Production Scheduler Jobs for OPT Students
Production Scheduler jobs on OPT involve coordinating manufacturing timelines, managing inventory flow, and aligning production output with demand forecasts. Most roles require a degree in supply chain, industrial engineering, or operations management. Your 12-month OPT period is sufficient for most contract-to-hire tracks, and STEM OPT extension applies if your degree qualifies.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Production Scheduler - 1st shift
Location: Onsite in Davenport, Iowa
Job Type: W2 Contract - 12 months - ongoing
Expected hours per week: 40+ hours per week
Schedule: 1st shift, (6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Also, there is OT currently but not guaranteed. Candidates must be willing to support alternate shifts based on business needs.
Pay: $30-$33.21 / hour
Job Description
We are seeking a Production Scheduler to support our laser cutting and forming operations within a fast-paced fabrication environment. This role works closely with fabrication supervisors, engineers, and fellow schedulers to ensure efficient production flow and clear communication across the shop floor. This is a hands-on position that blends shop-floor engagement with office-based scheduling and coordination.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide scheduling support for laser cutting and forming operations
- Collaborate daily with Fabrication Supervisors, Engineers, and Schedulers
- Communicate production schedules, priorities, and changes clearly and effectively
- Spend approximately 75% of the time on the production floor, with remaining time in an office setting
- Work independently on daily scheduling tasks while contributing to a team-based environment
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 1+ year of scheduling experience
- Consideration given to candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent and 5+ years of scheduling experience in a production or manufacturing environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Intermediate Excel skills required (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, etc.)
- SAP experience strongly preferred
Job Title: Production Scheduler - 1st shift
Location: Onsite in Davenport, Iowa
Job Type: W2 Contract - 12 months - ongoing
Expected hours per week: 40+ hours per week
Schedule: 1st shift, (6:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.) Also, there is OT currently but not guaranteed. Candidates must be willing to support alternate shifts based on business needs.
Pay: $30-$33.21 / hour
Job Description
We are seeking a Production Scheduler to support our laser cutting and forming operations within a fast-paced fabrication environment. This role works closely with fabrication supervisors, engineers, and fellow schedulers to ensure efficient production flow and clear communication across the shop floor. This is a hands-on position that blends shop-floor engagement with office-based scheduling and coordination.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide scheduling support for laser cutting and forming operations
- Collaborate daily with Fabrication Supervisors, Engineers, and Schedulers
- Communicate production schedules, priorities, and changes clearly and effectively
- Spend approximately 75% of the time on the production floor, with remaining time in an office setting
- Work independently on daily scheduling tasks while contributing to a team-based environment
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 1+ year of scheduling experience
- Consideration given to candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent and 5+ years of scheduling experience in a production or manufacturing environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Intermediate Excel skills required (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, etc.)
- SAP experience strongly preferred
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in Production Scheduler
Target manufacturers with established OPT hiring pipelines
Large manufacturers in automotive, electronics, and consumer goods regularly hire international students for scheduling roles. Companies with existing OPT hires already understand work authorization timelines and are less likely to pass on a strong candidate over status concerns.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Industrial engineering, supply chain management, and operations research degrees typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Verifying this before interviews lets you tell employers you have up to three years of work authorization, which significantly reduces their sponsorship urgency.
Lead with ERP and scheduling software proficiency
Employers screening Production Scheduler candidates prioritize hands-on experience with SAP, Oracle, or similar ERP systems. Listing specific modules you have used, such as SAP PP or Oracle SCM, helps hiring managers see you as immediately productive rather than a training investment.
Address your OPT timeline proactively in cover letters
Briefly stating your authorization period and STEM extension eligibility in your cover letter removes ambiguity early. Hiring managers unfamiliar with OPT often assume international candidates require immediate H-1B sponsorship, so a clear one-sentence explanation prevents unnecessary rejections before the interview stage.
Focus on supply chain roles at companies that sponsor H-1B visas
Production Scheduler positions at companies with a history of H-1B filings in operations and logistics are your best long-term option. Reviewing public H-1B disclosure data for job titles like Production Planner or Supply Chain Analyst helps you identify employers likely to sponsor after OPT.
Quantify scheduling outcomes on your resume
Hiring managers for these roles respond to measurable results. Citing specific improvements in on-time delivery rates, reduction in production downtime, or inventory accuracy from internships or academic projects makes your resume stand out against candidates with similar academic backgrounds.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Production Scheduler on OPT?
Yes, Production Scheduler roles are eligible for OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree. Degrees in industrial engineering, supply chain management, operations research, or manufacturing engineering all have a clear connection to this role. If your degree qualifies as STEM, you may also be eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total work authorization.
Does Production Scheduler work qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree, not the job title. If your degree is in industrial engineering, supply chain management, operations research, or a closely related STEM field, the work you perform as a Production Scheduler will generally satisfy the STEM OPT extension requirements. You must also work at least 20 hours per week and have a qualifying employer who submits a formal training plan through your DSO.
Do employers in manufacturing typically sponsor OPT students for Production Scheduler roles?
Many do, particularly larger manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods. These industries have long-standing relationships with university hiring programs and are accustomed to onboarding international students. Smaller manufacturers may be less familiar with OPT but often open to it once the process is explained. Migrate Mate lists Production Scheduler jobs filtered for OPT-friendly employers, so you can focus your search on companies already open to your status.
What happens to my Production Scheduler job if my OPT expires before H-1B approval?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT expires, you may be eligible for a cap-gap extension that bridges the gap between OPT expiration and the H-1B start date of October 1. This extension is automatic and allows you to continue working without interruption. Your DSO can confirm your specific cap-gap status based on your I-20 and the petition filing date.
How do I find Production Scheduler jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Standard job searches often do not filter for OPT eligibility, which wastes significant time. Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Production Scheduler roles at employers who are open to international candidates with work authorization. Filtering by STEM OPT eligibility on Migrate Mate also helps you identify roles where employers are likely to support the extension or eventual H-1B sponsorship.
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