OPT Machine Builder Jobs
Machine Builder jobs on OPT require hands-on work with assembly, mechanical systems, and precision tools, which aligns well with engineering and manufacturing degrees that qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Many employers in this field actively file H-1B visa petitions, giving you a realistic path beyond your initial OPT period.
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Reporting to the Control Room Supervisor, the builder is the ‘hands-on' implementor of the mine model within MineStar Command for Hauling. The builder also provides effective support to mine controllers and pit technicians.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the autonomous fleet effectively and efficiently.
- Ensure the mine model is up to date and proactively manage it for new and prospective mining areas.
- Maximize equipment productivity and efficiency in accordance to the 24 hour mine and maintenance plan.
- Maintain the integrity of the mine model by ensuring virtual road network replicates the physical road network.
- Provide a high-level review of the operation of the system, visibility of user interaction, stakeholder visibility, and the data captured by the system.
- Quality assurance of the material file import and export process.
- Investigate causes of cycle issues.
- Maintain onboard files.
- Support the controller with system troubleshooting.
- Responsible for executing, supporting, and enforcing the Company's Environmental, Health and Safety program as required by OIS policy, directives, and principles.
Job Requirements:
Health and Safety Responsibilities:
- Set the workplace health and safety culture within control operations.
- Comply and adhere with all company policies, regulations, and procedures.
- Report autonomous related incidents as soon as practicable.
- Participate in safety enquiries, safety meetings, and site safety programs as and when required.
- Participate in workplace inspections as required.
Operations Management:
- Primarily responsible for ensuring the mine model accurately reflects mine operations reality.
- Ensure all dynamic areas are ready and available for use.
- Accurate completion of documentation and data entry where necessary.
- Troubleshoot assignment, onboard, communications issues, and escalate issues that cannot be resolved.
- Monitor operations/processes and system performance to ensure key performance indicators are met.
Training and Assistance:
- Undertake training as required to gain new skills.
- Provide training and coaching where required to other personnel.
Performance Management:
- Prioritize work to meet shift objectives.
- Follow specific operating procedures.
- Complete and validate shift reports, shift handover, and document all issues requiring follow-up.
Communication and Liaison:
- Prompt communication with affected parties when plans or decisions are modified.
- Ensure communication with peers, supervision, and other employees contribute to safe and harmonious working relationships.
- Follow direction of supervisor in emergency response situations.
Qualifications
- College diplomas or university degrees in a related field such as mine engineering, robotics, or autonomous systems are considered an asset.
- 3 or more years of experience in an open pit mining environment or autonomous operations environment.
- Action orientated.
- Approachable, customer focused, and able to influence others – get work done through others and able to effectively manage up.
- Negotiation skills – ability to be able to achieve target outcomes in an environment of competing priorities.
- Organizational and priority setting – able to make complex decisions and prioritize outcome.
- Experience working with fleet management systems such as MineStar, Modular or similar systems.
- Ability to work under pressure.
Additional Qualifications – Competency Requirements:
- Advanced computer literacy.
- Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Sound knowledge of open pit mining fundamentals and autonomous mining operations.
- Previous exposure to Autonomous Mining Systems is highly desirable.
- Conflict management – able to deal with difficult people or situations.
Working Conditions:
This role operates on a shift-based schedule, requiring coordination during both day and night shifts.
ASARCO LLC provides equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, or any other characteristic(s) protected by local, state, or federal law(s).
Candidates must possess a current and valid driver's license. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and pre-employment physical including a drug screen.
Job Description:
Reporting to the Control Room Supervisor, the builder is the ‘hands-on' implementor of the mine model within MineStar Command for Hauling. The builder also provides effective support to mine controllers and pit technicians.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the autonomous fleet effectively and efficiently.
- Ensure the mine model is up to date and proactively manage it for new and prospective mining areas.
- Maximize equipment productivity and efficiency in accordance to the 24 hour mine and maintenance plan.
- Maintain the integrity of the mine model by ensuring virtual road network replicates the physical road network.
- Provide a high-level review of the operation of the system, visibility of user interaction, stakeholder visibility, and the data captured by the system.
- Quality assurance of the material file import and export process.
- Investigate causes of cycle issues.
- Maintain onboard files.
- Support the controller with system troubleshooting.
- Responsible for executing, supporting, and enforcing the Company's Environmental, Health and Safety program as required by OIS policy, directives, and principles.
Job Requirements:
Health and Safety Responsibilities:
- Set the workplace health and safety culture within control operations.
- Comply and adhere with all company policies, regulations, and procedures.
- Report autonomous related incidents as soon as practicable.
- Participate in safety enquiries, safety meetings, and site safety programs as and when required.
- Participate in workplace inspections as required.
Operations Management:
- Primarily responsible for ensuring the mine model accurately reflects mine operations reality.
- Ensure all dynamic areas are ready and available for use.
- Accurate completion of documentation and data entry where necessary.
