R D Technology Jobs for OPT Students
R&D Technology roles are a strong fit for OPT students in engineering, computer science, and applied sciences, since most qualify for STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in this space regularly sponsor H-1B visas for strong performers, making it one of the more viable long-term paths for international students.
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About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. We are Making Possible™ products and solutions that help advance the industries we serve, providing branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste and mitigate loss, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency and better connect brands and consumers. We design and develop labeling and functional materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving industries worldwide — including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive — we employ approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Our reported sales in 2025 were $8.9 billion.
Job Description
Avery Dennison is seeking a R&D Technology Generalist I to join the Materials Group North America Innovation Center in Mentor, Ohio. This position will be in the Materials Science and Analytical group which is responsible for developing, optimizing and characterizing materials technologies worldwide. In this role, they will conduct product performance testing and characterization as well as possess expertise in a testing area or material component to help establish test methods and provide analysis for project teams in a leading company.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
- Perform routine and moderately complex analytical tests independently focused on chromatography/spectroscopy (GC-MS, LC-MS, GPC, and FT-IR) under the supervision of senior technical staff. This includes but is not limited to testing for VOCs, solvent and monomer residuals, additive analysis, comparative analysis of different lots of raw materials or products.
- Interact and communicate results with requestors in a timely and effective manner. Focus on efficient and timely support with emphasis on interpretation of results.
- Assist senior staff with test method optimization, quality claim requests, production process improvement studies, new product development, and instrument maintenance.
- Support the chromatography team with ordering consumables, and managing solvent waste disposal.
- Forecast promise date completion for all assigned requests, manage time to balance multiple requests, and ensure on time completion.
- Build and maintain technical documentation, report data to the customer/colleague, utilize ELN/LIMS system to accurately record experimental data, track analytical hours, curate reports, and help populate databases.
Qualifications
Required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Polymer/Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related degree. A Master’s Degree in these areas is preferred.
- Minimum 1-2 years of lab experience. 2-3 years of experience is preferred.
- Prior experience with Chromatography (GC-MS and LC-MS) and Spectroscopy (FT-IR) instrumentation is a significant plus. Additional experience in GPC, ICP-OES, NMR, SEM-EDS, Raman, and/or XRF will be an added advantage.
- Experience in the adhesives or plastics industries and familiarity with LIMS/ELN software are also advantageous.
- Strong problem-solving skills, scientific acumen, and strategic thinking in designing experiments and analyzing data is preferred.
- Excellence in documenting experimental results, interpreting data, and writing both summary and in-depth technical reports.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively discuss the objectives of analytical requests, interpret results for requestors, and exchange technical knowledge within the community of practice meetings.
- Ability to interface effectively with cross-functional teams to implement cooperative projects.
- Meticulous attention to detail, scientific curiosity, and a strong commitment to environmental and safety standards and rigorous laboratory housekeeping.
- Results-driven, self-starter and solution-oriented, committed to professional development. Team player willing to go above and beyond.
Additional Information
The salary range for this position is $64,000 - 86,0000/year.
The hiring base salary range above represents what Avery Dennison reasonably expects to pay for this position as of the date of this posting. Actual salaries will vary within the range, and in some circumstances may be above or below the range, based on various factors including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant skills, experience, education and training, and location, as well as the job scope and complexity, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel required for the position, which may change depending on the candidate pool. Avery Dennison reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact (440) 534-6000 or NA.TA.Operations@averydennison.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.
Company Description
About Avery Dennison
Avery Dennison Corporation (NYSE: AVY) is a global materials science and digital identification solutions company. We are Making Possible™ products and solutions that help advance the industries we serve, providing branding and information solutions that optimize labor and supply chain efficiency, reduce waste and mitigate loss, advance sustainability, circularity and transparency and better connect brands and consumers. We design and develop labeling and functional materials, radio-frequency identification (RFID) inlays and tags, software applications that connect the physical and digital and offerings that enhance branded packaging and carry or display information that improves the customer experience. Serving industries worldwide — including home and personal care, apparel, general retail, e-commerce, logistics, food and grocery, pharmaceuticals and automotive — we employ approximately 35,000 employees in more than 50 countries. Our reported sales in 2025 were $8.9 billion.
Job Description
Avery Dennison is seeking a R&D Technology Generalist I to join the Materials Group North America Innovation Center in Mentor, Ohio. This position will be in the Materials Science and Analytical group which is responsible for developing, optimizing and characterizing materials technologies worldwide. In this role, they will conduct product performance testing and characterization as well as possess expertise in a testing area or material component to help establish test methods and provide analysis for project teams in a leading company.
Essential duties and responsibilities:
- Perform routine and moderately complex analytical tests independently focused on chromatography/spectroscopy (GC-MS, LC-MS, GPC, and FT-IR) under the supervision of senior technical staff. This includes but is not limited to testing for VOCs, solvent and monomer residuals, additive analysis, comparative analysis of different lots of raw materials or products.
- Interact and communicate results with requestors in a timely and effective manner. Focus on efficient and timely support with emphasis on interpretation of results.
- Assist senior staff with test method optimization, quality claim requests, production process improvement studies, new product development, and instrument maintenance.
