CNC Machinist Jobs for OPT Students
CNC Machinist roles qualify for F-1 OPT when tied to a manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or precision machining degree. Most positions offer direct STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you up to three years of work authorization without an immediate H-1B requirement.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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Job details:
Global Manufacturing Company - Growth + 401k match + Three Weeks PTO + Bonus
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Caitlyn Hardy
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button and sending us your resume.
Salary: $26 - $30 per hour
A bit about us:
A global, stable, and established manufacturing company located in Britton, SD is hiring a CNC Machinist for their second shift (Monday - Thursday from 3:30pm to 2:00am). Warm and welcoming team with plenty of room to grow!
Why join us?
- Four day work week, have your Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays free!
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits starting the first day following month of hire
- 10 paid holidays
- Three weeks PTO
- 4% 401k match
- Bonus opportunity
- Long term growth
- Stability
- Relocation assistance provided
- HSA, FSA, Life, AD&D, STD, LTD
- Education assistance
Responsibilities
- Adjusts machine settings, programs, and tooling to ensure finished components meet required specifications.
- Supports junior machinists by helping with more advanced or challenging setups.
- Runs one or more machine tools to efficiently produce high-quality parts.
- Completes routine daily and weekly maintenance on assigned machines.
- Works across multiple machines within the cell as directed by the area manager.
- Sets up and operates machine tools located in the work cell.
- Performs additional tasks as needed to contribute to the team’s and company’s overall success.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience operating mills and/or lathes as a CNC machinist, or completion of a two-year technical program, is required.
- Ability to interpret and understand blueprints.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with team members.
- Basic computer proficiency.
- Intermediate-level skills in inspection and measurement.
- Fundamental knowledge of machine setup and operation.
- Solid basic math abilities.
- Must be legally eligible to work in the United States; this role does not offer current or future visa sponsorship.
Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button.
Want to learn more about this role and Jobot?
Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
INTRODUCTION
Want to learn more about this role and Jobot? Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
Job details:
Global Manufacturing Company - Growth + 401k match + Three Weeks PTO + Bonus
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Caitlyn Hardy
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button and sending us your resume.
Salary: $26 - $30 per hour
A bit about us:
A global, stable, and established manufacturing company located in Britton, SD is hiring a CNC Machinist for their second shift (Monday - Thursday from 3:30pm to 2:00am). Warm and welcoming team with plenty of room to grow!
Why join us?
- Four day work week, have your Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays free!
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits starting the first day following month of hire
- 10 paid holidays
- Three weeks PTO
- 4% 401k match
- Bonus opportunity
- Long term growth
- Stability
- Relocation assistance provided
- HSA, FSA, Life, AD&D, STD, LTD
- Education assistance
Responsibilities
- Adjusts machine settings, programs, and tooling to ensure finished components meet required specifications.
- Supports junior machinists by helping with more advanced or challenging setups.
- Runs one or more machine tools to efficiently produce high-quality parts.
- Completes routine daily and weekly maintenance on assigned machines.
- Works across multiple machines within the cell as directed by the area manager.
- Sets up and operates machine tools located in the work cell.
- Performs additional tasks as needed to contribute to the team’s and company’s overall success.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience operating mills and/or lathes as a CNC machinist, or completion of a two-year technical program, is required.
- Ability to interpret and understand blueprints.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with team members.
- Basic computer proficiency.
- Intermediate-level skills in inspection and measurement.
- Fundamental knowledge of machine setup and operation.
- Solid basic math abilities.
- Must be legally eligible to work in the United States; this role does not offer current or future visa sponsorship.
Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button.
Want to learn more about this role and Jobot?
Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in CNC Machinist
Target manufacturers with established visa programs
Large aerospace, automotive, and defense manufacturers like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon regularly sponsor skilled machinists. They have dedicated HR processes for work authorization and are far more likely to support OPT and future H-1B filing than smaller shops.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
CNC Machinist roles most reliably qualify for the 24-month STEM extension when your degree is in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or industrial technology. Check your program's CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to confirm extension eligibility.
Lead with your technical certifications
NIMS credentials, Mastercam certification, or Fanuc training signal employer-ready skills that reduce onboarding cost. Employers weighing OPT paperwork overhead are more likely to proceed when a candidate demonstrably shortens time-to-productivity on the shop floor.
Apply before your OPT start date whenever possible
Many manufacturers run multi-week hiring cycles with technical assessments and background checks. Starting your job search two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives you enough runway to clear the process without gaps in work authorization status.
Focus on contract manufacturers and precision shops open to OPT
Not all sponsoring employers are household names. Contract manufacturers producing components for aerospace, medical devices, or defense often need skilled machinists urgently and are willing to work through OPT authorization for candidates with strong GD&T and multi-axis machining experience.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a CNC Machinist job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not just the job title. If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or a related STEM field listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, and the role is directly related to that field, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension through your DSO. A general machining or vocational credential typically does not qualify.
Do CNC Machinist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Some do, particularly large aerospace, defense, and automotive manufacturers that rely on specialized machining talent. Smaller job shops are less likely to sponsor because of the cost and administrative burden. Your best approach is to target employers with a track record of H-1B filings, which you can filter for on Migrate Mate, and to raise the sponsorship conversation once you have demonstrated value during your OPT period.
Can I work as a CNC Machinist on OPT if my degree is in a non-engineering field?
You can work any job on standard 12-month OPT regardless of degree field, so a CNC Machinist role is permissible. However, if your degree is not in a STEM field, you won't qualify for the 24-month STEM extension, which means your authorization is capped at 12 months. You would need employer-sponsored status change, such as H-1B, before that period ends to continue working legally.
What documentation should I give a CNC Machinist employer to verify my OPT work authorization?
Provide your Employment Authorization Document (EAD card) and your I-20 with the OPT authorization page. The employer enters your EAD details into Form I-9 to complete employment eligibility verification. If you're on a STEM extension, your updated I-20 and the employer's E-Verify enrollment are both required. Keep copies of all documents and monitor your EAD expiration date closely to avoid authorization gaps.
How do I find CNC Machinist jobs where employers are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and lists CNC Machinist roles from employers who understand and accept OPT work authorization. Filtering by OPT-friendly employers saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a company won't proceed with international candidates. Browse current listings on Migrate Mate to find roles matched to your authorization status.
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