Automotive F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Alabama
Automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Alabama are concentrated around Tuscaloosa, Lincoln, and Huntsville, where employers like Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama anchor the state's manufacturing base. Engineering, data analytics, and quality systems roles at these plants and their supplier networks regularly support STEM OPT authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsQuality Engineer
Join a Team That Drives Excellence
Are you passionate about quality, continuous improvement, and making a real impact? Do you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where your expertise helps drive customer satisfaction and operational success?
At SMP Automotive Systems Alabama Inc., we develop and manufacture plastic parts and highly integrated modules for the automotive industry. As part of the Motherson Group, one of the world’s top 22 automotive suppliers, we are proud to support some of the most recognized automotive brands globally.
We believe our people are our greatest strength. We value employee contributions, encourage innovation, and invest in professional development to prepare our team members for long-term success. If you are passionate about quality and want to be part of a company where your work truly matters, this could be the opportunity for you.
Position Summary
We are seeking a talented and driven Quality Engineer to join our growing team.
In this role, you will be responsible for supporting, enforcing, and continuously improving our Quality Assurance Management System to ensure customer requirements, compliance standards, and internal quality expectations are consistently achieved.
You will work cross-functionally with production, engineering, suppliers, and customers to drive corrective actions, improve processes, and maintain the highest standards of product quality.
What You’ll Do
Quality Systems & Compliance
- Ensure implementation and compliance of the QA Management System across all applicable departments
- Maintain compliance with documentation systems, customer portals, and quality reporting requirements
- Update Control Plans, Work Instructions, Operator Standards, and other quality documentation
- Participate in PFMEA reviews and support PPAP documentation preparation
- Support compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements
- Conduct internal audits and support external/customer audits
Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
- Lead cross-functional teams through 8D corrective action investigations and implementation
- Utilize problem-solving tools such as 5 Why Analysis, Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagrams, Pareto Charts, and trend analysis
- Develop tools to collect, analyze, and report quality data
- Conduct statistical studies and recommend appropriate corrective actions
- Drive error elimination measures and process optimization initiatives
Measurement Systems & Supplier Quality
- Conduct Gage R&R and Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
- Support measurement room technologies and laboratory methods
- Maintain modern measurement and evaluation systems
- Monitor supplier quality and ensure high-quality incoming materials and purchased parts
CCC / China Certification Compliance
- Ensure compliance with CCC certification requirements for certified products
- Maintain required procedures for CCC labeling, product marking, and certification controls
- Ensure CoP Control Plans are created, implemented, and maintained
- Communicate required product changes to the Chinese Certification Authority as needed
Customer Support
- Provide preventive customer support and proactive quality solutions
- Support customer concerns and quality issue resolution
- Complete other duties as assigned
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related Engineering field
(Equivalent experience in Economics, Business Administration, or relevant experience may be considered) - 2+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality
- Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive quality management systems
- Experience leading cross-functional teams through full 8D corrective action processes
- Knowledge of:
- PFMEA
- PPAP requirements
- Control Plans
- Work Instructions and Operator Standards
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Gage R&R and MSA studies
- Strong data analysis and reporting skills
- Proficiency in:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Office Suite
- SAP
- Strong English communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- ASQ CQE or ASQ CQT certification
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Knowledge of plastic injection molding, painting, and assembly processes
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System, and Value Stream Mapping
- Knowledge of VDA standards
- Certified auditor (IATF and/or VDA)
- Experience supervising or managing people
- Experience working as an operator on the manufacturing floor
- Knowledge of Mercedes-Benz Customer Specific Requirements
What Makes You Successful
You demonstrate our Core Values every day:
Passion for Excellence
Accountability
Respect
Innovation
Teamwork
Integrity
You are detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to solving problems the right way—not the easy way.
What You’ll Enjoy Working With Us
We believe great people deserve great benefits.
Time Off & Work-Life Balance
- 120 hours of PTO annually
- 32 hours of unplanned PTO (sick time)
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid volunteer time for charitable work
Financial Benefits
- 401(k) with company match
(100% match on first 3%, 50% match on 4–5%)
Health & Wellness
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical & Prescription Plans (2 plan options)
- Delta Dental (2 plan options)
- Ameritas Vision
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Legal Plan
- EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Company-Paid Benefits
- 100% Employer-Paid Life Insurance
- 100% Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability
- 100% Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability
Additional Perks
- Voluntary Life Insurance for team member and family
- Safety shoe allotment
- Prescription safety glasses allotment
- Team wear allotment
- ADP LifeMart employee discounts
- Paid training and professional development
- Recognition for your hard work and achievements
- Opportunities for advancement—we are growing!
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you can demonstrate strong results in quality engineering, continuous improvement, and problem-solving, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your resume along with a summary of your professional successes and apply at:
Offers are contingent upon successful completion of background check and drug screening.
Quality Engineer
Join a Team That Drives Excellence
Are you passionate about quality, continuous improvement, and making a real impact? Do you thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where your expertise helps drive customer satisfaction and operational success?
At SMP Automotive Systems Alabama Inc., we develop and manufacture plastic parts and highly integrated modules for the automotive industry. As part of the Motherson Group, one of the world’s top 22 automotive suppliers, we are proud to support some of the most recognized automotive brands globally.
We believe our people are our greatest strength. We value employee contributions, encourage innovation, and invest in professional development to prepare our team members for long-term success. If you are passionate about quality and want to be part of a company where your work truly matters, this could be the opportunity for you.
Position Summary
We are seeking a talented and driven Quality Engineer to join our growing team.
In this role, you will be responsible for supporting, enforcing, and continuously improving our Quality Assurance Management System to ensure customer requirements, compliance standards, and internal quality expectations are consistently achieved.
You will work cross-functionally with production, engineering, suppliers, and customers to drive corrective actions, improve processes, and maintain the highest standards of product quality.
What You’ll Do
Quality Systems & Compliance
- Ensure implementation and compliance of the QA Management System across all applicable departments
- Maintain compliance with documentation systems, customer portals, and quality reporting requirements
- Update Control Plans, Work Instructions, Operator Standards, and other quality documentation
- Participate in PFMEA reviews and support PPAP documentation preparation
- Support compliance with IATF 16949 and customer-specific requirements
- Conduct internal audits and support external/customer audits
Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement
- Lead cross-functional teams through 8D corrective action investigations and implementation
- Utilize problem-solving tools such as 5 Why Analysis, Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagrams, Pareto Charts, and trend analysis
- Develop tools to collect, analyze, and report quality data
- Conduct statistical studies and recommend appropriate corrective actions
- Drive error elimination measures and process optimization initiatives
Measurement Systems & Supplier Quality
- Conduct Gage R&R and Measurement System Analysis (MSA)
- Support measurement room technologies and laboratory methods
- Maintain modern measurement and evaluation systems
- Monitor supplier quality and ensure high-quality incoming materials and purchased parts
CCC / China Certification Compliance
- Ensure compliance with CCC certification requirements for certified products
- Maintain required procedures for CCC labeling, product marking, and certification controls
- