OPT Manufacturing Engineer Jobs
Manufacturing Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT positions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in automotive, aerospace, medical devices, and electronics regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB DESCRIPTION
NPI Manufacturing Engineer
NPI ME’s focus on interfacing with Eng and ensure new design launch are efficient. Develops, implements and maintains methods, operation sequence and processes in the manufacture or fabrication of parts, components, sub‑assemblies and final assemblies. Interfaces with design engineering in coordinating the release of new products. Estimates manufacturing cost, determines time standards, and makes recommendations for tooling and process requirements of new or existing product lines. Maintains records and reporting systems for coordination of manufacturing operations.
Education/Experience:
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical or industrial engineering with 3-5 years of professional experience.
Job Details:
- Work with the design team to ensure manufacturing DFM/DFX’s are complete with a focus on Axcelis-specific Manufacturing processes for all projects following the Design Review process.
- Attend design reviews.
- Provide manufacturing and assembly insight at all steps from concept generation to production release. Push for use of error proof design. Ensure common specs are embedded into new designs.
- Support First Article builds for new designs.
- Develop preliminary work instructions and assembly process flows for newly released assemblies.
- Perform PFMEA for PCI and critical assemblies.
- Develop Control Plans as required.
- Review the original drawings prior to release for functional comprehension in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimize new parts release on new design. Maximize commonalities and emphasize the use of existing parts.
- Propose structural improvements to ensure the modularity of designs and correct Cell responsibilities.
- Ensure DFA principles are followed by assessing assembly operations broken into smaller tasks. The criteria for evaluation include shape, orientation, alignment, insertion direction, fastening processes, etc.
- Collaborate with Test Development to ensure that testing requirements for new designs are defined and communicated, and aid in the development of test fixturing as appropriate.
- Develop preliminary designs for build fixtures to aid in assembly on the floor.
- Review CT/CN’s for correct dispositions, BOM structuring, sufficient documentation and routing.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.
U.S. BASE SALARY RANGE
$79,447.21 - $119,170.81
This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.
Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as you develop within the role.
Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits package (for regular employees working 20+ hours a week).
JOB DESCRIPTION
NPI Manufacturing Engineer
NPI ME’s focus on interfacing with Eng and ensure new design launch are efficient. Develops, implements and maintains methods, operation sequence and processes in the manufacture or fabrication of parts, components, sub‑assemblies and final assemblies. Interfaces with design engineering in coordinating the release of new products. Estimates manufacturing cost, determines time standards, and makes recommendations for tooling and process requirements of new or existing product lines. Maintains records and reporting systems for coordination of manufacturing operations.
Education/Experience:
Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical/electrical or industrial engineering with 3-5 years of professional experience.
Job Details:
- Work with the design team to ensure manufacturing DFM/DFX’s are complete with a focus on Axcelis-specific Manufacturing processes for all projects following the Design Review process.
- Attend design reviews.
- Provide manufacturing and assembly insight at all steps from concept generation to production release. Push for use of error proof design. Ensure common specs are embedded into new designs.
- Support First Article builds for new designs.
- Develop preliminary work instructions and assembly process flows for newly released assemblies.
- Perform PFMEA for PCI and critical assemblies.
- Develop Control Plans as required.
- Review the original drawings prior to release for functional comprehension in a manufacturing environment.
- Minimize new parts release on new design. Maximize commonalities and emphasize the use of existing parts.
- Propose structural improvements to ensure the modularity of designs and correct Cell responsibilities.
- Ensure DFA principles are followed by assessing assembly operations broken into smaller tasks. The criteria for evaluation include shape, orientation, alignment, insertion direction, fastening processes, etc.
- Collaborate with Test Development to ensure that testing requirements for new designs are defined and communicated, and aid in the development of test fixturing as appropriate.
- Develop preliminary designs for build fixtures to aid in assembly on the floor.
- Review CT/CN’s for correct dispositions, BOM structuring, sufficient documentation and routing.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.
U.S. BASE SALARY RANGE
$79,447.21 - $119,170.81
This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.
Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as you develop within the role.
Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits package (for regular employees working 20+ hours a week).
See all 5,619+ OPT Manufacturing Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Manufacturing Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program appears on the STEM OPT designated degree program list before applying. Manufacturing and industrial engineering degrees almost always qualify, unlocking 24 additional months beyond your initial 12-month OPT period.
Focus on industries with strong sponsorship track records
Automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, and medical device manufacturers file H-1B petitions for manufacturing engineers at high rates. Targeting employers in these sectors gives you the best odds of converting OPT into long-term work authorization.
Highlight process improvement credentials
Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, and CAD proficiency signal immediate value to hiring managers. Employers who see a clear return on sponsorship investment are more likely to commit. Certifications also differentiate you from candidates without OPT constraints.
Apply to manufacturers with existing H-1B history
Companies that have sponsored manufacturing engineers before understand the process and are far less likely to walk away when sponsorship comes up. Search employer LCA disclosure data through the Department of Labor to verify past filings before you apply.
Start your job search early
Manufacturing Engineer roles often involve security clearances, background checks, or onboarding timelines that extend beyond 60 days. Starting your search three to four months before OPT begins gives you enough runway to clear those hurdles without a gap.
Be upfront about your OPT timeline in interviews
Telling employers your exact OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility removes ambiguity and builds trust. Most manufacturing employers who sponsor visas appreciate candidates who understand their own authorization window and can plan around it clearly.
Manufacturing Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Manufacturing Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in nearly all cases. Manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, and industrial engineering are all STEM-designated fields under DHS guidelines. That means if your degree is in one of those programs, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of your initial 12 months, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization.
How do I find Manufacturing Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT on Migrate Mate?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-eligible candidates, so every role you see is posted by an employer open to candidates with F-1 work authorization. You can browse Manufacturing Engineer roles directly and filter by industry, location, and visa sponsorship type without wading through listings from employers who won't consider OPT students.
Will my manufacturing engineering degree satisfy the specialty occupation requirement for H-1B sponsorship?
Manufacturing Engineer is one of the more straightforward H-1B specialty occupations because the role has a well-established connection to a specific degree field. USCIS generally accepts mechanical, manufacturing, or industrial engineering degrees as qualifying. Roles that involve design, process optimization, or quality systems are the clearest cases. Roles that are primarily supervisory with limited technical scope can face more scrutiny.
Are there industries where Manufacturing Engineer OPT sponsorship is more common?
Automotive OEMs and suppliers, aerospace and defense contractors, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and medical device manufacturers are the heaviest sponsors of manufacturing engineers. These industries operate complex production environments that genuinely require degreed engineers, which makes the specialty occupation case straightforward and gives those employers stronger incentive to sponsor long-term.
Can I work as a Manufacturing Engineer on OPT if my job involves a security clearance?
OPT itself does not prohibit you from working in roles that require security clearances, but most clearances require U.S. citizenship or permanent residence. As an F-1 student, you're unlikely to obtain a Secret or Top Secret clearance. Roles at defense contractors that list a clearance as required are generally not accessible on OPT. Clearance-preferred or clearance-eligible roles without a hard requirement are a different matter and worth discussing directly with the employer.