OPT Quality Program Manager Jobs
Quality Program Manager jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in engineering, operations, or supply chain. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in manufacturing, tech, and healthcare regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this function.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
You will be a Senior Design Quality Engineer, performing design reviews on newly created and released engineering packages, and driving process improvements to prevent Engineering defects from propagating through the value stream. Your primary focus area will be the LM Aero Air Mobility & Maritime Missions (AMMM) line of business (LoB) which includes the C-130J and derivative platforms, but you may also be asked to support other LoBs across LM Aero as needed.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Design Quality Engineer within the LM Aero Quality Data & Technology directorate, you will be responsible for ensuring quality engineering input is accounted for and modeled appropriately in all value chains. Your responsibilities will include:
- Collaborating with design engineering to identify and define proper datum schemes, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), key characteristics, statistical tolerancing, and other requirements of concern
- Identifying and correcting inspectability issues of designs prior to engineering release
- Creating first article inspection datasets for parts requiring first article inspection (FAI) within the product lifecycle management (PLM) system
- Creating and managing sampling plans and assigning to relevant product characteristics to support production planning
- Using the digital thread to model impacts from expected quality performance levels on the program’s production system and schedule, and coordinating changes as required to product designs or manufacturing plans
Manages the implementation and execution of program quality requirements. Responsible for all aspects of Quality across the programs life-cycle including proposals, contract review, start-up, development, transition to production, production and support. Requires an understanding of quality tasks across quality functions including hardware, software, systems and suppliers/subcontractors, and customers. Proficient in company policies. Partners with program teams as the Quality Lead for design, development, production and mobilization phases of program execution. Performs contract reviews and flows down contract quality requirements to quality team, including suppliers. Establishes quality budgets and cost commitments. Serves on the program area Risk and Opportunity Review Boards; nominates risks and opportunities. Ensures Quality Assurance Plans are documented and current and implemented. Schedules and ensures assessments of program (e.g. quality audits). Participates in independent program reviews to understand risks and drive Return to Green plans. Maintains a DCMA/Customer quality relationship. Establishes and maintains effective Quality Program Team business rhythm.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Discipline from an accredited college
- Experience with metrology and product verification methods and capabilities
- Experience reading Technical Data Packages and Reviewing Engineering Designs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiar with ASME Y14 Standards
- Familiar with AS9100 (Aerospace Quality Management System) and AS9145 (Advanced Product Quality Planning) standards
- GD&T training
- Air Vehicle Design or System Engineering
- Experience in Quality Sciences and/or Green Belt trained
- 3DX or Siemens PLM Experience
- CATIA training
PAY INFORMATION
Full-Time Salary Range: $85300.00 - $158300.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills as well as market (work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
BENEFITS OFFERED
Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full-time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
INTRODUCTION
You will be a Senior Design Quality Engineer, performing design reviews on newly created and released engineering packages, and driving process improvements to prevent Engineering defects from propagating through the value stream. Your primary focus area will be the LM Aero Air Mobility & Maritime Missions (AMMM) line of business (LoB) which includes the C-130J and derivative platforms, but you may also be asked to support other LoBs across LM Aero as needed.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Design Quality Engineer within the LM Aero Quality Data & Technology directorate, you will be responsible for ensuring quality engineering input is accounted for and modeled appropriately in all value chains. Your responsibilities will include:
- Collaborating with design engineering to identify and define proper datum schemes, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), key characteristics, statistical tolerancing, and other requirements of concern
- Identifying and correcting inspectability issues of designs prior to engineering release
- Creating first article inspection datasets for parts requiring first article inspection (FAI) within the product lifecycle management (PLM) system
- Creating and managing sampling plans and assigning to relevant product characteristics to support production planning
- Using the digital thread to model impacts from expected quality performance levels on the program’s production system and schedule, and coordinating changes as required to product designs or manufacturing plans
Manages the implementation and execution of program quality requirements. Responsible for all aspects of Quality across the programs life-cycle including proposals, contract review, start-up, development, transition to production, production and support. Requires an understanding of quality tasks across quality functions including hardware, software, systems and suppliers/subcontractors, and customers. Proficient in company policies. Partners with program teams as the Quality Lead for design, development, production and mobilization phases of program execution. Performs contract reviews and flows down contract quality requirements to quality team, including suppliers. Establishes quality budgets and cost commitments. Serves on the program area Risk and Opportunity Review Boards; nominates risks and opportunities. Ensures Quality Assurance Plans are documented and current and implemented. Schedules and ensures assessments of program (e.g. quality audits). Participates in independent program reviews to understand risks and drive Return to Green plans. Maintains a DCMA/Customer quality relationship. Establishes and maintains effective Quality Program Team business rhythm.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Discipline from an accredited college
- Experience with metrology and product verification methods and capabilities
- Experience reading Technical Data Packages and Reviewing Engineering Designs
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Familiar with ASME Y14 Standards
- Familiar with AS9100 (Aerospace Quality Management System) and AS9145 (Advanced Product Quality Planning) standards
- GD&T training
- Air Vehicle Design or System Engineering
- Experience in Quality Sciences and/or Green Belt trained
- 3DX or Siemens PLM Experience
- CATIA training
PAY INFORMATION
Full-Time Salary Range: $85300.00 - $158300.00
At Lockheed Martin, we know mission success starts with taking care of our people. Our Total Rewards program is designed to attract top talent, support your well-being, and help you grow—both professionally and personally.
