Production Machinist Jobs for OPT Students
Production Machinist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or industrial technology. Most roles qualify for the standard 12-month OPT period, and CNC or precision machining experience significantly strengthens your authorization timeline with employers.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Zimmer Biomet, we believe in pushing the boundaries of innovation and driving our mission forward. As a global medical technology leader for nearly 100 years, a patient’s mobility is enhanced by a Zimmer Biomet product or technology every 8 seconds. As a Zimmer Biomet team member, you will share in our commitment to providing mobility and renewed life to people around the world. To support our talented team, we focus on development opportunities, robust employee resource groups (ERGs), a flexible working environment, location specific competitive total rewards, wellness incentives and a culture of recognition and performance awards. We are committed to creating an environment where every team member feels inspired, invested, cared for, valued, and have a strong sense of belonging.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for setting up machines, checking products, and keeping production items running through machining areas with quality acceptable to the Zimmer Standard. May also perform additional responsibilities which include, but are not limited to, non-destructive testing, cell support, mass finishing, injection molding, and polishing.
How You'll Create Impact
- Setup machines, lathes, mills, or machining centers for the production of products.
- Participate in ongoing process improvements.
- Record production through DPI terminal and maintain count cards.
- May perform additional cell responsibilities as necessary.
This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all of the 'essential functions' for purposes of the ADA.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High School diploma plus two years machining experience on CNC lathes and/or mills or have four semesters or verified vocational or high school machine shop training with one year of CNC experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Must have a working knowledge of precision measuring equipment including mics, calipers, comparators, and indicators.
- Must be able to lift in the 60-pound range repeatedly.
- Must be able to work in a team/cellular environment.
- Must demonstrate ability to perform setup on machines.
EEO
Zimmer Biomet is an equal opportunity employer.
INTRODUCTION
At Zimmer Biomet, we believe in pushing the boundaries of innovation and driving our mission forward. As a global medical technology leader for nearly 100 years, a patient’s mobility is enhanced by a Zimmer Biomet product or technology every 8 seconds. As a Zimmer Biomet team member, you will share in our commitment to providing mobility and renewed life to people around the world. To support our talented team, we focus on development opportunities, robust employee resource groups (ERGs), a flexible working environment, location specific competitive total rewards, wellness incentives and a culture of recognition and performance awards. We are committed to creating an environment where every team member feels inspired, invested, cared for, valued, and have a strong sense of belonging.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for setting up machines, checking products, and keeping production items running through machining areas with quality acceptable to the Zimmer Standard. May also perform additional responsibilities which include, but are not limited to, non-destructive testing, cell support, mass finishing, injection molding, and polishing.
How You'll Create Impact
- Setup machines, lathes, mills, or machining centers for the production of products.
- Participate in ongoing process improvements.
- Record production through DPI terminal and maintain count cards.
- May perform additional cell responsibilities as necessary.
This is not an exhaustive list of duties or functions and may not necessarily comprise all of the 'essential functions' for purposes of the ADA.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High School diploma plus two years machining experience on CNC lathes and/or mills or have four semesters or verified vocational or high school machine shop training with one year of CNC experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Must have a working knowledge of precision measuring equipment including mics, calipers, comparators, and indicators.
- Must be able to lift in the 60-pound range repeatedly.
- Must be able to work in a team/cellular environment.
- Must demonstrate ability to perform setup on machines.
EEO
Zimmer Biomet is an equal opportunity employer.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Production Machinist
Target manufacturers with established OPT hiring
Aerospace, automotive, and defense manufacturers regularly hire OPT students for machinist roles. These companies have HR teams familiar with work authorization documentation and are less likely to reject your application over visa status questions.
Confirm your degree supports OPT authorization
OPT authorization requires your job to be directly related to your degree field. Manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, and industrial technology degrees provide the strongest connection to Production Machinist roles during DSO verification.
Highlight CNC programming and precision tolerances
Employers sponsoring OPT students want proof of specialized skills. Quantify your machining experience with specific equipment names, tolerance ranges you've held, and production volumes. This signals employability beyond what domestic candidates typically show.
Ask about STEM OPT extension eligibility early
Production Machinist roles at STEM-designated employers may qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months. Confirm the employer's E-Verify enrollment and your degree's CIP code eligibility before accepting an offer.
Document your training plan for employer sign-off
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan (Form I-983) signed by your employer. Discuss this during the offer stage, not after. Employers who understand the requirement upfront are far less likely to withdraw support later.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Production Machinist job qualify for OPT work authorization?
Yes, if your degree field directly relates to the role. Production Machinist positions typically qualify for OPT students holding degrees in manufacturing engineering, mechanical engineering, or industrial technology. Your DSO will verify the connection between your degree and the job duties when endorsing your OPT application. Roles involving CNC operation, precision measurement, and process improvement present the clearest degree-to-job alignment.
Can I get a STEM OPT extension as a Production Machinist?
You may qualify if your degree has an eligible STEM CIP code and your employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Manufacturing engineering and mechanical engineering degrees commonly qualify. The employer must also be willing to sign and implement a training plan (Form I-983) outlining your professional development goals. Confirm both the employer's E-Verify status and your degree's CIP code with your DSO before counting on the extension.
How do I find Production Machinist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by visa sponsorship and work authorization compatibility. Searching there gives you direct access to Production Machinist openings at employers already familiar with OPT requirements, which saves time compared to applying broadly and getting screened out over status questions.
What happens to my OPT authorization if I'm laid off from a machinist job?
You have a cumulative 90-day unemployment allowance during your standard OPT period. If you're on a STEM OPT extension, that allowance increases to 150 days total across both periods. The clock starts from your last day of employment. You must actively seek new employment in a role related to your degree and report any job changes to your DSO within 10 days.
Do production machinist employers typically understand OPT work authorization?
It varies significantly by employer size and industry. Large aerospace and defense manufacturers, such as those in the tier-one supply chain, generally have HR teams experienced with OPT and EAD documentation. Smaller job shops may have never hired an OPT student and may confuse EAD authorization with visa sponsorship requirements. Coming prepared with a clear one-page explanation of your authorization status and timeline can reduce friction during the hiring process.
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