OPT CNC Machine Operator Jobs
CNC Machine Operator roles on OPT typically fall under STEM-designated programs in manufacturing engineering or mechanical engineering technology, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in precision manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive production regularly hire OPT workers for hands-on machining roles.
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Get Access To All JobsCNC Tooling Sales and Application Engineer
Location:
North West Houston, TX, US, 77040
On-site or Remote: Onsite
REQ ID: 48810
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.
Job Summary
Kennametal is seeking talented machinists and programmers looking to transition their career off the floor day to day into a professional sales role. If you are currently working as a machinist or have previous hands on machining and cnc programming experience, we would be very interested in speaking to you! This position is responsible for driving metal-cutting tool sales growth with new and established customers, both direct and indirect, by managing customer relationship, providing technical direction/support, and increasing productivity for our customers. This role combines technical knowledge and sales skills to achieve sales targets, build strong territory presence and pipeline. This role will partner with multiple internal sales and support professionals to support the customers’ initiatives and technical needs. Sales and Application Engineers work on unique challenges related to cnc machining, milling, and lathe applications. The role is based from a home office within the assigned territory, but 80% or more of the week is spent out in the field at customer locations. A company vehicle is provided as part of top of market compensation package which includes a base salary plus bonus based on performance, and benefits starting day 1.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Meet or exceed revenue targets by:
- Effectively providing metal cutting solutions, by understanding current and future market trends, to meet customers’ key needs and objectives in a professional manner.
- Generating, qualifying, and managing all sales leads, prospects, and new customer accounts.
- Proactively managing the complete sales process, including prospecting, qualification, consultative sales meetings, product demos, pricing, terms negotiations, and sourcing.
- Developing and executing strategic territory plans to deliver revenue goals with a focus on new product sales.
- Providing timely answers to pre-sales technical and commercial queries from customers.
- Maintaining up-to-date customer and project records in CRM to ensure a clean and healthy pipeline.
- Actively collaborating with internal sales and support professionals, such as Application Engineers, Channel Partner Reps, Inside Sales, and others to provide value and a positive end-to-end customer experience.
- Performing online and/or onsite demonstrations of metal cutting products tailored to customers’ needs.
- Conducting pre-sales workshops, webinars, and other online/onsite events within the territory.
- Representing and promoting Kennametal at tradeshows, conferences, and other events within the territory.
- Delivering cost savings through analysis of complex application needs and providing recommendations to support customer business need through tooling and application testing.
- Preparing and presenting progress, status, and forecasting reports.
Requirements
- Technical degree or Degree in Business, Manufacturing and/or Engineering preferred
- 3+ years of related cnc machining industry experience, 1-2 years of technical sales and/or application experience preferred
- Proficient in product knowledge, including applications and troubleshooting; can tailor solutions to meet customer needs
- Solid grasp of industry dynamics; effectively aligns product solutions with customer needs and industry trends
- Competent in a range of sales techniques, including advanced objection handling and closing strategies; adapts approach to various customer types
- Independently executes strategic sales plans; contributes to the development of strategies and meets targets through insightful planning
- Possess solid critical thinking, presentation, and administrative skills
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Customer-focused mindset with a passion for problem-solving and delivering exceptional service
- Detail-oriented to manage contract review and discuss project specifications
- Creative and persuasive with the ability to think at both tactical and strategic levels
- Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively across all departments
Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Nearest Major Market: Houston
Job Segment: Pre-Sales, CNC, Inside Sales, Telemarketing, Sales Engineer, Sales, Manufacturing
CNC Tooling Sales and Application Engineer
Location:
North West Houston, TX, US, 77040
On-site or Remote: Onsite
REQ ID: 48810
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.
Job Summary
Kennametal is seeking talented machinists and programmers looking to transition their career off the floor day to day into a professional sales role. If you are currently working as a machinist or have previous hands on machining and cnc programming experience, we would be very interested in speaking to you! This position is responsible for driving metal-cutting tool sales growth with new and established customers, both direct and indirect, by managing customer relationship, providing technical direction/support, and increasing productivity for our customers. This role combines technical knowledge and sales skills to achieve sales targets, build strong territory presence and pipeline. This role will partner with multiple internal sales and support professionals to support the customers’ initiatives and technical needs. Sales and Application Engineers work on unique challenges related to cnc machining, milling, and lathe applications. The role is based from a home office within the assigned territory, but 80% or more of the week is spent out in the field at customer locations. A company vehicle is provided as part of top of market compensation package which includes a base salary plus bonus based on performance, and benefits starting day 1.
Key Job Responsibilities
- Meet or exceed revenue targets by:
- Effectively providing metal cutting solutions, by understanding current and future market trends, to meet customers’ key needs and objectives in a professional manner.
- Generating, qualifying, and managing all sales leads, prospects, and new customer accounts.
