OPT Production Engineer Jobs
Production Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in industrial, mechanical, or manufacturing engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in automotive, semiconductor, and consumer goods manufacturing actively hire and sponsor international engineers at this level.
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Get Access To All JobsAt Perrigo, we are driven by our mission to Makes Lives Better Through Trusted Health and Wellness Solutions, Accessible to All. We are proud to be a Top 10 player in the European Consumer Self-Care market and the largest U.S. store brand provider of over the counter and infant formula. Dedicated to providing The Best Self-Care for Everyone, we are the people behind the brands you trust. We are Opill®, Compeed®, Solpadeine®, NiQuitin®, and many more. We Are Perrigo. We are committed to enhancing the wellbeing of our colleagues and consumers alike. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture where each person can experience a sense of belonging.
Join us on our One Perrigo journey as we evolve to win in self-care.
Description Overview
We are seeking a Production Engineer to join our team at our Oral Care facility in Kentwood, MI!
This position is responsible for the management of projects as they relate to process improvements and capital expenditures. This would include the justification of these projects as well as follow up through the installation of the capital equipment. In addition, this position is responsible for developing and maintaining plant layouts: assisting in new product launches, suggesting process flow improvements, providing engineering support both mechanical and electrical to maintenance and equipment on the floor, performing time studies as they relate to the development and implementation of new or existing processes.
Scope of the Role
- Work with manufacturing in the development and justification of work cells for cost reduction. Lead continuous improvement projects and manage the project task list resulting from the event.
- Develop justifications for new capital expenditures, write the appropriation request, follow up on the purchase of the capital equipment, and manage the timely installation of the equipment.
- Provide engineering support as part of a team for new product launches.
- Perform time studies for the development of new labor standards and confirmation of existing standards.
- Serve as project leader on various cost reduction or process improvement projects.
- Ability to troubleshoot / service/ program electrical and machine controls such as: Allen Bradley, RS logic, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Barber Colman, Relay and PLC ladder logic, Motor starters including variable frequency drives, I/O – Switch functions, AC/DC electronic concepts.
- Provide engineering leadership support to maintenance and equipment.
- Strong experience with Lean Manufacturing. (Kaizen, 5S, Continuous Improvement techniques, Etc.)
- Support effective implementation of all GMP requirements and understand how it affect products/processes supported and/or owned.
Experience Required
- B.S. degree in Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Chemical / Electrical or equivalent work experience (3-5yrs).
- Thorough knowledge and experience with CAD software.
- Consumer product / and packaging background.
- Understanding of & Ability to work in and with FDA / ISO / QS / Regulatory requirements for products.
- Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software in use.
- Strong knowledge of Excel.
- Working knowledge of MRP systems.
Benefits
We believe our people are our greatest asset. Alongside competitive compensation, we offer benefits tailored to supporting you and your family, as well as career development opportunities to ensure you feel valued and supported, both professionally and personally.
Find out more about Total Rewards at Perrigo.
Hybrid Working Approach
We love our offices and the setting they provide for in-person collaboration and celebration. But we also appreciate the opportunity to work remotely can energise you too, so we promote flexibility with the ability to work two days a week from home in many roles.
We are proud to be included in the Forbes list of "America's Best Employers by State 2024". Find out more here.
Applicants please note: To apply to this position please click the APPLY button at the bottom of the application. (The SAVE button will only save your profile information but not submit an application for this open position.) Thank you.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law. #weareperrigo
At Perrigo, we are driven by our mission to Makes Lives Better Through Trusted Health and Wellness Solutions, Accessible to All. We are proud to be a Top 10 player in the European Consumer Self-Care market and the largest U.S. store brand provider of over the counter and infant formula. Dedicated to providing The Best Self-Care for Everyone, we are the people behind the brands you trust. We are Opill®, Compeed®, Solpadeine®, NiQuitin®, and many more. We Are Perrigo. We are committed to enhancing the wellbeing of our colleagues and consumers alike. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture where each person can experience a sense of belonging.
Join us on our One Perrigo journey as we evolve to win in self-care.
Description Overview
We are seeking a Production Engineer to join our team at our Oral Care facility in Kentwood, MI!
This position is responsible for the management of projects as they relate to process improvements and capital expenditures. This would include the justification of these projects as well as follow up through the installation of the capital equipment. In addition, this position is responsible for developing and maintaining plant layouts: assisting in new product launches, suggesting process flow improvements, providing engineering support both mechanical and electrical to maintenance and equipment on the floor, performing time studies as they relate to the development and implementation of new or existing processes.
Scope of the Role
- Work with manufacturing in the development and justification of work cells for cost reduction. Lead continuous improvement projects and manage the project task list resulting from the event.
- Develop justifications for new capital expenditures, write the appropriation request, follow up on the purchase of the capital equipment, and manage the timely installation of the equipment.
- Provide engineering support as part of a team for new product launches.
- Perform time studies for the development of new labor standards and confirmation of existing standards.
