STEM OPT Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs
Manufacturing Engineering Manager roles qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in engineering or a related STEM field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign your I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Get Access To All JobsWork Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Cleanroom: no hair products, jewelry, makeup, nail polish, perfume, exposed piercings, facial hair etc... allowed, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
As a Manufacturing Engineer III at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will optimize production processes, implement new technologies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. You'll work with cross-functional teams to ensure the efficient manufacture of high-quality products while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. This position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully by enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer through innovative manufacturing solutions.
You will manage process improvement projects, provide technical expertise for new product introductions, develop and validate manufacturing processes, and implement automation solutions. Working with R&D, Quality, Production, and other departments, you'll optimize existing processes while ensuring consistent product quality and regulatory compliance. Your analytical skills and engineering expertise will help drive cost reductions, improve efficiencies, and enhance manufacturing capabilities across our operations.
A Day in the Life:
- Lead problem solving efforts and issue resolution for major equipment breakdowns
- Seek opportunities for process and optimization improvements not limited to throughput, yield, and containment
- Serve as primary point of contact as the equipment and process expert. Recommend capital investments and assist in new product development, product proposals, and quotes
- Analyze operational equipment and maintenance data to drive engineering solutions to support cost reduction, quality, safety, and operational efficiencies
- Drive process improvements (PPI) with teams to complete PPI projects and cost savings initiatives
- Work closely with maintenance to align on data driven decisions to improve equipment up time
- Use root cause problem solving and CAPA generation and execution to improve quality
- Collaborate with internal and external customers, as well as original equipment manufacturers to provide technical expertise, recommendations, and continuous improvement efforts on processing equipment
- Communicate improvement ideas for the process and equipment performance to multiple departments
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced Degree plus 1 year of experience, or Bachelor's Degree plus 3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering in regulated industries (pharmaceutical, medical device, or similar)
- Preferred Fields of Study: Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial or related field)
- Lean Six Sigma certification preferred
- Strong knowledge of GMP, ISO standards, and regulatory requirements
- Expertise in process validation, equipment qualification, and change control management
- Proficient in statistical analysis and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience with automation systems, PLCs, and manufacturing control systems
- Strong project management skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and cost reduction initiatives
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic manufacturing environment
- Experience supporting engineers and technicians
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and relevant engineering software
- Must be able to work in cleanroom environments when required
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience with risk assessment methodologies and root cause analysis
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and tools
- Able to express ideas and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
- Innovative problem solver who can envision new and better ways of doing things
Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Adherence to all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Safety Standards, Cleanroom: no hair products, jewelry, makeup, nail polish, perfume, exposed piercings, facial hair etc... allowed, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)
Job Description
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every single day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our global teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while helping to take science a step beyond by developing solutions for some of the world’s toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
As a Manufacturing Engineer III at Thermo Fisher Scientific, you will optimize production processes, implement new technologies, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. You'll work with cross-functional teams to ensure the efficient manufacture of high-quality products while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. This position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully by enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer through innovative manufacturing solutions.
You will manage process improvement projects, provide technical expertise for new product introductions, develop and validate manufacturing processes, and implement automation solutions. Working with R&D, Quality, Production, and other departments, you'll optimize existing processes while ensuring consistent product quality and regulatory compliance. Your analytical skills and engineering expertise will help drive cost reductions, improve efficiencies, and enhance manufacturing capabilities across our operations.
