OPT Plant Engineer Jobs
Plant Engineer jobs on OPT require STEM-designated programs like mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering, making them eligible for the standard 12-month OPT period plus a 24-month STEM extension. Most employers in manufacturing and energy sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, giving you a clear path to long-term work authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsWhat we offer
Explore a world of opportunities with us. Look ahead with us and help shape innovative solutions to make our world more sustainable and life healthier, more vibrant and more comfortable. At Evonik, you have the chance to explore, thrive, and grow alongside 33,000 colleagues. Among attractive career paths and high-quality development programs, we not only offer performance-based remuneration and occupational health benefits but also hybrid and flexible working environments with #SmartWork. Bring your fresh perspective, develop your strengths, break out your mold, and find a career that fits your dreams with us.
The Plant Engineer is responsible for providing day-to-day technical support to plant operations, troubleshooting equipment and process issues, and supporting the safety, reliability, and efficiency of production. This role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering to execute improvement and capital projects, support process safety initiatives, maintain technical documentation, and identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, plant availability, and overall operational effectiveness.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for providing plant support related to process troubleshooting, new product introductions, process safety management systems, CAPEX, and OEE.
- Acting as project manager or project responsible for plant related projects, both large and small up to $500,000 value.
- Position has full technical responsibility for the care and condition of plants in cooperation with operations.
- Assures the defined technical availability of the production plants according to the production requirements, and in conformance to changing requirements in respect to economics, safety and care for the environment.
- Works with other departments such including site engineering, external engineering contractors, and maintenance to plan and secure the resources necessary to execute process trials and projects.
- Uses experienced engineering judgment, creativity and foresight to initiate studies, projects and new developments and to anticipate and solve unprecedented problems with a focus on long term technical solutions.
- Provides plant specific technical expertise in the areas of process engineering on equipment innovations and on state-of-the-art process and project techniques.
- Support and participate in audits and engage in improvement activities such as 5S, KPIs, Root Cause analysis, etc.
- Ensures regulatory compliance of technical installations, maintenance practices and the technical documentation.
REQUIREMENTS
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering with 3+ years of engineering experience (preferred in a chemical or oil & gas manufacturing environment).
- Experience with OSHA CFR 1910.119 PSM and EPA RMP regulations and compliance is a plus.
- Working knowledge with SAP, Emerson Delta-V, ASPEN IP21 is a plus.
- Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; comfortable working with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and safety teams in a plant environment.
- Ability to work independently with strong initiative and self-starting skills.
- Ability to manage a heavy workload, establish priorities, and adjust based on site and business needs.
- Strong planning, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office 365.
Summary Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. (Specific rate to be determined, but not limited to, geographic location, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data).
Pay Range: $94,600-$157,700
Evonik offers a comprehensive benefit package, subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. Benefits included, but not limited to:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid time off plan
- 401(k) savings plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts
- Disability benefits
- Life Insurance
- Parental leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.
Your Application
To ensure that your application is proceeded as quickly as possible and to protect the environment, please apply online via our careers portal. Further information about Evonik as Employer can be found at www.evonik.com/en/careers.html.
Please address your application to the Talent Acquisition Manager, stating your earliest possible starting date and your salary expectations.
Your Talent Acquisition Manager:
Emma Martinez
Company is Evonik Corporation
What we offer
Explore a world of opportunities with us. Look ahead with us and help shape innovative solutions to make our world more sustainable and life healthier, more vibrant and more comfortable. At Evonik, you have the chance to explore, thrive, and grow alongside 33,000 colleagues. Among attractive career paths and high-quality development programs, we not only offer performance-based remuneration and occupational health benefits but also hybrid and flexible working environments with #SmartWork. Bring your fresh perspective, develop your strengths, break out your mold, and find a career that fits your dreams with us.
The Plant Engineer is responsible for providing day-to-day technical support to plant operations, troubleshooting equipment and process issues, and supporting the safety, reliability, and efficiency of production. This role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering to execute improvement and capital projects, support process safety initiatives, maintain technical documentation, and identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, plant availability, and overall operational effectiveness.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for providing plant support related to process troubleshooting, new product introductions, process safety management systems, CAPEX, and OEE.
- Acting as project manager or project responsible for plant related projects, both large and small up to $500,000 value.
- Position has full technical responsibility for the care and condition of plants in cooperation with operations.
- Assures the defined technical availability of the production plants according to the production requirements, and in conformance to changing requirements in respect to economics, safety and care for the environment.
- Works with other departments such including site engineering, external engineering contractors, and maintenance to plan and secure the resources necessary to execute process trials and projects.
- Uses experienced engineering judgment, creativity and foresight to initiate studies, projects and new developments and to anticipate and solve unprecedented problems with a focus on long term technical solutions.
- Provides plant specific technical expertise in the areas of process engineering on equipment innovations and on state-of-the-art process and project techniques.
