OPT Production Operator Jobs
Production Operator jobs are available to F-1 OPT students with degrees in manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or related fields. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in food processing, electronics, and automotive manufacturing regularly hire OPT candidates for hands-on production roles.
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Are you ready to take your skills to the next level and make a real impact? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
The role is based on Rochester, NY (On-site role). Be part of a creative, solution-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.
Where You’ll Make a Difference
- Perform core process operations, which may include media preparation, fermentation, recovery, blending, packaging, receiving, shipping, and material handling.
- Handle materials including sampling, weighing, mixing, transporting, and packaging according to production needs.
- Operate production equipment and continuously monitor process conditions to ensure safe and reliable performance.
- Read, follow, and execute all Work Instructions and SOPs, ensuring accurate completion of all shift paperwork (written and electronic).
- Maintain housekeeping standards according to GMP requirements, ensuring a clean and organized workspace.
- Ensure 100% adherence to all safety practices, procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements.
- Support manufacturing tasks as needed to maintain workflow and production continuity.
- Perform SAP transactions for inputs, outputs, and inventory movements.
- Participate in operations support teams to enhance collaboration and continuous improvement.
What Makes You the Right Fit
- AAS/BS degree in a scientific or technical field, or a high school diploma with 1–3 years of manufacturing experience.
- Basic computer skills required; SAP experience is a plus.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to work with production equipment.
- Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and plan effectively.
- Strong teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate within a highly interactive, self-directed group.
- High motivation, safety awareness, and commitment to following quality and compliance standards.
- Ability to thrive in an environment focused on continuous improvement.
How Would You Stand Out?
- Previous experience in fermentation, food/feed, dietary supplements, or related regulated industries.
- Experience working within ISO 22000, FAMI-QS, or NSF quality environments.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment or process deviations effectively.
Why Choose Us?
- Join a team committed to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment with diverse processing technologies.
- Continuous learning and development through training and cross-functional collaboration.
- Be part of an organization focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Work schedule with consecutive days off, supporting strong work-life balance.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Salary Ranges:
38.157,00 - 54.510,00 USD
Job Summary
Are you ready to take your skills to the next level and make a real impact? IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.
The role is based on Rochester, NY (On-site role). Be part of a creative, solution-oriented team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.
Where You’ll Make a Difference
- Perform core process operations, which may include media preparation, fermentation, recovery, blending, packaging, receiving, shipping, and material handling.
- Handle materials including sampling, weighing, mixing, transporting, and packaging according to production needs.
- Operate production equipment and continuously monitor process conditions to ensure safe and reliable performance.
- Read, follow, and execute all Work Instructions and SOPs, ensuring accurate completion of all shift paperwork (written and electronic).
- Maintain housekeeping standards according to GMP requirements, ensuring a clean and organized workspace.
- Ensure 100% adherence to all safety practices, procedures, and personal protective equipment requirements.
- Support manufacturing tasks as needed to maintain workflow and production continuity.
- Perform SAP transactions for inputs, outputs, and inventory movements.
- Participate in operations support teams to enhance collaboration and continuous improvement.
What Makes You the Right Fit
- AAS/BS degree in a scientific or technical field, or a high school diploma with 1–3 years of manufacturing experience.
- Basic computer skills required; SAP experience is a plus.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to work with production equipment.
- Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and plan effectively.
- Strong teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate within a highly interactive, self-directed group.
- High motivation, safety awareness, and commitment to following quality and compliance standards.
- Ability to thrive in an environment focused on continuous improvement.
How Would You Stand Out?
- Previous experience in fermentation, food/feed, dietary supplements, or related regulated industries.
- Experience working within ISO 22000, FAMI-QS, or NSF quality environments.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot equipment or process deviations effectively.
Why Choose Us?
- Join a team committed to safety, quality, and operational excellence.
- Opportunity to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment with diverse processing technologies.
- Continuous learning and development through training and cross-functional collaboration.
- Be part of an organization focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Competitive compensation and benefits package.
- Work schedule with consecutive days off, supporting strong work-life balance.
We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.
Salary Ranges:
38.157,00 - 54.510,00 USD
See all OPT Production Operator Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Production Operator Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Production Operator
Confirm your degree qualifies the role
Production Operator positions qualify for STEM OPT only when the role directly applies your engineering or technology degree. Ask hiring managers how they classify the position before accepting an offer to avoid losing STEM extension eligibility.
Target manufacturers with established OPT programs
Large manufacturers in automotive, electronics, and food processing sectors have HR infrastructure to handle OPT paperwork. Smaller facilities often lack experience with I-983 training plans, which creates delays and compliance risks for your work authorization.
Get your I-983 training plan in writing before day one
Your STEM OPT employer must complete Form I-983 with specific learning objectives tied to your degree. Secure a signed training plan before your start date. Generic descriptions of duties without degree-related goals will not satisfy DSO reporting requirements.
Verify the employer is E-Verify enrolled
STEM OPT extensions require your employer to be actively enrolled in E-Verify at the worksite where you work. Confirm enrollment before accepting any offer. A facility that recently merged or changed ownership may have a lapsed enrollment that needs resolving.
Document production certifications proactively
Certifications like Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, OSHA 10, or forklift operator credentials signal job readiness to production hiring managers. Listing these on your application reduces employer hesitation about investing in OPT paperwork for an unfamiliar candidate.
Apply before your OPT start date when possible
Production facilities plan headcount weeks in advance. Applying while still in post-completion OPT gives employers lead time to complete I-983 paperwork and E-Verify verification without rushing, which significantly increases your chances of a smooth onboarding process.
Production Operator OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Production Operator on F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a related field such as manufacturing engineering, industrial technology, or a STEM discipline. Standard OPT gives you 12 months of work authorization. If your degree is STEM-designated and the Production Operator role applies that training directly, you may qualify for a 24-month STEM extension, for up to 36 months total.
Does a Production Operator role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on how the employer classifies the position and whether it genuinely requires applying knowledge from a STEM degree. Roles involving process control, quality systems, or equipment calibration tied to an engineering degree are strong candidates. Roles that are purely manual assembly with no technical degree requirement are unlikely to qualify. Confirm the classification with your DSO before accepting.
What does the I-983 training plan look like for a Production Operator?
Your employer must document specific learning goals connecting your daily production duties to your degree field. For example, a manufacturing engineering graduate might document goals around process improvement, equipment troubleshooting, or statistical quality control. Vague descriptions of assembly tasks will not satisfy requirements. Your DSO must approve the plan, and the employer must evaluate your progress at 12-month intervals.
Which industries hire Production Operators who are on OPT?
Automotive parts manufacturing, electronics assembly, food and beverage processing, pharmaceutical production, and consumer goods are the most active sectors. Large manufacturers with dedicated HR teams are better equipped to handle OPT paperwork than small job shops. Migrate Mate's job board filters for OPT-friendly Production Operator roles across these industries so you can focus applications on employers already familiar with the process.
What happens to my OPT if I'm laid off from a Production Operator job?
You have a 90-day unemployment allowance across your entire standard OPT period. If you're on a STEM extension, you have an additional 60 days, for a total of 150 days. You must report the end of employment to your DSO within 10 days. Use the unemployment window to search actively, and notify your DSO of any new employer so they can update your SEVIS record promptly.