OPT Process Development Engineer Jobs
Process Development Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in chemical engineering, materials science, or biomedical engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in biotech, semiconductor, and manufacturing sectors regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this role.
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General information
Location
Cambridge, MA
Ref #
44662
Job Family
Research
Workplace
On-Site
Date published
08/07/2026
Time Type
Full time
Pay Range
$50,000.00/yr - $70,000.00/yr
Description & Requirements
The Broad Institute is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of Process Development Associate I within the PRISM team, a component of the Cancer Program. Dedicated to transforming medicine, the Broad Institute works to significantly accelerate the understanding and treatment of disease. As part of this important mission of the Broad, the Cancer Program is advancing the understanding of oncology therapeutics through the systematic profiling of oncology therapeutics using the PRISM technology of large-scale screening of more than 900 cell lines.
To support our mission, we are looking for a motivated and high-energy individual to join the PRISM team to manage daily, large-scale tissue culture production. By leveraging the PRISM technology, we routinely screen over 900 DNA-barcoded cell lines against hundreds of therapies in a pooled format, achieving much greater speed than conventional cell line screening methods. The true capability of PRISM stems from our deep understanding of the baseline and functional genomic characteristics of these cell lines from the Cancer Dependency Map. Each test agent evaluated yields not only viability data but also extensive genomic correlations and multivariate analyses, offering a comprehensive view of drug behavior.
The chosen candidate will be vital to the upkeep of our cell lines and cell line pools, with primary responsibilities centered on supporting scientific research through routine cell culture and molecular biology operations. This Process Development Associate I role necessitates the routine culture of at least 30 cell lines concurrently. Responsibilities include combining 25 cell lines to generate the pools utilized in our screening processes, maintaining our cell bank of 1,000 cell lines, and plating cell pools for our large-scale screening efforts. Applicants must possess a background in cell culture alongside exemplary aseptic techniques, and uphold high quality standards through precise lab documentation and adherence to standard operating procedures. Strong communication skills are crucial for success within this collaborative team environment.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Manage cell culture for up to 30 cell lines simultaneously to generate PRISM pools
- Maintain our cell bank of 1000 cell lines, including barcoding new cell lines, creating new freezer stocks of cell lines, and regularly updating inventories/databases
- Execute large-scale cell plating for production screens
- Conduct molecular biology protocols and related quality control assays on cell lines, including PCR, DNA/RNA extraction, gel electrophoresis for mycoplasma testing, sequence submission, and STR testing sample shipments
- Execute CTG cell viability assays as needed
- Maintain comprehensive lab records, experimental write-ups, and processing notes using an electronic lab notebook (eLabNext)
- Prepare and maintain stocks of reagents, solutions, and lab supplies and manage inventories
- Perform routine maintenance on lab equipment to ensure optimal equipment functionality (e.g. plate washers, combi liquid dispensers, etc)
- Maintain and update SOPs to accurately reflect any changes in production protocols
- Assess the quality of PRISM cell pools utilizing an internal data visualization tool
- Participate in team meetings to share results, plan projects, and ensure alignment with current team goals
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- BS/BA in Biology, Biomedical Engineering or related fields
- 1+ year experience in a biological research environment, additional experience with mammalian cell culture and aseptic technique is preferred
- Experience with basic molecular biology techniques, including PCR, DNA extractions, etc
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to effectively work as part of a team
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills, including the ability to handle a variety of tasks in a fast-paced environment
- Strong attention to detail, time management skills, and the ability to maintain accurate records and documentation
The expected base pay range for this position as listed above is based on a 40 hour per week schedule. Broad provides pay ranges representing its reasonable and good faith estimate of what the organization reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will vary based on factors including but not limited to, relevant skills, experience, education, qualifications, and other factors permissible by law.
At Broad, your base pay is just one part of a comprehensive total rewards package. From day one, this role offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; a 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and health savings accounts; at least 13 paid holidays; winter closure; paid time off; parental and family care leave; and an employee assistance program, among other Broad benefits.
The Broad Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, religion, age, color, sex, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations.
Should you need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact recruiting@broadinstitute.org for assistance.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Process Development Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers early
Process Development Engineer roles almost always qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Prioritize employers with an established STEM OPT history so your authorization timeline aligns with their hiring and onboarding cycles.
Emphasize process scalability experience
Employers sponsoring OPT candidates want engineers who can move a process from lab scale to production. Highlight any scale-up projects, yield optimization, or process validation work from internships, co-ops, or thesis research in your resume.
Align your degree field with the role
STEM OPT requires your job to be directly related to your degree. For process engineering roles, degrees in chemical, biomedical, or materials engineering are the strongest fit. Document the connection clearly on your I-983 training plan.
Focus on regulated industries with H-1B track records
Biotech, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor companies have consistent H-1B sponsorship patterns for process engineers. These industries rely on specialized talent pipelines and are more likely to invest in long-term visa sponsorship after OPT.
Get your I-983 training plan right from day one
A compliant training plan is required for STEM OPT and must describe specific learning objectives tied to process engineering. Work with your employer and DSO before your start date to draft this accurately and avoid authorization gaps.
Start your H-1B conversation before your OPT expires
H-1B cap season opens in March for an October start date. If your OPT expires before October, your employer may need to file a cap-exempt petition or extend your OPT. Raise the sponsorship timeline with HR at least 12 months out.
Process Development Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Process Development Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Process Development Engineer positions typically require a degree in chemical engineering, materials science, biomedical engineering, or a closely related STEM field. As long as your job duties are directly related to your degree program, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization.
How do I find Process Development Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT or H-1B visas?
Browse Migrate Mate to find Process Development Engineer roles filtered specifically for OPT and visa sponsorship eligibility. Standard job boards don't filter by sponsorship willingness, so you can spend hours applying to roles where sponsorship was never on the table. Migrate Mate surfaces employers who have sponsored international engineers before, which is the most reliable signal available.
What industries hire Process Development Engineers on OPT most often?
Biotech and pharmaceutical companies are the most active, particularly for biologics manufacturing and cell therapy process development. Semiconductor fabrication, specialty chemicals, and medical device manufacturers also hire frequently. These industries have regulated, documentation-heavy environments where the technical depth of graduate-level STEM candidates is genuinely valued, making OPT sponsorship a normal part of their hiring process.
What should my STEM OPT training plan include for a Process Development Engineer role?
Your I-983 training plan must describe specific learning objectives directly tied to your degree field. For process engineering roles, this typically includes scale-up methodologies, process characterization techniques, analytical method development, and equipment qualification. Vague objectives like 'gain industry experience' are insufficient. Work with your supervisor and DSO to map each objective to coursework or research from your program.
Can I change employers during my STEM OPT as a Process Development Engineer?
Yes, but the transition requires careful timing. Your new employer must be E-Verify enrolled, and you need to update your SEVIS record through your DSO within 10 days of starting the new role. Your new I-983 training plan must also be filed. There is no grace period for STEM OPT employer changes, so coordinate the paperwork before your last day at the previous employer.