OPT Production Engineering Manager Jobs

Production Engineering Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with engineering degrees, since most roles require direct technical expertise in manufacturing, process optimization, or systems reliability. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives qualified candidates up to three years of work authorization, making long-term employer investment realistic.

See All OPT Production Engineering Manager Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs20+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type100% On-site
Median Salary$90K
Top LocationSchertz, TX
Most JobsWestern States Fire Protection

Showing 5 of 20+ Production Engineering Manager jobs

Spirit AeroSystems
Fabrication Production and Industrial Engineering Senior Manager
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Spirit AeroSystems
Added 3mo ago
Fabrication Production and Industrial Engineering Senior Manager
Spirit AeroSystems
Wichita, Kansas
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Project & Program Management
Quality Control
Manufacturing Engineering
Project Management
Industrial Engineering
$120,800/yr - $185,200/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Ashley Furniture Industries
Production Manager/Chemical Engineering Specialist
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Ashley Furniture Industries
Added 3d ago
Production Manager/Chemical Engineering Specialist
Ashley Furniture Industries
Tupelo, Mississippi
Manufacturing Operations
Specialized Engineering
Quality Control
Chemical Engineering
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Walmart
Area Manager Asset Protection
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Walmart
Added 1w ago
Area Manager Asset Protection
Walmart
Chino, California
Compliance & Legal
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Compliance & Risk
Security & Protective Services
Environmental Engineering
Project Management
$78,600/yr - $118,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Western States Fire Protection
Fire Sprinkler Project Manager and Designer
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Western States Fire Protection
Added 5mo ago
Fire Sprinkler Project Manager and Designer
Western States Fire Protection
Bothell, Washington
Project & Program Management
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
$65,000/yr - $70,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Associate's

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Walmart
Area Manager Asset Protection
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Walmart
Added 2w ago
Area Manager Asset Protection
Walmart
Irvington, Alabama
Compliance & Legal
Health & Safety (EHS & OHS)
Specialized Engineering
Compliance & Risk
Security & Protective Services
Environmental Engineering
Executive Assistant & Personal Assistant
$65,500/yr - $98,000/yr
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Production Engineering Manager

Target manufacturing-heavy industries

Semiconductor, automotive, and industrial equipment companies hire Production Engineering Managers at scale and have established visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers are accustomed to OPT timelines and H-1B visa transitions, making them more receptive than smaller manufacturers.

Confirm your STEM OPT eligibility early

Production Engineering Manager roles typically fall under CIP codes in mechanical, industrial, or electrical engineering. Confirming your degree's STEM designation with your DSO before applying lets you negotiate timelines honestly and avoid surprises mid-hiring process.

Lead with technical depth, not management titles

Hiring managers want proof you can own production systems, not just supervise. Quantify process improvements, yield gains, or downtime reductions you've driven. Concrete engineering outcomes outperform vague leadership claims when competing against candidates with longer U.S. work histories.

Raise OPT after the technical interview

Wait until after the technical and panel interviews before discussing work authorization. Once you've demonstrated genuine engineering capability, sponsorship becomes a logistical question rather than a disqualifying factor. Early disclosure invites rejection before you've proven value.

Prioritize companies with existing H-1B sponsorship history

Employers who have sponsored H-1B petitions before understand the process and have immigration counsel in place. This significantly reduces the risk that they'll decline sponsorship simply due to unfamiliarity with the requirements or timeline involved.

Use OPT's flexibility to bridge into the role

If you're applying from a senior individual contributor role, OPT gives you time to take on team leadership without requiring immediate sponsorship commitment. Frame your transition proactively in interviews to show you've planned the path from engineer to manager deliberately.

Production Engineering Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Can F-1 OPT students work as Production Engineering Managers?

Yes, provided your undergraduate or graduate degree is in an engineering or closely related STEM field. Production Engineering Manager roles require technical qualifications that align directly with engineering CIP codes, which means most candidates are eligible for both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization total.

Does a Production Engineering Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code, such as mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or manufacturing engineering, and the job duties directly apply that training, you qualify for the STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before relying on the extension in any employment timeline discussions.

How do I find Production Engineering Manager jobs that sponsor OPT students?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches, so you can browse Production Engineering Manager openings filtered by sponsorship willingness. Companies in semiconductor manufacturing, automotive, and industrial automation are the most consistent sponsors for this role and are well represented among employers who actively recruit OPT candidates.

Will employers sponsor H-1B after hiring me on OPT for this role?

Many mid-to-large manufacturers do, especially if you've demonstrated measurable impact on production outcomes during your OPT period. The STEM OPT extension gives employers up to three years to assess fit before committing to H-1B sponsorship, which reduces their perceived risk considerably. Companies with prior H-1B sponsorship history are the safest targets since they already have the infrastructure and legal counsel in place.

What engineering background do I need to qualify for a Production Engineering Manager role on OPT?

Most employers require a bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical, industrial, manufacturing, or electrical engineering. The role is a specialty occupation under H-1B standards, meaning a specific degree is required, not just any bachelor's. Candidates who also have direct experience with production systems, process improvement methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma, and team supervision tend to be most competitive for roles at this level.