Manufacturing Technician Jobs for OPT Students
Manufacturing Technician roles are strong OPT matches because they fall under STEM-designated engineering and applied sciences fields, making you eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Most positions require hands-on technical skills and a degree in mechanical, industrial, or electrical engineering, or a closely related discipline.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
- Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance
- Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards
- Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery)
- Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
- Standing for full shift
Job Description
Shift:
First Shift Monday - Friday
Hours: 4:50am-1:20pm
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
Location/Division Specific Information:
The Marietta Oh. Manufacturing site is a part of the Laboratory Equipment Division within Thermo Fisher Scientific. Our laboratory equipment products are used primarily by pharmaceutical companies for drug discovery and development and by biotechnology companies and universities for life science research to advance the prevention and cure of diseases and enhance quality of life. Our offerings consist of equipment, accessories, and services for sample preparation, storage and protection, and analysis.
How Will You Make an Impact?
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life—enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.
The Senior Manufacturing Technician – Return & Repair is responsible for performing advanced troubleshooting, repair, and testing of returned products to ensure compliance with quality standards and customer expectations. This role supports root cause investigations, drives continuous improvement, and ensures timely processing of customer returns within a regulated manufacturing environment.
A Day in the Life:
- Perform complex diagnostics, repair, rework, and functional testing on returned instruments, components, and assemblies
- Analyze product failures and support root cause investigations, documenting findings in accordance with quality system requirements
- Ensure all activities are performed in compliance with SOPs, GMP, ISO, and FDA regulations (as applicable)
- Accurately document repair activities, test results, and product disposition in ERP/MES systems
- Partner with Quality and Engineering to support nonconformance investigations, CAPA activities, and continuous improvement efforts
- Identify failure trends and recommend improvements to product design, manufacturing processes, and serviceability
- Serve as a technical resource and mentor to junior technicians
- Support initiatives to improve turnaround time, first-pass yield, and operational efficiency
- Maintain a safe and compliant work environment, including adherence to EHS and ESD requirements
Education:
High School Diploma OR GED Required
Experience:
- Required: Minimum of 2 years of work experience in a manufacturing, operations, production, lab setting or related field
- Experience in a regulated industry (medical device, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, or similar) preferred
- Familiarity with ERP/MES systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) preferred
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (e.g., Green Belt) preferred
- Experience supporting CAPA, NCR, and failure analysis processes preferred
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to read and interpret schematics and technical documentation
- Proficiency with diagnostic tools and test equipment
- Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy
- Effective communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment
What We Offer:
Compensation
- Competitive Pay
- Performance Related Bonus where eligible
- Annual merit performance-based increase
Excellent Benefits
- Medical benefits
- Paid Time Off/Annual Leave
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Career Advancement Opportunities
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
- Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance
- Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards
- Loud Noises (Equipment/Machinery)
- Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
- Standing for full shift
Job Description
Shift:
First Shift Monday - Friday
Hours: 4:50am-1:20pm
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
Location/Division Specific Information:
The Marietta Oh. Manufacturing site is a part of the Laboratory Equipment Division within Thermo Fisher Scientific. Our laboratory equipment products are used primarily by pharmaceutical companies for drug discovery and development and by biotechnology companies and universities for life science research to advance the prevention and cure of diseases and enhance quality of life. Our offerings consist of equipment, accessories, and services for sample preparation, storage and protection, and analysis.
How Will You Make an Impact?
At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life—enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer.
The Senior Manufacturing Technician – Return & Repair is responsible for performing advanced troubleshooting, repair, and testing of returned products to ensure compliance with quality standards and customer expectations. This role supports root cause investigations, drives continuous improvement, and ensures timely processing of customer returns within a regulated manufacturing environment.
