OPT Production Specialist Jobs
Production Specialist jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students in manufacturing, operations, and supply chain. Most roles qualify under STEM OPT extension eligibility when tied to an engineering or technical degree, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization to build hands-on industry experience.
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Get Access To All JobsDate: Sep 15, 2026
Location:
Montgomery, AL, US
Job Req ID: 4201
Position Summary:
Manage and coordinate project activities including budget, schedule, and reporting
Essential Functions:
- Maintain, manage, and coordinate budgets related to new models and capital projects
- Effectively coordinate new model vehicle requirements to HMC Project Managers and to relevant teams at HMMA
- Coordinate meeting customer requested receipt dates for new models with relevant teams at HMMA
- Tooling shutdown reporting and coordination
- Project management activities related to plant operation changes (UPH, Model, & Major Projects)
- Report (for approval) and execute new model project investments in accordance with HMMA and HMNA Business Policies
- Manage long term planning for new models through coordination with HMC Project managers and relevant teams at HMMA
- Coordinate and plan new model production schedules with relevant teams at HMMA
- Manage ad hoc requests for special builds to support new model preparation (parts, panels, and vehicles)
- Support requests from Executive Management by gathering, compiling, and reporting necessary information from related teams
- Provide bilingual services including written translations (including daily, weekly, monthly reports) and interactive translation for verbal conversations and/or meetings; review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, and appropriate English or Korean language usage
- Administer, coordinate, and comply with all Business Management System (BMS), Environmental Management System (EMS), and Safety Management System (SMS) requirements. Team Member may be required to handle hazardous wastes which may include identifying, inspecting, packaging, labelling, and moving waste in compliance with RCRA regulations. Relevant training will be provided if assigned these job duties.
- Meet all other requirements as assigned.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or Industrial Engineering preferred
Related Experience:
0 – 10 years job related experience preferred
Manufacturing Experience desired
Training / Certification:
APICS Certification desired
Skills / Knowledge:
- MSWord
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- SAP desired
- Bilingual – ability to speak, read and write English and Korean fluently, along with the ability to work closely with diverse cultures
Additional Information:
Position may require occasional travel (domestic or foreign). Flexibility in working hours to include weekends, holidays, and off shift. Position may require on-call duty or overtime due to overall responsibility.
Nearest Major Market: Montgomery
Date: Sep 15, 2026
Location:
Montgomery, AL, US
Job Req ID: 4201
Position Summary:
Manage and coordinate project activities including budget, schedule, and reporting
Essential Functions:
- Maintain, manage, and coordinate budgets related to new models and capital projects
- Effectively coordinate new model vehicle requirements to HMC Project Managers and to relevant teams at HMMA
- Coordinate meeting customer requested receipt dates for new models with relevant teams at HMMA
- Tooling shutdown reporting and coordination
- Project management activities related to plant operation changes (UPH, Model, & Major Projects)
- Report (for approval) and execute new model project investments in accordance with HMMA and HMNA Business Policies
- Manage long term planning for new models through coordination with HMC Project managers and relevant teams at HMMA
- Coordinate and plan new model production schedules with relevant teams at HMMA
- Manage ad hoc requests for special builds to support new model preparation (parts, panels, and vehicles)
- Support requests from Executive Management by gathering, compiling, and reporting necessary information from related teams
- Provide bilingual services including written translations (including daily, weekly, monthly reports) and interactive translation for verbal conversations and/or meetings; review finished materials for completeness, accuracy, format, and appropriate English or Korean language usage
- Administer, coordinate, and comply with all Business Management System (BMS), Environmental Management System (EMS), and Safety Management System (SMS) requirements. Team Member may be required to handle hazardous wastes which may include identifying, inspecting, packaging, labelling, and moving waste in compliance with RCRA regulations. Relevant training will be provided if assigned these job duties.
- Meet all other requirements as assigned.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or Industrial Engineering preferred
Related Experience:
0 – 10 years job related experience preferred
Manufacturing Experience desired
Training / Certification:
APICS Certification desired
Skills / Knowledge:
- MSWord
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- SAP desired
- Bilingual – ability to speak, read and write English and Korean fluently, along with the ability to work closely with diverse cultures
Additional Information:
Position may require occasional travel (domestic or foreign). Flexibility in working hours to include weekends, holidays, and off shift. Position may require on-call duty or overtime due to overall responsibility.
Nearest Major Market: Montgomery
See all 30+ OPT Production Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Production Specialist
Target manufacturers with established OPT hiring processes
Large manufacturers and defense contractors regularly hire OPT students for production roles. Companies with existing international workforces are more familiar with I-983 STEM OPT reporting requirements, making the onboarding process smoother for both you and your employer.
Clarify your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
Production Specialist roles often qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in engineering, industrial technology, or a related field. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before interviews so you can answer employer questions about your authorization period confidently.
Highlight technical certifications alongside your degree
Employers reviewing OPT candidates often weigh certifications heavily. Lean Six Sigma, OSHA 10, or forklift certification signals hands-on readiness and reduces perceived risk for hiring managers unfamiliar with sponsoring international students in production environments.
Address the I-983 training plan requirement early
STEM OPT requires your employer to sign an I-983 training plan linking your role to your degree. Bring this up proactively in final-stage conversations. Most HR teams at larger manufacturers have seen it before, but smaller shops may need a brief explanation.
Prioritize roles with direct ties to your technical degree
USCIS requires a clear connection between your OPT job and your field of study. For production roles, emphasize responsibilities involving process optimization, quality control, or technical systems that map directly to your engineering or applied science coursework during interviews.
Use your OPT timeline as a negotiating asset
STEM OPT gives employers up to three years before any H-1B visa sponsorship decision is needed. Frame this as low-pressure hiring, not a short-term commitment. Many production managers respond well when they understand the full authorization window available before longer-term visa decisions arise.
Production Specialist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Production Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Many do, but it depends on your degree field. If you graduated with a degree in industrial engineering, manufacturing engineering, or a related STEM field, most Production Specialist roles qualify for the 24-month extension. The key is demonstrating that your day-to-day responsibilities, such as process improvement or quality systems work, directly relate to your area of study. Your DSO must approve the extension before your initial OPT period expires.
What does the I-983 training plan requirement mean for production roles?
The I-983 is a formal document your employer must sign under STEM OPT that outlines how your production role connects to your degree. For Production Specialist positions, this typically covers learning goals around manufacturing processes, quality control methods, or operational efficiency. It also requires your employer to report your employment status to your school every six months. Most large manufacturers are familiar with this requirement, though smaller employers may need guidance.
How do I find Production Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters production and operations roles by sponsorship willingness, so you are not wasting applications on employers who have never hired international students. Standard job boards do not surface OPT-relevant filters, making it difficult to identify which production employers are genuinely open to work authorization situations like yours.
Can I work for a staffing agency as a Production Specialist on OPT?
Technically yes, but with important caveats. On standard OPT, third-party placements are allowed if the work is directly related to your degree and you are not self-employed. On STEM OPT, staffing agency arrangements face stricter scrutiny because USCIS requires the I-983 training plan to be signed by the employer who actually supervises your day-to-day work, which may not be the staffing agency itself. Confirm the arrangement with your DSO before accepting.
What should I say when a production employer asks about my work authorization timeline?
Be direct and specific. Explain that you are authorized to work immediately on OPT and, if you qualify for the STEM extension, that your work authorization can extend up to three years total without any H-1B petition required during that window. Mention that the only employer obligation during STEM OPT is signing the I-983 training plan and submitting brief status updates to your university. Framing it around the low administrative burden often reassures production managers who are unfamiliar with the process.