- Proactively managing the complete sales process, including prospecting, qualification, consultative sales meetings, product demos, pricing, terms negotiations, and sourcing.
- Developing and executing strategic territory plans to deliver revenue goals with a focus on new product sales.
- Providing timely answers to pre-sales technical and commercial queries from customers.
- Maintaining up-to-date customer and project records in CRM to ensure a clean and healthy pipeline.
- Actively collaborating with internal sales and support professionals, such as Application Engineers, Channel Partner Reps, Inside Sales, and others to provide value and a positive end-to-end customer experience.
- Performing online and/or onsite demonstrations of metal cutting products tailored to customers’ needs.
- Conducting pre-sales workshops, webinars, and other online/onsite events within the territory.
- Representing and promoting Kennametal at tradeshows, conferences, and other events within the territory.
- Delivering cost savings through analysis of complex application needs and providing recommendations to support customer business need through tooling and application testing.
- Preparing and presenting progress, status, and forecasting reports.
Requirements
- Technical degree or Degree in Business, Manufacturing and/or Engineering preferred
- 3+ years of related cnc machining industry experience, 1-2 years of technical sales and/or application experience preferred
- Proficient in product knowledge, including applications and troubleshooting; can tailor solutions to meet customer needs
- Solid grasp of industry dynamics; effectively aligns product solutions with customer needs and industry trends
- Competent in a range of sales techniques, including advanced objection handling and closing strategies; adapts approach to various customer types
- Independently executes strategic sales plans; contributes to the development of strategies and meets targets through insightful planning
- Possess solid critical thinking, presentation, and administrative skills
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
- Customer-focused mindset with a passion for problem-solving and delivering exceptional service
- Detail-oriented to manage contract review and discuss project specifications
- Creative and persuasive with the ability to think at both tactical and strategic levels
- Collaborative team player with the ability to work effectively across all departments
Kennametal Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Nearest Major Market: Houston
Job Segment: Pre-Sales, CNC, Inside Sales, Telemarketing, Sales Engineer, Sales, Manufacturing
See all 85+ OPT CNC Machine Operator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT CNC Machine Operator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in CNC Machine Operator
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
CNC roles often qualify for the 24-month STEM extension if your degree is in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, or a related STEM field. Verify your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Target manufacturers with existing OPT hiring history
Aerospace, automotive, and precision machining companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and automotive Tier 1 suppliers regularly hire OPT workers. Focusing on these industries increases your chances of finding an employer familiar with work authorization requirements.
Frame your machining certifications prominently
NIMS credentials, G-code programming experience, and CAM software proficiency like Mastercam or Fusion 360 signal job-ready skills. Employers sponsoring OPT workers want candidates who reduce onboarding time, so front-load technical qualifications in your resume.
Start your OPT application 90 days before graduation
USCIS recommends filing your OPT application up to 90 days before your program end date. CNC job searches take time, so beginning early gives you the most job-search runway before your EAD card arrives and employment authorization begins.
Clarify your authorization timeline with hiring managers early
Manufacturing hiring managers often have firm production start dates. Be direct about your OPT start date, EAD receipt timeline, and whether you qualify for STEM extension. This prevents mismatched expectations and keeps your application moving forward.
Use your university's industry connections in manufacturing
Engineering and technology programs frequently have partnerships with local manufacturers for internships and full-time placements. Career services offices often have contacts at companies already comfortable with OPT hiring, making them a practical first stop in your search.
CNC Machine Operator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as CNC Machine Operators in the United States?
Yes. F-1 students who have completed a degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering technology, or a related field can work as CNC Machine Operators on OPT. Your employment must be directly related to your degree program. Standard OPT provides 12 months of work authorization, and STEM-eligible graduates can apply for a 24-month extension, giving up to three years total.
Does CNC Machine Operator qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated program such as mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or manufacturing engineering technology, and your CNC role is directly related to that degree, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific CIP code qualifies before you apply.
Do CNC Machine Operator employers need to sponsor my OPT?
OPT does not require employer sponsorship in the traditional sense. You already have work authorization through your EAD card. However, STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and to sign a formal training plan. Confirming E-Verify enrollment early in the interview process prevents delays when you need to file your STEM extension.
Where can I find CNC Machine Operator jobs that accept OPT workers?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and international students and filters jobs by visa sponsorship compatibility. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you focus on manufacturers and engineering firms that have demonstrated willingness to hire OPT workers, saving time you would otherwise spend filtering out employers unfamiliar with international student work authorization.
What happens to my OPT if my CNC Machine Operator job ends before my EAD expires?
Standard OPT allows up to 90 days of cumulative unemployment during your authorization period. If your job ends, that unemployment clock starts immediately. STEM OPT allows up to 150 cumulative days. Finding a new role with qualifying duties before hitting those limits is critical to maintaining valid F-1 status, so starting your search quickly after separation is important.