A Day in the Life:
- Perform complex diagnostics, repair, rework, and functional testing on returned instruments, components, and assemblies
- Analyze product failures and support root cause investigations, documenting findings in accordance with quality system requirements
- Ensure all activities are performed in compliance with SOPs, GMP, ISO, and FDA regulations (as applicable)
- Accurately document repair activities, test results, and product disposition in ERP/MES systems
- Partner with Quality and Engineering to support nonconformance investigations, CAPA activities, and continuous improvement efforts
- Identify failure trends and recommend improvements to product design, manufacturing processes, and serviceability
- Serve as a technical resource and mentor to junior technicians
- Support initiatives to improve turnaround time, first-pass yield, and operational efficiency
- Maintain a safe and compliant work environment, including adherence to EHS and ESD requirements
Education:
High School Diploma OR GED Required
Experience:
- Required: Minimum of 2 years of work experience in a manufacturing, operations, production, lab setting or related field
- Experience in a regulated industry (medical device, diagnostics, pharmaceutical, or similar) preferred
- Familiarity with ERP/MES systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) preferred
- Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification (e.g., Green Belt) preferred
- Experience supporting CAPA, NCR, and failure analysis processes preferred
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to read and interpret schematics and technical documentation
- Proficiency with diagnostic tools and test equipment
- Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy
- Effective communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to prioritize and work in a fast-paced, metrics-driven environment
What We Offer:
Compensation
- Competitive Pay
- Performance Related Bonus where eligible
- Annual merit performance-based increase
Excellent Benefits
- Medical benefits
- Paid Time Off/Annual Leave
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Career Advancement Opportunities
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Manufacturing Technician
Lead with your technical certifications
Certifications like OSHA 10, Six Sigma Yellow Belt, or SolidWorks training signal job-readiness to hiring managers. List them prominently on your resume. Many manufacturers prioritize certified candidates over those without, especially when evaluating OPT applicants.
Confirm your role is STEM OPT eligible
Manufacturing Technician positions typically qualify for the 24-month STEM extension if your degree is in an eligible field. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before accepting any offer to avoid surprises at the extension stage.
Target E-Verify enrolled employers
The STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Ask about E-Verify enrollment early in the process, before the offer stage. Most mid-size and large manufacturers are already enrolled, making them natural targets.
Apply before your OPT start date
Start applying at least three to four months before graduation. Manufacturing roles often have multi-stage hiring processes including skills assessments and facility tours. Early applications give you time to complete those steps without racing against your OPT clock.
Quantify your lab and production experience
Manufacturers want to see measurable output, not just task lists. Include specific metrics from internships or coursework: defect rates reduced, throughput improved, equipment calibrated. Concrete numbers make your OPT application stand out against candidates with similar degrees.
Address your work authorization clearly in applications
State your OPT status and authorization end date directly in your cover letter or application. Transparency reduces friction for hiring teams unfamiliar with OPT. Pair it with a brief note that STEM extension adds 24 months if the role qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Manufacturing Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Manufacturing Technician roles generally qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in an eligible STEM field such as mechanical, industrial, electrical, or manufacturing engineering. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your Designated School Official before accepting an offer, since eligibility is tied to the degree, not just the job title.
How do I find Manufacturing Technician employers who accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists manufacturing jobs from employers familiar with OPT and F-1 work authorization, so you can filter opportunities without having to manually screen for sponsorship willingness. Beyond the job board, target mid-size to large manufacturers in aerospace, automotive, semiconductor, and medical device sectors. These industries regularly hire OPT candidates and are almost universally enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for the STEM extension.
Does my employer need to do anything special to hire me on OPT?
For standard OPT, your employer does not need to file any petition or pay any fees. You work on the strength of your EAD card. For the STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and must sign a formal training plan with your school. The process is employer-friendly compared to H-1B sponsorship, which requires a government filing and lottery selection.
What happens if my OPT expires before I secure H-1B sponsorship?
If you exhaust both standard OPT and the STEM extension without H-1B selection, you will need to stop working. The most common backup options are returning to school for another degree to restart OPT eligibility, switching to a different visa status, or exploring employer-sponsored visas outside the H-1B cap. Planning well in advance of your OPT end date gives you time to evaluate alternatives without a gap in status.
Can I work for multiple employers or on a contract basis during OPT?
Yes, OPT allows multiple concurrent employers as long as each position is directly related to your degree and you work at least 20 hours per week in total. Contract and staffing agency placements are permitted, but for STEM OPT the actual worksite employer, not the staffing agency, must be E-Verify enrolled and must sign your training plan. Always confirm this arrangement with your DSO before starting.
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