Production Technician Jobs for OPT Students
Production Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with engineering, manufacturing, or applied science degrees. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT-eligible, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this field routinely sponsor H-1B visas for technicians who prove their value on the production floor.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
As a Production Technician, you operate equipment to manufacture plastic containers for leading consumer brands. At our company, we take pride in maintaining our high standards for quality products & a positive team culture. We’re also proud to be recognized as an America’s Safest Companies by EHS Today.
WE OFFER
- Set Schedules: 12-hour shifts & a rotating 2-week standard schedule of 3 days, then 4 days is 15 working days a month as a full-time associate!
- Stability & Growth: We follow a strong promote-from-within business practice and offer a stable job through current market uncertainty
- Comfort: Our food-grade facility is exceptionally clean & climate-controlled!
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: Work with our top of the line injection, blow molding & extrusion equipment from industry leaders, such as Sidel and Husky, as well as our own proprietary technologies!
YOU WILL
- Operate a variety of top-of-the-line blow molding manufacturing equipment in a clean, safe & climate-controlled environment
- Monitor equipment, making adjustments to settings (heat control, water cooling temperatures, hydraulic pressure, etc.) to produce high-quality rigid plastic containers
- Troubleshoot equipment & perform routine preventative maintenance
- Assure Plastipak customer requirements are met by performing quality checks for specifications, such as bottle weights & dimensions
- Join with your team to identify continuous improvement opportunities focused on safety, reliability, quality & scrap reduction
- Grow your skills through formal & side-by-side training, and have opportunities for career advancement
YOU HAVE
- Ability to work Nights 6:45 pm - 7:15 am on a cycle of 3 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on, 3 days off, repeat. This equates to 2 weekends per month off with a 3-day weekend
- High School Diploma, GED or equivalent
- A minimum of one (1) year of experience as a Manufacturing Production Technician working with equipment used for high-volume production
- Working knowledge of injection equipment is preferred
- Hydraulics, pneumatics & electrical mechanical basic knowledge
- Ability to troubleshoot & problem solve
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without a reasonable accommodation
YOU’LL EARN
- $20 & up, based on experience
- Night shift includes a shift differential of $0.75
As a Plastipak Associate, you receive a benefits package offering the following:
- Wellness Programs
- Health Insurance Coverage, including Medical, Dental & Vision
- EAP, Employee Assistance Program
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Disability Insurance: Short-Term & Long-Term
- Accidental Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- 401(k) Plan, with Company Matching Contribution & Profit Sharing feature
- Paid Time Off - 80 hours within 1st year & subsequent increases
- Paid Company Holidays
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Caregiving via Care.com
- Pet Insurance
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program
- Travel Assistance
- Employee Discount Programs
Some benefits are subject to eligibility requirements
Plastipak is an Equal Opportunity Employer
In order to process your job application, Plastipak collects and stores the personal information that you submit via this website. Please refer to Plastipak’s Privacy Policy to understand how Plastipak uses and protects the information that you provide.
INTRODUCTION
As a Production Technician, you operate equipment to manufacture plastic containers for leading consumer brands. At our company, we take pride in maintaining our high standards for quality products & a positive team culture. We’re also proud to be recognized as an America’s Safest Companies by EHS Today.
WE OFFER
- Set Schedules: 12-hour shifts & a rotating 2-week standard schedule of 3 days, then 4 days is 15 working days a month as a full-time associate!
- Stability & Growth: We follow a strong promote-from-within business practice and offer a stable job through current market uncertainty
- Comfort: Our food-grade facility is exceptionally clean & climate-controlled!
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: Work with our top of the line injection, blow molding & extrusion equipment from industry leaders, such as Sidel and Husky, as well as our own proprietary technologies!
