OPT Product Design Lead Jobs
Product Design Lead jobs on OPT require employers to sponsor your continued work authorization, typically through H-1B visa cap season. Most roles sit at the intersection of UX strategy and team management, which strengthens your specialty occupation case. Your OPT STEM extension eligibility depends on your degree field, commonly HCI, interaction design, or computer science.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Vibracoustic is a leading global automotive supplier, providing customized solutions that add comfort to mobility by reducing noise and vibration in vehicles. As part of the Freudenberg Group, we foster an innovative and forward-thinking mindset. We are looking for proactive and entrepreneurial team players who are curious, and motivated to grow. At Vibracoustic, you will enjoy a safe and collaborative environment and global opportunities. Ready to drive comfort with us?
LOCATION
South Haven, MI
On-Site
POSITION
Senior Design Engineer, Product Cluster Leader
HOURS / WEEK
40
JOB SITE LOCATION
400 Aylworth Ave, South Haven, MI 49090
Responsibilities
* Provide a strong technical expertise and sense of leadership within the Design Engineering Team as well as the Product Cluster 3.
* Deliver robust and innovative part designs that meet both customer and internal DVP requirements.
* Effectively lead the design direction for Product Cluster 3 Parts.
* Actively contribute to technical reviews.
* Represent Product Cluster 3 within a global team environment.
* Produce robust product designs using tools of CAD/CAE & company design standards.
* Ensure parts meet all customer & internal DVP requirements.
* Cooperate with Business Development to design & develop concepts according to customer functional requirements.
* Cooperate with Process Development to ensure designs include DFM best practice.
* Coordinate with other Design Engineers within the BU on best practice and lessons learned and work with the global PC3 team to develop those practices.
* Support Business Development in the selection of the design concept.
* Support acquisition for targeted projects, including presentation of Designs to customers as needed.
* Document designs using VC Print Standards.
This position is eligible for hybrid work up to 2 days per week after 6 months of employment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Production Engineering or related degree field and four (4) years of experience as an Application Engineer, Process Engineer, Product Engineer, Project Engineer, Design Engineer or related occupation. Experience must include:
* Experience with development of automotive components including spring isolators, suspension bushings, and motor mounting systems.
* Experience with FMEA, APQP, GD&T, DVP&R, and PPAP.
* Experience with cost analysis and problem solving methodology in the automotive industry such as (Ishikawa, 5 whys, etc.).
* Experience working with CAD systems such as (CATIA, NX).
* Experience working with FEA Software such as (Marc/Mentat, Abaqus).
* Experience managing design release and change control processes using PLM systems such as (e.g., Teamcenter, ENOVIA).
* Experience using FEA Pre/Post-processing software such as (Hypermesh/Hyperworks/Mentat).
* Engineering & Design experience with NVH Rubber Solutions.
* Experience designing and tuning hydraulic NVH components.
* Experience in Design for Manufacture, Cost, and Assembly.
* Experience collaborating with global, cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and purchasing.
* Experience supporting and interpreting physical validation and NVH testing results for product optimization.
* Experience conducting root cause analysis and design countermeasures in response to field and production issues.
* Experience preparing and delivering technical documentation and customer presentations.
OTHER
No travel required for this position. This is a hybrid position following six months of full-time in-person employment whereby the employee will work both from home up to two days a week and from the aforementioned office address. Hence, the employee must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the aforementioned office address as no relocation package is offered as part of this role. If offered employment must have legal right to work in U.S.
SOME OF YOUR BENEFITS
401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.
Health Insurance: Rely on comprehensive services whenever you need it.
Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.
Vacation: We offer time off to refresh and recharge.
Family Insurance Plan: All-important health protection for self, spouse and eligible children.
The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
INTRODUCTION
Vibracoustic is a leading global automotive supplier, providing customized solutions that add comfort to mobility by reducing noise and vibration in vehicles. As part of the Freudenberg Group, we foster an innovative and forward-thinking mindset. We are looking for proactive and entrepreneurial team players who are curious, and motivated to grow. At Vibracoustic, you will enjoy a safe and collaborative environment and global opportunities. Ready to drive comfort with us?
LOCATION
South Haven, MI
On-Site
POSITION
Senior Design Engineer, Product Cluster Leader
HOURS / WEEK
40
JOB SITE LOCATION
400 Aylworth Ave, South Haven, MI 49090
Responsibilities
* Provide a strong technical expertise and sense of leadership within the Design Engineering Team as well as the Product Cluster 3.
* Deliver robust and innovative part designs that meet both customer and internal DVP requirements.
* Effectively lead the design direction for Product Cluster 3 Parts.
* Actively contribute to technical reviews.
* Represent Product Cluster 3 within a global team environment.
* Produce robust product designs using tools of CAD/CAE & company design standards.
* Ensure parts meet all customer & internal DVP requirements.
* Cooperate with Business Development to design & develop concepts according to customer functional requirements.
* Cooperate with Process Development to ensure designs include DFM best practice.
* Coordinate with other Design Engineers within the BU on best practice and lessons learned and work with the global PC3 team to develop those practices.
* Support Business Development in the selection of the design concept.
* Support acquisition for targeted projects, including presentation of Designs to customers as needed.
