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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Job Overview
Own, develop, and continuously improve large assembly processes for heavy equipment at CMO. The Manufacturing Engineer translates product and production requirements into safe, repeatable, quality-controlled assembly methods; establishes standard work and labor standards; balances work across stations; and implements the tooling, equipment, layouts, and digital controls needed to achieve production targets. The role provides hands-on technical support to Operations and leads process readiness for engineering changes, new models, and capacity changes.
Key Job Responsibilities
-
Develop, validate, release and maintain assembly process sheets, standard work, visual instructions, drawings, specifications, and change documentation. Ensure the defined process accurately reflects the product design, bill of material, assembly sequence, quality controls, tooling, and safety requirements.
-
Conduct direct observations, time studies, work sampling, and cycle-time analysis. Establish labor standards; evaluate takt time, station loading, staffing, process flow, and man-machine utilization; and create balanced work plans that support production volume and delivery requirements.
-
Provide shop-floor technical support for assembly for assembly issues, defects, downtime, and nonstandard work. Lead structure root-cause analysis and corrective actions, verify results with data, and update process controls and documentation to prevent recurrence.
-
Plan and execute assembly readiness for new products, model introductions, design changes, and production trials. Identify process risks, confirm station capability, coordinate build support, close readiness gaps, and ensure lessons learned are incorporated before production release.
-
Specify, design, source, test, and improve assembly fixtures, lifting devices, torque-controlled tools, error-proofing, operator-assist equipment, and material presentation. Apply ergonomic and safety principles to reduce risk and improve repeatability.
-
Develop requirements and business justification for assembly equipment, facilities, and technology. Coordinate suppliers, purchasing, installation, commissioning, acceptance, training, and turnover while managing scope, schedule, cost, safety, and production impact.
-
Lead improvement activities that reduce labor hours, defects, rework, downtime, material waste, and operating cost. Define the baseline, quantify expected benefits, implement countermeasures, and confirm sustained results.
-
Communicate process requirements and technical information across functions and with global Komatsu operations. Train and support production associates, supervisors, and technical personnel on new or revised assembly processes.
Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
One to three years of manufacturing engineering or related production-support experience is required. Direct experience supporting large, complex, low-volume or mixed-model assembly operations is strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of assembly sequencing, standard work, time study, line balancing, takt and cycle time, labor planning, capacity analysis, workstation design, tooling, torque applications, error-proofing, and ergonomic risk reduction.
Ability to analyze defects, process variation, downtime, and productivity losses using structured root-cause and corrective-action methods. Experience with PFMEA, control plans, layered process reviews, or comparable process-control methods is preferred.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, product specifications, bills of materials, and engineering changes and convert them into clear manufacturing processes and work instructions.
Ability to develop or review layouts, workstation concepts, and tooling drawings using CAD or equivalent tools. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis is required. Experience with ERP systems such as SAP is a plus. 3D product data, Power BI, Power Apps, databases, scripting, or other digital manufacturing tools is a plus.
Ability to define requirements, justify investments, evaluate proposals, coordinate vendors, manage implementation schedules, and verify equipment or process acceptance.
Ability to work effectively with management, engineering, production associates, skilled trades, support functions, suppliers, and global partners. Must communicate technical information clearly, spend significant time on the production floor, manage changing priorities, and drive actions to closure.
Additional Information
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Work is performed in office and active manufacturing environments and requires regular presence on the assembly floor, use of required personal protective equipment, and compliance with plant safety rules.
The role may require standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and manipulating light to medium weights of 1 to 40 pounds.
Hand-eye coordination, dexterity, visual acuity, and the ability to communicate in a production environment are required.
Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required for production support, installations, trials, or critical process issues.
Travel may be required for supplier visits, equipment acceptance, training, or coordination with other Komatsu locations. Specific travel expectations and any required certifications will be established based on assigned responsibilities.
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
At Komatsu we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of the communities we work and live in. We believe that our people are part of our shared purpose. We are authentic, ambitious, and innovative in our pursuit of Diversity & Inclusion. United, we are on a journey towards a sustainable future that creates value together.
Company Information
Komatsu is a world leader in manufacturing construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment. Founded in 1921, Komatsu has a long history of quality, reliability, innovation, and excellence. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu facilities, distributors and dealers are in more than 140 countries and employ more than 60,000 people. Komatsu offers a diverse and challenging work environment, where you can grow your skills and career, and contribute to a sustainable, clean-energy future. If you are looking for a company that values your talent and potential, be a part of something big and join a team that is shaping the world!
Join Komatsu and Be Part of Something Big!
