Safety Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Safety Engineer jobs on OPT are available across construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and tech sectors. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers typically require a degree in occupational health, civil, or industrial engineering.
See All Safety Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,014+ Safety Engineer 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 1,014+ Safety Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Safety Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
Today, Clow Valve Company operates at two locations: Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Riverside, Calif. The Oskaloosa plants include iron and brass foundries, a machine shop, assembly, finished goods warehousing, shipping and administrative offices. The Riverside location includes a sales office and distribution center. We are proud to continue our history of offering manufactured products that comply with “Made in the USA” requirements.
Job Description
Purpose:
The Safety Engineer enhances manufacturing excellence and employee experience by promoting protection and loss prevention through advocating for employees’ well-being and being a leader in industry compliance standards.
Key Performance Indicators:
Employee Experience: Partner with the plant to implement four (4) safety improvements per year.
Employee Experience: By the end of each calendar year, support the plant in achieving all annual safety performance metrics by ensuring at least 95% participation in VPP activities, coordinating full employee involvement in Ergo Cup initiatives, completing all required McWane audits on schedule, and meeting any additional site‑specific safety goals identified at the start of the year. This includes tracking participation, removing barriers to engagement, and providing monthly progress updates to leadership.
Sustainability: Ensure 100% completion of required annual tasks and assigned compliance‑related actions.
Core Functions:
Safety Development (60%): Diligently conduct investigations on all safety related incidences, accurately report findings, and collaborate with team members to implement safer work practices to ensure employee future well-being. Thoroughly analyze safety policies and practices throughout the organization, highlight gaps or inefficiencies and communicate among all levels of the organization on possible enhancements to promote protection and loss prevention. Actively conduct routine audits/assessments on machines, PPE, and various devices utilized through the company to ensure Clow is operating in compliance with government standards. Advise team members on governmental compliance changes and actively research new adaptive equipment and PPE. Accurately maintain the safety supply inventory and investigate areas for cost/injury reduction. Seek out opportunities for continued knowledge growth in technology/safety/ and compliance.
Training (20%): Produce, distribute, and conduct modernized safety training across all Clow Valve’s workforce. Act as an advisor for safety related items throughout the workforce by cultivating trusting relationships with the employees from the date of hire. Accurately maintain all SEG (Similar Exposure Group) training, ensure all assigned EMOC (Electronic Management of Change) duties are completed, act as a liaison for SharePoint and employees.
Safety Consultant (20%): Proactively seek ways to enhance the safety knowledge among Clow Valve and assist supervisors/safety committees with effective meetings, conducting risk assessments and safety audits. Coordinate safety campaigns and activities to foster a trusting environment that values employee well-being. Advise employees on safety standards and tactfully assist supervisors in policy enforcement standards. Champion VPP culture and compliance.
Qualifications
Technical Skills:
- Strong computer skills, proficient with Excel and Microsoft Office.
- Experience with SharePoint, Power BI and/or Cority a plus.
- Effective presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health or a related field preferred.
3-5 years’ experience in Occupational Health and Safety in a manufacturing setting.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA- gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
Company Description
Today, Clow Valve Company operates at two locations: Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Riverside, Calif. The Oskaloosa plants include iron and brass foundries, a machine shop, assembly, finished goods warehousing, shipping and administrative offices. The Riverside location includes a sales office and distribution center. We are proud to continue our history of offering manufactured products that comply with “Made in the USA” requirements.
Job Description
Purpose:
The Safety Engineer enhances manufacturing excellence and employee experience by promoting protection and loss prevention through advocating for employees’ well-being and being a leader in industry compliance standards.
Key Performance Indicators:
Employee Experience: Partner with the plant to implement four (4) safety improvements per year.
Employee Experience: By the end of each calendar year, support the plant in achieving all annual safety performance metrics by ensuring at least 95% participation in VPP activities, coordinating full employee involvement in Ergo Cup initiatives, completing all required McWane audits on schedule, and meeting any additional site‑specific safety goals identified at the start of the year. This includes tracking participation, removing barriers to engagement, and providing monthly progress updates to leadership.
Sustainability: Ensure 100% completion of required annual tasks and assigned compliance‑related actions.
Core Functions:
Safety Development (60%): Diligently conduct investigations on all safety related incidences, accurately report findings, and collaborate with team members to implement safer work practices to ensure employee future well-being. Thoroughly analyze safety policies and practices throughout the organization, highlight gaps or inefficiencies and communicate among all levels of the organization on possible enhancements to promote protection and loss prevention. Actively conduct routine audits/assessments on machines, PPE, and various devices utilized through the company to ensure Clow is operating in compliance with government standards. Advise team members on governmental compliance changes and actively research new adaptive equipment and PPE. Accurately maintain the safety supply inventory and investigate areas for cost/injury reduction. Seek out opportunities for continued knowledge growth in technology/safety/ and compliance.