- Support the chromatography team with ordering consumables, and managing solvent waste disposal.
- Forecast promise date completion for all assigned requests, manage time to balance multiple requests, and ensure on time completion.
- Build and maintain technical documentation, report data to the customer/colleague, utilize ELN/LIMS system to accurately record experimental data, track analytical hours, curate reports, and help populate databases.
Qualifications
Required education, knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Polymer/Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related degree. A Master’s Degree in these areas is preferred.
- Minimum 1-2 years of lab experience. 2-3 years of experience is preferred.
- Prior experience with Chromatography (GC-MS and LC-MS) and Spectroscopy (FT-IR) instrumentation is a significant plus. Additional experience in GPC, ICP-OES, NMR, SEM-EDS, Raman, and/or XRF will be an added advantage.
- Experience in the adhesives or plastics industries and familiarity with LIMS/ELN software are also advantageous.
- Strong problem-solving skills, scientific acumen, and strategic thinking in designing experiments and analyzing data is preferred.
- Excellence in documenting experimental results, interpreting data, and writing both summary and in-depth technical reports.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively discuss the objectives of analytical requests, interpret results for requestors, and exchange technical knowledge within the community of practice meetings.
- Ability to interface effectively with cross-functional teams to implement cooperative projects.
- Meticulous attention to detail, scientific curiosity, and a strong commitment to environmental and safety standards and rigorous laboratory housekeeping.
- Results-driven, self-starter and solution-oriented, committed to professional development. Team player willing to go above and beyond.
Additional Information
The salary range for this position is $64,000 - 86,0000/year.
The hiring base salary range above represents what Avery Dennison reasonably expects to pay for this position as of the date of this posting. Actual salaries will vary within the range, and in some circumstances may be above or below the range, based on various factors including but not limited to a candidate’s relevant skills, experience, education and training, and location, as well as the job scope and complexity, responsibilities, and regular and/or necessary travel required for the position, which may change depending on the candidate pool. Avery Dennison reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or other protected status. EEOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
If you require accommodations to view or apply for a job, alternative methods are available to submit an application. Please contact (440) 534-6000 or NA.TA.Operations@averydennison.com to discuss reasonable accommodations.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship in R D Technology
Verify your STEM OPT eligibility before applying
R&D Technology roles almost always fall under STEM-designated programs. Confirm your degree CIP code qualifies before applying so you can truthfully tell employers you're eligible for a 36-month OPT period, not just 12.
Target employers with a strong R&D hiring track record
Companies that run active research labs or product innovation teams tend to sponsor visas more consistently. Look for employers who hire engineers and scientists in volume, since those pipelines are already built for international employees.
Connect your academic research to the role's technical needs
R&D hiring managers want to see depth, not breadth. Lead with a specific project, methodology, or problem you worked on that maps directly to what the team is researching. Generic resumes get filtered out fast.
Understand your OPT reporting obligations before day one
STEM OPT requires a formal training plan, periodic check-ins with your DSO, and employer E-Verify enrollment. Get these confirmed before you accept an offer so there are no surprises that delay your start date.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship timing during later interview rounds
Raise the H-1B question after you've received an offer, not during early screening. Frame it around long-term contribution to the research team, which signals commitment and gives employers a concrete reason to invest in sponsorship.
Use Migrate Mate to find R&D employers actively hiring OPT students
Migrate Mate filters jobs by OPT and visa sponsorship status, so you're not wasting time on listings that won't support your work authorization. Browse R&D Technology roles directly to focus your applications where they matter most.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do R&D Technology jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most do. R&D Technology roles typically fall under STEM-designated degree programs like computer science, electrical engineering, and applied sciences. If your degree has a qualifying CIP code, you're eligible to extend your OPT from 12 months to 36 months. Confirm your specific CIP code with your DSO before applying, since the degree matters more than the job title.
How do I find R&D Technology companies that sponsor OPT students?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. It surfaces R&D Technology jobs from employers who are open to OPT and visa sponsorship, so you can skip listings that won't work for your situation. Large technology companies, defense contractors, and pharmaceutical firms with active research divisions tend to have the most consistent sponsorship track records for international candidates.
What does the STEM OPT training plan requirement mean for R&D Technology roles?
Under STEM OPT, your employer must complete a Form I-983 training plan that outlines your learning objectives, supervision structure, and how the role connects to your degree. For R&D Technology positions, this is usually straightforward since the work is directly tied to your technical field. Your employer also needs to be enrolled in E-Verify before your STEM OPT extension can begin.
Can I work in R&D Technology on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
Yes, in most cases. OPT allows you to work in a role that is directly related to your degree field, which is interpreted broadly. A mechanical engineering degree can support a role in product development R&D. An applied mathematics degree can support a role in data-driven research. The connection needs to be defensible, and your DSO can help you assess whether your specific degree and job combination qualifies.
How does working in R&D Technology affect my chances of H-1B sponsorship after OPT?
R&D Technology roles have historically been among the stronger categories for H-1B sponsorship. Employers running research programs tend to invest in retaining technical talent, and the specialty occupation standard is usually easy to satisfy given the degree requirements. Starting in a role tied directly to your research background, performing well, and raising sponsorship early in your third OPT year gives you the most runway before the next H-1B registration window.
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