OPT Manufacturing Jobs
Manufacturing jobs are a strong fit for OPT students in engineering, industrial design, and supply chain fields. Many roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this sector regularly sponsor H-1B visas, making it a practical long-term path.
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Get Access To All JobsThe Impact You'll Make
Join Danfoss in Tallahassee, Florida and play a key role in shaping how innovative hydronic solutions are manufactured. In this hands-on engineering role, you will help improve production processes, enhance product quality, and drive operational excellence across the plant. You will have a direct impact on safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement by supporting manufacturing technologies, optimizing production workflows, and helping teams successfully introduce new products and process changes. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems on the factory floor, collaborating across functions, and turning ideas into practical solutions that deliver measurable results. At Danfoss, you'll join a purpose-driven company focused on advancing sustainable solutions through innovation and engineering excellence. You will have the opportunity to work on meaningful manufacturing improvements, gain exposure to global teams and best practices, and contribute to the growth of advanced production technologies. We offer a collaborative environment where your ideas are valued, your development is supported, and your contributions have a visible impact on plant performance and customer success.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop and improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, and operating procedures to enhance quality, safety, and productivity.
- Lead manufacturing execution system (MES) implementation and optimization activities to support operational visibility and performance.
- Support new equipment installations, process validation, and production line startups to ensure successful launches and reliable operations.
- Optimize production layouts, material flow, and workstation design to improve efficiency and employee experience.
- Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, safety, and supply chain teams to troubleshoot issues, strengthen product quality, and support new product introductions.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- 2–5 years of manufacturing engineering experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems, (M.E.S)
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement principles.
- Experience with process validation, root cause analysis, and statistical process control (SPC).
- Proficiency with CAD software and Microsoft Office.
- Willingness to travel regionally and globally (10%).
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with Critical Manufacturing software.
What You'll Get from Us
- We promote from within and support your learning with mentoring, training, and access to global opportunities.
- You’ll have flexibility, autonomy, and support to do your best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Your well-being matters to us.
- We strive to create an inclusive work environment where people of all backgrounds are respected, and valued for who they are.
- You’ll receive benefits like annual bonus, paid vacation, pension plans, personal insurance, and more. These vary by country and contract, but they’re worth asking about—we think they’re pretty great.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If this role excites you, we’d love to hear from you! to start the conversation and learn more about where your career can go with us.
The Impact You'll Make
Join Danfoss in Tallahassee, Florida and play a key role in shaping how innovative hydronic solutions are manufactured. In this hands-on engineering role, you will help improve production processes, enhance product quality, and drive operational excellence across the plant. You will have a direct impact on safety, efficiency, and continuous improvement by supporting manufacturing technologies, optimizing production workflows, and helping teams successfully introduce new products and process changes. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems on the factory floor, collaborating across functions, and turning ideas into practical solutions that deliver measurable results. At Danfoss, you'll join a purpose-driven company focused on advancing sustainable solutions through innovation and engineering excellence. You will have the opportunity to work on meaningful manufacturing improvements, gain exposure to global teams and best practices, and contribute to the growth of advanced production technologies. We offer a collaborative environment where your ideas are valued, your development is supported, and your contributions have a visible impact on plant performance and customer success.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Develop and improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, and operating procedures to enhance quality, safety, and productivity.
- Lead manufacturing execution system (MES) implementation and optimization activities to support operational visibility and performance.
- Support new equipment installations, process validation, and production line startups to ensure successful launches and reliable operations.
- Optimize production layouts, material flow, and workstation design to improve efficiency and employee experience.
- Collaborate with production, quality, maintenance, safety, and supply chain teams to troubleshoot issues, strengthen product quality, and support new product introductions.
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field.
- 2–5 years of manufacturing engineering experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
- Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems, (M.E.S)
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement principles.
- Experience with process validation, root cause analysis, and statistical process control (SPC).
- Proficiency with CAD software and Microsoft Office.
- Willingness to travel regionally and globally (10%).
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with Critical Manufacturing software.
What You'll Get from Us
- We promote from within and support your learning with mentoring, training, and access to global opportunities.
- You’ll have flexibility, autonomy, and support to do your best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Your well-being matters to us.
- We strive to create an inclusive work environment where people of all backgrounds are respected, and valued for who they are.
- You’ll receive benefits like annual bonus, paid vacation, pension plans, personal insurance, and more. These vary by country and contract, but they’re worth asking about—we think they’re pretty great.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If this role excites you, we’d love to hear from you! to start the conversation and learn more about where your career can go with us.
See all 1,456+ OPT Manufacturing Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Manufacturing Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Manufacturing
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program appears on the STEM OPT designated degree program list before applying. Engineering, materials science, and industrial engineering degrees typically qualify, unlocking 24 additional months of work authorization beyond standard OPT.
Apply to manufacturers with H-1B track records
Large manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and electronics consistently file H-1B petitions. Prioritize companies with established immigration policies over smaller shops that may lack the infrastructure to sponsor visa transitions when your OPT period ends.
Highlight process improvement credentials
Certifications like Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or OSHA training differentiate your application significantly. Employers view these as proof of practical, job-ready skills, which reduces hesitation about investing in OPT sponsorship for less experienced candidates.
Address your OPT timeline early in the process
Bring up your work authorization status before the offer stage, not after. Explaining your OPT end date, STEM extension eligibility, and H-1B cap timing gives hiring managers time to align internal approvals with your immigration calendar.
Pursue co-op or internship experience strategically
Manufacturing employers heavily favor candidates with hands-on production floor experience. Using CPT or pre-completion OPT for relevant internships signals genuine industry commitment and makes employers more confident sponsoring your long-term authorization.
Understand your employer's E-Verify obligation
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm this before accepting an offer to avoid losing your extension eligibility. Most major manufacturers already participate, but smaller contract manufacturers may not.
Manufacturing OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do manufacturing jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many manufacturing roles do qualify, but it depends on your degree, not the job title. If you graduated with a STEM-designated degree such as mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or materials science, you can apply for the 24-month STEM extension regardless of what your manufacturing employer calls your position. Confirm your CIP code on the STEM designation list before applying.
How do I find manufacturing employers who are willing to sponsor OPT students?
Browse Migrate Mate to filter manufacturing job listings by OPT sponsorship availability. Large employers in automotive, semiconductor, and aerospace manufacturing are the most consistent sponsors. Smaller contract manufacturers and job shops are less likely to have established immigration processes, so evaluating company size and industry segment matters when prioritizing your applications.
Can I work on a production floor or in a plant on OPT?
Yes. OPT authorizes you to work in any role that is directly related to your field of study, including hands-on manufacturing, quality control, and plant engineering positions. Your work does not need to be office-based. The key requirement is that the role is tied to your degree field, which USCIS assesses based on job duties, not location or work environment.
What happens if my manufacturing employer cannot complete H-1B sponsorship before my OPT expires?
If you are on a STEM OPT extension and your employer files an H-1B petition before your authorization expires, you may be covered by cap-gap protection, which extends your OPT status through September 30 of that fiscal year. Planning your H-1B filing timeline with your employer well in advance, ideally 12 to 18 months before your OPT end date, is essential to avoid gaps in authorization.
Are contract or temporary manufacturing roles allowed under OPT?
OPT permits contract and temporary employment, including through staffing agencies, as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. However, for STEM OPT extensions, you must have a formal employer of record enrolled in E-Verify, and self-employment does not qualify. Staffing arrangements can work if the agency, not just the end client, is your official employer on record with USCIS.