OPT Production Lead Jobs
Production Lead roles on OPT require demonstrating hands-on supervisory experience in manufacturing, logistics, or operations environments. Most employers file H-1B visa or E-3 visa sponsorship for strong performers. Your 12-month OPT window, extendable to 36 months for STEM-eligible graduates, gives you time to prove your value on the floor.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout Day and Zimmermann
At our Day & Zimmermann Munitions Plants, we know the stakes and We do what we say! ® We’re the team working behind the scenes to make sure our nation’s front lines have safe, high-quality ammunition. As a trusted premier manufacturer of ammunition to the U.S. Military, some of our capabilities range from production of direct and indirect fire, components, to special projects and beyond. With more than 120 years of experience behind us, it’s no surprise that our teams consistently exceed expectations! Come join in on our purpose – We put people to work, we protect American freedoms, and we help our customers power and improve the world!
Job Summary
Responsible for leading with cross-functional teams to plan and schedule production activities, minimizing throughput times while maximizing work center utilization, output and efficiency, in order to meet customer demand for on-time delivery requirements. This will require identifying capacity, material and staffing constraints in advance, then partnering with colleagues, operations, and the procurement team to identify and implement solutions. Responsible for leading and providing all direct labor estimates.
Responsibilities
- Lead team that creates and provides all direct labor estimates for bids and proposals.
- Develop and maintain capacity and staffing for all production resources. Balance workload (staffing) based on a variety of constraints, including schedule, delivery dates, materials, personnel, equipment, capacity, and explosive limits.
- Support New Product introductions through time and motion studies and direct labor estimating.
- Analyze work flow and aggressively identify opportunities for continuous improvement projects to maximize the use of manpower and equipment in order to meet HPUs.
- Analyze material demands and project schedule in order to maintain adequate supply of material to support production while minimizing inventory.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining complete and accurate Production Schedule and associated Reports. Create Integrated Master Schedule for current products as well as products being bid on. Update / Review / Maintain MPS and develop GPP schedule, leading reviews with core teams, program management and Directors. As well as any other duties assigned.
KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Strong Organizational, Prioritization, and Time Management skills. Able to simultaneously coordinate multiple projects and resources to enable timely completion of all tasks and projects, prioritizing as necessary.
- Strong Analytical Skills including the ability to synthesize complex or diverse information; collect and research data; use intuition and experience to complement data and make timely decisions; design work flows and procedures.
- Robust interpersonal skills needed in order to collaborate with direct and indirect team members to collectively address problems and develop solutions. This includes strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft products with demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Project and Excel.
- Detailed understanding of production process.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Business/Accounting/Industrial Engineering Required
- 3+ years in production control / production planning Required
- Radiography experience Preferred
- Defense manufacturing experience with munitions, metal fabrication Preferred
Travel Requirements:
0%
Candidates may be required to satisfy additional job-related requirements, including those established and controlled by third parties, as part of the selection process.
Compensation and Benefits
In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, the wage range for this role is $68,480.00 - $102,720.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. (The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements).
Diversity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity
Day & Zimmermann is committed to maintaining an inclusive workforce, where employees are hired, retained, compensated and promoted based on their contributions to our Company. Our collective strength is rooted in over a century of diverse employees and businesses, commitment to success, and delivery on promises made. Federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity laws prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status and disability status. Day & Zimmermann is committed to providing an equal opportunity work environment in full compliance with these laws. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation in the application process, please email reasonableaccommodation@dayzim.com, and please specify which position you are interested in, including job title and location.
About Day and Zimmermann
At our Day & Zimmermann Munitions Plants, we know the stakes and We do what we say! ® We’re the team working behind the scenes to make sure our nation’s front lines have safe, high-quality ammunition. As a trusted premier manufacturer of ammunition to the U.S. Military, some of our capabilities range from production of direct and indirect fire, components, to special projects and beyond. With more than 120 years of experience behind us, it’s no surprise that our teams consistently exceed expectations! Come join in on our purpose – We put people to work, we protect American freedoms, and we help our customers power and improve the world!
Job Summary
Responsible for leading with cross-functional teams to plan and schedule production activities, minimizing throughput times while maximizing work center utilization, output and efficiency, in order to meet customer demand for on-time delivery requirements. This will require identifying capacity, material and staffing constraints in advance, then partnering with colleagues, operations, and the procurement team to identify and implement solutions. Responsible for leading and providing all direct labor estimates.
Responsibilities
- Lead team that creates and provides all direct labor estimates for bids and proposals.
- Develop and maintain capacity and staffing for all production resources. Balance workload (staffing) based on a variety of constraints, including schedule, delivery dates, materials, personnel, equipment, capacity, and explosive limits.
- Support New Product introductions through time and motion studies and direct labor estimating.
