OPT Production Machinist Jobs
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 JobsSUMMARY
Sets up and operates conventional, special purpose, and computer numerical control (CNC) machines and machining centers to fabricate metallic and nonmetallic parts by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Studies blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished workpiece, sequence of operations, and setup requirements.
- Measures, marks, and scribes dimensions and reference points on material or workpiece as guides for subsequent machining.
- Selects, aligns, and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders, and shapers.
- Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
- Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining, and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.
- Verifies conformance of finished workpiece to specifications.
- Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.
- Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly.
- Verifies dimensions and alignment of assembly.
- Installs machined replacement parts in mechanisms, machines, and equipment, and tests operation of unit to ensure functionality and performance.
- Develops specifications from general description and draws sketch of part or product to be fabricated.
- Confers with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.
- Recommends measures to improve production methods, equipment performance and quality of product.
- Cleans and performs operator maintenance on assigned equipment.
- Responsible for adherence to the policies, procedures and instructions of the ISO 14001 systems.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee will frequently perform tasks requiring forceful repetitive grasping. The employee is occasionally required to walk; bend; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ATC Drivetrain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO)
SUMMARY
Sets up and operates conventional, special purpose, and computer numerical control (CNC) machines and machining centers to fabricate metallic and nonmetallic parts by performing the following duties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Studies blueprints, sketches, drawings, manuals, specifications, or sample part to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished workpiece, sequence of operations, and setup requirements.
- Measures, marks, and scribes dimensions and reference points on material or workpiece as guides for subsequent machining.
- Selects, aligns, and secures holding fixtures, cutting tools, attachments, accessories, and materials on machines such as mills, lathes, jig borers, grinders, and shapers.
- Calculates and sets controls to regulate machining factors such as speed, feed, coolant flow, and depth and angle of cut, or enters commands to retrieve, input, or edit computerized machine control media.
- Starts and observes machine operation to detect malfunctions or out-of-tolerance machining, and adjusts machine controls or control media as required.
- Verifies conformance of finished workpiece to specifications.
- Sets up and operates machine on trial run to verify accuracy of machine settings or programmed control data.
- Fits and assembles parts into complete assembly.
- Verifies dimensions and alignment of assembly.
- Installs machined replacement parts in mechanisms, machines, and equipment, and tests operation of unit to ensure functionality and performance.
- Develops specifications from general description and draws sketch of part or product to be fabricated.
- Confers with engineers, production personnel, programmers, or others to resolve machining or assembly problems.
- Recommends measures to improve production methods, equipment performance and quality of product.
- Cleans and performs operator maintenance on assigned equipment.
- Responsible for adherence to the policies, procedures and instructions of the ISO 14001 systems.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school; or six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee will frequently perform tasks requiring forceful repetitive grasping. The employee is occasionally required to walk; bend; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
ATC Drivetrain provides equal employment opportunities (EEO)
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT 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.
Apply before your OPT start date is approved
USCIS processing for OPT EADs takes three to five months. Apply to machinist positions during that window so you have offers ready when your work authorization activates. Most manufacturers can accommodate a defined start date.
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.
Production Machinist OPT: Frequently 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.