- Troubleshoot assignment, onboard, communications issues, and escalate issues that cannot be resolved.
- Monitor operations/processes and system performance to ensure key performance indicators are met.
Training and Assistance:
- Undertake training as required to gain new skills.
- Provide training and coaching where required to other personnel.
Performance Management:
- Prioritize work to meet shift objectives.
- Follow specific operating procedures.
- Complete and validate shift reports, shift handover, and document all issues requiring follow-up.
Communication and Liaison:
- Prompt communication with affected parties when plans or decisions are modified.
- Ensure communication with peers, supervision, and other employees contribute to safe and harmonious working relationships.
- Follow direction of supervisor in emergency response situations.
Qualifications
- College diplomas or university degrees in a related field such as mine engineering, robotics, or autonomous systems are considered an asset.
- 3 or more years of experience in an open pit mining environment or autonomous operations environment.
- Action orientated.
- Approachable, customer focused, and able to influence others – get work done through others and able to effectively manage up.
- Negotiation skills – ability to be able to achieve target outcomes in an environment of competing priorities.
- Organizational and priority setting – able to make complex decisions and prioritize outcome.
- Experience working with fleet management systems such as MineStar, Modular or similar systems.
- Ability to work under pressure.
Additional Qualifications – Competency Requirements:
- Advanced computer literacy.
- Excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Sound knowledge of open pit mining fundamentals and autonomous mining operations.
- Previous exposure to Autonomous Mining Systems is highly desirable.
- Conflict management – able to deal with difficult people or situations.
Working Conditions:
This role operates on a shift-based schedule, requiring coordination during both day and night shifts.
ASARCO LLC provides equal opportunity for all individuals without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, or any other characteristic(s) protected by local, state, or federal law(s).
Candidates must possess a current and valid driver's license. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful criminal background check and pre-employment physical including a drug screen.
See all 803+ OPT Machine Builder Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Machine Builder
Verify your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Machine Builder roles typically fall under manufacturing or mechanical engineering. Confirm your degree is on the DHS STEM designated degree list before applying, so you can offer employers the full 36-month OPT authorization window rather than just 12 months.
Target manufacturers with established HR infrastructure
Large-scale manufacturers and industrial equipment companies are more likely to have immigration counsel on retainer and prior H-1B visa filing experience. Smaller shops may be willing but lack the infrastructure to process OPT documentation without significant guidance from you.
Lead with your authorization period upfront
When contacting hiring managers, state clearly that you have 36 months of work authorization available through STEM OPT. Employers often assume OPT means 12 months, and correcting that assumption early removes a common reason for early rejection.
Emphasize specialized technical skills that are hard to fill
CNC operation, pneumatic system assembly, and PLC programming are skills with persistent shortages in the U.S. Framing your application around these gaps makes sponsorship feel like a practical business decision rather than a favor the employer is doing for you.
Ask about E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer
STEM OPT employers must be E-Verify participants. Confirming this before the offer stage saves you from investing time in interviews with a company that cannot legally employ you under the STEM OPT extension requirements, regardless of their hiring intent.
File your STEM OPT extension well before your initial OPT expires
USCIS recommends filing at least 90 days before your OPT end date. Machine Builder roles often involve onboarding timelines tied to production schedules, so gaps in authorization can disrupt both you and the employer at a critical project stage.
Machine Builder OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Machine Builder on OPT with a non-engineering degree?
It depends on how your degree relates to the role. USCIS requires that OPT employment be directly related to your major area of study. A degree in industrial technology, manufacturing systems, or mechatronics would clearly qualify. A degree in an unrelated field likely would not, and misrepresenting the connection can jeopardize your status.
Do Machine Builder employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, though it varies by employer size and hiring volume. Large industrial manufacturers, automation companies, and equipment OEMs with recurring technical hiring needs are the most consistent H-1B sponsors in this field. Smaller machine shops may sponsor in exceptional cases but rarely do so regularly. Migrate Mate is a good place to find Machine Builder roles specifically from employers open to visa sponsorship.
Does Machine Builder work qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It can, provided your underlying degree is on the DHS STEM designated degree list and the role is directly related to that field of study. Mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, and industrial engineering degrees would typically support a STEM OPT extension for this role. Your DSO at your university must authorize the extension before USCIS approves it.
What does the employer training plan requirement mean for STEM OPT in this role?
Under STEM OPT, your employer must complete Form I-983, which documents the training objectives, supervision structure, and how the work develops your STEM skills. For Machine Builder roles, this typically means outlining how you're developing competencies in areas like precision assembly, systems integration, or quality control. Your employer must also evaluate your progress every six months.
Can I work at multiple job sites or on contract assignments as a Machine Builder on OPT?
OPT requires that employment be with a qualifying employer, not through informal arrangements. Contract or third-party placement can be permitted, but only if the training plan and supervisory relationship requirements are met, which is complex under STEM OPT. Working across multiple sites is common in this industry, but each arrangement needs to stay within the structure your DSO and USCIS have authorized.