OPT QA Lead Jobs
QA Lead roles on OPT require demonstrating both technical testing expertise and team leadership, two things employers weigh heavily before committing to sponsorship. Your 12-month OPT window (29 months with a STEM extension) is enough time to prove both, especially in software-heavy industries where QA leads are consistently in demand.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Quality Assurance Specialist
- Location: Framingham, MA
About the Job
Quality Assurance (QA) Operations is responsible for quality oversight of operations at Sanofi's Framingham Biologics facilities. QA's main responsibility is to ensure cGMPs are adhered to during manufacturing operations. Quality Assurance Operations is responsible for providing support and guidance to the Sanofi Operations function in order to protect the safety, quality and efficacy of Sanofi's Products, thereby ensuring the availability of compliant and safe products for our patients and assuring the security of the company's business and global markets.
Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers — seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you’ll help reimagine how life-changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster.
About Sanofi:
We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve lives.
Main Responsibilities
The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for providing quality support and guidance to manufacturing and support functions to ensure continued compliance to cGMP. The Quality Assurance Specialist is also responsible for mentoring and supporting the junior staff.
Core Responsibilities include:
- Provide Gemba Support
- Perform batch record review
- Perform review of column packing and qualification records
- Function as SME on input related to quality decisions
- Approve Non-conforming material discards
- Perform log book review
- Provide on the floor (OTF) support to the operations department, including OTF support for critical operations steps
- Issue action notices and conduct affiliated provisional release
- Conduct log book audits against compliance requirements
- Review Cleaning Verification (CV) related documentation against specification
- Perform media / buffer and intermediate release
- Prepare Bioreactor summary
- Support internal audit preparation activities as well as cross-functional internal audit activities and conduct walkthrough inspections
- Execute containment activities
- Provide off-hour support for batch record and log book issuance
- Partner with manufacturing and support operations to ensure a culture of continuous compliance
- May provide training to new employees
- Revise procedures / SOPs
- Initiate and Investigate and QA review deviations
- Review NRSR (Non-Routine Sample Requests)
- Other activities as assigned
- Key responsibilities may differ among employees with the same job title and may change over time, in accordance with business needs.
Leadership Qualifications:
An ongoing commitment to conducting our global business according to the highest legal and ethical standards and to continually pursue excellence in the development and delivery of all our products and services. This includes:
- Adhering to all applicable laws and regulations of the places in which we conduct business, as well as our own Company policies and procedures.
- Being honest and treating people with respect and courtesy.
- Constantly striving to make Sanofi a great place to work and a company respected for the quality of its people and products.
- Acting as role models for our fellow employees by acting responsibly, fairly and honestly in our dealings and exercising sound judgment in performing our jobs.
About You
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific field and 4 years of related experience, associate’s degree and 6 years of related experience or High School Diploma and 8 years of related experience in a Quality and/or other CGMP related field.
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-scientific field with 6 years of related experience in a Quality and/or cGMP environment.
- Basic to Intermediate computer proficiency, strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience with quality systems and cGMP data review
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field with 4 years of experience in a Quality and/or cGMP environment.
- Experience in bio-pharmaceutical industry.
- Strong technical writing skills
- Effective time management, attention to detail, organizational skills, teamwork and collaborations.
- Demonstrated competence in problem solving methodology.
- Experience participating and/or leading cross-functional project team collaborations.
Special Working Conditions:
- Ability to gown and gain entry to manufacturing areas
- Ability to work a 10-hour shift with rotating weekend coverage, including some holidays
- Ability to lift 10 lbs
Why choose us?
- Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
- Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
- Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
- Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.
- Shape the future of medicine and vaccine delivery with cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless launches and a resilient global supply.
- Power industry-leading performance by leveraging digital, data, and AI-driven innovation – at speed and scale
- Transform lives worldwide by delivering life-changing treatments anywhere, anytime.
Sanofi US Services and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers committed to a culturally inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.
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All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.
