OPT CNC Machinist Jobs
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 visa requirement.
See All OPT CNC Machinist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 79+ CNC Machinist jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 79+ CNC Machinist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new CNC Machinist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
Crane Aerospace & Electronics has an exciting opportunity for a CNC Machinist Internship at our Auburn, CA location.
About Crane:
Crane Aerospace & Electronics supplies critical systems and components to the aerospace and defense markets. You’ll find Crane Aerospace & Electronics in some of the toughest environments: from engines to landing gear; from satellites to medical implants and from missiles to unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Founded in 1968, Crane Aerospace & Electronics’ Auburn, Calif., facility, owns a rich history of excellence in the design and manufacturing of multi-stage lubrication and gerotor pumps for aerospace and defense applications. Throughout the years, our Auburn team has developed a reputation for providing industry-leading complex, highly engineered flow control products for mission-critical engine/APU systems. Located in the Northern California foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range at a new, state-of-the-art 65,000 sq. ft. facility, start the next chapter of your career with Crane Aerospace & Electronics.
Job Summary:
As an intern at Crane Aerospace & Electronics, you will develop knowledge about the business through exposure to your functional area, including quality, deburr, grinding, mill and lathe work. You will focus on developing the skills necessary for success by learning and assisting employees with day-to-day job assignments. You may be assigned to additional training or project work. The Company's internship program is intended to provide students from diverse backgrounds with the opportunity to practice business skills learned in school while gaining work experience.
Essential Functions may include:
- Understand work orders, blueprints, manufacturing orders, and machining parameters.
- Support Crane Business System (CBS) initiatives including 5S, KPIs, Standard Work, Problem Solving and other initiatives as they arise.
- Practice safe work habits as established by OSHA and Crane policy.
- Maintain and adhere to stand standard safety protocols and PPE (Personal Protection Equipment).
- Measure work pieces and lay out work, using precision measuring devices.
- Select machine tooling to be used, utilizing knowledge of machine and production requirements.
- Any other task assigned by supervisor or management
Minimum Qualifications:
- Haas Basic Mill Operator Certification
- Successful completion of ADVM 0067 or in progress preferred
Schedule: Flexible, will work around student schedule.
Eligibility Requirement: This position may require access to Controlled Data or Information. Where the position requires such access only US Persons will be considered. As a US Department of Defense contractor, we are bound by International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Working Conditions:
- Working conditions are normal for a manufacturing environment
- Manufacturing operations may require the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to: eye safety glasses, gowning, masks, hearing protectors, heel/wrist straps and any other required PPE
- May be exposed to unusual environmental conditions such as loud noises, cold temperatures, confined spaces, dust or fumes.
- Requires lifting up to 40 lbs.
You can see a list of our benefits at https://www.craneae.com/company/careers or visit our website at www.CraneAE.com for more information on our company and great opportunities.
We are committed to operational excellence and world class processes. We employ Lean manufacturing techniques to optimize manufacturing efficiency and accuracy on all product lines. Our products are known for their technical strength, proven reliability and overall value.
In our efforts to maintain a safe and drug-free workplace, Crane Aerospace & Electronics requires that candidates complete a satisfactory background check. FAA sensitive positions require employees to participate in a random drug test pool.
Salary range: $23.50 - $25.00 per hour. Several factors contribute to actual salary, including experience in a similar role or performing comparable job responsibilities, skills, training, and other qualifications.
Crane Company. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, general identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.
See all 79+ OPT CNC Machinist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT CNC Machinist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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 visa 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.
Address OPT timing transparently in interviews
Bring up your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility early. Explain that your authorization covers the role for up to three years and that H-1B sponsorship, if needed, is a standard next step for qualifying manufacturing employers.
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.
CNC Machinist OPT: Frequently 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.