- Analyze work flow and aggressively identify opportunities for continuous improvement projects to maximize the use of manpower and equipment in order to meet HPUs.
- Analyze material demands and project schedule in order to maintain adequate supply of material to support production while minimizing inventory.
- Responsible for creating and maintaining complete and accurate Production Schedule and associated Reports. Create Integrated Master Schedule for current products as well as products being bid on. Update / Review / Maintain MPS and develop GPP schedule, leading reviews with core teams, program management and Directors. As well as any other duties assigned.
KSAs (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Strong Organizational, Prioritization, and Time Management skills. Able to simultaneously coordinate multiple projects and resources to enable timely completion of all tasks and projects, prioritizing as necessary.
- Strong Analytical Skills including the ability to synthesize complex or diverse information; collect and research data; use intuition and experience to complement data and make timely decisions; design work flows and procedures.
- Robust interpersonal skills needed in order to collaborate with direct and indirect team members to collectively address problems and develop solutions. This includes strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft products with demonstrated expertise in Microsoft Project and Excel.
- Detailed understanding of production process.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) in Business/Accounting/Industrial Engineering Required
- 3+ years in production control / production planning Required
- Radiography experience Preferred
- Defense manufacturing experience with munitions, metal fabrication Preferred
Travel Requirements:
0%
Candidates may be required to satisfy additional job-related requirements, including those established and controlled by third parties, as part of the selection process.
Compensation and Benefits
In compliance with this state’s pay transparency laws, the wage range for this role is $68,480.00 - $102,720.00. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. (The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements).
Diversity, Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity
Day & Zimmermann is committed to maintaining an inclusive workforce, where employees are hired, retained, compensated and promoted based on their contributions to our Company. Our collective strength is rooted in over a century of diverse employees and businesses, commitment to success, and delivery on promises made. Federal and state Equal Employment Opportunity laws prohibit employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status and disability status. Day & Zimmermann is committed to providing an equal opportunity work environment in full compliance with these laws. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation in the application process, please email reasonableaccommodation@dayzim.com, and please specify which position you are interested in, including job title and location.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Production Lead
Target manufacturers with established OPT pipelines
Large-scale manufacturers in automotive, electronics, and food production regularly hire international graduates and have HR teams familiar with OPT authorization. Smaller operations may hesitate, so prioritize employers with a documented history of sponsoring production staff.
Align your degree field with production operations
Employers and USCIS both care that your degree connects to the role. Industrial engineering, manufacturing systems, or operations management degrees map cleanly to Production Lead responsibilities and strengthen your case for STEM OPT extension eligibility.
Document your supervisory and output metrics
Quantify your impact on the production floor before interviews. Throughput improvements, defect rate reductions, and team size managed are the specific numbers that production-focused hiring managers and future visa sponsors look for when evaluating candidates.
Raise OPT authorization early in the process
Bring up your OPT status before the offer stage, not after. Explain your authorized work period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and your H-1B visa sponsorship timeline. Informed employers are far less likely to withdraw interest over authorization concerns.
Pursue Lean, Six Sigma, or safety certifications
Credentials like Lean Six Sigma Yellow or Green Belt signal practical production competency beyond your degree. They also differentiate you from domestic candidates, giving employers a concrete reason to invest in sponsorship for your continued employment.
Connect your academic projects to real production environments
If your coursework included process optimization, supply chain labs, or capstone manufacturing projects, frame these explicitly in your resume and interviews. Employers need to see that your OPT work authorization is grounded in directly relevant, field-specific education.
Production Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Production Lead on OPT?
Yes, if your degree field relates directly to the role. Production Lead positions under industrial engineering, manufacturing systems, or operations management degrees qualify as practical training. Your job duties must connect to your field of study, so document that alignment clearly in your OPT application and employment records.
Does a Production Lead role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If you graduated with a STEM-designated degree such as industrial engineering or manufacturing engineering technology, and your employer meets the E-Verify requirement, you can apply for a 24-month STEM extension. The role itself must continue to relate to that degree field.
How do I find Production Lead employers who are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers who are open to sponsoring international candidates. Searching there saves time compared to applying broadly to roles where your authorization status will immediately disqualify you. Focus on mid-size to large manufacturers with dedicated HR departments.
Will employers sponsor H-1B for a Production Lead after OPT?
Many do, particularly in automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods manufacturing. Production Leads with measurable performance records and technical degrees are strong H-1B candidates. Specialty occupation status for production management roles is supportable when the position requires a degree in a specific technical field, so document your responsibilities carefully from day one.
What happens to my OPT status if I get promoted from Production Lead to a higher role?
A promotion generally does not jeopardize your OPT status as long as the new role still relates to your degree field. You do not need to update USCIS when your title changes, but your employer must update your records and you should keep documentation showing the continued connection to your field of study.