OPT Engineering Design Manager Jobs
Engineering Design Manager jobs on OPT require employers to sponsor your work authorization before your OPT period ends. Most roles sit at the intersection of technical leadership and project management, making STEM OPT extension eligibility common for graduates in engineering disciplines with a 24-month extension available.
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INTRODUCTION
Performs in a collaborative environment to develop and implement manufacturing processes, procedures and production layouts for assemblies, equipment installation, processing, fabrication, and material handling. Drives adoption of new technologies and processes (automation, robotics, computer aided manufacturing software, etc.) to achieve greater efficiency, cost reduction and quality improvement. Creates and analyzes 3D based model data environment to optimize manufacturing process and digital work instructions. Leverages understanding of materials and automatic processes to define operations procedures and build sequences to drive operational excellence. Evaluates performance (including IoT devices, etc.) of equipment and tools to verify their efficiency and investigates and initiates corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure operational excellence. Leverages factory data to develop statistical process control approaches and integrates reporting and data analytics solutions for continuous improvement. Provides input to product design regarding design concepts and specification requirements to best utilize equipment and manufacturing techniques. Responsible for guidance and development of Manufacturing Engineering (ME) team, including Functional Test Engineering, providing support to AMMM production and on the Flight Line. Responsible for working closely with Production and assessing situations to develop tools and methods for improving quality and productivity. Responsible for department budget, audit support, and other ME related issues.
Will provide guidance and coaching/development on Manufacturing Engineering skills, including:
- Create and update Manufacturing Plan.
- Develop major tooling requirements and production floor layout.
- Initiate Tooling Request Forms and schedule tooling builds/buys to support production.
- Develop capital equipment requirements and forecast funding needs.
- Initiate capital spending request, SOW/specifications, and FSR for purchase of capital equipment.
- Initiate calibration requirements for new equipment and coordinate with Facilities Engineering on development of preventative maintenance requirements for ground support equipment maintenance and tooling.
- Initiate and coordinate all project tooling and special test equipment periodic inspection and maintenance/repair requirements in conjunction with Tool Engineering.
- Develop program specific methods, operating procedures, and tooling usage documents such as TSUD, MPS/PPDs, and SCLs.
- Develop requirements for and initiate purchase of perishable factory equipment.
- Develop specifications and initiate procurement of Standard Tools.
- Continuously review facilities and tools for Safety issues and initiate corrective action.
- Continuously work with production supervision and mechanics to improve process, methods, and work sequencing to include refinement of all things stated above.
- Investigate repetitive non-conformances; develop and implement corrective action.
Proficient in AI prompting as it applies to this position and practice.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree (e.g. Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical, etc.)
- Experience in Manufacturing Engineering or understanding of Manufacturing Engineering practice and procedures.
- Production Support/Corrective Action experience.
- Formal/Informal Leadership experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Flight Line Experience.
- Demonstrated Full Spectrum Leadership skills and Culture of Accountability practices.
- MS Office experience including with Project and Access database.
- Familiarity with AMMM Airframes.
- Working knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering skills defined in job description and the controlling media PM-9003, PM-4053, and AC -3031.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
PAY INFORMATION
Full-Time Salary Range: $104900.00 - $194700.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills as well as market (work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
BENEFITS OFFERED
Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full-time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Engineering Design Manager
Target STEM-designated programs first
Engineering Design Manager roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in engineering or a related STEM field. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work window.
Communicate your OPT timeline clearly
Tell hiring managers upfront how much OPT time you have remaining and whether you qualify for a STEM extension. Employers are more willing to sponsor when they understand the timeline and know H-1B visa sponsorship won't be needed immediately.
Pursue employers with established sponsorship records
Mid-to-large engineering firms and manufacturing companies sponsor work visas far more consistently than startups. Look for companies with dedicated HR teams, which signals they have infrastructure to handle OPT reporting and eventual H-1B transitions.
Position your degree as directly tied to the role
USCIS requires that OPT work relate directly to your major. When applying, explicitly connect your engineering degree to design management responsibilities in your resume and cover letter to strengthen your authorization and reassure employers.
Start the sponsorship conversation before the offer stage
Ask about visa sponsorship policy during the first or second interview round, not after receiving an offer. It saves both parties time and signals professionalism, showing you understand your immigration situation and are planning ahead responsibly.
Demonstrate readiness to lead cross-functional teams
Engineering Design Manager roles require managing both engineers and stakeholders. Highlighting cross-functional leadership experience in past internships or projects makes you a stronger candidate and reduces employer hesitation about investing in your sponsorship long-term.
Engineering Design Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Engineering Design Manager on OPT?
Yes, as long as the role is directly related to your degree field. Engineering Design Manager positions typically align well with engineering and computer science degrees. Confirm with your DSO that the job description matches your major before accepting an offer, since USCIS requires a clear connection between your work and your academic program.
Do Engineering Design Manager jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do, provided your underlying degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical, electrical, industrial, or computer engineering. The 24-month STEM OPT extension gives you significantly more time to work while your employer files for H-1B sponsorship. Check that your school's program has an approved CIP code and that the employer meets the E-Verify requirement for STEM OPT.
How do I find Engineering Design Manager jobs that sponsor OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate, which is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces roles from employers open to sponsorship. Focus on established engineering firms, aerospace companies, and large manufacturers, since they sponsor far more consistently than early-stage startups. Filtering by industry and company size narrows the results to employers with real sponsorship infrastructure.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I'm promoted to Engineering Design Manager from within?
An internal promotion is generally fine as long as the new role still relates directly to your degree. Notify your DSO of any significant job title or responsibility changes, since your OPT authorization is tied to employment that matches your major. If the role shifts substantially away from your field of study, you may need a new evaluation before continuing.
Will employers hesitate to hire an Engineering Design Manager on OPT given the leadership nature of the role?
Some will, but many mid-to-large engineering employers regularly place OPT students in management tracks. The key is demonstrating you have the technical depth and leadership experience to justify the role. Employers who understand OPT and STEM extensions view the 24-month window as sufficient runway to transition you to H-1B status before your authorization lapses.