STEM OPT Packaging Engineer Jobs

Packaging Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in engineering or materials science. That gives you up to 36 months of work authorization, provided your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and signs your I-983 training plan.

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Overview

Open Jobs65+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type85% On-site
Median Salary$97K
Top LocationMacon, GA
Most JobsApple

Showing 5 of 65+ Packaging Engineer jobs

Kenvue
Packaging Engineer
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Kenvue
Added 1d ago
Packaging Engineer
Kenvue
Summit, New Jersey
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Engineering (Non-Software)
$72,675/yr - $102,600/yr
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Apple
IC Packaging Engineer
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Apple
Added 3d ago
IC Packaging Engineer
Apple
San Francisco Bay Area, California
Specialized Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$181,100/yr - $318,400/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Kimberly-Clark
Lead Packaging Engineer
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Kimberly-Clark
Added 4d ago
Lead Packaging Engineer
Kimberly-Clark
Georgia
Specialized Engineering
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$87,260/yr - $107,780/yr
Hybrid
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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AtriCure, Inc.
Packaging Engineer
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AtriCure, Inc.
Added 4d ago
Packaging Engineer
AtriCure, Inc.
Mason, Ohio
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Engineering (Non-Software)
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Ryder System
Packaging Engineer
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Ryder System
Added 5d ago
Packaging Engineer
Ryder System
Novi, Michigan
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Procurement & Supply Chain
Engineering (Non-Software)
Supply Chain
$50,000/yr - $65,000/yr
Hybrid
1+ yr exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Packaging Engineer

Verify your CIP code before applying

Packaging Engineering roles typically align with CIP codes in mechanical, materials, or industrial engineering. Confirm your degree's CIP code with your DSO before applying, since a mismatch between your degree field and the role can disqualify you from the 24-month STEM extension.

Check E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers

STEM OPT employers must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension starts. Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name to confirm enrollment status. A verbal promise from HR doesn't satisfy the USCIS requirement.

Target manufacturers with structured engineering rotations

Consumer goods, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical manufacturers frequently hire Packaging Engineers into rotational programs, which are easier to document in the I-983 training plan because learning objectives are already codified by the employer.

Use Migrate Mate to filter for STEM OPT employers

Search Migrate Mate for Packaging Engineer roles at companies with verified E-Verify enrollment and active engineering hiring. Filtering by STEM OPT eligibility upfront cuts the time you'd otherwise spend vetting individual employers manually.

Draft your I-983 training plan around measurable engineering goals

USCIS requires your I-983 to list concrete learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For Packaging Engineers, frame goals around specific skills: structural design, material selection, sustainability standards, or validation testing. Generic descriptions increase the risk of a DSO or USCIS rejection.

Benchmark your offer against OFLC Wage Search data

Before signing an offer, run your job title and location through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your salary meets the prevailing wage for Packaging Engineers in that area. Underpayment can signal a compliance problem that creates complications if the employer later files an H-1B petition for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Packaging Engineering role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?

It depends on your degree's CIP code, not the job title alone. Packaging Engineer positions typically qualify when your degree is classified under mechanical engineering, materials science, industrial engineering, or a related STEM field with an approved CIP code. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific degree qualifies. If it does, you're eligible for the 24-month extension on top of your initial 12-month OPT.

What does the I-983 training plan need to include for a Packaging Engineering role?

Your I-983 must list specific, measurable learning objectives that connect your day-to-day work to your STEM degree. For Packaging Engineers, that means documenting skills like package structural design, material compatibility testing, regulatory compliance, or sustainability optimization, not just restating your job description. Your employer signs the form and accepts responsibility for providing the training. USCIS or your DSO may review it, so vague language creates risk.

How do I confirm my employer is enrolled in E-Verify?

Use the E-Verify employer search tool to look up the company by name before your extension start date. Enrollment must be active at the time your STEM OPT begins, not just promised by an HR contact. If the company isn't listed, your extension cannot proceed with that employer. Many smaller packaging operations and contract manufacturers are not enrolled, so verify early in your offer negotiation.

What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B petition is filed before my STEM OPT expires?

If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT end date and the petition is timely filed for the October 1 start date, cap-gap protection extends your work authorization through September 30. You can continue working as a Packaging Engineer during that gap without interruption. USCIS issues a cap-gap extension automatically through your EAD and I-20 update from your DSO.

Where can I find Packaging Engineer jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT requirements?

Migrate Mate lists Packaging Engineer roles at employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, so you're not spending time on companies that can't legally hire you for STEM OPT. Searching there lets you focus on employers who have already demonstrated familiarity with work authorization requirements, which also tends to make the I-983 training plan process smoother since HR teams are more prepared.

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