Job Title: Quality Assurance Specialist
- Location: Framingham, MA
About the Job
Quality Assurance (QA) Operations is responsible for quality oversight of operations at Sanofi's Framingham Biologics facilities. QA's main responsibility is to ensure cGMPs are adhered to during manufacturing operations. Quality Assurance Operations is responsible for providing support and guidance to the Sanofi Operations function in order to protect the safety, quality and efficacy of Sanofi's Products, thereby ensuring the availability of compliant and safe products for our patients and assuring the security of the company's business and global markets.
Join a global network that powers how Sanofi delivers — seamlessly, purposefully, and at scale. In Manufacturing & Supply, you’ll help reimagine how life-changing treatments reach people everywhere, faster.
About Sanofi:
We’re an R&D-driven, AI-powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth. Our deep understanding of the immune system and innovative pipeline – enables us to invent medicines and vaccines that treat and protect millions of people around the world. Together, we chase the miracles of science to improve lives.
Main Responsibilities
The Quality Assurance Specialist is responsible for providing quality support and guidance to manufacturing and support functions to ensure continued compliance to cGMP. The Quality Assurance Specialist is also responsible for mentoring and supporting the junior staff.
Core Responsibilities include:
- Provide Gemba Support
- Perform batch record review
- Perform review of column packing and qualification records
- Function as SME on input related to quality decisions
- Approve Non-conforming material discards
- Perform log book review
- Provide on the floor (OTF) support to the operations department, including OTF support for critical operations steps
- Issue action notices and conduct affiliated provisional release
- Conduct log book audits against compliance requirements
- Review Cleaning Verification (CV) related documentation against specification
- Perform media / buffer and intermediate release
- Prepare Bioreactor summary
- Support internal audit preparation activities as well as cross-functional internal audit activities and conduct walkthrough inspections
- Execute containment activities
- Provide off-hour support for batch record and log book issuance
- Partner with manufacturing and support operations to ensure a culture of continuous compliance
- May provide training to new employees
- Revise procedures / SOPs
- Initiate and Investigate and QA review deviations
- Review NRSR (Non-Routine Sample Requests)
- Other activities as assigned
- Key responsibilities may differ among employees with the same job title and may change over time, in accordance with business needs.
Leadership Qualifications:
An ongoing commitment to conducting our global business according to the highest legal and ethical standards and to continually pursue excellence in the development and delivery of all our products and services. This includes:
- Adhering to all applicable laws and regulations of the places in which we conduct business, as well as our own Company policies and procedures.
- Being honest and treating people with respect and courtesy.
- Constantly striving to make Sanofi a great place to work and a company respected for the quality of its people and products.
- Acting as role models for our fellow employees by acting responsibly, fairly and honestly in our dealings and exercising sound judgment in performing our jobs.
About You
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in a scientific field and 4 years of related experience, associate’s degree and 6 years of related experience or High School Diploma and 8 years of related experience in a Quality and/or other CGMP related field.
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-scientific field with 6 years of related experience in a Quality and/or cGMP environment.
- Basic to Intermediate computer proficiency, strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Experience with quality systems and cGMP data review
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field with 4 years of experience in a Quality and/or cGMP environment.
- Experience in bio-pharmaceutical industry.
- Strong technical writing skills
- Effective time management, attention to detail, organizational skills, teamwork and collaborations.
- Demonstrated competence in problem solving methodology.
- Experience participating and/or leading cross-functional project team collaborations.
Special Working Conditions:
- Ability to gown and gain entry to manufacturing areas
- Ability to work a 10-hour shift with rotating weekend coverage, including some holidays
- Ability to lift 10 lbs
Why choose us?
- Bring the miracles of science to life alongside a supportive, future-focused team.
- Discover endless opportunities to grow your talent and drive your career, whether it’s through a promotion or lateral move, at home or internationally.
- Enjoy a thoughtful, well-crafted rewards package that recognizes your contribution and amplifies your impact.