Job Overview
Own, develop, and continuously improve large assembly processes for heavy equipment at CMO. The Manufacturing Engineer translates product and production requirements into safe, repeatable, quality-controlled assembly methods; establishes standard work and labor standards; balances work across stations; and implements the tooling, equipment, layouts, and digital controls needed to achieve production targets. The role provides hands-on technical support to Operations and leads process readiness for engineering changes, new models, and capacity changes.
Key Job Responsibilities
-
Develop, validate, release and maintain assembly process sheets, standard work, visual instructions, drawings, specifications, and change documentation. Ensure the defined process accurately reflects the product design, bill of material, assembly sequence, quality controls, tooling, and safety requirements.
-
Conduct direct observations, time studies, work sampling, and cycle-time analysis. Establish labor standards; evaluate takt time, station loading, staffing, process flow, and man-machine utilization; and create balanced work plans that support production volume and delivery requirements.
-
Provide shop-floor technical support for assembly for assembly issues, defects, downtime, and nonstandard work. Lead structure root-cause analysis and corrective actions, verify results with data, and update process controls and documentation to prevent recurrence.
-
Plan and execute assembly readiness for new products, model introductions, design changes, and production trials. Identify process risks, confirm station capability, coordinate build support, close readiness gaps, and ensure lessons learned are incorporated before production release.
-
Specify, design, source, test, and improve assembly fixtures, lifting devices, torque-controlled tools, error-proofing, operator-assist equipment, and material presentation. Apply ergonomic and safety principles to reduce risk and improve repeatability.
-
Develop requirements and business justification for assembly equipment, facilities, and technology. Coordinate suppliers, purchasing, installation, commissioning, acceptance, training, and turnover while managing scope, schedule, cost, safety, and production impact.
-
Lead improvement activities that reduce labor hours, defects, rework, downtime, material waste, and operating cost. Define the baseline, quantify expected benefits, implement countermeasures, and confirm sustained results.
-
Communicate process requirements and technical information across functions and with global Komatsu operations. Train and support production associates, supervisors, and technical personnel on new or revised assembly processes.
Qualifications/Requirements
Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
One to three years of manufacturing engineering or related production-support experience is required. Direct experience supporting large, complex, low-volume or mixed-model assembly operations is strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of assembly sequencing, standard work, time study, line balancing, takt and cycle time, labor planning, capacity analysis, workstation design, tooling, torque applications, error-proofing, and ergonomic risk reduction.
Ability to analyze defects, process variation, downtime, and productivity losses using structured root-cause and corrective-action methods. Experience with PFMEA, control plans, layered process reviews, or comparable process-control methods is preferred.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, product specifications, bills of materials, and engineering changes and convert them into clear manufacturing processes and work instructions.
Ability to develop or review layouts, workstation concepts, and tooling drawings using CAD or equivalent tools. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data analysis is required. Experience with ERP systems such as SAP is a plus. 3D product data, Power BI, Power Apps, databases, scripting, or other digital manufacturing tools is a plus.
Ability to define requirements, justify investments, evaluate proposals, coordinate vendors, manage implementation schedules, and verify equipment or process acceptance.
Ability to work effectively with management, engineering, production associates, skilled trades, support functions, suppliers, and global partners. Must communicate technical information clearly, spend significant time on the production floor, manage changing priorities, and drive actions to closure.
Additional Information
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
Work is performed in office and active manufacturing environments and requires regular presence on the assembly floor, use of required personal protective equipment, and compliance with plant safety rules.
The role may require standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and manipulating light to medium weights of 1 to 40 pounds.
Hand-eye coordination, dexterity, visual acuity, and the ability to communicate in a production environment are required.
Occasional work outside normal business hours may be required for production support, installations, trials, or critical process issues.
Travel may be required for supplier visits, equipment acceptance, training, or coordination with other Komatsu locations. Specific travel expectations and any required certifications will be established based on assigned responsibilities.
Diversity & Inclusion Commitment
At Komatsu we come from diverse backgrounds, with unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions. We are committed to creating a workforce that is reflective of the communities we work and live in. We believe that our people are part of our shared purpose. We are authentic, ambitious, and innovative in our pursuit of Diversity & Inclusion. United, we are on a journey towards a sustainable future that creates value together.
Company Information
Komatsu is a world leader in manufacturing construction, mining, forestry, and industrial heavy equipment. Founded in 1921, Komatsu has a long history of quality, reliability, innovation, and excellence. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Komatsu facilities, distributors and dealers are in more than 140 countries and employ more than 60,000 people. Komatsu offers a diverse and challenging work environment, where you can grow your skills and career, and contribute to a sustainable, clean-energy future. If you are looking for a company that values your talent and potential, be a part of something big and join a team that is shaping the world!
See all 1,481+ 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.