CNC Operator Jobs for OPT Students
CNC Operator jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with a degree in manufacturing technology, mechanical engineering, or a related field. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in aerospace, automotive, and precision manufacturing actively hire OPT candidates with hands-on machining experience.
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INTRODUCTION
Crusoe is on a mission to accelerate the abundance of energy and intelligence. As the only vertically integrated AI infrastructure company built from the ground up, we own and operate each layer of the stack — from electrons to tokens — to power the world's most ambitious AI workloads. When you join Crusoe, you join a team that is building the future, faster.
We're in the midst of the greatest industrial revolution of our time. The demand for AI compute is boundless, and power is a bottleneck. We're solving that — with an energy-first approach that makes AI infrastructure better for the world and faster for the people innovating with AI.
We're looking for problem-solving, opportunity-finding teammates with a sense of urgency, who believe in the scale of our ambition and thrive on a path not fully paved — people who want to grow their careers alongside a team of experts across energy, manufacturing, data center construction, and cloud services.
If you want to do the most meaningful work of your career, help our customers and partners advance their AI strategies, and be part of a high-performing team that believes in each other, come build with us at Crusoe.
ABOUT THIS ROLE:
As a CNC Machine Operator, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily functions of Laser, Punch, and panel bender machines. You will use work orders, drawings, sketches, fabrication standards, and programs to produce parts on the CNC machines for Crusoe Fabricators. This role is crucial to our manufacturing process, ensuring the efficient and accurate production of high-quality components. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of CNC machinery operation, blueprint interpretation, and a commitment to safety and quality. This is a full-time position.
Hours: Monday - Thursday 4pm - 2:30am
WHAT YOU’LL BE WORKING ON:
-
Machine Setup and Operation: Set up machinery to manufacture parts, including loading feed mechanisms by lifting sheet metal. Enter programs or perform post-production of existing programs. Run tests before starting operations.
-
Blueprint Interpretation and Quality Assurance: Read and interpret blueprint designs to manufacture products/components to customer specifications. Make mechanical and/or program adjustments to ensure parts meet quantity and quality requirements. Inspect machinery and products for quality assurance, utilizing the quality control system and check sheets.
-
Machine Maintenance and Tooling: Periodically check CNC machines to ensure punch or laser tooling is in good condition. Replace/sharpen tooling as needed. Perform daily maintenance on the machinery. Maintain tooling inventory for current and future production.
-
Documentation and Review: Review work orders and programs for accuracy concerning designs and verification of required materials.
-
Additional Responsibilities: Perform other related duties that contribute to the success of the operation as assigned by the supervisor.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TEAM:
-
CNC Experience: 3+ years of experience as a CNC Operator or Machinist.
-
Technical Skills: Ability to read technical manuals/blueprints/drawings. Methodical/analytical problem-solving skills and strong mechanical aptitude.
-
Physical Requirements: Requires lifting, lowering, pushing, and pulling merchandise up to 50 lbs. Requires the ability to stand, walk, stoop, and bend for 8 hours or more daily. Requires constant use of arms, hands, fingers, eyes, legs, and back.
-
Soft Skills and Work Ethic: Must be detail-oriented, a team player willing to take on additional roles, and have a good attitude and willingness to learn.
-
Background Check: Must be able to pass a background check.
-
Safety and Compliance: This position is designated a safety-sensitive position and/or is located in a safety-sensitive facility. Drug and alcohol program participation is required.
BONUS POINTS:
-
Certificate of a 2-year technical degree in Machine Technology, Precision Machining, or CNC Operations.
-
Experience working with shop machinery, including Shear and Brake Press.
-
Laser and punch experience.
BENEFITS:
-
Competitive compensation
-
Restricted Stock Units
-
Paid time off & paid holidays
-
Comprehensive health, dental & vision insurance
-
Employer contributions to HSA account
-
Paid parental leave
-
Paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
-
Professional development & tuition reimbursement
-
Mental health & wellness support
-
Commuter benefits (parking & transit)
-
Cell phone stipend
-
401(k) Retirement plan with company match up to 4% of salary
-
Volunteer time off
COMPENSATION:
Compensation will be paid in the range of $20/hr - $30/hr + Bonus. Restricted Stock Units are included in all offers. Compensation to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Crusoe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.

INTRODUCTION
Crusoe is on a mission to accelerate the abundance of energy and intelligence. As the only vertically integrated AI infrastructure company built from the ground up, we own and operate each layer of the stack — from electrons to tokens — to power the world's most ambitious AI workloads. When you join Crusoe, you join a team that is building the future, faster.
We're in the midst of the greatest industrial revolution of our time. The demand for AI compute is boundless, and power is a bottleneck. We're solving that — with an energy-first approach that makes AI infrastructure better for the world and faster for the people innovating with AI.
We're looking for problem-solving, opportunity-finding teammates with a sense of urgency, who believe in the scale of our ambition and thrive on a path not fully paved — people who want to grow their careers alongside a team of experts across energy, manufacturing, data center construction, and cloud services.
If you want to do the most meaningful work of your career, help our customers and partners advance their AI strategies, and be part of a high-performing team that believes in each other, come build with us at Crusoe.
ABOUT THIS ROLE:
As a CNC Machine Operator, you will be responsible for overseeing the daily functions of Laser, Punch, and panel bender machines. You will use work orders, drawings, sketches, fabrication standards, and programs to produce parts on the CNC machines for Crusoe Fabricators. This role is crucial to our manufacturing process, ensuring the efficient and accurate production of high-quality components. The ideal candidate possesses a strong understanding of CNC machinery operation, blueprint interpretation, and a commitment to safety and quality. This is a full-time position.