- Serve as project leader on various cost reduction or process improvement projects.
- Ability to troubleshoot / service/ program electrical and machine controls such as: Allen Bradley, RS logic, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Barber Colman, Relay and PLC ladder logic, Motor starters including variable frequency drives, I/O – Switch functions, AC/DC electronic concepts.
- Provide engineering leadership support to maintenance and equipment.
- Strong experience with Lean Manufacturing. (Kaizen, 5S, Continuous Improvement techniques, Etc.)
- Support effective implementation of all GMP requirements and understand how it affect products/processes supported and/or owned.
Experience Required
- B.S. degree in Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering / Mechanical Engineering / Chemical / Electrical or equivalent work experience (3-5yrs).
- Thorough knowledge and experience with CAD software.
- Consumer product / and packaging background.
- Understanding of & Ability to work in and with FDA / ISO / QS / Regulatory requirements for products.
- Working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet software in use.
- Strong knowledge of Excel.
- Working knowledge of MRP systems.
Benefits
We believe our people are our greatest asset. Alongside competitive compensation, we offer benefits tailored to supporting you and your family, as well as career development opportunities to ensure you feel valued and supported, both professionally and personally.
Find out more about Total Rewards at Perrigo.
Hybrid Working Approach
We love our offices and the setting they provide for in-person collaboration and celebration. But we also appreciate the opportunity to work remotely can energise you too, so we promote flexibility with the ability to work two days a week from home in many roles.
We are proud to be included in the Forbes list of "America's Best Employers by State 2024". Find out more here.
Applicants please note: To apply to this position please click the APPLY button at the bottom of the application. (The SAVE button will only save your profile information but not submit an application for this open position.) Thank you.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by law. #weareperrigo
See all 278+ OPT Production Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Production Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Production Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers early
Production Engineer roles almost always fall under STEM OPT extensions, but confirm your degree and job duties align with the STEM designation. Start your employer search at least three months before your initial OPT expires to avoid authorization gaps.
Emphasize process improvement experience
Employers sponsoring OPT workers want proven ROI. Quantify your Lean, Six Sigma, or kaizen contributions in your resume. Specific metrics like cycle time reduction or defect rate improvement make your application stand out against candidates without work authorization complexity.
Focus on manufacturing-heavy industries
Automotive, semiconductor, aerospace, and medical device companies hire Production Engineers in volume and have established immigration infrastructure. These employers are far more likely to have HR teams experienced with OPT paperwork and eventual H-1B visa sponsorship pathways.
Clarify your authorization timeline upfront
Be direct with recruiters about your OPT end date and STEM extension eligibility. Production Engineer hiring cycles can run 8 to 12 weeks. Starting the conversation early prevents surprises and signals professionalism to employers unfamiliar with F-1 work authorization rules.
Align your job duties to your degree field
STEM OPT approval requires your job to be directly related to your major. If your degree is in industrial engineering, ensure your offer letter reflects production systems, process optimization, or manufacturing operations, not general operations management, which may not qualify.
Build your DSO relationship before you need it
Your Designated School Official must authorize your OPT and any STEM extension. Introduce yourself before deadlines arrive, keep them updated on job offers, and give them at least 90 days to process your STEM extension I-983 training plan with your employer.
Production Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Production Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most Production Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in engineering, manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, or a related STEM field. The job duties must be directly tied to your major. Your employer also needs to be enrolled in E-Verify, which most mid-size and large manufacturers already are. Confirm the connection between your degree and the specific role before filing.
How long does OPT authorization last for Production Engineer positions?
Initial OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization after graduation. If your degree qualifies as STEM and your Production Engineer role is directly related to it, you can apply for a 24-month STEM extension, giving you up to 36 months total. You must apply for the extension before your initial OPT expires, and your employer must sign a formal training plan on Form I-983.
What types of companies hire Production Engineers on OPT?
Automotive manufacturers, semiconductor fabs, aerospace suppliers, consumer electronics companies, and medical device firms are among the most active hirers of Production Engineers on OPT. These industries operate at scale and tend to have HR teams experienced with international hiring. You can browse OPT-friendly Production Engineer openings on Migrate Mate, which filters for employers open to sponsoring F-1 students.
Can I work as a Production Engineer at a startup on OPT?
Yes, but there are practical risks. Startups must be enrolled in E-Verify for you to qualify for the STEM OPT extension, and many early-stage companies are not. Startups also have less capacity to manage I-983 training plan requirements or support future H-1B sponsorship. If you join a startup, verify E-Verify enrollment before accepting and discuss the H-1B pathway directly with the founding team.
What is the I-983 training plan and why does it matter for Production Engineers?
The I-983 is a formal document your employer and DSO must complete to approve your STEM OPT extension. It outlines your learning objectives, how your Production Engineer duties relate to your degree, and how your employer will supervise and evaluate you. USCIS can audit these plans, so vague or generic descriptions of your role create risk. Your employer's HR or legal team should treat it as a compliance document, not a formality.