OPT Quality Control Chemist Jobs
Quality Control Chemist roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field. Most positions involve STEM-designated SOC codes, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Lab-based roles in pharmaceutical, food, and manufacturing industries actively hire OPT candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsChemist - Adhesives
Job Summary
- Contribute to the development of products for NA Durable Goods business in coordination with R&D team.
- Support production scale up for designated new products in conjunction with plant engineering and R&D team.
- Provide support for customer and plant problems as they arise.
- Work closely with Sales, Business Development and customers to discover and validate new opportunities.
- Participate in technical exchanges with colleagues in Europe and Asia.
- Support other product development activities as appropriate.
- Comply with lab safety and 5S policies.
- Travel up to 10%.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Laboratory work and testing for customer requests including preparation of written and presentation reports as appropriate. 70%.
- Meetings/interactions with sales, business development, customers and plants including travel. 10%.
- Internal coordination and strategy development with business development, sales, and international team to identify and grow new business opportunities. 10%.
- Contributions to site lab activities including safety, maintenance, and 5S. 10%.
Minimum Qualifications and Education Required
B.S. in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science Engineering or equivalent.
Competencies - Knowledge Skills & Abilities
- Adhesive application methods, general adhesive chemistry, experience preferred in applications for the transportation and assembly markets.
- Use of Microsoft Office tools, presentation skills, ability to manage multiple projects.
HES Requirement
- Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements.
- Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, SafeStart, etc.).
- Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents.
Chemist - Adhesives
Job Summary
- Contribute to the development of products for NA Durable Goods business in coordination with R&D team.
- Support production scale up for designated new products in conjunction with plant engineering and R&D team.
- Provide support for customer and plant problems as they arise.
- Work closely with Sales, Business Development and customers to discover and validate new opportunities.
- Participate in technical exchanges with colleagues in Europe and Asia.
- Support other product development activities as appropriate.
- Comply with lab safety and 5S policies.
- Travel up to 10%.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Laboratory work and testing for customer requests including preparation of written and presentation reports as appropriate. 70%.
- Meetings/interactions with sales, business development, customers and plants including travel. 10%.
- Internal coordination and strategy development with business development, sales, and international team to identify and grow new business opportunities. 10%.
- Contributions to site lab activities including safety, maintenance, and 5S. 10%.
Minimum Qualifications and Education Required
B.S. in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Material Science Engineering or equivalent.
Competencies - Knowledge Skills & Abilities
- Adhesive application methods, general adhesive chemistry, experience preferred in applications for the transportation and assembly markets.
- Use of Microsoft Office tools, presentation skills, ability to manage multiple projects.
HES Requirement
- Supports the site HES policy and complies with all regulatory and internal requirements.
- Participates in HES activities provided by site management and Arkema Inc. (e.g., Behavioral Base Safety, SafeStart, etc.).
- Supports and promotes the reporting of all health, safety, environmental, near-miss, accident or injury incidents.
See all 122+ OPT Quality Control Chemist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Quality Control Chemist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Quality Control Chemist
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Quality Control Chemist positions typically fall under STEM-eligible SOC codes like 19-2031 (Chemists). Verify with your DSO before accepting an offer to confirm the role qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Target regulated industries with active OPT hiring
Pharmaceutical, biotech, food and beverage, and medical device manufacturers regularly hire OPT students for QC roles. These industries have structured compliance teams familiar with work authorization requirements and are more likely to sponsor H-1B visa later.
Highlight GMP and analytical lab experience
Employers prioritize candidates with hands-on Good Manufacturing Practice experience and proficiency with instruments like HPLC, GC, or UV-Vis. Leading with lab-specific skills in your resume signals you can contribute from day one.
Address OPT proactively in your application
Many QC hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT. Briefly explain your authorization status and remaining OPT duration in your cover letter or email. Framing it clearly reduces employer hesitation before the first conversation.
Apply before your OPT start date, not after
QC roles often require background checks and onboarding that take two to four weeks. Start applying at least 60 days before your OPT begins so your authorization is active when the employer needs you to start.
Use your university network for QC opportunities
Chemistry and engineering departments often have alumni in QC roles at local manufacturers. Professors may also have industry connections. A warm introduction from a faculty member or alumni carries real weight in regulated industries.
Quality Control Chemist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Quality Control Chemist on OPT?
Yes, as long as your degree is in a related field such as chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering and the role is directly tied to that field of study. Quality Control Chemist positions at pharmaceutical, food, and manufacturing companies are among the most common OPT-eligible placements for chemistry graduates.
Does a Quality Control Chemist role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Quality Control Chemist positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because they fall under STEM-designated SOC codes, typically 19-2031 (Chemists) or 17-2041 (Chemical Engineers). Your DSO must confirm the specific SOC code the employer uses, since classification varies by company. If approved, you get up to three years of total OPT work authorization.
What do employers need from me to hire me on OPT?
You'll need to provide your EAD card, which shows your work authorization period. During STEM OPT, your employer must also enroll in E-Verify and submit a Training Plan (Form I-983) with your DSO. Most QC employers in regulated industries already use E-Verify for compliance reasons, which simplifies the process.
How do I find Quality Control Chemist jobs that accept OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Quality Control Chemist jobs from employers who are open to hiring OPT students, so you're not filtering through hundreds of postings that won't consider your authorization status. Pharmaceutical contractors, contract research organizations, and specialty chemical companies tend to be the most OPT-friendly employers in this field.
Can a Quality Control Chemist role lead to H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, and it's one of the more realistic H-1B pathways for chemistry graduates. QC roles at pharmaceutical and biotech companies are classified as specialty occupations, which is a core H-1B requirement. Many large manufacturers have established immigration programs and sponsor H-1B petitions for QC staff who perform well during their OPT period.