STEM OPT Production Engineer Jobs
Production Engineer roles in manufacturing, process optimization, and industrial systems qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension when your degree falls under an eligible CIP code. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a signed I-983 training plan before your extension begins.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
SNF is a specialty chemical group whose products, water-soluble polymers, contribute to treating, recycling, preserving water, saving energy, and reducing carbon footprint. A pioneer in soft chemistry, SNF has long been present on all continents, employing 9,000 people, including more than 2,700+ in the USA. Innovation and movement toward a cleaner, less carbon-intensive world accelerates SNF’s growth.
SNF is seeking a Production Engineer II to provide technical leadership for assigned manufacturing processes. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations by maintaining quality and safety standards while improving equipment effectiveness and optimizing operating costs. The Production Engineer II works independently with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to troubleshoot complex process issues, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and implement sustainable solutions that drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and cost.
Responsibilities:
- Monitor and analyze process and equipment performance to ensure manufacturing operations meet safety, quality, environmental, regulatory, and production requirements. Identify, prioritize, and implement corrective actions to address process deficiencies and improve plant performance.
- Own the technical performance of assigned manufacturing processes by monitoring key performance indicators, identifying improvement opportunities, and implementing sustainable solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and operating cost.
- Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process from initiation through implementation, including Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), procedure updates, training, and technical documentation.
- Independently troubleshoot process and equipment issues by analyzing operating data, identifying root causes, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
- Develop and implement engineering solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, production efficiency, capacity, and operating costs.
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), audits, inspections, and other process safety activities. Drive assigned corrective actions to completion and verify their effectiveness.
- Develop, maintain, and improve operating procedures, process documentation, and technical training materials.
- Support the Process Engineering team by preparing P&ID markups, isolation drawings, and other engineering documentation associated with process improvements and MOCs.
- Support and promote Process Safety Management (PSM) programs by ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and company requirements and identifying opportunities to strengthen process safety performance.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methodologies to improve safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and operating costs.
- Lead and support research and development activities, process trials, plant start-ups, shutdowns, and process optimization efforts.
- Develop and deliver technical training to operators, supervisors, and other plant personnel to improve process understanding and operational performance.
- Develop and implement improvements to preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs in collaboration with Operations and Maintenance.
- Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, execute improvement projects, and achieve plant objectives.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers and support their professional development.
- Perform other engineering-related duties in support of plant operations and continuous improvement.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor's Degree - BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent degree is required.
Experience: 3-5 years of chemical manufacturing experience is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles, process troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to independently analyze and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and process issues.
- Working knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) systems, including Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), and incident investigations.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze process data, make sound engineering decisions, and implement sustainable technical solutions.
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, lead projects, and drive assigned work to completion.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in an OSHA PSM-regulated chemical manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS); Yokogawa experience preferred.
- Experience with SAP or other enterprise maintenance or manufacturing systems.
- Experience developing operating procedures, technical documentation, and operator training materials.
- Demonstrated experience leading Management of Change (MOC) activities, process improvement projects, or incident investigations.
BENEFITS:
- Competitive Salary
- Medical Benefits
- Dental Benefits
- Vision Benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) Savings Plan
- Vacation Days
- Incidental/Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Development & Training
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
INTRODUCTION
SNF is a specialty chemical group whose products, water-soluble polymers, contribute to treating, recycling, preserving water, saving energy, and reducing carbon footprint. A pioneer in soft chemistry, SNF has long been present on all continents, employing 9,000 people, including more than 2,700+ in the USA. Innovation and movement toward a cleaner, less carbon-intensive world accelerates SNF’s growth.
SNF is seeking a Production Engineer II to provide technical leadership for assigned manufacturing processes. This position is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations by maintaining quality and safety standards while improving equipment effectiveness and optimizing operating costs. The Production Engineer II works independently with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to troubleshoot complex process issues, lead continuous improvement initiatives, and implement sustainable solutions that drive measurable improvements in safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and cost.
Responsibilities:
- Monitor and analyze process and equipment performance to ensure manufacturing operations meet safety, quality, environmental, regulatory, and production requirements. Identify, prioritize, and implement corrective actions to address process deficiencies and improve plant performance.
- Own the technical performance of assigned manufacturing processes by monitoring key performance indicators, identifying improvement opportunities, and implementing sustainable solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and operating cost.
- Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process from initiation through implementation, including Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), procedure updates, training, and technical documentation.
- Independently troubleshoot process and equipment issues by analyzing operating data, identifying root causes, and implementing sustainable corrective actions.
- Develop and implement engineering solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, production efficiency, capacity, and operating costs.
- Lead incident investigations, root cause analyses, Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), audits, inspections, and other process safety activities. Drive assigned corrective actions to completion and verify their effectiveness.
- Develop, maintain, and improve operating procedures, process documentation, and technical training materials.
