Product Safety Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Product Safety Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field routinely sponsor H-1B visas, making it a practical long-term path.
See All Product Safety Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 27+ Product Safety Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 27+ Product Safety Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Product Safety Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsRequisition ID: 70919
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
The team you will be a part of
The Engineering team discovers, develops and evaluates new product ideas, enhancements, or strategic product extensions, and translates research discoveries into usable and marketable products. Leads, plans and tracks all phases of the product life cycle, from inception to introduction into the marketplace. Coordinates with various functions to ensure successful product development and implementation.
This role in summary
As a Senior Product Safety Engineer, you will serve as the primary guardian of product integrity and consumer safety for the Insinkerator and Whirlpool portfolios. This high-impact role bridges the gap between Engineering, Legal, and Global Regulatory bodies. You will lead safety committees, oversee rigorous product hazard management (PHM), and provide critical technical expertise in product liability litigation and CPSC communications.
Your responsibilities will include
- Determine need for safety reviews on product changes or new product introductions and maintain meeting minutes
- Conduct safety audits in accordance with Whirlpool safety audit requirements and maintain records of audits
- Provide accident investigation, discovery, and trial support in cooperation with the Whirlpool Legal Department. Work with Whirlpool Corporate Legal personnel and Outside Counsel regarding large product liability claims, site visits, and pending litigations
- Request and oversee lab testing, where needed, to support projects
- Stay current on related legislation that may impact our products, including responding to CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) related claims. Report recalls and select safety issues to government agencies
- Monitor call center, field return data, and third-party web site data to evaluate product safety risks; Monitor top field safety issues quarterly
- Responsible for ensuring Design for Safety including Product Hazard Management (PHM) Assess and disposition future risks (PHM) and escalate to the executive safety committee as appropriate
- Participate in NPD (New Product Design) activities; i.e. DFMEA, Design Reviews and Forced Failure Testing; Support the product safety and ICU (Instruction & Use Manual) aspects of the various programs
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems preferred) or a related Science discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in product safety, regulatory compliance, or forensic engineering.
Preferred skills and experiences
- Advanced Degree: MS in Engineering or a related technical field.
- Industry Expertise: Background in consumer electrical/electronics or high-volume consumer goods.
- Regulatory Familiarity: Direct experience navigating CPSC reporting.
- Analytical Mastery: Proven expertise in Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and FMEA (Design and Process).
- Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex technical failures into clear, defensible reports for legal and executive audiences.
Additional information
Whirlpool’s Ways of Working
Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. While employees in this role work in-person Monday through Friday. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:
- Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
- Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
- Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.
LI-NL1
Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.
Requisition ID: 70919
About Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales - close to 90% of which were in the Americas - 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.
The team you will be a part of
The Engineering team discovers, develops and evaluates new product ideas, enhancements, or strategic product extensions, and translates research discoveries into usable and marketable products. Leads, plans and tracks all phases of the product life cycle, from inception to introduction into the marketplace. Coordinates with various functions to ensure successful product development and implementation.
This role in summary
As a Senior Product Safety Engineer, you will serve as the primary guardian of product integrity and consumer safety for the Insinkerator and Whirlpool portfolios. This high-impact role bridges the gap between Engineering, Legal, and Global Regulatory bodies. You will lead safety committees, oversee rigorous product hazard management (PHM), and provide critical technical expertise in product liability litigation and CPSC communications.
Your responsibilities will include
- Determine need for safety reviews on product changes or new product introductions and maintain meeting minutes
- Conduct safety audits in accordance with Whirlpool safety audit requirements and maintain records of audits
- Provide accident investigation, discovery, and trial support in cooperation with the Whirlpool Legal Department. Work with Whirlpool Corporate Legal personnel and Outside Counsel regarding large product liability claims, site visits, and pending litigations
- Request and oversee lab testing, where needed, to support projects
- Stay current on related legislation that may impact our products, including responding to CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) related claims. Report recalls and select safety issues to government agencies
- Monitor call center, field return data, and third-party web site data to evaluate product safety risks; Monitor top field safety issues quarterly
- Responsible for ensuring Design for Safety including Product Hazard Management (PHM) Assess and disposition future risks (PHM) and escalate to the executive safety committee as appropriate
- Participate in NPD (New Product Design) activities; i.e. DFMEA, Design Reviews and Forced Failure Testing; Support the product safety and ICU (Instruction & Use Manual) aspects of the various programs
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems preferred) or a related Science discipline.
