Production Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
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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Iron Fabrication Services (IFS) is a leading fabricator and supplier of all types of steel used in many major construction projects such as large scale commercial and residential buildings. Our quality is visible throughout the Metropolitan area of Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. At IFS, we are committed to fostering a safe and productive work environment.
IFS is seeking a skilled and detailed oriented Production Engineer to join our team. This role plays a key part in bridging the gap between product design and manufacturing to ensure efficient production.
Job Summary: The Production Engineer is responsible for improving manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency, and ensuring production goals are met while maintaining safety and quality standards. This role works closely with the operations and quality teams to optimize production workflows, troubleshoot issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor daily production processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and safety standards are met.
- Review production drawings and process material and hardware orders with suppliers.
- Communicate with detailers for any missing details or drawings.
- Track raw material receipt in accordance with Pos.
- Issue delivery tickets for finish products delivery.
- Issue purchase orders to suppliers after shopping around for best prices.
- Coordinate with suppliers and production team in our shop for appropriate material delivery.
- Work closely with supply chain teams, and quality control personnel to align production goals with overall project objectives.
- Develop and analyze processes to increase productivity, improve efficiency, and reduce waste through data-driven methods, material savings, resource optimization, and continuous improvement techniques.
- Work with the appropriate staff to troubleshoot equipment issues and minimize downtime.
- Support production planning and scheduling to meet customer deadlines and demand.
- Assist with the implementation of new equipment, technology, or production methods.
- Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process documentation.
- Implement and monitor quality assurance protocols to maintain product standards and comply with regulatory requirements.
- Provide technical support and ensure proper staff train staff as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
- 3-5 years of experience in project engineering, preferably in the steel industry or a related heavy manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of steel production processes, materials, and construction practices.
- Proficiency in project management software and CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks).
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, capable of working with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Knowledge of relevant safety and environmental regulations in the steel industry.
Travel Requirements: Occasional travel is required.
Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Frequent periods of repeating the same movements. Walk, climb stairs, sit, and stand. Talk and hear at normal levels. See with close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and have the ability to adjust focus. Reach with hands and arms. Use hands and fingers to operate tools and other business machines. Lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IFS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by law.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
About us:
Iron Fabrication Services (IFS) is a leading fabricator and supplier of all types of steel used in many major construction projects such as large scale commercial and residential buildings. Our quality is visible throughout the Metropolitan area of Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland. At IFS, we are committed to fostering a safe and productive work environment.
IFS is seeking a skilled and detailed oriented Production Engineer to join our team. This role plays a key part in bridging the gap between product design and manufacturing to ensure efficient production.
Job Summary: The Production Engineer is responsible for improving manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency, and ensuring production goals are met while maintaining safety and quality standards. This role works closely with the operations and quality teams to optimize production workflows, troubleshoot issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor daily production processes to ensure efficiency, quality, and safety standards are met.
- Review production drawings and process material and hardware orders with suppliers.
- Communicate with detailers for any missing details or drawings.
- Track raw material receipt in accordance with Pos.
- Issue delivery tickets for finish products delivery.
- Issue purchase orders to suppliers after shopping around for best prices.
- Coordinate with suppliers and production team in our shop for appropriate material delivery.
- Work closely with supply chain teams, and quality control personnel to align production goals with overall project objectives.
- Develop and analyze processes to increase productivity, improve efficiency, and reduce waste through data-driven methods, material savings, resource optimization, and continuous improvement techniques.
- Work with the appropriate staff to troubleshoot equipment issues and minimize downtime.
- Support production planning and scheduling to meet customer deadlines and demand.
- Assist with the implementation of new equipment, technology, or production methods.
- Create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and process documentation.
- Implement and monitor quality assurance protocols to maintain product standards and comply with regulatory requirements.
- Provide technical support and ensure proper staff train staff as needed.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field.
- 3-5 years of experience in project engineering, preferably in the steel industry or a related heavy manufacturing environment.
- Strong understanding of steel production processes, materials, and construction practices.
- Proficiency in project management software and CAD software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks).
- Excellent organizational and multitasking abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
- Strong communication and leadership skills, capable of working with diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Knowledge of relevant safety and environmental regulations in the steel industry.
Travel Requirements: Occasional travel is required.
Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Frequent periods of repeating the same movements. Walk, climb stairs, sit, and stand. Talk and hear at normal levels. See with close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and have the ability to adjust focus. Reach with hands and arms. Use hands and fingers to operate tools and other business machines. Lift and/or move up to 50 lbs.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IFS is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by law.
Other duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
How to Get Visa 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 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.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently 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.
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