* Document designs using VC Print Standards.
This position is eligible for hybrid work up to 2 days per week after 6 months of employment.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree (or foreign academic equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Production Engineering or related degree field and four (4) years of experience as an Application Engineer, Process Engineer, Product Engineer, Project Engineer, Design Engineer or related occupation. Experience must include:
* Experience with development of automotive components including spring isolators, suspension bushings, and motor mounting systems.
* Experience with FMEA, APQP, GD&T, DVP&R, and PPAP.
* Experience with cost analysis and problem solving methodology in the automotive industry such as (Ishikawa, 5 whys, etc.).
* Experience working with CAD systems such as (CATIA, NX).
* Experience working with FEA Software such as (Marc/Mentat, Abaqus).
* Experience managing design release and change control processes using PLM systems such as (e.g., Teamcenter, ENOVIA).
* Experience using FEA Pre/Post-processing software such as (Hypermesh/Hyperworks/Mentat).
* Engineering & Design experience with NVH Rubber Solutions.
* Experience designing and tuning hydraulic NVH components.
* Experience in Design for Manufacture, Cost, and Assembly.
* Experience collaborating with global, cross-functional teams including manufacturing, quality, and purchasing.
* Experience supporting and interpreting physical validation and NVH testing results for product optimization.
* Experience conducting root cause analysis and design countermeasures in response to field and production issues.
* Experience preparing and delivering technical documentation and customer presentations.
OTHER
No travel required for this position. This is a hybrid position following six months of full-time in-person employment whereby the employee will work both from home up to two days a week and from the aforementioned office address. Hence, the employee must live within a reasonable commuting distance of the aforementioned office address as no relocation package is offered as part of this role. If offered employment must have legal right to work in U.S.
SOME OF YOUR BENEFITS
401K Match: Save for retirement with the company's help.
Health Insurance: Rely on comprehensive services whenever you need it.
Paid Holidays: With paid-time off, local holidays are all the way more relaxing.
Vacation: We offer time off to refresh and recharge.
Family Insurance Plan: All-important health protection for self, spouse and eligible children.
The Freudenberg Group is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion. Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
See all OPT Product Design Lead Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Product Design Lead
Target design-mature companies
Companies with dedicated design orgs and multiple product designers are far more likely to sponsor visas than early-stage startups. Look for organizations where design is a core function, not a supporting role. That structural investment signals sponsorship willingness.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility early
If your degree is in HCI, computer science, or a STEM-designated design program, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying, since eligibility affects how much runway you can offer employers.
Frame your leadership as a specialty occupation
Product Design Lead roles require a specific theoretical and applied design background, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument for H-1B visa sponsorship. Emphasize the degree-level knowledge your strategic and systems-level work demands, not just your portfolio output.
Start sponsorship conversations before the offer stage
Raising visa needs after a verbal offer creates friction. Mentioning OPT status during early recruiter screens filters out non-sponsors efficiently and gives willing employers time to prepare the LCA and I-129 filing process.
Build a case around design systems and cross-functional impact
Employers justify H-1B sponsorship when a role is hard to fill and clearly specialized. Documenting your work on design systems, design operations, or organization-wide process improvements makes the specialty occupation case concrete and credible.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for OPT-friendly roles
Not every Product Design Lead posting comes from a company willing to sponsor. Migrate Mate surfaces roles from employers with active visa sponsorship history, saving you from applying to positions where your OPT status will be a dealbreaker.
Product Design Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Product Design Lead roles qualify as specialty occupations for H-1B sponsorship?
Product Design Lead roles generally qualify as specialty occupations because they typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as interaction design, HCI, or computer science. The key is that the role must require that specific degree, not just accept it. Roles blending UX research, design systems, and cross-functional leadership tend to have the strongest cases. Generic creative director-style titles with looser degree requirements are harder to support.
Can I work as a Product Design Lead on OPT without H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, for the duration of your OPT authorization. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization after graduation. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as HCI or computer science, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to three years total. During that window, you need to work in a role directly related to your degree and be employed by an E-Verify registered employer.
What degree fields support a Product Design Lead OPT authorization?
Your OPT authorization must be tied to employment related to your field of study. Degrees in interaction design, human-computer interaction, graphic design, or computer science are the most common matches for Product Design Lead roles. Industrial design degrees can qualify if the role involves physical product design. If your degree is in an unrelated field, your DSO can help you assess whether the connection is strong enough to satisfy OPT requirements.
How do I find Product Design Lead jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
The most efficient approach is filtering by employers who have a demonstrated history of visa sponsorship rather than relying on job descriptions, which rarely mention sponsorship explicitly. Migrate Mate is built for exactly this, surfacing Product Design Lead roles from companies with active sponsorship track records so you're not spending time applying to positions that won't move forward once your visa status comes up.
Does managing other designers affect my OPT eligibility or future H-1B petition?
Managing other designers does not affect your OPT eligibility, which is based on your degree field and employment relationship, not your seniority. For future H-1B sponsorship, a management component can actually strengthen the petition by reinforcing that the role requires advanced specialized knowledge. However, the petition must still establish that a specific degree in a relevant field is a baseline requirement for the position, not just a preference.