OPT Industrial Design Engineer Jobs
Industrial Design Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in industrial design, mechanical engineering, or product design. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers typically need to file an LCA and H-1B visa petition to transition you to long-term status.
Find OPT Industrial Design Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 18+ Industrial Design Engineer jobs
See all Industrial Design Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Industrial Design Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsPosting Number FAC00096PO26
Advertised Title Assistant Professor of Industrial Design
Campus Columbia
College/Division College of Arts and Sciences
Department CAS School of Visual Art and Design
Advertised Salary Range We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 40
Position Category Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
Basis 9 months
Work County Richland
Tenure Information Tenure-Track/Tenured
Job Search Category Faculty
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers state employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.
Advertised Job Summary
The School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina invites applications for TWO full-time, nine-month tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Professor in Industrial Design, to begin August 16, 2027.
The University of South Carolina’s Industrial Design degree (B.S.I.D.) is set to launch in Fall 2027 and was designed at the university president’s initiative to be a sibling program to the Industrial Engineering degree in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing in response to the growth of several industrial and manufacturing sectors in the state. The program curriculum is in place and SVAD will soon occupy a nearly 3900 sq ft makerspace with three faculty offices, directly next door to the main SVAD building. The nearby wood and metal shops and ceramics studio will complement the resources in the makerspace. These tenure-track positions are part of a cluster of presidential hiring in both colleges for Industrial Engineering (INDE) and Industrial Design (IDEA)—these are two of three in Industrial Design. A tenured Associate/Full Professor position in Industrial Design will be listed simultaneously, also to begin in August 2027 as the Inaugural Head of the Industrial Design Program.
The selected tenure-track faculty members will each teach a 2/2 course load, maintain an active research agenda (including creative production), with some institutional service.
Required Education and Experience
Master of Industrial Design (MID), Master of Design (MDes) or equivalent, or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Industrial Design or related discipline, or Ph.D. in Industrial Design or closely related field, with degree completed prior to August 2027.
Preferred Qualifications
Desired Start Date 08/16/2027
Job Open Date 09/01/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of forty-five (45) days on our job website. After forty-five (45) days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Posting Number FAC00096PO26
Advertised Title Assistant Professor of Industrial Design
Campus Columbia
College/Division College of Arts and Sciences
Department CAS School of Visual Art and Design
Advertised Salary Range We offer a competitive salary and benefits package.
Location of Vacancy
Part/Full Time Full Time
Hours per Week 40
Position Category Full-time Equivalent (FTE)
Basis 9 months
Work County Richland
Tenure Information Tenure-Track/Tenured
Job Search Category Faculty
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers state employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu.
Advertised Job Summary
The School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD) in the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina invites applications for TWO full-time, nine-month tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant Professor in Industrial Design, to begin August 16, 2027.
The University of South Carolina’s Industrial Design degree (B.S.I.D.) is set to launch in Fall 2027 and was designed at the university president’s initiative to be a sibling program to the Industrial Engineering degree in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing in response to the growth of several industrial and manufacturing sectors in the state. The program curriculum is in place and SVAD will soon occupy a nearly 3900 sq ft makerspace with three faculty offices, directly next door to the main SVAD building. The nearby wood and metal shops and ceramics studio will complement the resources in the makerspace. These tenure-track positions are part of a cluster of presidential hiring in both colleges for Industrial Engineering (INDE) and Industrial Design (IDEA)—these are two of three in Industrial Design. A tenured Associate/Full Professor position in Industrial Design will be listed simultaneously, also to begin in August 2027 as the Inaugural Head of the Industrial Design Program.
The selected tenure-track faculty members will each teach a 2/2 course load, maintain an active research agenda (including creative production), with some institutional service.
Required Education and Experience
Master of Industrial Design (MID), Master of Design (MDes) or equivalent, or Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Industrial Design or related discipline, or Ph.D. in Industrial Design or closely related field, with degree completed prior to August 2027.
Preferred Qualifications
Desired Start Date 08/16/2027
Job Open Date 09/01/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
Positions are advertised for a minimum of forty-five (45) days on our job website. After forty-five (45) days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
See all OPT Industrial Design Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Industrial Design Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Industrial Design Engineer
Target product-driven companies, not agencies
In-house product teams at consumer electronics, medical device, and automotive companies sponsor visas far more consistently than design consultancies. Consultancies often rely on short project cycles that make long-term sponsorship commitments harder to justify.
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Industrial design degrees vary by school. Check whether your program's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. Mechanical engineering and product design degrees almost always qualify. Pure fine arts or visual design programs often do not.
Lead with CAD and prototyping skills in your portfolio
Hiring managers at sponsoring employers want engineers, not just designers. Showcase SolidWorks, Rhino, or CATIA proficiency alongside physical prototyping experience. This positions you for specialty occupation classification, which is required for H-1B visa sponsorship.
Ask about sponsorship before the final interview round
Raise sponsorship during the second or third conversation, not the offer stage. Framing it as a process question rather than a demand gives the employer time to consult legal or HR before you invest in additional interview rounds.
Highlight cross-functional collaboration experience
Industrial design engineers who can work with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing teams are harder to replace. Sponsoring employers look for candidates with clear long-term value. Document any experience bridging design intent and production feasibility in your resume.
Apply early in your OPT window, not at the end
H-1B cap petitions are filed in April for an October start date. If your OPT expires before October, you need a cap-gap bridge. Starting your job search 12 to 18 months before OPT expiration gives you the most realistic sponsorship timeline.
Industrial Design Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Industrial Design Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree falls under an approved STEM CIP code, such as mechanical engineering, industrial design, or product design, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your employer also needs to be enrolled in E-Verify and submit a formal training plan using Form I-983 to your DSO before the extension is approved.
What visa is most commonly used to sponsor Industrial Design Engineers long-term?
The H-1B is the most common path. Industrial design engineering qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field. Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with the Department of Labor, then submits the H-1B petition to USCIS. Because the H-1B is subject to an annual lottery, sponsorship timelines are not guaranteed, and early planning matters significantly.
Where can I find Industrial Design Engineer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate lists industrial design and product engineering roles specifically filtered for F-1 OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility. Most general job boards do not let you filter by sponsorship willingness, which means you spend time applying to roles that will screen you out at the offer stage. Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have already indicated openness to international candidates.
Can I freelance or take contract work as an Industrial Design Engineer on OPT?
Yes, but with strict conditions. Your OPT work must be directly related to your degree field and must average at least 20 hours per week. Self-employment is allowed if you own a legitimate business entity and can document that the work relates to your major. Short-term contracts are permitted, but you must report each employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting to remain compliant.
How does the 60-day unemployment limit affect OPT job searching in this field?
OPT students are limited to 90 cumulative days of unemployment during the standard 12-month OPT period, and an additional 60 days during the STEM extension. Industrial design engineering roles can take time to find because the market is more concentrated than software engineering. Starting your search before your current authorization ends, and documenting all employer contacts and applications, helps demonstrate active pursuit of qualifying employment if your status is ever questioned.