The salary range for this position is as listed on the requisition. Please note that the salary information listed is a general guideline only. Lockheed Martin considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills as well as market (work location) and business considerations when extending an offer.
BENEFITS OFFERED
Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible work arrangements and schedules (e.g., 4x10), 401(k) match, Paid time off, Holidays, Parental Leave, EAP, Flexible Spending Accounts, Education Assistance, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability.
- Annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs may be offered depending on the position. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and can vary from year to year and are tied to a range of performance metrics.
- For (Washington state applicants only) Non-represented full-time employees: accrue at least 10 hours per month of Paid Time Off (PTO) to be used for incidental absences and other reasons; receive at least 90 hours for holidays. Represented full-time employees accrue 6.67 hours of Vacation per month; accrue up to 52 hours of sick leave annually; receive at least 96 hours for holidays. PTO, Vacation, sick leave, and holiday hours are prorated based on start date during the calendar year.
See all 66+ OPT Quality Program Manager Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Quality Program Manager
Target STEM-designated degree fields
Quality Program Manager roles typically fall under STEM OPT when your degree is in engineering, computer science, or operations research. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your 36-month authorization window.
Prioritize large manufacturers and defense contractors
Companies like Boeing, Raytheon, and Honeywell have established quality functions and consistent H-1B sponsorship histories. Large operations teams file high volumes of petitions annually, making them more likely to sponsor OPT candidates into full-time roles.
Highlight cross-functional project leadership clearly
Quality Program Managers bridge engineering, operations, and compliance teams. Framing your resume around measurable process improvements and cross-team coordination signals the kind of specialized expertise that justifies visa sponsorship for employers unfamiliar with OPT.
Obtain a relevant quality certification before interviewing
Certifications like ASQ's Certified Quality Engineer or Six Sigma Green Belt signal domain credibility and reduce employer hesitation. Candidates who demonstrate independent investment in the field are easier to justify sponsoring internally to HR and legal teams.
Address your OPT timeline proactively with recruiters
Bring up your authorization timeline early, not at the offer stage. Explaining STEM OPT extension eligibility and your H-1B lottery eligibility window gives hiring managers time to align internal sponsorship processes before your start date creates urgency.
Focus on industries with high H-1B filing rates for this role
Aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, and medical devices consistently appear in DOL disclosure data for quality-related H-1B filings. Concentrating your search on these sectors improves the odds that your employer already has a sponsorship infrastructure in place.
Quality Program Manager OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Quality Program Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not the job title. If your degree is in an approved STEM field such as industrial engineering, systems engineering, or computer science, your employer can sign the Form I-983 training plan and your DSO can authorize the 24-month STEM extension. The role itself must also be directly related to your degree field, which most quality management positions satisfy under engineering degree categories.
How do I find Quality Program Manager jobs that sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate filters job listings by visa sponsorship type, so you can browse Quality Program Manager roles where employers have indicated OPT or H-1B sponsorship willingness. Searching the general market is inefficient because most listings don't state sponsorship status upfront. Starting on a platform built for international students saves you from applying to roles that will screen you out at the offer stage.
What industries hire Quality Program Managers on OPT most frequently?
Aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, automotive, and medical devices are the heaviest hirers for this function and have consistent H-1B sponsorship records to support OPT transitions. Software and cloud infrastructure companies also hire quality program managers, particularly those focused on reliability engineering or compliance frameworks, and tend to have strong international hiring programs already in place.
Can I work as a Quality Program Manager on day-one OPT while waiting for my EAD?
No. You cannot begin working until you physically receive your Employment Authorization Document. Apply for OPT at least 90 days before your intended start date to avoid gaps. Many employers for this role will hold a start date if they understand the EAD timeline, especially in industries like aerospace that are accustomed to credentialing and clearance processing delays.
What happens to my Quality Program Manager job if I lose my OPT status?
If your OPT expires and no H-1B or other status is in place, your employment authorization ends and you must stop working. For Quality Program Managers already embedded in long-term programs, this is a real operational disruption for employers, which is actually a sponsorship leverage point. Start H-1B conversations with your employer at least 12 months before your OPT end date to allow for lottery and petition preparation.