- 3+ years of experience in product safety, regulatory compliance, or forensic engineering.
Preferred skills and experiences
- Advanced Degree: MS in Engineering or a related technical field.
- Industry Expertise: Background in consumer electrical/electronics or high-volume consumer goods.
- Regulatory Familiarity: Direct experience navigating CPSC reporting.
- Analytical Mastery: Proven expertise in Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and FMEA (Design and Process).
- Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex technical failures into clear, defensible reports for legal and executive audiences.
Additional information
Whirlpool’s Ways of Working
Our goal is to provide an environment that helps you bring your best to Whirlpool every day. While employees in this role work in-person Monday through Friday. We offer flexibility and industry-leading time-off benefits that will help you balance what’s important at work and at home, including:
- Always On Flexibility - You will have the autonomy to manage personal, family, and outside-of-work commitments as needed.
- Two-Week Work from Anywhere - Minimum of one-week increments for a total of two weeks per year.
- Sabbatical - Four weeks paid leave after every five years of service.
LI-NL1
Connect with us and learn more about Whirlpool Corporation
Whirlpool Corporation is committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibits any discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable law.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Product Safety Engineer
Target regulated industries first
Medical devices, automotive, and consumer electronics companies have established compliance teams and dedicated immigration budgets. These employers file H-1B petitions regularly, making OPT-to-H-1B transitions more predictable than at smaller firms without legal infrastructure.
Align your degree to the role explicitly
Product safety is a specialty occupation requiring a specific degree field. In your resume and cover letter, connect your engineering coursework directly to safety standards, risk analysis, or regulatory frameworks the employer uses, such as ISO 13485 or IEC 62368.
Get certified in relevant safety standards
Certifications in functional safety, such as TÜV Rheinland's Functional Safety Engineer credential, signal deep domain knowledge to employers. They also strengthen your H-1B specialty occupation case by demonstrating specialized education beyond a general engineering degree.
Focus on employers with active safety teams
Companies hiring for multiple product safety roles are building out compliance infrastructure, not just filling a gap. These employers are more likely to invest in long-term sponsorship because retaining specialized safety engineers reduces regulatory and product liability risk.
Document your safety-related academic work
USCIS scrutinizes specialty occupation claims for product safety roles. Build a record now: thesis chapters, capstone projects, lab reports, or coursework in reliability engineering, hazard analysis, or standards compliance that maps directly to your job duties.
Product Safety Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Product Safety Engineer JobsSee all 27+ Product Safety Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Product Safety Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Product Safety Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or systems engineering. Product safety roles typically fall under SOC codes that qualify for the 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to 36 months total. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since the extension depends on the degree, not the job title.
Do employers in this field commonly sponsor H-1B visas for product safety roles?
Sponsorship rates are highest in regulated industries like medical devices, automotive, and industrial equipment, where product safety engineers are required for compliance, not just preferred. Companies that manufacture FDA-regulated or CE-marked products rely on this function and tend to have immigration counsel already in place. Searching Migrate Mate filters for employers with a demonstrated sponsorship history in engineering roles.
Is Product Safety Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Generally yes. The role requires applying specific engineering principles, safety standards such as IEC 61508 or UL 60950, and risk methodologies that normally require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a related engineering field. That said, USCIS evaluates each petition individually. A strong case includes a job description tying daily duties to specialized knowledge and evidence that industry norms require a degree in a specific discipline.
Can I work as a Product Safety Engineer on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
Yes, as long as there is a logical connection between your degree and the role. A degree in industrial engineering, systems engineering, or even physics can support a product safety position if you can demonstrate coursework in risk analysis, reliability, or safety systems. Your employer may need to document this connection carefully in any future H-1B petition, so align your resume language to the relevant coursework from the start.
What should I look for in a Product Safety Engineer job posting to assess sponsorship likelihood?
Look for roles at mid-to-large manufacturers, especially those with ISO certification requirements, FDA submissions, or automotive functional safety mentions such as ISO 26262. These signals indicate a regulated environment with a compliance infrastructure and legal support. Postings that list H-1B or visa sponsorship explicitly are the clearest indicator, but many employers who regularly sponsor simply do not advertise it. Browse roles on Migrate Mate to find employers with verified sponsorship history in engineering functions.
See which Product Safety Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Product Safety Engineer Jobs