YOU WILL
- Operate a variety of top-of-the-line blow molding manufacturing equipment in a clean, safe & climate-controlled environment
- Monitor equipment, making adjustments to settings (heat control, water cooling temperatures, hydraulic pressure, etc.) to produce high-quality rigid plastic containers
- Troubleshoot equipment & perform routine preventative maintenance
- Assure Plastipak customer requirements are met by performing quality checks for specifications, such as bottle weights & dimensions
- Join with your team to identify continuous improvement opportunities focused on safety, reliability, quality & scrap reduction
- Grow your skills through formal & side-by-side training, and have opportunities for career advancement
YOU HAVE
- Ability to work Nights 6:45 pm - 7:15 am on a cycle of 3 days on, 2 days off, 2 days on, 3 days off, repeat. This equates to 2 weekends per month off with a 3-day weekend
- High School Diploma, GED or equivalent
- A minimum of one (1) year of experience as a Manufacturing Production Technician working with equipment used for high-volume production
- Working knowledge of injection equipment is preferred
- Hydraulics, pneumatics & electrical mechanical basic knowledge
- Ability to troubleshoot & problem solve
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without a reasonable accommodation
YOU’LL EARN
- $20 & up, based on experience
- Night shift includes a shift differential of $0.75
As a Plastipak Associate, you receive a benefits package offering the following:
- Wellness Programs
- Health Insurance Coverage, including Medical, Dental & Vision
- EAP, Employee Assistance Program
- Life Insurance
- Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
- Disability Insurance: Short-Term & Long-Term
- Accidental Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- 401(k) Plan, with Company Matching Contribution & Profit Sharing feature
- Paid Time Off - 80 hours within 1st year & subsequent increases
- Paid Company Holidays
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Caregiving via Care.com
- Pet Insurance
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Sons and Daughters Scholarship Program
- Travel Assistance
- Employee Discount Programs
Some benefits are subject to eligibility requirements
Plastipak is an Equal Opportunity Employer
In order to process your job application, Plastipak collects and stores the personal information that you submit via this website. Please refer to Plastipak’s Privacy Policy to understand how Plastipak uses and protects the information that you provide.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Production Technician
Target manufacturers with existing H-1B track records
Companies that have sponsored H-1B visas for Production Technicians before are far more likely to do it again. Search OFLC disclosure data to verify which manufacturers have filed LCAs for this exact job title before applying.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Production Technician roles typically qualify under engineering and manufacturing CIP codes, but confirm with your DSO before accepting an offer. A 24-month STEM extension dramatically improves your chances of clearing two H-1B lottery cycles.
Raise sponsorship early in the hiring process
Bring up your OPT status before the final interview round, not after an offer. Hiring managers in manufacturing prefer knowing upfront so HR can assess sponsorship timelines alongside your start date and production needs.
Emphasize specialized technical certifications
Certifications in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or equipment-specific systems make sponsorship a stronger business case for employers. Documented skills that are hard to replace locally reduce resistance to the time and cost of H-1B filing.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations during employment
Report any changes in employer, job title, or work location to your DSO within 10 days. Production roles sometimes involve shift changes or facility transfers that could affect your SEVIS record if not properly reported.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Production Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Production Technician roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because they fall under engineering or applied science CIP codes. Your offer letter job duties need to align with your STEM-designated degree field. Confirm eligibility with your DSO and get written confirmation from your employer before assuming you qualify, since job titles alone don't determine eligibility.
How do I find Production Technician employers that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is the most direct way to find Production Technician roles from employers open to OPT and H-1B sponsorship. Beyond the job board, you can cross-reference OFLC disclosure data to see which manufacturers have a history of filing Labor Condition Applications for this role, which is a strong signal they'll sponsor future visa holders as well.
Can I work for a staffing agency as a Production Technician on OPT?
Yes, but with important caveats. Your employer of record must match what's reported in SEVIS. If you're placed at a client facility through a staffing agency, the agency is typically your legal employer and must be listed accordingly. Your actual work location and duties must still align with your degree field to maintain valid OPT authorization.
What happens to my OPT if my production facility changes locations or shifts?
A change in work site address counts as a material change that must be reported to your DSO within 10 days. This is especially relevant for Production Technicians who may be reassigned to different facilities within the same company. Failing to update your SEVIS record with the new location can create compliance issues even if your employer and job title stay the same.
Does hands-on production floor work count as a qualifying OPT job?
Yes, as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. A Production Technician role grounded in mechanical engineering, industrial technology, or materials science satisfies OPT's requirement that employment be in a job related to your area of study. Purely manual labor with no connection to your degree field would not qualify, so reviewing your offer letter duties against your degree description matters.
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