STEM OPT Product Development Engineer Jobs
Product Development Engineer roles in hardware, software, and manufacturing systems qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months of F-1 work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and your degree in engineering, computer science, or a related STEM field must map to an approved CIP code.
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Get Access To All JobsTITLE: Sr. Product Development Engineer
POSITION OBJECTIVE: The core focus of the Sr. Product Development Engineer role is to drive and implement pioneering research and development initiatives, placing a significant emphasis on innovation across various domains, including emerging technologies, data utilization, product enhancement, engineering materials, and advanced manufacturing processes, particularly in the plastics sector. By staying abreast of the latest trends in technology and materials science, the Sr. Product Development Engineer will propel the organization forward, establishing new industry benchmarks and fostering a culture centered around continuous improvement and cutting-edge product development. Responsibilities involve leading the development of new products for our consumer business sector, from concept to commercialization. In this capacity, this position is tasked with driving innovation and facilitating growth by coordinating brainstorming sessions, developing prototypes, and conducting comprehensive analyses to evaluate feasibility and scalability.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Proven experience (2+ years) in mechanical engineering, preferably in plastic manufacturing or a related industry.
- Proven experience in new product development within the consumer goods industry, with a focus on plastic bags or related products preferred.
- Strong proficiency in Six Sigma methodologies and statistical analysis tools.
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and deliver results on schedule.
- Proficient in CAD and Solid modeling software.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Intellectual property management experience, including filing for patents and conducting patent searches.
- Strong organizational skills, able to handle multiple tasks.
- Willingness to travel to manufacturing sites as needed (10% - 40% travel, international travel possible).
- Ensure consistent, dependable attendance and demonstrate a willingness to accommodate non-standard work hours as necessary.
- Capable of effectively managing job-related stress and fostering productive workplace interactions.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the development of new products for consumer product businesses, from concept generation to commercialization.
- Coordinate brainstorming sessions to generate creative and unique product ideas that address consumer needs and market trends.
- Analyze consumer, market, and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation and growth.
- Attend trade shows and industry events to stay informed about emerging trends and technologies in the consumer goods industry.
- Investigate and evaluate new mechanical technologies, machines, and equipment that could improve manufacturing processes, and help integrate them into existing production lines.
- Evaluate existing mechanical designs for plastic manufacturing systems and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance product quality.
- Lead or collaborate on the development of prototypes for new mechanical designs or systems, ensuring they meet performance and safety standards and conduct manufacturing and ROI analysis to evaluate feasibility and scalability of production concepts.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process automation, energy efficiency, cost reduction, and waste minimization in the plastic manufacturing process.
- Actively file for IP protection of innovative ideas for new products.
- Regularly perform patent searches to identify potential filing opportunities and monitor competitive landscape.
- Utilize six sigma methodologies and statistical problem-solving tools to drive process improvements and optimize product quality.
- Apply data-driven approaches to identify and address root causes of product and process issues.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including design engineers, production managers, and quality control, to ensure that mechanical systems and designs are aligned with production goals and business objectives.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, from idea generation to product launch, ensuring timely execution and delivery of results.
- Communicate project status, risk, and milestones to stakeholders and proactively address any issues that may arise.
- Be flexible to travel to our manufacturing sites to oversee trials for new or existing product improvement ideas. Travel may range from 10% to 40% depending on project requirements.
- Perform other duties as requested by management to support the overall objectives of the organization.
Inteplast Group is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at applicantaccommodation@inteplast.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
For more information, about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, view the EEO - Know Your Rights and Pay Transparency Statement.
TITLE: Sr. Product Development Engineer
POSITION OBJECTIVE: The core focus of the Sr. Product Development Engineer role is to drive and implement pioneering research and development initiatives, placing a significant emphasis on innovation across various domains, including emerging technologies, data utilization, product enhancement, engineering materials, and advanced manufacturing processes, particularly in the plastics sector. By staying abreast of the latest trends in technology and materials science, the Sr. Product Development Engineer will propel the organization forward, establishing new industry benchmarks and fostering a culture centered around continuous improvement and cutting-edge product development. Responsibilities involve leading the development of new products for our consumer business sector, from concept to commercialization. In this capacity, this position is tasked with driving innovation and facilitating growth by coordinating brainstorming sessions, developing prototypes, and conducting comprehensive analyses to evaluate feasibility and scalability.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Proven experience (2+ years) in mechanical engineering, preferably in plastic manufacturing or a related industry.
- Proven experience in new product development within the consumer goods industry, with a focus on plastic bags or related products preferred.
- Strong proficiency in Six Sigma methodologies and statistical analysis tools.
- Excellent project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage timelines, and deliver results on schedule.
- Proficient in CAD and Solid modeling software.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
- Intellectual property management experience, including filing for patents and conducting patent searches.
- Strong organizational skills, able to handle multiple tasks.