Training (20%): Produce, distribute, and conduct modernized safety training across all Clow Valve’s workforce. Act as an advisor for safety related items throughout the workforce by cultivating trusting relationships with the employees from the date of hire. Accurately maintain all SEG (Similar Exposure Group) training, ensure all assigned EMOC (Electronic Management of Change) duties are completed, act as a liaison for SharePoint and employees.
Safety Consultant (20%): Proactively seek ways to enhance the safety knowledge among Clow Valve and assist supervisors/safety committees with effective meetings, conducting risk assessments and safety audits. Coordinate safety campaigns and activities to foster a trusting environment that values employee well-being. Advise employees on safety standards and tactfully assist supervisors in policy enforcement standards. Champion VPP culture and compliance.
Qualifications
Technical Skills:
- Strong computer skills, proficient with Excel and Microsoft Office.
- Experience with SharePoint, Power BI and/or Cority a plus.
- Effective presentation skills.
- Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety & Health or a related field preferred.
3-5 years’ experience in Occupational Health and Safety in a manufacturing setting.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
McWane is a Federal VEVRAA contractor, and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices. McWane will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or service member status, marital status, citizenship status (In IL - sex, including same sex, ancestry, order of protection status, physical or mental disability, military status, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge status, genetic information), (In IA - gender identity), (In CA- gender identity or expression, and genetic information) or any other category protected by federal, state or local law.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Safety Engineer
Target STEM-designated programs
Safety Engineering roles typically fall under STEM OPT extension eligibility. Confirm your degree program's CIP code qualifies before applying, as this gives you 36 months of work authorization instead of 12, making you significantly more attractive to employers.
Highlight relevant certifications early
Credentials like OSHA 30, ASP, or CSP signal job-readiness to hiring managers who are unfamiliar with OPT. List them prominently on your resume. Employers weighing sponsorship risk respond well to candidates who already meet industry-standard certification benchmarks.
Address OPT directly in your cover letter
Briefly state your authorization type and end date upfront. Safety Engineer roles in regulated industries like oil and gas or construction often require background checks and onboarding time, so giving employers a clear timeline reduces hesitation around your work authorization status.
Focus on industries with high sponsorship rates
Manufacturing, chemical processing, and aerospace consistently file more OPT and H-1B sponsorships for safety roles than other sectors. Prioritize applications to companies in these industries, where safety compliance is operationally critical and engineering headcount justifies visa sponsorship investment.
Quantify your safety impact on your resume
Employers sponsoring OPT students want evidence of ROI. Lead with metrics: incident rate reductions, compliance audit outcomes, or training programs you implemented. Concrete numbers make your candidacy easier to justify internally when a hiring manager requests sponsorship approval.
Apply before your OPT start date if possible
Safety Engineer roles often involve pre-employment drug screening, background checks, and site access clearances that can take several weeks. Starting your job search three to four months before your OPT begins gives you time to clear these requirements without authorization gaps.
Safety Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Safety Engineer JobsSee all 1,014+ Safety Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Safety Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Safety Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Safety Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as industrial engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, or occupational safety. Your DSO confirms eligibility based on your program's CIP code. If your degree qualifies, you can work for up to three years total on OPT before needing an employer to file for a different visa.
What employers hire Safety Engineers on OPT?
Manufacturing companies, construction firms, chemical processors, aerospace contractors, and large tech campuses all hire Safety Engineers on OPT. Browse Safety Engineer roles on Migrate Mate to find employers actively open to OPT candidates. Roles tied to federal contracts may require additional background screening, so check the job description for security clearance language before applying.
Is a Safety Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. Safety Engineers generally qualify as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental health, or a closely related field. This means employers can file an H-1B petition on your behalf after OPT. Roles at larger manufacturing or energy companies are the most likely to have established H-1B sponsorship programs in place.
Can I work as a Safety Engineer on OPT if my degree is in environmental engineering?
Yes, environmental engineering degrees routinely support Safety Engineer job offers because the fields overlap significantly in industrial hygiene, hazard analysis, and regulatory compliance. Your DSO will confirm whether your specific degree program aligns with the job duties. Employers in chemical and energy sectors commonly hire environmental engineering graduates into safety roles without issue.
How much time do I need to allow for onboarding as a Safety Engineer on OPT?
Safety Engineer roles in industries like oil and gas, defense contracting, and heavy manufacturing often require drug tests, background checks, and site-specific safety inductions before your first day. This process can take two to six weeks. Timing your OPT start date carefully and communicating your authorization timeline clearly with your employer avoids gaps between your program end date and your first paycheck.
See which Safety Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Safety Engineer Jobs