OPT Industrial Maintenance Technician Jobs
Industrial Maintenance Technician jobs on OPT are available across manufacturing, food processing, and automotive plants. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree field, typically engineering or engineering technology. Most roles are full-time and hands-on, satisfying OPT's employment requirements without remote work complications.
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INTRODUCTION
At Sibelco, we advance life through materials. For over 150 years, we’ve been a trusted leader in sourcing, transforming, and distributing specialty industrial minerals. Our work powers progress across industries as diverse as glass, ceramics, construction, coatings, polymers, and water purification. Beyond our materials, we’re proud of our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and empowering people from all walks of life to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
Are We the Perfect Match?
At Sibelco, we believe building a successful career is a two-way journey. We’re looking for individuals who share our values and vision, just as much as you’re seeking a company that aligns with your aspirations. Together, we can shape the future.
JOB DESCRIPTION
At Sibelco, we don’t just maintain equipment — we keep industries moving. As a global leader in glass recycling, we rely on skilled leaders who can drive performance, safety, and continuous improvement.
We’re looking for a detail-driven and proactive Industrial Maintenance Planner at our Wilson, NC plant to join our team. In this role, you will be at the center of our operations—ensuring maintenance activities are efficiently planned, safely executed, and aligned with production priorities.
If you thrive in a fast-paced industrial environment and love turning plans into results, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.
YOUR IMPACT IN THIS ROLE
As a Maintenance Scheduler/Planner, your responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Maintenance Planning & Scheduling
- Plan and schedule all maintenance activities to maximize team efficiency
- Align maintenance plans with production priorities and resource availability
- Maintain and optimize preventive maintenance schedules
- Coordinate external labor, tools, and materials for seamless execution
- Lead weekly scheduling meetings with production and maintenance teams
- Adjust schedules in real-time to address urgent or critical maintenance needs
Operational Excellence
- Drive continuous improvement through efficient maintenance planning
- Ensure execution aligns with company systems, standards, and KPIs
- Track, analyze, and report on maintenance performance metrics
- Support Root Cause Analysis (RCA) efforts to reduce downtime
- Promote and maintain 5S practices across the site
- Provide insights into staffing needs based on trends and forecasts
Safety First
- Ensure all maintenance activities follow strict safety standards
- Conduct LMRA and enforce safe work practices
- Monitor compliance with LOTO, SOPs, and life-saving rules
- Perform regular safety process confirmations
QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following:
- Strong experience in industrial maintenance environments
- Familiarity with automation systems and industrial processes
- Proficiency in SAP, MS Office, and maintenance systems
- Familiarity with inventory control and inspections
- Experience in purchasing
- Technical degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience preferred but not required)
- Experience in industrial maintenance planning or similar role
- Ability to read and understand technical English (additional languages are a plus)
- Self-starter who can succeed with limited supervision
- Detail oriented with proven problem solving and troubleshooting skills
- Ability to work in a dusty environment.
BENEFITS
- Medical Insurance
- Prescription Drug Benefits
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
EMPLOYEE TYPE:
Permanent
WHY JOIN US?
Sibelco is more than a workplace—it’s a community that encourages growth, innovation, and collaboration. Here’s what you can look forward to when you join our team:
- Meet Our People: Careers
- Learn About Our Recruitment Process: Learn More
- Discover Our Sustainability Goals: Sibelco priorities
We also welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to providing reasonable adjustments to support you through the selection process.
HOW TO APPLY
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X and Facebook to learn more about life at Sibelco. Submit your application in the Apply option.
Please note: We do not require agency services as we have a dedicated Global Talent Acquisition Team.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Industrial Maintenance Technician
Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility early
Industrial maintenance roles often qualify for the 24-month STEM extension if your degree is in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since this significantly extends your authorized work period.
Target manufacturers with established HR infrastructure
Large manufacturers and Fortune 500 industrial companies process OPT hires routinely and understand E-Verify requirements. Smaller shops may not. Prioritize employers with dedicated HR teams, as they're far more likely to manage your work authorization documentation correctly.
Address your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Industrial hiring cycles run long, often six to ten weeks from application to start date. Contact recruiters early and clarify your OPT end date. This prevents offers collapsing at the last stage because the employer didn't plan around your authorization window.
Emphasize hands-on technical credentials in applications
Certifications like OSHA 10, PLC programming, or hydraulics training signal job-readiness to industrial employers. Listing these prominently reduces employer hesitation about sponsoring an OPT candidate, because they see concrete technical competency rather than a training investment risk.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship policy before accepting offers
Some manufacturers sponsor H-1B visas for maintenance technicians in specialized roles; others do not. Ask during the final interview stage, not after accepting. Knowing the employer's policy lets you plan your long-term immigration strategy before your OPT window closes.
Report employer changes to your DSO immediately
Industrial roles sometimes involve plant transfers or contractor reassignments. Any change in employer name, location, or job duties must be reported to your DSO within ten days. Failing to update your SEVIS record puts your OPT authorization at risk.
Industrial Maintenance Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Industrial Maintenance Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree field, not the job title. If you graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or industrial engineering technology, your CIP code likely qualifies. Confirm with your DSO before applying for the extension. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree field for the extension to be valid.
How do I find Industrial Maintenance Technician employers who accept OPT workers?
Migrate Mate is the best starting point. It filters jobs specifically for F-1 OPT students, so you're only seeing roles from employers open to work authorization. Searching general job boards wastes time on listings where OPT status eliminates you early in screening. Migrate Mate surfaces roles in manufacturing, food processing, and industrial facilities that actively hire OPT candidates.
Does working as an Industrial Maintenance Technician on OPT satisfy the employment requirement?
Yes. Industrial maintenance is direct, full-time, hands-on employment that satisfies OPT's work requirement, provided the role is related to your degree field. Roles involving PLC systems, mechanical repair, or electrical troubleshooting typically align well with engineering and engineering technology degrees. Keep documentation from your employer confirming your job title, hours worked, and start date in case USCIS requests verification.
Can I work for a staffing agency as an Industrial Maintenance Technician on OPT?
Yes, but with important caveats. You can work through a staffing agency if the agency is the employer of record and is enrolled in E-Verify. Your DSO must update your SEVIS record to reflect the staffing agency as your employer. If you move between client sites, any material change in job duties or location should be reported to your DSO promptly to stay in compliance.
What happens if my Industrial Maintenance Technician job ends before my OPT expires?
You have a 90-day unemployment buffer during the standard OPT period, reduced to 60 days total during the STEM extension. Days without employment accumulate, so finding a new qualifying role quickly matters. Update your DSO immediately when employment ends and again when you start a new position. Exceeding the unemployment limit invalidates your OPT authorization even if the expiration date hasn't passed.