A Day in the Life:
- Lead problem solving efforts and issue resolution for major equipment breakdowns
- Seek opportunities for process and optimization improvements not limited to throughput, yield, and containment
- Serve as primary point of contact as the equipment and process expert. Recommend capital investments and assist in new product development, product proposals, and quotes
- Analyze operational equipment and maintenance data to drive engineering solutions to support cost reduction, quality, safety, and operational efficiencies
- Drive process improvements (PPI) with teams to complete PPI projects and cost savings initiatives
- Work closely with maintenance to align on data driven decisions to improve equipment up time
- Use root cause problem solving and CAPA generation and execution to improve quality
- Collaborate with internal and external customers, as well as original equipment manufacturers to provide technical expertise, recommendations, and continuous improvement efforts on processing equipment
- Communicate improvement ideas for the process and equipment performance to multiple departments
REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced Degree plus 1 year of experience, or Bachelor's Degree plus 3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering in regulated industries (pharmaceutical, medical device, or similar)
- Preferred Fields of Study: Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Industrial or related field)
- Lean Six Sigma certification preferred
- Strong knowledge of GMP, ISO standards, and regulatory requirements
- Expertise in process validation, equipment qualification, and change control management
- Proficient in statistical analysis and continuous improvement methodologies
- Experience with automation systems, PLCs, and manufacturing control systems
- Strong project management skills and ability to work with cross-functional teams
- Demonstrated success implementing process improvements and cost reduction initiatives
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a dynamic manufacturing environment
- Experience supporting engineers and technicians
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite and relevant engineering software
- Must be able to work in cleanroom environments when required
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience with risk assessment methodologies and root cause analysis
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and tools
- Able to express ideas and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
- Innovative problem solver who can envision new and better ways of doing things
See all 31+ STEM OPT Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Manufacturing Engineering Manager Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager
Verify your CIP code before applying
Cross-check your degree's CIP code against the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Manufacturing engineering and industrial engineering degrees typically qualify, but mechanical engineering programs vary by school, confirm with your DSO before targeting roles.
Search E-Verify status before interviewing
Ask your recruiter directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before your first interview. Many mid-size manufacturers aren't enrolled, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of how strong your candidacy is.
Build a training plan aligned to manufacturing management
Draft your I-983 before you have an offer. Map your learning objectives to production planning, lean manufacturing, and cross-functional team leadership so your DSO and employer can approve it quickly once an offer comes through.
Target manufacturers with existing H-1B filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Manufacturing Engineering Manager roles by employers who've filed LCAs, signaling that they understand visa-sponsored hiring and have processes in place for international candidates with work authorization requirements.
Confirm your start date clears the 60-day grace period
If you're between jobs or finishing your initial OPT, your STEM extension isn't automatic. File your I-765 through USCIS early enough so your EAD arrives before your current authorization expires, especially for roles with fixed onboarding cycles in manufacturing.
Check prevailing wage requirements for your target region
Manufacturing Engineering Manager wages vary significantly by metro area and industry segment. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify that your offer meets the prevailing wage for your SOC code and location before signing, since your employer's LCA must certify this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Manufacturing Engineering Manager role qualify for STEM OPT?
Yes, if your underlying degree is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. Degrees in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering typically qualify. The role itself doesn't determine eligibility, your CIP code does. Confirm with your DSO that your specific program and institution are listed before you apply for the extension through USCIS.
What does my employer need to do to support my STEM OPT extension?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and co-sign your I-983 training plan before your extension begins. For a Manufacturing Engineering Manager role, the I-983 should outline concrete learning goals tied to production systems, process improvement, or team leadership. The employer also agrees to report material changes to your DSO within five business days.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm working as a Manufacturing Engineering Manager?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before April 1 and your OPT or STEM OPT expires before October 1, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization until your H-1B start date. You can continue in your Manufacturing Engineering Manager role without interruption. USCIS issues an updated I-20 reflecting the extension, which you'll need for your employer's records.
What should my I-983 training plan cover for a manufacturing management role?
Your I-983 must describe how the role provides practical training directly related to your STEM degree. For a Manufacturing Engineering Manager, relevant goals include applying engineering principles to optimize production workflows, managing cross-functional teams through quantitative methods, and using data analysis to reduce defect rates. Generic management objectives that don't connect to your STEM coursework are unlikely to be approved by your DSO.
Where can I find Manufacturing Engineering Manager jobs at E-Verify-enrolled employers?
Migrate Mate filters Manufacturing Engineering Manager listings to surface employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history, which removes the guesswork of vetting each company individually. You can search by location, industry, and role type to find positions where the employer already has experience hiring candidates on work authorization. This is especially useful for F-1 students on STEM OPT who can't afford to accept an offer from a non-enrolled employer.