Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs for OPT Students
Quality Assurance Specialist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students in STEM fields like computer science, engineering, and information systems. Most QA positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of U.S. work authorization to build a career in software testing, quality engineering, or process improvement.
See All Quality Assurance Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 350+ Quality Assurance Specialist jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 350+ Quality Assurance Specialist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Quality Assurance Specialist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Life changing therapies. Global impact. Bridge to thousands of biopharma companies and their patients.
We are PCI.
Our investment is in People who make an impact, drive progress and create a better tomorrow. Our strategy includes building teams across our global network to pioneer and shape the future of PCI.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Quality Specialist I - Aseptic Core Monitor (ACM) at PCI Pharma Services is a critical member of the aseptic operations team responsible for ensuring that all activities within the aseptic core align with regulatory expectations, PCI procedures, and industry best practices. The Quality Specialist I - ACM provides real-time oversight of aseptic behaviors during sterile manufacturing, including gowning, interventions, environmental monitoring, and material handling in ISO 5/ISO 6 environments. This role supports PCI’s mission of maintaining a high standard of aseptic integrity, product quality, and patient safety.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide continuous oversight of operator performance and aseptic behavior inside the ISO 5 core and adjacent classified areas.
- Observe and document real-time activities during manufacturing operations, including setup, filling, environmental monitoring, sanitization and routine/corrective interventions.
- Ensure compliance with PCI aseptic technique expectations, gowning standards, and cleanroom behavior as outlined in SOPs and training.
- Identify and escalate deviations from aseptic practices, personnel behaviors, or environmental controls that pose potential contamination risks.
- Capture detailed and objective records of events, interventions, and nonconformances using PCI-approved documentation tools or checklists.
- Support media fill (aseptic process simulation) operations by providing visual monitoring and feedback throughout the process.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Operations, Microbiology, and Training to identify opportunities for coaching, retraining, and continuous improvement.
- Participate in contamination control and environmental monitoring trending to drive site-level improvements and reduce contamination risk.
- Assist with investigations and root cause analysis for contamination events, EM excursions, and aseptic technique deviations.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- High School Diploma or GED required, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences / related field or experience in leadership role preferred.
- Minimum 1–2 years’ experience in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, aseptic processing, or cleanroom oversight.
- Ability to learn aseptic techniques, contamination control, and cGMP regulations (21 CFR Parts 210/211, EU Annex 1).
- Demonstrated ability to observe critically and document behaviors accurately and objectively.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must be comfortable providing real time coaching.
- Ability to gown for entry into ISO 5, 6 and 7 cleanroom environments and remain in those areas for extended periods.
Preferred:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and electronic quality systems (preferred).
- Prior experience in a QA or manufacturing oversight role at PCI or a similar aseptic operation is strongly preferred.
Join us and be part of building the bridge between life changing therapies and patients.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:
PCI Pharma Services is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, or any other protected status.
At PCI, Equity and Inclusion are at the core of our company’s purpose: Together, delivering life-changing therapies. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace by holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of understanding, fairness, respect, and equal opportunity – at every level. We envision a PCI community where everyone can belong and grow, and we strive to bring this vision to reality by continuously and intentionally assessing our people practices, policies and programs, marketing approach, and workplace culture.

INTRODUCTION
Life changing therapies. Global impact. Bridge to thousands of biopharma companies and their patients.
We are PCI.
Our investment is in People who make an impact, drive progress and create a better tomorrow. Our strategy includes building teams across our global network to pioneer and shape the future of PCI.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Quality Specialist I - Aseptic Core Monitor (ACM) at PCI Pharma Services is a critical member of the aseptic operations team responsible for ensuring that all activities within the aseptic core align with regulatory expectations, PCI procedures, and industry best practices. The Quality Specialist I - ACM provides real-time oversight of aseptic behaviors during sterile manufacturing, including gowning, interventions, environmental monitoring, and material handling in ISO 5/ISO 6 environments. This role supports PCI’s mission of maintaining a high standard of aseptic integrity, product quality, and patient safety.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide continuous oversight of operator performance and aseptic behavior inside the ISO 5 core and adjacent classified areas.
- Observe and document real-time activities during manufacturing operations, including setup, filling, environmental monitoring, sanitization and routine/corrective interventions.
- Ensure compliance with PCI aseptic technique expectations, gowning standards, and cleanroom behavior as outlined in SOPs and training.
- Identify and escalate deviations from aseptic practices, personnel behaviors, or environmental controls that pose potential contamination risks.
- Capture detailed and objective records of events, interventions, and nonconformances using PCI-approved documentation tools or checklists.
- Support media fill (aseptic process simulation) operations by providing visual monitoring and feedback throughout the process.
- Collaborate with Quality Assurance, Operations, Microbiology, and Training to identify opportunities for coaching, retraining, and continuous improvement.
- Participate in contamination control and environmental monitoring trending to drive site-level improvements and reduce contamination risk.
- Assist with investigations and root cause analysis for contamination events, EM excursions, and aseptic technique deviations.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- High School Diploma or GED required, Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences / related field or experience in leadership role preferred.
- Minimum 1–2 years’ experience in sterile pharmaceutical manufacturing, aseptic processing, or cleanroom oversight.
- Ability to learn aseptic techniques, contamination control, and cGMP regulations (21 CFR Parts 210/211, EU Annex 1).
- Demonstrated ability to observe critically and document behaviors accurately and objectively.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills; must be comfortable providing real time coaching.
- Ability to gown for entry into ISO 5, 6 and 7 cleanroom environments and remain in those areas for extended periods.
Preferred:
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and electronic quality systems (preferred).
- Prior experience in a QA or manufacturing oversight role at PCI or a similar aseptic operation is strongly preferred.
Join us and be part of building the bridge between life changing therapies and patients.
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement:
PCI Pharma Services is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, marital or domestic or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, disability, military eligibility or veteran status, or any other protected status.
At PCI, Equity and Inclusion are at the core of our company’s purpose: Together, delivering life-changing therapies. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive workplace by holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards of understanding, fairness, respect, and equal opportunity – at every level. We envision a PCI community where everyone can belong and grow, and we strive to bring this vision to reality by continuously and intentionally assessing our people practices, policies and programs, marketing approach, and workplace culture.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Quality Assurance Specialist
Lead with your STEM OPT eligibility
Mention your STEM OPT authorization upfront in your resume summary and cover letter. Employers in tech and manufacturing are familiar with the 24-month extension, and framing it as three years of runway removes a common objection before the conversation starts.
Target industries with high QA demand
Software, medical devices, automotive, and aerospace companies hire QA Specialists at volume. These industries have established immigration compliance programs and are more likely to support OPT students through the authorization period and into H-1B sponsorship down the line.
Get specific about your testing toolkit
Employers screen QA candidates on tools first. Highlight experience with Selenium, JIRA, TestRail, Postman, or SQL on your resume. Specificity signals job readiness and shortens the evaluation process, which matters when hiring managers are weighing OPT timelines.
Frame quality metrics as business impact
QA work is easy to undersell. Quantify your contributions: defect rates reduced, test coverage increased, release cycles shortened. Employers evaluating OPT candidates want evidence that you add measurable value, not just that you can follow a testing protocol.
Address your OPT end date honestly and early
If an employer asks about your work authorization timeline, be straightforward. Explain your current OPT period, your STEM extension eligibility if applicable, and that you're actively building toward long-term sponsorship. Clarity early prevents misaligned expectations later in the process.
Prioritize companies with active I-129 filing histories
Companies that have sponsored H-1B petitions in QA or engineering roles are more likely to do it again. Researching employer sponsorship history before applying lets you focus your effort on realistic opportunities rather than roles that have never supported visa sponsorship.
Quality Assurance Specialist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Quality Assurance Specialist JobsSee all 350+ Quality Assurance Specialist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Quality Assurance Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Quality Assurance Specialist jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Quality Assurance Specialist positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in an eligible field such as computer science, information systems, engineering, or a related STEM discipline. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree. If both conditions are met, you can work for up to three years total on OPT before needing H-1B or another status.
What do employers need to know about hiring a QA Specialist on OPT?
Employers don't need to file any visa petition to hire you on OPT. Your work authorization comes from your EAD card, which you manage through your university's DSO. The employer's main obligations are to confirm the role relates to your degree field and, if you're on STEM OPT, to register with E-Verify and provide a formal training plan. Most mid-size and large companies already meet these requirements.
Can I work as a QA Specialist contractor or on a contract-to-hire basis on OPT?
Yes, contract and contract-to-hire arrangements are generally permitted on OPT, provided you have a clear employer-employee relationship and the work relates to your degree. Staffing agency placements can work, but you must have a bona fide offer and cannot be self-employed. Confirm the arrangement with your DSO before accepting, since STEM OPT has additional reporting requirements that affect how contract work is documented.
Where can I find Quality Assurance Specialist jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job searches. You can filter for Quality Assurance Specialist roles by job title, industry, and visa sponsorship status, so you're only seeing employers who are open to your work authorization situation. General job boards don't filter this way, which means a lot of wasted applications on roles that won't move forward with OPT candidates.
What happens to my QA job if my OPT expires before my H-1B is approved?
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT expires and you're subject to the cap, you may be protected by cap-gap, which automatically extends your OPT status through September 30 of that year. During cap-gap, you can continue working for the same employer in the same role. If you're not selected in the lottery or your employer doesn't file in time, your authorization ends when your OPT expires and you'd need to stop working.
See which Quality Assurance Specialist employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Quality Assurance Specialist Jobs