- Support and participate in audits and engage in improvement activities such as 5S, KPIs, Root Cause analysis, etc.
- Ensures regulatory compliance of technical installations, maintenance practices and the technical documentation.
REQUIREMENTS
- B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering with 3+ years of engineering experience (preferred in a chemical or oil & gas manufacturing environment).
- Experience with OSHA CFR 1910.119 PSM and EPA RMP regulations and compliance is a plus.
- Working knowledge with SAP, Emerson Delta-V, ASPEN IP21 is a plus.
- Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; comfortable working with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and safety teams in a plant environment.
- Ability to work independently with strong initiative and self-starting skills.
- Ability to manage a heavy workload, establish priorities, and adjust based on site and business needs.
- Strong planning, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Strong computer skills and experience with Microsoft Office 365.
Summary Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. (Specific rate to be determined, but not limited to, geographic location, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data).
Pay Range: $94,600-$157,700
Evonik offers a comprehensive benefit package, subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. Benefits included, but not limited to:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid time off plan
- 401(k) savings plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts
- Disability benefits
- Life Insurance
- Parental leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.
Your Application
To ensure that your application is proceeded as quickly as possible and to protect the environment, please apply online via our careers portal. Further information about Evonik as Employer can be found at www.evonik.com/en/careers.html.
Please address your application to the Talent Acquisition Manager, stating your earliest possible starting date and your salary expectations.
Your Talent Acquisition Manager:
Emma Martinez
Company is Evonik Corporation
See all 192+ OPT Plant Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Plant Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Plant Engineer
Target STEM OPT-eligible roles
Plant Engineer positions typically fall under CIP codes for mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering, qualifying you for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your authorized work window.
Focus on manufacturers with H-1B track records
Large manufacturers in automotive, chemicals, food processing, and energy file H-1B visa petitions regularly. Research a company's past filings through DOL disclosure data before accepting an offer to verify they sponsor international engineers beyond OPT.
Address authorization upfront with hiring managers
Plant Engineer roles often involve security-sensitive facilities or export-controlled technology. Clarifying your OPT status and STEM extension eligibility early prevents late-stage complications if the employer assumes sponsorship is more complex than it is.
Start your STEM extension application early
File your STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Plant Engineer hiring timelines can be slow in manufacturing, so protecting your authorized period ensures you stay compliant during any offer or onboarding delays.
Highlight process optimization and capital project experience
Employers sponsoring OPT want evidence of immediate value. Quantify your contributions to efficiency improvements, equipment reliability, or cost reduction from internships or co-ops. Concrete results reduce perceived risk for employers new to OPT sponsorship.
Align your job offer with your degree field
For STEM OPT eligibility, the Plant Engineer role must be directly related to your degree program. Review the job description carefully with your DSO to confirm the connection before signing, since a misaligned role can jeopardize your extension application.
Plant Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Plant Engineer on OPT?
Yes, Plant Engineer roles qualify for OPT work authorization as long as the position is directly related to your engineering degree program. Mechanical, chemical, industrial, and environmental engineering degrees are the most common qualifying fields. Confirm the connection with your Designated School Official before starting, since the job-to-degree alignment is what makes the work authorized under F-1 status.
Do Plant Engineer employers typically sponsor visas after OPT?
Many do, particularly mid-to-large manufacturers in chemicals, energy, automotive, and food processing. These industries file H-1B petitions consistently because engineering talent is hard to source domestically. Smaller facilities or family-owned plants are less likely to have sponsorship infrastructure. Researching a company's historical H-1B filings before you apply is the most reliable way to assess their willingness. Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa sponsorship so you can focus on employers who have already committed to sponsoring international engineers.
Does a Plant Engineer role qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree's CIP code, not just the job title. Engineering degrees in mechanical, chemical, industrial, electrical, and environmental disciplines are on the STEM designated degree program list and qualify for the extension. Your employer also needs to be enrolled in E-Verify, which most large manufacturers already are. Confirm both conditions with your DSO well before your initial 12-month OPT period ends.
What types of companies hire Plant Engineers on OPT?
The strongest hiring activity for Plant Engineers comes from chemical processing companies, automotive manufacturers, food and beverage producers, pharmaceutical facilities, and utilities. These industries operate large-scale facilities where engineering headcount is constant and H-1B sponsorship is routine. Defense contractors and government-adjacent facilities may have restrictions related to export control regulations that can complicate OPT hiring, so it is worth asking about those constraints early.
How should I handle gaps in OPT authorization during a plant engineer job search?
You are allowed up to 90 days of unemployment during your initial OPT period and an additional 60 days during the STEM extension, for a total of 150 days if you use both. Plant Engineer hiring cycles in manufacturing can run eight to twelve weeks from application to offer, so tracking your unemployment days carefully matters. Apply early, keep your DSO informed of your job search status, and use Migrate Mate to find Plant Engineer roles at companies that are actively sponsoring international candidates.