Hours: Monday - Thursday 4pm - 2:30am
WHAT YOU’LL BE WORKING ON:
-
Machine Setup and Operation: Set up machinery to manufacture parts, including loading feed mechanisms by lifting sheet metal. Enter programs or perform post-production of existing programs. Run tests before starting operations.
-
Blueprint Interpretation and Quality Assurance: Read and interpret blueprint designs to manufacture products/components to customer specifications. Make mechanical and/or program adjustments to ensure parts meet quantity and quality requirements. Inspect machinery and products for quality assurance, utilizing the quality control system and check sheets.
-
Machine Maintenance and Tooling: Periodically check CNC machines to ensure punch or laser tooling is in good condition. Replace/sharpen tooling as needed. Perform daily maintenance on the machinery. Maintain tooling inventory for current and future production.
-
Documentation and Review: Review work orders and programs for accuracy concerning designs and verification of required materials.
-
Additional Responsibilities: Perform other related duties that contribute to the success of the operation as assigned by the supervisor.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE TEAM:
-
CNC Experience: 3+ years of experience as a CNC Operator or Machinist.
-
Technical Skills: Ability to read technical manuals/blueprints/drawings. Methodical/analytical problem-solving skills and strong mechanical aptitude.
-
Physical Requirements: Requires lifting, lowering, pushing, and pulling merchandise up to 50 lbs. Requires the ability to stand, walk, stoop, and bend for 8 hours or more daily. Requires constant use of arms, hands, fingers, eyes, legs, and back.
-
Soft Skills and Work Ethic: Must be detail-oriented, a team player willing to take on additional roles, and have a good attitude and willingness to learn.
-
Background Check: Must be able to pass a background check.
-
Safety and Compliance: This position is designated a safety-sensitive position and/or is located in a safety-sensitive facility. Drug and alcohol program participation is required.
BONUS POINTS:
-
Certificate of a 2-year technical degree in Machine Technology, Precision Machining, or CNC Operations.
-
Experience working with shop machinery, including Shear and Brake Press.
-
Laser and punch experience.
BENEFITS:
-
Competitive compensation
-
Restricted Stock Units
-
Paid time off & paid holidays
-
Comprehensive health, dental & vision insurance
-
Employer contributions to HSA account
-
Paid parental leave
-
Paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
-
Professional development & tuition reimbursement
-
Mental health & wellness support
-
Commuter benefits (parking & transit)
-
Cell phone stipend
-
401(k) Retirement plan with company match up to 4% of salary
-
Volunteer time off
COMPENSATION:
Compensation will be paid in the range of $20/hr - $30/hr + Bonus. Restricted Stock Units are included in all offers. Compensation to be determined by the applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Crusoe is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, citizenship, marital status, sex/gender, sexual preference/orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, national origin, or any other status protected by law or regulation.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in CNC Operator
Confirm your role qualifies as STEM OPT
CNC Operator positions typically fall under SOC codes tied to manufacturing and production engineering. Verify your specific job title maps to an approved STEM CIP-SOC combination before accepting an offer to protect your 36-month extension eligibility.
Highlight hands-on machine experience clearly
Employers screening OPT candidates move quickly. List specific machines you've operated, such as Haas, Mazak, or Fanuc-controlled equipment, directly in your resume summary so hiring managers can assess your qualifications without reading the full document.
Target industries with established OPT hiring pipelines
Aerospace, automotive, and medical device manufacturers hire CNC Operators on OPT regularly. These industries have dedicated HR processes for work authorization, making them more likely to extend an offer without lengthy internal approval delays.
Address OPT early in the application process
Disclosing your OPT status in your cover letter removes ambiguity and builds trust. Briefly explain your remaining authorization window and eligibility for the STEM extension so employers can assess sponsorship feasibility before the interview stage.
Obtain your EAD card before your start date
Your employer cannot legally place you on the production floor without a valid Employment Authorization Document in hand. Apply for your EAD at least 90 days before your program end date to avoid gaps between graduation and your first day.
Get your I-983 training plan signed promptly
For STEM OPT, your employer must complete and sign Form I-983 before your extension is approved. Bring this up early with your supervisor or HR contact so bureaucratic delays on the employer's side don't compress your remaining work authorization window.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as CNC Operators?
Yes. CNC Operator roles qualify for F-1 OPT as long as the position is directly related to your field of study, such as mechanical engineering, manufacturing technology, or industrial engineering. You'll need a valid EAD card before starting work. If your degree is in a qualifying STEM field, you may also be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Does a CNC Operator job qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree and how the employer classifies the role. CNC Operator positions are often mapped to SOC codes under production and manufacturing engineering, which can qualify for STEM OPT. Your degree must appear on the STEM Designated Degree Program list, and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and willing to sign Form I-983 as your training plan.
How do I find CNC Operator employers willing to hire OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches, so you can filter CNC Operator listings by employers who actively hire international students. Aerospace, defense, and precision manufacturing companies tend to have the most established processes for OPT hires, so prioritizing those sectors when browsing will save significant time.
What should I tell a CNC Operator employer about my OPT status?
Be straightforward and factual. Explain that you have work authorization through OPT, state your EAD expiration date, and mention whether you're eligible for the STEM extension. Provide the exact number of months remaining on your authorization. Employers in manufacturing are used to managing shift schedules and deadlines, and they'll appreciate a clear timeline rather than vague answers.
Can I switch CNC Operator employers while on OPT?
Yes, but the new role must still be directly related to your field of study. On standard OPT, you can change employers as long as you report the change to your DSO within 10 days and update your SEVIS record. On STEM OPT, switching employers requires a new Form I-983 signed by the incoming employer before you begin working there.
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