OPT Manufacturing Laborer Jobs
Manufacturing Laborer jobs on OPT are available across production lines, assembly, quality control, and warehousing operations. Most roles fall under STEM-adjacent classifications that support 12-month OPT, and employers in automotive, electronics, and food processing regularly hire without requiring H-1B visa sponsorship from day one.
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Company Description
Harsco Environmental is the premier provider of material processing and environmental services to the global steel and metals industries. Our onsite mill services and resource recovery services offer sustainable solutions that maximize environmental benefit and return valuable raw material into production. We also have developed a range of by-products for specialized applications across industry, construction and agriculture, which utilize Harsco’s expertise in mineral materials.
Job Description
If you are looking for a career with opportunities for advancement, believe in the importance of safety and are willing to perform various laborer duties across the site in support of our customer, this may be the right opportunity for you. Duties include activities such as shoveling, pressure washing large off-road equipment, operating off road mobile equipment such as a rock truck, skid steer, cutting scrap metal with a torch, or performing lube technician as well as other duties in the maintenance shop.
The position may work rotating shifts, any days of the week or weekends, and includes working on holidays.
Salary
$21.23 per hour
Must be able to work in inclement weather in a steel mill type of environment.
Must have a valid driver's license and be able to pass a drug/alcohol screen and background screen.
Qualifications
- Ability to lift 50 pounds
- Ability to work a minimum 40 hour workweek
- Ability to operate hand torch, drive off road type trucks, operate professional level pressure washer, and perform duties as a mechanics helper
- Ability to wear all required PPE and follow safety instructions
- Ability to maintain your work schedule and work all shifts or days of the week, weekends and holidays
- Ability to pass drug and alcohol screen and background screen
Additional Information
We offer competitive benefits, including health, prescription, dental and vision insurance options, group term life, AD & D, short term disability, as well as a 401k with company matching plus many optional benefits for employees and dependents.
Harsco Environmental is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Disclaimer: This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Manufacturing Laborer
Know your OPT authorization dates cold
Manufacturing employers move fast from interview to offer. Have your EAD card, OPT start and end dates, and STEM extension eligibility ready to share. Delays in providing work authorization documentation can cost you the position.
Target E-Verify enrolled manufacturers
F-1 OPT students must work for E-Verify enrolled employers to qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting any offer. Most large manufacturers in automotive, electronics, and aerospace are already enrolled.
Tie your degree to the production role
STEM OPT requires that your job directly relates to your degree. Frame your application around how engineering, supply chain, or materials science coursework applies to quality control, process improvement, or equipment operation in the specific facility.
Apply to employers with existing OPT infrastructure
Manufacturers who have hired OPT workers before understand the process and are far less likely to rescind offers due to paperwork confusion. Ask recruiters directly whether they have experience with OPT or F-1 work authorization during screening calls.
Account for your OPT timeline in job searches
Manufacturing roles often have multi-week onboarding and background check processes. Start applying at least 90 days before your program end date so your EAD is active and you can start without gaps that disrupt the employer's production schedule.
Understand the 90-day unemployment rule
OPT students cannot exceed 90 days of cumulative unemployment, or 150 days on STEM extension. Manufacturing offers predictable full-time hours, which protects your status. Avoid part-time arrangements that may not satisfy your authorized period of stay.
Manufacturing Laborer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Manufacturing Laborer jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not just the job title. If you hold a STEM-designated degree and your Manufacturing Laborer role involves applying that knowledge directly, such as process analysis, equipment operation tied to engineering principles, or quality assurance, it can qualify. Your DSO makes the final determination based on the job description you submit with your STEM OPT application.
How do I find Manufacturing Laborer employers who accept OPT work authorization?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT-eligible students, so you can browse Manufacturing Laborer roles posted by employers already familiar with F-1 work authorization. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering visa barriers late in the process. Focus on large manufacturers in automotive, electronics, and food processing, where OPT hires are most common.
Can I work as a Manufacturing Laborer on OPT if my degree is not in engineering?
Yes, for standard 12-month OPT. Any F-1 student who has completed a degree program can work in a Manufacturing Laborer role during their initial OPT period regardless of major, as long as the job is related to their field of study. However, the 24-month STEM extension requires both a STEM-designated degree and a direct connection between your coursework and your specific job duties.
What documents does a manufacturing employer need from me before I start?
You'll need to present your EAD card, valid passport, F-1 visa stamp, and most recent I-20 showing your OPT authorization. Employers complete Form I-9 using these documents and confirm your authorization through E-Verify. Some manufacturers also require a copy of your SEVIS record or DSO contact information for their HR compliance files.
Does working Manufacturing Laborer shifts on OPT count toward full-time employment for my immigration record?
Yes, provided you work at least 20 hours per week, which USCIS considers full-time for OPT purposes. Most Manufacturing Laborer positions are full-time at 40 hours per week, which comfortably satisfies this requirement and keeps your unemployment days at zero. Keep pay stubs and shift records as evidence of continuous authorized employment during your OPT period.