Production Associate Jobs for OPT Students
Production Associate jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, operations management, or supply chain. Your OPT EAD authorizes full-time work, and many production environments actively hire candidates who understand lean manufacturing, quality control, and process improvement from their coursework.
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Get Access To All JobsRequisition Number: 222790
Job Description
Cintas is seeking a Production Associate – Garment/Linen/Bulk Product Folder to support the Rental Division. The Product Folder is responsible for folding customer product manually or through the use of an industrial garment folding machine, counting folded product, and preparing bundles of clean, folded product for delivery to customers. Product Folders are expected to maintain the cleanliness of their work area. This position is on a performance-based incentive pay structure; meaning the Product Folder must meet or exceed a production standard for folding product, and additional compensation incentive (e.g., higher hourly pay) is tied to exceeding production standards.
Skills/Qualifications
Job Expectations and Eligibility Factors:
Work Eligibility (prior to first day of employment)
- Must be authorized to work in the US.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
Work Expectations
- Must adhere to attendance policy.
- Must be willing to work in a safe proximity to other people for extended periods of time.
- Must be willing to work in a fast-paced, schedule driven environment where there are time pressures to complete work quickly.
Physical Qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation:
- Requires standing for most of shift.
- Requires repetitive motions, stretching, bending, turning, or reaching to accomplish work activities.
- May require pushing carts or bins full of bulk or linen product to station to prepare for folding.
Attributes of a Great Employee-Partner:
- Attention To Detail: Is thorough and careful about detail when completing work tasks or correcting flaws or mistakes.
- Work Ethic / Effort: Displays a high level of effort and commitment towards performing work; is hard working and dependable; prioritizes tasks properly to meet deadlines.
- Interpersonal Skills: Is pleasant with others on the job and displays a good-natured, cooperative attitude; is respectful, courteous, and polite towards others.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Works with others to achieve goals; supports team decisions.
- Safety Orientation: Is committed to complying with safety rules and guidelines.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
The full selection process may include the following components:
- Application and resume review
- Interviews
- Job Tryout
This is not an offer of employment. The tryout provides a realistic job preview to better understand the work environment, the work activities, and the performance expectations. Candidates will be compensated for their time during the job tryout.
Not all applicants will progress through the entire selection process; only those applicants identified as most qualified for the job will be invited to the next step in the process. Individuals who receive a conditional job offer will also be required to complete a background check and drug screen.
Having a criminal history does not automatically disqualify candidates from employment.
Benefits
Cintas offers comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision benefits, with premiums below the national average. We offer flexibility with four different medical plan options; one plan is offered at zero cost.
Additionally, our employee-partners enjoy:
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) with Company Match/Profit Sharing/Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance, 100% Company Paid
- Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Skills Development, Training and Career Advancement Opportunities
Compensation
A reasonable estimate of base salary for this role ranges between $16.37 - $18.38/Hour. The range takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, and other business and organization needs. Please note, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each decision.
Company Information
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in the U.S., Cincinnati, OH, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
Cintas Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or category protected by local, state, or federal law.
This job posting will remain open for at least five (5) days.
Job Category: Production Hourly
Organization: Rental
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full Time
Shift: 1st Shift
Requisition Number: 222790
Job Description
Cintas is seeking a Production Associate – Garment/Linen/Bulk Product Folder to support the Rental Division. The Product Folder is responsible for folding customer product manually or through the use of an industrial garment folding machine, counting folded product, and preparing bundles of clean, folded product for delivery to customers. Product Folders are expected to maintain the cleanliness of their work area. This position is on a performance-based incentive pay structure; meaning the Product Folder must meet or exceed a production standard for folding product, and additional compensation incentive (e.g., higher hourly pay) is tied to exceeding production standards.
Skills/Qualifications
Job Expectations and Eligibility Factors:
Work Eligibility (prior to first day of employment)
- Must be authorized to work in the US.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
Work Expectations
- Must adhere to attendance policy.
- Must be willing to work in a safe proximity to other people for extended periods of time.
- Must be willing to work in a fast-paced, schedule driven environment where there are time pressures to complete work quickly.
Physical Qualifications, with or without reasonable accommodation:
- Requires standing for most of shift.
- Requires repetitive motions, stretching, bending, turning, or reaching to accomplish work activities.
- May require pushing carts or bins full of bulk or linen product to station to prepare for folding.
Attributes of a Great Employee-Partner:
- Attention To Detail: Is thorough and careful about detail when completing work tasks or correcting flaws or mistakes.
- Work Ethic / Effort: Displays a high level of effort and commitment towards performing work; is hard working and dependable; prioritizes tasks properly to meet deadlines.
- Interpersonal Skills: Is pleasant with others on the job and displays a good-natured, cooperative attitude; is respectful, courteous, and polite towards others.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Works with others to achieve goals; supports team decisions.