- Support the Process Engineering team by preparing P&ID markups, isolation drawings, and other engineering documentation associated with process improvements and MOCs.
- Support and promote Process Safety Management (PSM) programs by ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory, environmental, and company requirements and identifying opportunities to strengthen process safety performance.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other structured problem-solving methodologies to improve safety, quality, reliability, throughput, and operating costs.
- Lead and support research and development activities, process trials, plant start-ups, shutdowns, and process optimization efforts.
- Develop and deliver technical training to operators, supervisors, and other plant personnel to improve process understanding and operational performance.
- Develop and implement improvements to preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programs in collaboration with Operations and Maintenance.
- Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, execute improvement projects, and achieve plant objectives.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to less experienced engineers and support their professional development.
- Perform other engineering-related duties in support of plant operations and continuous improvement.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor's Degree - BS in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent degree is required.
Experience: 3-5 years of chemical manufacturing experience is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated knowledge of engineering principles, process troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to independently analyze and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and process issues.
- Working knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) systems, including Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSRs), and incident investigations.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze process data, make sound engineering decisions, and implement sustainable technical solutions.
- Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, and other cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, lead projects, and drive assigned work to completion.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience in an OSHA PSM-regulated chemical manufacturing environment.
- Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience with Distributed Control Systems (DCS); Yokogawa experience preferred.
- Experience with SAP or other enterprise maintenance or manufacturing systems.
- Experience developing operating procedures, technical documentation, and operator training materials.
- Demonstrated experience leading Management of Change (MOC) activities, process improvement projects, or incident investigations.
BENEFITS:
- Competitive Salary
- Medical Benefits
- Dental Benefits
- Vision Benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- 401(k) Savings Plan
- Vacation Days
- Incidental/Sick Days
- Paid Holidays
- Life Insurance
- Short-Term Disability
- Long-Term Disability
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Development & Training
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
See all 65+ STEM OPT Production Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Production Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Production Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Production Engineering roles typically map to CIP codes in engineering or manufacturing fields, but your specific degree title determines eligibility. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before accepting any offer to avoid surprises at the extension filing stage.
Check E-Verify status before interviews
Ask your recruiter whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify before your first interview, not after an offer. Employers who aren't enrolled cannot legally employ STEM OPT students, and most manufacturing operations large enough to hire production engineers already have it.
Use Migrate Mate to target verified employers
Filter your Production Engineer job search by employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM OPT hiring history. Migrate Mate surfaces this data so you spend time on companies that can actually hire you, not ones that will stall at HR compliance.
Build your I-983 training plan around measurable outcomes
Production Engineer roles require a signed I-983 that ties your daily responsibilities to your STEM degree's learning objectives. Draft specific metrics, such as yield improvement targets or cycle time reductions, so the plan satisfies SEVP requirements and holds up to a compliance audit.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark offers
Before negotiating, look up the prevailing wage for Production Engineer in your metro area using the OFLC Wage Search. STEM OPT doesn't mandate prevailing wage the way H-1B visa does, but an offer below Level I signals that a future H-1B filing may face wage compliance problems.
Time your extension filing against your OPT end date
USCIS requires you to file the STEM OPT extension at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Production Engineer hiring cycles at manufacturers often run 60 to 90 days, so start your search early enough to have an offer and a signed I-983 well before that window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Production Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Production Engineer positions qualify if your degree was conferred in an eligible STEM field mapped to an approved CIP code, such as industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or manufacturing engineering. The job itself doesn't have to use the word 'engineer' in the title, but the role's core duties must be directly related to your degree field. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
Does my Production Engineer employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. If your employer is not enrolled, you cannot work there on the STEM OPT extension, regardless of the role or your qualifications. Ask HR to confirm E-Verify enrollment before signing an offer letter. You can verify enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a Production Engineer position?
Your I-983 must document how the Production Engineer role provides practical training related to your STEM degree. Include specific learning objectives tied to your job duties, such as optimizing manufacturing processes, reducing defect rates, or implementing quality control systems. Both you and your supervisor must sign it, and it must be in place before your STEM OPT extension is approved. USCIS may audit training plans, so vague descriptions won't hold up.
What happens to my work authorization if my H-1B is selected in the lottery but my STEM OPT expires before October 1?
The cap-gap rule extends your work authorization automatically if your employer files your H-1B petition before your STEM OPT expires and you are selected in the lottery. Your status and employment authorization continue until October 1, when the H-1B takes effect. You don't need to take any additional action beyond maintaining your OPT status and ensuring your employer files on time.
How do I find Production Engineer jobs where employers are set up to hire STEM OPT students?
Search Migrate Mate for Production Engineer roles filtered by employers with E-Verify enrollment and a track record of hiring international students. Many manufacturing and industrial employers have E-Verify but don't advertise it in job postings, so filtering by verified enrollment saves time. You can also reference O*NET for the standard occupational profile to confirm your role aligns with the STEM OPT extension requirements.