OPT Process Engineer Jobs
Process Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in chemical, mechanical, or industrial engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and energy regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
ElevateBio is a technology-driven company powering the industry forward by helping partners realize the potential of their therapies from design to commercialization. We have integrated a differentiated set of technologies, end-to-end services, and industry-leading manufacturing expertise to develop advanced therapies faster and more efficiently.
The Role:
ElevateBio is looking for a Senior Associate Process Engineer within Manufacturing Technology and Sciences organization. As a Senior Associate Process Engineer in Manufacturing Science and Technology, you will provide technical support for GMP manufacturing including support for Visual Inspection (VI) Program, Deviation and Investigation, Change Control and CAPA implementations and continuous improvement projects within a highly matrixed cross functional team for Base Camp programs. As part of support, you will write protocols, product impact assessments, root-cause analysis reports, technical reports. You will support data collection and charting for non-GMP and GMP batches.
Here's What You'll Do:
- Work cross-functionally across Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain to provide support for cGMP manufacturing for both clinical and commercial stage programs across modalities including cell and gene therapy, mRNA and viral vector.
- This individual's focus areas would include support for Visual Inspection program.
- Own and maintain VI related documents
- Maintain VI qualification program including kits and training.
- Monitor and analyze VI related data and own data review meeting and annual data report.
- Own VI related deviations, investigations, product impact statement and related CAPAs.
- Work closely with Tech Transfer teams to implement VI program for new program introductions.
- Authoring and reviewing technical documentation related to manufacturing activities including protocols, technical reports, work instructions, SOPs.
- Own and support quality events such as deviations, investigations, CAPA, Change Control.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience
- 3+ years of experience in a MSAT, manufacturing or process development role
- Experience in cell and gene therapy, aseptic processing, or parenteral drug product inspection preferred
- Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with technical and quality teams
- Familiarity with electronic systems used in GMP environments such as Veeva, or electronic batch records
COMPENSATION
- The budgeted range for this position is $90,000-$120,000. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law.
ElevateBio is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. ElevateBio will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
INTRODUCTION
ElevateBio is a technology-driven company powering the industry forward by helping partners realize the potential of their therapies from design to commercialization. We have integrated a differentiated set of technologies, end-to-end services, and industry-leading manufacturing expertise to develop advanced therapies faster and more efficiently.
The Role:
ElevateBio is looking for a Senior Associate Process Engineer within Manufacturing Technology and Sciences organization. As a Senior Associate Process Engineer in Manufacturing Science and Technology, you will provide technical support for GMP manufacturing including support for Visual Inspection (VI) Program, Deviation and Investigation, Change Control and CAPA implementations and continuous improvement projects within a highly matrixed cross functional team for Base Camp programs. As part of support, you will write protocols, product impact assessments, root-cause analysis reports, technical reports. You will support data collection and charting for non-GMP and GMP batches.
Here's What You'll Do:
- Work cross-functionally across Manufacturing, Quality and Supply Chain to provide support for cGMP manufacturing for both clinical and commercial stage programs across modalities including cell and gene therapy, mRNA and viral vector.
- This individual's focus areas would include support for Visual Inspection program.
- Own and maintain VI related documents
- Maintain VI qualification program including kits and training.
- Monitor and analyze VI related data and own data review meeting and annual data report.
- Own VI related deviations, investigations, product impact statement and related CAPAs.
- Work closely with Tech Transfer teams to implement VI program for new program introductions.
- Authoring and reviewing technical documentation related to manufacturing activities including protocols, technical reports, work instructions, SOPs.
- Own and support quality events such as deviations, investigations, CAPA, Change Control.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience
- 3+ years of experience in a MSAT, manufacturing or process development role
- Experience in cell and gene therapy, aseptic processing, or parenteral drug product inspection preferred
- Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with technical and quality teams
- Familiarity with electronic systems used in GMP environments such as Veeva, or electronic batch records
COMPENSATION
- The budgeted range for this position is $90,000-$120,000. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law.
ElevateBio is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation or any characteristic protected under applicable law. ElevateBio will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
See all 722+ OPT Process Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Process Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers in manufacturing and pharma
Chemical, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor manufacturers file H-1B petitions for Process Engineers at high rates. Filtering for companies with a history of STEM OPT and H-1B sponsorship dramatically improves your odds of long-term authorization.
Confirm your degree field qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Process Engineer roles typically satisfy STEM OPT criteria when your degree is in chemical, mechanical, or industrial engineering. Verify your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer to confirm your 24-month extension eligibility.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
Many Process Engineer roles involve onboarding timelines of four to eight weeks. Applying three to four months before your OPT authorization begins ensures you can start on time without gaps that complicate your employment record.
Highlight process improvement metrics in your resume
Employers evaluating OPT candidates for sponsorship want evidence of measurable impact. Quantify yield improvements, cycle time reductions, or cost savings from internship or research projects to differentiate yourself from non-OPT candidates.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship policy during the offer stage
Raise the sponsorship question directly once you have a written offer, not during initial interviews. Ask whether the company has sponsored Process Engineers before and what their internal timeline looks like relative to your OPT expiration.
Prioritize companies with existing STEM OPT training plans
Employers who have filed STEM OPT training plans before understand the reporting requirements. These companies move faster on extensions and are less likely to withdraw an offer due to unfamiliarity with OPT compliance obligations.
Process Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Process Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. Process Engineer roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your underlying degree is in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a closely related STEM field. Your DSO will verify your CIP code against the official STEM Designated Degree Program List maintained by ICE. Confirm eligibility before accepting an offer.
How far in advance should I apply for Process Engineer roles on OPT?
Start applying three to four months before your OPT authorization begins. Process Engineer hiring timelines often include multiple interview rounds, technical assessments, and background checks that can take four to eight weeks. Starting early also gives you time to negotiate a start date that aligns with your EAD card receipt, since you cannot legally begin work before your OPT start date.
Do Process Engineer employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes. Chemical manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, semiconductor fabs, and energy firms have consistently filed H-1B petitions for Process Engineers. The role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires a specific engineering degree. Use Migrate Mate to find Process Engineer jobs posted by employers with documented sponsorship histories, which reduces the risk of accepting a role that won't support your long-term status.
Can I work as a Process Engineer at a client site or through a staffing agency on OPT?
Yes, but with important conditions. Staffing agency placements are permitted on OPT as long as you have a clear employer-employee relationship and the work is directly related to your degree field. For STEM OPT specifically, your formal employer of record must sign the training plan, and client-site arrangements require documentation showing the staffing agency controls the terms of employment, not just the end client.
What engineering degrees support a Process Engineer OPT application?
Chemical engineering is the most direct fit, but mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, materials science, and biomedical engineering regularly support Process Engineer OPT authorizations depending on the specific industry. Food manufacturing roles often accept food science degrees. The key is that your degree field must directly relate to the job duties, which a DSO or immigration attorney can assess based on the job description and your transcript.