Operations Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
Operations Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in business, supply chain, industrial engineering, or management. Most positions qualify as STEM-adjacent or directly STEM-eligible, giving you up to 36 months of OPT work authorization if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT UNIT
Unit is a market leader in embedded finance. We offer ready-to-launch financial services - like banking and capital - and serve millions of end-users across ~100 customers, including Wix, Honeybook, Relay, and more.
We’re repeat founders with technical backgrounds, working hard to build a successful company that we’re proud to work at. Our product moves $40b+ annually and processes 12m+ API calls daily. We’ve raised $160m+ from top investors including Insight, Accel, and 60+ angels.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Run the day-to-day operations of card programs for our customers, including issuing and activating cards, handling replacements, and ensuring cards are delivered correctly.
- Serve as the first line of support when something goes wrong: investigate card issues reported by customers or partners, coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders, and drive issues through resolution.
- Monitor card program performance, identify unusual trends or recurring issues, and escalate and resolve problems before they impact customers.
- Work closely with banks, card networks, processors, and internal engineering teams to support new launches, testing, and ongoing program changes.
- Help test new card features and integrations by following operational checklists, reproducing issues, and confirming that fixes work as expected.
- Maintain accurate records, documentation, and operational workflows to ensure processes are completed correctly and on time.
REQUIREMENTS
- 3–5 years of experience in operations, payments, fintech, or high-volume customer support (technical or operational).
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through — you take ownership and ensure tasks get completed.
- Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills, with comfort working across partners, customers, and internal teams.
- Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment, manage multiple requests at once, and escalate issues when needed.
- Team-oriented mindset with curiosity and a willingness to learn across operations, product, compliance, and engineering.
- Customer-focused and reliability-minded — you care deeply about systems working correctly and clients having a great experience.
NICE TO HAVES
- Exposure to card payments or card networks (e.g., Visa, Mastercard), including concepts like BINs, tokenization, or PCI.
- Experience using ticketing systems or operational tools (e.g., Zendesk, Jira, Salesforce).
- Prior work with issuing platforms, processors, or banking partners.
- Familiarity with disputes, chargebacks, or basic fraud monitoring concepts.
LIFE AT UNIT
Working at Unit means joining a global team on a mission to create a more equitable financial ecosystem. We’re a fast-growing team of individuals who are passionate about their work, see the big picture and always seek to empower our clients and their end-customers.
ABOUT UNIT
Unit is a market leader in embedded finance. We offer ready-to-launch financial services - like banking and capital - and serve millions of end-users across ~100 customers, including Wix, Honeybook, Relay, and more.
We’re repeat founders with technical backgrounds, working hard to build a successful company that we’re proud to work at. Our product moves $40b+ annually and processes 12m+ API calls daily. We’ve raised $160m+ from top investors including Insight, Accel, and 60+ angels.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Run the day-to-day operations of card programs for our customers, including issuing and activating cards, handling replacements, and ensuring cards are delivered correctly.
- Serve as the first line of support when something goes wrong: investigate card issues reported by customers or partners, coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders, and drive issues through resolution.
- Monitor card program performance, identify unusual trends or recurring issues, and escalate and resolve problems before they impact customers.
- Work closely with banks, card networks, processors, and internal engineering teams to support new launches, testing, and ongoing program changes.
- Help test new card features and integrations by following operational checklists, reproducing issues, and confirming that fixes work as expected.
- Maintain accurate records, documentation, and operational workflows to ensure processes are completed correctly and on time.
REQUIREMENTS
- 3–5 years of experience in operations, payments, fintech, or high-volume customer support (technical or operational).
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through — you take ownership and ensure tasks get completed.
- Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills, with comfort working across partners, customers, and internal teams.
- Ability to operate in a fast-moving environment, manage multiple requests at once, and escalate issues when needed.
- Team-oriented mindset with curiosity and a willingness to learn across operations, product, compliance, and engineering.
- Customer-focused and reliability-minded — you care deeply about systems working correctly and clients having a great experience.
NICE TO HAVES
- Exposure to card payments or card networks (e.g., Visa, Mastercard), including concepts like BINs, tokenization, or PCI.
- Experience using ticketing systems or operational tools (e.g., Zendesk, Jira, Salesforce).
- Prior work with issuing platforms, processors, or banking partners.
- Familiarity with disputes, chargebacks, or basic fraud monitoring concepts.
LIFE AT UNIT
Working at Unit means joining a global team on a mission to create a more equitable financial ecosystem. We’re a fast-growing team of individuals who are passionate about their work, see the big picture and always seek to empower our clients and their end-customers.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Operations Specialist
Target companies with established OPT workflows
Large logistics firms, consulting agencies, and healthcare systems hire Operations Specialists regularly and often have HR teams familiar with OPT paperwork. Smaller companies may be open but require more education on your work authorization timeline.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility upfront
If your degree is in industrial engineering, information systems, or supply chain management, you likely qualify for 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can communicate eligibility accurately to employers.
Emphasize process improvement credentials
Lean Six Sigma certification, ERP system experience, or data analytics skills make your profile significantly stronger for operations roles. Employers hiring at the OPT stage often value demonstrated efficiency outcomes over raw tenure in the field.
Apply before your OPT start date when possible
You can begin interviewing and receive offers before your OPT authorization begins. Starting your job search 60 to 90 days before your EAD start date gives employers time to run their hiring process without feeling rushed by your authorization window.
Understand your 90-day unemployment limit
OPT students cannot accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during the standard OPT period. Starting your search early and tracking any gaps between roles protects your F-1 status and keeps your options open for STEM extension.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Operations Specialist jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, operations research, information systems, or supply chain management, you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Your DSO can confirm whether your CIP code qualifies before you commit to a role.
How do I find Operations Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT students, so you're not sifting through postings from employers unwilling to work with international candidates. Searching there surfaces Operations Specialist roles from companies that have already indicated openness to OPT work authorization, which saves significant time early in your search.
What documents do I need to show an employer as an OPT student?
You'll present your Employment Authorization Document, your F-1 visa, your passport, and your I-20 with an OPT recommendation from your DSO. For I-9 verification, your EAD alone satisfies both identity and work authorization. Keep digital copies accessible since recruiters sometimes ask for confirmation before extending an offer.
Can I switch from one Operations Specialist role to another while on OPT?
Yes, but the new role must remain within the same field of study that your OPT authorization covers. You must also report the job change to your DSO within 10 days in the SEVP portal. If you're on STEM OPT extension, additionally notify your DSO and ensure the new employer submits a Form I-983 training plan.
What happens to my OPT if an operations contract role ends early?
The 90-day unemployment clock resumes. If you've already used some of your unemployment days, the remaining days continue counting down. You should notify your DSO immediately and begin a new search. Contract and project-based operations work carries real timeline risk for OPT students, so understanding your remaining days before accepting short-term positions matters.
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