staff
Job Description
Under supervision of the Vice President for Research, the Biosafety Officer/ Chemical Safety Officer (BSO/CSO) assists in organizing, managing, implementing, and maintaining programs in compliance for laboratory and research safety in the specific areas of biosafety and chem-safety. Assists in the administration, promotion, development, presentation, training, and coordination of various Safety programs at the university to ensure research and laboratory compliance with University regulations, System regulations, regulatory agencies, and national guidelines.
Responsibilities:
- Assists in the development and implementation of chemical and environmental health and safety programs to meet university and Texas A&M System regulatory requirements. Establishes documents and communicates standards, guidelines and procedures. Develops and delivers training for assigned environmental health and safety programs.
- Develops, implements, and coordinates a comprehensive biological safety program for the university to enhance institutional biosafety-related objectives and to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, guidelines, policies, and directives. Assesses existing programs for regulatory compliance and recommends enhancements or modifications as required. Maintains current knowledge on existing and pending legislation relating to chemical and biological safety.
- Is a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), Institutional Animal Care and Use (IACUC) Committee, and Chair of the Chemical Safety Committee as an expert on compliance matters related to research and teaching laboratories.
- Communicate and collaborate with the university Compliance Officer and with the Risk and Compliance Coordinator in the development and coordination of emergency response procedures.
- Prepares reports as requested or required. Liaises with regulatory agencies and the System Office.
- Provides general laboratory support, dispenses and maintains safety signage, collection/testing materials and spill kits, maintain list of investigators and responsible for notification of exposures, incidents and accidental releases to proper entities, testing of autoclaves and laboratory hoods.
- Assists with removal of all types of hazardous wastes and coordinate the proper disposal and removal of biohazard materials from research and teaching laboratories at the university.
- Conducts field audits for research and safety compliance to university, system, and federal regulations. Documents results and recommends corrective action where non-compliance is found. Follow-up as required.
- Coordinates, quality controls, and monitors the delivery of biosafety education and training to all Texas A&M-SA faculty, staff, and students who work with or have potential for exposure to biological pathogenic agents.
- Monitors all Texas A&M-SA teaching and research activities involving the use of hazardous biological materials and recombinant DNA molecules for compliance with appropriate regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Inspects research and teaching facilities for compliance with regulations and guidelines pertaining to the use, handling, and disposal of potential biohazards and recombinant DNA; coordinates the review and investigation of all biosafety accidents occurring on university campus and develops corrective action plans.
- Develops and implements emergency response procedures for incidents involving biohazardous agents and materials and maintains TEXAS A&M SA Incident Action Plan for biohazards; develops medical surveillance criteria for activities involving biohazards and related materials; responds to biohazardous materials incidents as appropriate.
- Performs other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to, administration of the blood borne pathogen program at the university.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in related field.
- Four (4) years of related experience.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Biology, Environmental Health and Safety, Industrial Hygiene, or Occupational Health and Safety.
- Two (2) years of experience in biosafety administration, program management, risk management, research compliance, chemical safety, and/or related areas.
- Master’s degree is preferred or Master’s degree and five years of experience.
- Seven (7) years of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP)
- Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP)
- Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Strong computer skills.
- Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and database software.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of Biological and Chemical regulations as well as federal laboratory biosafety level regulations and guidelines.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
Applicant Requirement Instructions:
Please make sure to provide the following documents:
- Cover Letter
- Resume / CV
- Professional References
For detailed instructions on how to apply for any position on our website, please use the following link:
http://www.tamusa.edu/humanresources/job-opportunities/index.html
Summary of Employee Benefits:
www.tamusa.edu/human-resources/documents/Summary-of-Employees-Benefits1.pdf
Texas A&M University-San Antonio values community engagement and encourages applicants who are committed to advancing the well-being and prosperity of our communities.
Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting the application. Once the application is submitted, no changes or revisions can be made. If you have issues with adding documents to your application, please contact HR at 210-784-2058.
In compliance with ADA, if accommodations are needed for the application process, please contact HR at (210) 784-2058.
All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.
Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.
See all 66+ OPT Chemical Process Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Chemical Process Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Chemical Process Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers early
Chemical engineering roles at companies with active STEM OPT training plans are far more likely to sponsor H-1B visas. Prioritize employers in petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductor manufacturing who already hold approved STEM OPT agreements.
Quantify process improvement outcomes
Employers respond to engineers who can demonstrate measurable results. Lead with specific outcomes from internships or projects, such as yield improvements, waste reduction percentages, or cost savings tied directly to process changes you designed or implemented.
Highlight process simulation software proficiency
Proficiency in Aspen Plus, HYSYS, or CHEMCAD signals technical readiness for day-one productivity. List specific software tools and the processes you modeled with them, since many job descriptions screen for these tools before reviewing other qualifications.
Frame your OPT timeline proactively in interviews
Bring up your OPT and STEM extension eligibility before employers ask. Explaining that you have up to three years of authorization and a clear H-1B path removes uncertainty and shows the employer you understand the sponsorship process.
Pursue roles at mid-sized specialty chemical firms
Large refineries and multinationals draw heavy competition, but mid-sized specialty chemical companies often have strong sponsorship track records with less applicant volume. These employers frequently value process engineering depth over brand-name pedigree.
Align your degree field explicitly to the job description
Chemical Process Engineer is a recognized H-1B specialty occupation, but only when your degree is in chemical engineering or a closely related field. In your resume and cover letter, make the degree-to-role connection explicit to ease the employer's sponsorship assessment.
Chemical Process Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chemical Process Engineer a STEM OPT eligible role?
Yes. Chemical Process Engineer falls under CIP code 14.0701 (Chemical Engineering), which is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. That means F-1 students with a qualifying degree can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total work authorization after graduation.
Do chemical engineering employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Many do, particularly in pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals, semiconductor fabrication, and oil and gas. Companies like Dow, BASF, Honeywell, and Linde have consistent H-1B sponsorship histories in process engineering roles. The three-year STEM OPT window covers two full H-1B lottery cycles, which significantly improves your odds of securing a cap-subject petition before your authorization expires.
Where can I find Chemical Process Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility, so you can browse Chemical Process Engineer roles without wading through positions that won't support your status. Searching by industry sector on Migrate Mate also helps you focus on the chemical, pharmaceutical, and energy employers most likely to file H-1B petitions.
Can I work as a Chemical Process Engineer on OPT if my degree is in a related field like materials science?
It depends on how closely the job description aligns with your degree. OPT authorizes employment in a role directly related to your major field of study. A materials science or environmental engineering degree may support some process engineering roles, but a chemical engineering degree provides the cleanest match. If your degree is adjacent, make sure the job description emphasizes the specific technical skills your program covered.
What should I look for in a STEM OPT training plan as a Chemical Process Engineer?
Your employer must submit a Form I-983 Training Plan detailing how the role provides practical training in your field. For process engineering, a strong plan identifies specific technical objectives tied to process design, scale-up, or optimization work. Review the plan before signing to confirm it accurately reflects your day-to-day responsibilities, since a vague or mismatched training plan can create issues at STEM extension adjudication.