Pharmaceutical Jobs for OPT Students
Pharmaceutical jobs on OPT span drug development, regulatory affairs, clinical research, and quality assurance, all fields where a science or engineering degree maps directly to the specialty occupation standard. STEM OPT extensions apply broadly here, giving you up to three years of authorized work.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Purpose:
The Pharmaceutical Operator I is responsible to properly execute the Manufacturing processes and equipment Operation according to process order. The execution should be always according the Manufacturing instructions following the Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Safety (OSHA) regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for Cleaning, Set Up and Operation of all equipment related to Manufacturing process.
- Responsible for receipt, verification and usage of raw materials to be used within the process.
- Responsible to follow manufacturing order instructions, basic operating procedures process related and procedures related to safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Responsible for quality, productivity and process efficiencies under execution.
- Responsible for sampling requirements of the process.
- Responsible and knowledgeable of equipment operation such as weight scales, mixers, granulators, milling, sifters, ovens and blenders. Also, knowledge in solution preparation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or Associate Degree in Science; preferably.
- No experience required.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
ABOUT ABBVIE
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Purpose:
The Pharmaceutical Operator I is responsible to properly execute the Manufacturing processes and equipment Operation according to process order. The execution should be always according the Manufacturing instructions following the Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) and Safety (OSHA) regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for Cleaning, Set Up and Operation of all equipment related to Manufacturing process.
- Responsible for receipt, verification and usage of raw materials to be used within the process.
- Responsible to follow manufacturing order instructions, basic operating procedures process related and procedures related to safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).
- Responsible for quality, productivity and process efficiencies under execution.
- Responsible for sampling requirements of the process.
- Responsible and knowledgeable of equipment operation such as weight scales, mixers, granulators, milling, sifters, ovens and blenders. Also, knowledge in solution preparation.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or Associate Degree in Science; preferably.
- No experience required.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Pharmaceutical
Target companies with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large pharmaceutical and biotech employers like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson hire OPT students regularly. Their HR teams understand work authorization requirements, which removes friction from the hiring process and speeds up onboarding.
Confirm your role qualifies as a specialty occupation
Pharmaceutical roles must require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field to qualify. Clinical research associate, regulatory affairs specialist, and formulation scientist roles typically meet this standard. Generic lab technician titles sometimes do not.
Apply before your OPT start date whenever possible
Employers can hire you before your OPT card arrives if your I-20 shows an authorized start date. Starting the process early reduces gaps and gives employers confidence you've planned your authorization timeline carefully.
Understand the E-Verify requirement for STEM OPT employers
To hire STEM OPT students, employers must be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm this before your final interview round. Most major pharmaceutical companies already comply, but smaller contract research organizations may not.
Get your training plan documentation right from day one
STEM OPT requires a signed Form I-983 training plan outlining your learning goals and supervisor details. Work with your employer and DSO early to complete this accurately. Errors can delay your STEM OPT application and interrupt authorized employment.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do pharmaceutical jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most pharmaceutical roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because they fall under STEM-designated degree programs like pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology, and biomedical engineering. Your degree's CIP code determines eligibility, not the job title itself. Check with your DSO to confirm your program qualifies before accepting an offer.
How do I find pharmaceutical employers who sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is the best place to start. It lists pharmaceutical jobs from employers who actively hire OPT students, so you're not spending time on roles that won't work with your work authorization status. Larger pharmaceutical and contract research organizations tend to have the most established OPT hiring processes.
Can I work at a contract research organization (CRO) on OPT?
Yes. Contract research organizations are valid OPT employers as long as the role constitutes a specialty occupation and is directly related to your degree. For STEM OPT, the CRO must also be enrolled in E-Verify. Some smaller CROs are not, so confirm their E-Verify enrollment status before you reach the offer stage.
What degree fields support pharmaceutical OPT jobs?
Pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, and public health are the most common qualifying degree fields. Regulatory affairs and clinical operations roles also accept degrees in life sciences or health sciences. The key is that your degree field must have a direct and logical relationship to the specific job duties being performed.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my pharmaceutical employer is acquired or merges with another company?
If your employer is acquired or merges, your OPT authorization generally remains valid as long as your job duties and title stay substantially the same. For STEM OPT students, a successor employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify and you'll need to update your Form I-983 training plan. Notify your DSO promptly and document the corporate change.
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