- Take good care of yourself and your family, with a wide range of health and wellbeing benefits including high-quality healthcare, prevention and wellness programs and at least 14 weeks’ gender-neutral parental leave.
- Shape the future of medicine and vaccine delivery with cutting-edge technology, ensuring seamless launches and a resilient global supply.
- Power industry-leading performance by leveraging digital, data, and AI-driven innovation – at speed and scale
- Transform lives worldwide by delivering life-changing treatments anywhere, anytime.
Sanofi US Services and its U.S. affiliates are Equal Opportunity employers committed to a culturally inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender, gender identity or expression; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.
GD-SG
LI-GZ
vhd
All compensation will be determined commensurate with demonstrated experience. Employees may be eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs, and additional benefits information can be found here.
See all 412+ OPT QA Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT QA Lead Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in QA Lead
Target companies with active STEM OPT hiring history
Companies that have sponsored STEM OPT extensions before are far more likely to do it again. Look for employers in software, fintech, and healthtech, where QA Lead roles regularly qualify under computer science or information technology degree categories.
Clarify your STEM extension eligibility upfront
QA Lead roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can answer employer questions confidently.
Frame your leadership experience in technical terms
Employers sponsoring OPT want evidence you can lead QA processes, not just execute them. Quantify your impact: test coverage improvements, defect reduction rates, and team size you managed all signal readiness for a lead-level role worth sponsoring.
Prioritize mid-sized tech companies over large enterprises
Mid-sized software companies often have more hiring flexibility and faster decision cycles than large enterprises. They also tend to have fewer bureaucratic hurdles around OPT sponsorship, making them a practical target for QA Lead candidates on a time-sensitive authorization window.
Address OPT authorization proactively in your application
Don't wait for employers to ask. A brief note in your cover letter stating you're authorized to work on OPT and eligible for a STEM extension reduces uncertainty and signals professionalism, both of which matter when a company is weighing sponsorship commitment.
Align your EAD start date with your job search timeline
You can't start work as a QA Lead until your EAD card arrives and your OPT start date is reached. Plan your job search to close offers 3 to 4 weeks before your EAD is valid, so onboarding aligns with when you're actually authorized.
QA Lead OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do QA Lead roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most QA Lead positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in computer science, information systems, software engineering, or a closely related field. The role must involve work directly related to your STEM degree. Your employer also needs to be enrolled in E-Verify, which most mid-to-large tech companies already are. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before assuming eligibility.
How do I find QA Lead jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters jobs specifically for F-1 OPT students, so you're not wasting time applying to roles where employers have already ruled out work authorization. QA Lead listings on Migrate Mate are sourced from companies with demonstrated sponsorship activity, which meaningfully improves your odds compared to applying broadly through general job boards.
Can I work as a QA Lead while waiting for my STEM OPT extension to be approved?
Yes, as long as your initial OPT EAD is still valid and you filed your STEM extension application before it expired. USCIS automatically provides a 180-day cap-out extension while your STEM application is pending, so you can continue working without interruption. Keep a copy of your timely-filed application on hand and notify your employer's HR team so they're aware of your authorization status.
What makes a QA Lead role different from a regular QA Engineer role when it comes to OPT sponsorship?
Lead-level roles signal higher value to employers, which can make them more willing to invest in sponsorship. A QA Lead is typically responsible for test strategy, process ownership, and managing junior testers, not just executing test cases. That scope makes the role harder to fill quickly, giving you stronger leverage in sponsorship conversations. It also increases the likelihood an employer will pursue H-1B visa sponsorship after your OPT period ends.
What should I know about the 60-day grace period if I lose a QA Lead job while on OPT?
If your employment ends before your OPT EAD expires, you have a 60-day grace period to find new employment, transfer to a different visa status, or depart the United States. You cannot work during this grace period. If you're on a STEM extension, the same 60-day rule applies. Report the job loss to your DSO promptly since they're required to update your SEVIS record, and start your next job search immediately.