Precision Machinist Jobs for OPT Students
Precision Machinist jobs on OPT are available across manufacturing, aerospace, and defense sectors. Most roles fall under STEM OPT extension eligibility through CIP codes in manufacturing engineering technology, making your 36-month extension a realistic path. Employers typically require hands-on CNC experience and relevant technical credentials.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Location: Portland, OR
Go one better, together. We’ve built something we’re extremely proud of, and we think it’s time you became part of it. Working at Oregon Tool, Inc., you’ll build your career and do your best work while contributing to the whole of the company. We're for those who lean into challenges and expect that same attitude from the people around them. We’re a goal-oriented organization that’s firmly committed to creating opportunities for Team Members’ talents to shine and inspire the individuals around them so that we all win together. At 2,400 Team Members across the globe, you're more than just a link in a chain. From new products, programs, and business units, Oregon Tool, Inc. gives you the space to make systemic change within our business. How will you make your mark?
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hourly Rate: Up to $40/hr
- Shift: Monday - Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm
How Do I Make An Impact
The successful candidate will support the division with precision tooling and machine components using precision surface grinder and Conventional EDM, with Wire EDM a plus.
THE DETAILS
- Precision Machining Operations: Set up and operate Precision Surface Grinder and/or Conventional EDM and/or Wire EDM to produce high-tolerance components per specifications.
- Measurement & Inspection: Utilize precision measuring tools (e.g., dial indicators, bore gauges, micrometers, comparators) to ensure component accuracy, including size, roundness, taper, and surface finish to within .0001”.
- Machine Setup & Maintenance: Perform daily machine maintenance including lubrication, wheel dressing, truing, and cleaning. Set up machines for optimal performance and ensure proper clamping, alignment, and tooling.
- Programming & Process Optimization: Troubleshoot and verify operations needed and optimize machining strategies to meet part specifications and improve efficiency. If a candidate has wire experience - Run Wire EDM machines using Esprit CAM software.
Skills And Experience
- Education & Training: High school diploma or GED required; completion of an accredited Precision Machining apprenticeship preferred.
- Machining Experience: Minimum 3 years in a precision machining environment with expertise in tool steels and carbide.
- Technical & Mechanical Skills: Strong mechanical aptitude, ability to work with close tolerances, and familiarity with data/labor entry systems.
- Professional Competencies: Effective communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, flexibility, customer focus, quality, and teamwork.
AVAILABILITY
- Monday – Friday
- 730a-4p
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits available on day one (no waiting period)
- 401k matching (100% of first 3%, 50% of next 3% = 4.5% match on 6% contribution)
- Earn up to 120 hours vacation during your first year of service
- One paid Community Involvement Day available per calendar year
- Global company with small company feel
- Safety shoes reimbursed at $100 per year
- Safety prescription glasses through approved program
WHO WE ARE:
Oregon Tool, Inc. is a global, premium-branded, aftermarket-driven precision-cutting-tool platform. At Oregon Tool, Inc., it is our goal to create, cultivate and sustain a global, inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our employees and customers. We invite and encourage applications from all skilled individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company #SharperTogether.
Oregon Tool, Inc. will only employ those who are legally authorized to work. Any offer of employment is contingent on a background investigation and drug screen. Oregon Tool, Inc. does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under law. During the application process we will not ask for or collect any confidential, proprietary, or sensitive personally identifiable information (e.g., date of birth; driver’s license number; or credit card, bank account or other financial information). If you submit such information, you do so at your own risk, and we will not be liable to you or responsible for consequences of your submission. This notice should not be construed as an offer of employment or creating any terms of employment.
Work Location: Portland, OR
Go one better, together. We’ve built something we’re extremely proud of, and we think it’s time you became part of it. Working at Oregon Tool, Inc., you’ll build your career and do your best work while contributing to the whole of the company. We're for those who lean into challenges and expect that same attitude from the people around them. We’re a goal-oriented organization that’s firmly committed to creating opportunities for Team Members’ talents to shine and inspire the individuals around them so that we all win together. At 2,400 Team Members across the globe, you're more than just a link in a chain. From new products, programs, and business units, Oregon Tool, Inc. gives you the space to make systemic change within our business. How will you make your mark?
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hourly Rate: Up to $40/hr
- Shift: Monday - Friday; 7:30am-4:00pm
How Do I Make An Impact
The successful candidate will support the division with precision tooling and machine components using precision surface grinder and Conventional EDM, with Wire EDM a plus.
THE DETAILS
- Precision Machining Operations: Set up and operate Precision Surface Grinder and/or Conventional EDM and/or Wire EDM to produce high-tolerance components per specifications.
- Measurement & Inspection: Utilize precision measuring tools (e.g., dial indicators, bore gauges, micrometers, comparators) to ensure component accuracy, including size, roundness, taper, and surface finish to within .0001”.
