OPT R D Engineer Jobs
R&D Engineer jobs are strong candidates for OPT work authorization. Most roles require a degree in engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field, making them eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in this space are generally familiar with sponsoring international talent through H-1B visa.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the R&D Functional Matrix Project Manager, you will be a central driver in advancing Elanco's pipeline of innovative veterinary products. In this role, you'll partner across our global Research and Development organization to oversee strategic initiatives and ensure they are delivered on schedule and within resource constraints. You will implement consistent, high-quality project management practices and ultimately accelerate the delivery of solutions that improve animal health.
Your Responsibilities:
- Lead the execution of global R&D strategic initiatives from initiation through completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope.
- Serve as the central communication hub, facilitating project meetings, documenting key decisions, and providing clear status updates to team members, stakeholders, and executive sponsors.
- Manage project schedules, performance risks, and success metrics using MS Project and other standard tools to support business planning and reporting.
- Build relationships and influence cross-functional partners to drive project milestones, anticipate and resolve complex problems, and balance competing priorities in a dynamic matrix environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor's Degree (scientific field preferred)
- Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of project management experience within the drug development lifecycle, including an understanding of the regulatory submission process.
- Top Skills: Demonstrated expertise in influencing cross-functional teams and external partners; proven ability to manage complex project schedules, negotiate effectively, and communicate with clarity to all levels of the organization.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Lean Six Sigma certifications.
- Direct experience in the veterinary product development industry.
- Proven ability to quickly learn and leverage new IT systems and tools, with a strong competency in AI literacy.
- Previous experience in an operations-focused role.
- Master's degree in a relevant scientific or business field.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Travel: May have up to 10%
- Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
INTRODUCTION
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As the R&D Functional Matrix Project Manager, you will be a central driver in advancing Elanco's pipeline of innovative veterinary products. In this role, you'll partner across our global Research and Development organization to oversee strategic initiatives and ensure they are delivered on schedule and within resource constraints. You will implement consistent, high-quality project management practices and ultimately accelerate the delivery of solutions that improve animal health.
Your Responsibilities:
- Lead the execution of global R&D strategic initiatives from initiation through completion, ensuring projects are delivered on time and within scope.
- Serve as the central communication hub, facilitating project meetings, documenting key decisions, and providing clear status updates to team members, stakeholders, and executive sponsors.
- Manage project schedules, performance risks, and success metrics using MS Project and other standard tools to support business planning and reporting.
- Build relationships and influence cross-functional partners to drive project milestones, anticipate and resolve complex problems, and balance competing priorities in a dynamic matrix environment.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor's Degree (scientific field preferred)
- Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of project management experience within the drug development lifecycle, including an understanding of the regulatory submission process.
- Top Skills: Demonstrated expertise in influencing cross-functional teams and external partners; proven ability to manage complex project schedules, negotiate effectively, and communicate with clarity to all levels of the organization.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Lean Six Sigma certifications.
- Direct experience in the veterinary product development industry.
- Proven ability to quickly learn and leverage new IT systems and tools, with a strong competency in AI literacy.
- Previous experience in an operations-focused role.
- Master's degree in a relevant scientific or business field.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Travel: May have up to 10%
- Location: Global Elanco Headquarters - Indianapolis, IN - Hybrid Work Environment
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
- Multiple relocation packages
- Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
- 8-week parental leave
- 9 Employee Resource Groups
- Annual bonus offering
- Flexible work arrangements
- Up to 6% 401K matching
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
See all 812+ OPT R D Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a R D Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Confirm your degree program appears on the STEM OPT designated degree list before applying. R&D roles at companies requiring engineering or science backgrounds qualify for the 24-month extension, giving you significantly more runway than standard OPT.
Focus on employers with R&D departments
Large manufacturers, biotech firms, semiconductor companies, and defense contractors maintain dedicated R&D teams and typically have established processes for sponsoring international engineers. These employers are far more likely to be comfortable with OPT work authorization.
Highlight research output concretely
List publications, patents, conference presentations, and lab projects on your resume. R&D hiring managers evaluate candidates on research contributions, and a concrete track record signals you can contribute independently from day one.
Apply before your OPT start date
Start applying three to four months before your OPT authorization begins. R&D hiring cycles are longer than general engineering roles because technical evaluations and security clearance checks add time to the process.
Address the H-1B timeline proactively
Mention your STEM OPT timeline early in conversations with recruiters. Employers appreciate knowing they have 36 months total before needing to file an H-1B visa petition, reducing the urgency that often causes sponsorship hesitation.
Match your specialization to the role precisely
R&D positions are highly specialized. Tailor each application to match your specific research background to the role's technical requirements. A materials scientist applying to a photonics role without connecting the dots will lose to a closer match.
R D Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students work as R&D Engineers without employer sponsorship?
Yes. During your OPT period, you can work as an R&D Engineer using your EAD card without your employer filing any additional petitions. If your degree is STEM-designated, you can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of authorized work experience before needing H-1B or another visa.
Do R&D Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do. R&D Engineer positions typically require degrees in engineering, computer science, physics, chemistry, or materials science, all of which appear on the STEM OPT designated degree list. You should verify that your specific CIP code qualifies and confirm the role is directly related to your field of study, as USCIS requires both conditions to be met.
Where can I find R&D Engineer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa-authorized candidates, so you can browse R&D Engineer roles from employers who are already open to OPT work authorization. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering sponsorship limitations late in the hiring process.
Are R&D Engineer positions commonly sponsored for H-1B after OPT?
Yes, more so than many other engineering roles. R&D functions are often tied to proprietary research, making it expensive for employers to replace specialized engineers after investing in their onboarding and training. Companies in biotech, semiconductors, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing have long track records of sponsoring international R&D staff for H-1B petitions.
What should I do if an R&D Engineer role requires a security clearance?
Security clearances are generally unavailable to non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents, which means most cleared R&D positions are off limits during OPT. Focus your search on unclassified R&D roles in commercial industries. Many high-value R&D positions in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and consumer electronics do not require clearances and actively recruit international candidates.