- Safety Orientation: Is committed to complying with safety rules and guidelines.
How You Will Be Evaluated:
The full selection process may include the following components:
- Application and resume review
- Interviews
- Job Tryout
This is not an offer of employment. The tryout provides a realistic job preview to better understand the work environment, the work activities, and the performance expectations. Candidates will be compensated for their time during the job tryout.
Not all applicants will progress through the entire selection process; only those applicants identified as most qualified for the job will be invited to the next step in the process. Individuals who receive a conditional job offer will also be required to complete a background check and drug screen.
Having a criminal history does not automatically disqualify candidates from employment.
Benefits
Cintas offers comprehensive and competitive medical, dental and vision benefits, with premiums below the national average. We offer flexibility with four different medical plan options; one plan is offered at zero cost.
Additionally, our employee-partners enjoy:
- Competitive Pay
- 401(k) with Company Match/Profit Sharing/Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance, 100% Company Paid
- Paid Time Off and Holidays
- Skills Development, Training and Career Advancement Opportunities
Compensation
A reasonable estimate of base salary for this role ranges between $16.37 - $18.38/Hour. The range takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, and other business and organization needs. Please note, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each decision.
Company Information
Cintas Corporation helps more than one million businesses of all types and sizes get Ready™ to open their doors with confidence every day by providing products and services that help keep their customers’ facilities and employees clean, safe, and looking their best. With offerings including uniforms, mats, mops, towels, restroom supplies, workplace water services, first aid and safety products, eye-wash stations, safety training, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and alarm service, Cintas helps customers get Ready for the Workday®. Headquartered in the U.S., Cincinnati, OH, Cintas is a publicly held Fortune 500 company traded over the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol CTAS and is a component of both the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index and Nasdaq-100 Index.
Cintas Corporation is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic or category protected by local, state, or federal law.
This job posting will remain open for at least five (5) days.
Job Category: Production Hourly
Organization: Rental
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full Time
Shift: 1st Shift
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Production Associate
Target manufacturers with established OPT hiring patterns
Large manufacturers in automotive, electronics, and consumer goods regularly hire OPT students for production roles. These companies already understand EAD-based work authorization and are less likely to treat your status as a liability during the hiring process.
Lead with your technical coursework and lab experience
Hiring managers in production care about practical skills. Highlight coursework in manufacturing processes, quality systems, or industrial operations. Internships, co-ops, or university lab projects that involved hands-on production work are especially relevant to this role.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront with recruiters
Production roles often involve shift scheduling and long-term headcount planning. Telling recruiters your exact OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility early prevents late-stage surprises and shows you understand your own authorization status clearly.
Emphasize STEM OPT extension eligibility if your degree qualifies
A STEM-designated degree in engineering or manufacturing gives you up to three additional years of work authorization. This matters to production employers who invest time training new hires and prefer candidates who can stay beyond the standard 12-month OPT period.
Prepare to address future sponsorship directly
Some production employers will ask about your long-term visa needs. Research whether the company has sponsored H-1B visas before. Going into that conversation with specific information shows initiative and makes the sponsorship question feel less like a risk to the employer.
Apply to companies actively hiring on OPT-friendly platforms
Generic job boards don't filter for visa sponsorship willingness. Migrate Mate surfaces Production Associate roles from employers already open to OPT candidates, saving you from applying to companies that will screen you out at the first recruiter call.
Production Associate jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Production Associate on OPT?
Yes, your F-1 OPT EAD authorizes full-time employment in Production Associate roles as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. Engineering, industrial technology, operations management, and supply chain degrees all have a clear connection to production work. Keep documentation of how your role ties to your major in case your DSO or USCIS asks.
Do Production Associate employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
It varies by company size and role level. Large manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, and electronics have established immigration programs and routinely sponsor H-1B petitions for production engineers and associates. Smaller manufacturers and contract production facilities are less likely to sponsor. Migrate Mate shows you which Production Associate employers are open to sponsorship so you can target your applications accordingly.
Does a Production Associate role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or materials science, and the Production Associate role uses that knowledge, you can apply for a 24-month STEM extension. Your employer must also be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm the connection between your specific duties and your degree with your DSO before filing.
What should I do if my OPT expires before I receive an H-1B approval?
If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you have a valid STEM extension or timely filed extension pending, you may be protected by cap-gap coverage. Cap-gap automatically extends your F-1 status and work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year your H-1B is approved. Talk to your DSO immediately if your timeline is close, because a gap in authorization can require you to stop working.
What degree fields best support a Production Associate OPT application?
Industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, operations management, and supply chain management are the strongest matches for Production Associate roles under OPT. Quality engineering and materials science degrees also connect well depending on the specific production environment. The closer your coursework is to the actual work you will do on the floor, the easier it is to justify the educational connection your OPT requires.
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