- Machine Setup & Maintenance: Perform daily machine maintenance including lubrication, wheel dressing, truing, and cleaning. Set up machines for optimal performance and ensure proper clamping, alignment, and tooling.
- Programming & Process Optimization: Troubleshoot and verify operations needed and optimize machining strategies to meet part specifications and improve efficiency. If a candidate has wire experience - Run Wire EDM machines using Esprit CAM software.
Skills And Experience
- Education & Training: High school diploma or GED required; completion of an accredited Precision Machining apprenticeship preferred.
- Machining Experience: Minimum 3 years in a precision machining environment with expertise in tool steels and carbide.
- Technical & Mechanical Skills: Strong mechanical aptitude, ability to work with close tolerances, and familiarity with data/labor entry systems.
- Professional Competencies: Effective communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to continuous learning, flexibility, customer focus, quality, and teamwork.
AVAILABILITY
- Monday – Friday
- 730a-4p
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits available on day one (no waiting period)
- 401k matching (100% of first 3%, 50% of next 3% = 4.5% match on 6% contribution)
- Earn up to 120 hours vacation during your first year of service
- One paid Community Involvement Day available per calendar year
- Global company with small company feel
- Safety shoes reimbursed at $100 per year
- Safety prescription glasses through approved program
WHO WE ARE:
Oregon Tool, Inc. is a global, premium-branded, aftermarket-driven precision-cutting-tool platform. At Oregon Tool, Inc., it is our goal to create, cultivate and sustain a global, inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our employees and customers. We invite and encourage applications from all skilled individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepresented, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company #SharperTogether.
Oregon Tool, Inc. will only employ those who are legally authorized to work. Any offer of employment is contingent on a background investigation and drug screen. Oregon Tool, Inc. does not discriminate based on sex, race, color, religion, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under law. During the application process we will not ask for or collect any confidential, proprietary, or sensitive personally identifiable information (e.g., date of birth; driver’s license number; or credit card, bank account or other financial information). If you submit such information, you do so at your own risk, and we will not be liable to you or responsible for consequences of your submission. This notice should not be construed as an offer of employment or creating any terms of employment.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Precision Machinist
Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility early
Precision Machinist roles often qualify for the 36-month STEM OPT extension under manufacturing engineering technology CIP codes. Verify your degree classification with your DSO before applying so you can communicate your full work authorization timeline to employers confidently.
Highlight CNC programming and machine certifications
Employers hiring on OPT want to see measurable technical skills. List specific CNC platforms you operate, tolerances you routinely hold, and any NIMS or similar credentials. Certifications signal competency and reduce employer hesitation about sponsoring an international candidate.
Target manufacturers with H-1B sponsorship history
Not every manufacturer sponsors visas. Focus your search on companies with established international hiring records. Larger aerospace, automotive, and defense contractors typically have HR infrastructure in place to handle sponsorship, making your OPT-to-H-1B transition significantly smoother.
Connect with union shops and apprenticeship-based manufacturers
Some unionized manufacturing facilities and apprenticeship programs actively recruit international talent with specialized precision skills. These environments often have experienced HR teams familiar with OPT and structured pathways that can evolve into longer-term visa sponsorship arrangements.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Precision Machinist on F-1 OPT?
Yes. Precision Machinist roles are authorized under OPT as long as the work is directly related to your field of study. Degrees in manufacturing technology, mechanical engineering technology, or industrial technology are common qualifying fields. You'll need your EAD card before your first day of work, and your role must connect to your degree program.
Do Precision Machinist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your specific degree's CIP code rather than the job title itself. Degrees in manufacturing engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and similar programs frequently qualify. Your DSO can confirm whether your degree CIP code is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. If it is, you may be eligible for a 24-month extension beyond standard 12-month OPT.
How do I find Precision Machinist employers willing to hire OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers with visa sponsorship experience. Searching there surfaces machinist roles at companies that have a track record of hiring international candidates, which saves time you'd otherwise spend vetting employers manually. Aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing companies tend to be the most sponsorship-friendly.
Will my OPT status make it harder to get hired as a Precision Machinist?
Some employers are unfamiliar with OPT and may hesitate initially, but the concern typically fades once you explain the timeline clearly. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization, and STEM extension can add another 24 months if you qualify. That window is often long enough to cover an employer's hiring horizon before a long-term visa decision is required.
Are there security clearance issues for Precision Machinists on OPT working in defense manufacturing?
Yes, this is a real constraint. Many defense and government-contracting roles require security clearances, which are generally not available to non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Some defense manufacturers do hire OPT students for non-classified production work, but roles touching classified programs or controlled materials will likely be inaccessible until you hold a green card or citizenship.
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