- Willingness to travel to manufacturing sites as needed (10% - 40% travel, international travel possible).
- Ensure consistent, dependable attendance and demonstrate a willingness to accommodate non-standard work hours as necessary.
- Capable of effectively managing job-related stress and fostering productive workplace interactions.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead the development of new products for consumer product businesses, from concept generation to commercialization.
- Coordinate brainstorming sessions to generate creative and unique product ideas that address consumer needs and market trends.
- Analyze consumer, market, and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation and growth.
- Attend trade shows and industry events to stay informed about emerging trends and technologies in the consumer goods industry.
- Investigate and evaluate new mechanical technologies, machines, and equipment that could improve manufacturing processes, and help integrate them into existing production lines.
- Evaluate existing mechanical designs for plastic manufacturing systems and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and enhance product quality.
- Lead or collaborate on the development of prototypes for new mechanical designs or systems, ensuring they meet performance and safety standards and conduct manufacturing and ROI analysis to evaluate feasibility and scalability of production concepts.
- Participate in continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities for process automation, energy efficiency, cost reduction, and waste minimization in the plastic manufacturing process.
- Actively file for IP protection of innovative ideas for new products.
- Regularly perform patent searches to identify potential filing opportunities and monitor competitive landscape.
- Utilize six sigma methodologies and statistical problem-solving tools to drive process improvements and optimize product quality.
- Apply data-driven approaches to identify and address root causes of product and process issues.
- Work closely with cross-functional teams, including design engineers, production managers, and quality control, to ensure that mechanical systems and designs are aligned with production goals and business objectives.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, from idea generation to product launch, ensuring timely execution and delivery of results.
- Communicate project status, risk, and milestones to stakeholders and proactively address any issues that may arise.
- Be flexible to travel to our manufacturing sites to oversee trials for new or existing product improvement ideas. Travel may range from 10% to 40% depending on project requirements.
- Perform other duties as requested by management to support the overall objectives of the organization.
Inteplast Group is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at applicantaccommodation@inteplast.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
For more information, about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, view the EEO - Know Your Rights and Pay Transparency Statement.
See all 225+ STEM OPT Product Development Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Product Development Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Pull up your degree on the USCIS STEM OPT designated degree list and confirm your CIP code maps to an approved field. Product development roles often require engineering or materials science degrees, so a mismatch can disqualify your extension before you file.
Filter job postings by E-Verify enrollment
Search E-Verify's employer search tool to confirm a company is actively enrolled before investing time in their application process. Product development teams at hardware startups frequently skip E-Verify enrollment, making them ineligible to hire you on STEM OPT.
Target manufacturers with active DOL LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to find Product Development Engineer employers with Labor Condition Application filing history, which signals they've sponsored work authorization before and understand the compliance requirements your STEM OPT training plan demands.
Draft your I-983 training plan around project milestones
Your I-983 must connect your engineering coursework to specific product development tasks, like design verification or prototype iteration. Tie each learning objective to a measurable deliverable so your DSO and employer can sign off without revision delays.
Ask recruiters about E-Verify status in the first call
Raise E-Verify enrollment in your initial recruiter screen, not after an offer. Product development hiring moves fast, and discovering a company isn't enrolled after clearing technical rounds wastes weeks you can't recover during your OPT window.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark offers against prevailing wage
Run your job title and location through OFLC Wage Search before negotiating. Your STEM OPT training plan must document that your compensation meets DOL wage standards for the role, so knowing the prevailing wage level protects you during offer review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Product Development Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your employer is enrolled in E-Verify and your degree maps to an approved CIP code on the USCIS STEM OPT designated degree list. Engineering and materials science degrees covering product development work typically qualify. Your DSO confirms eligibility when you apply for the extension through your school before your initial OPT expires.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Product Development Engineer?
Your I-983 must describe how your day-to-day engineering work connects to your STEM degree, name a direct supervisor who will mentor you, and list measurable learning objectives tied to product development tasks like design validation, prototyping, or cross-functional project ownership. USCIS requires both you and your employer to sign it, and your DSO reviews it before certifying the extension.
How do I confirm my Product Development Engineer employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Search the E-Verify employer search tool by company name or EIN before accepting an offer. Many product development teams at early-stage hardware companies haven't enrolled, which legally bars them from hiring STEM OPT students regardless of intent. Confirming enrollment early prevents offer rescissions after you've already left another position.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer's H-1B petition is filed during my extension?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. USCIS issues this extension automatically, but you should confirm your I-20 reflects the cap-gap period before continuing to work past your OPT end date.
Where can I find Product Development Engineer jobs where employers already understand STEM OPT requirements?
Migrate Mate filters Product Development Engineer listings by employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and DOL filing history, so you're not wasting applications on companies that have never sponsored work authorization. Searching there lets you prioritize roles where the hiring team already knows what an I-983 is and what signing it requires.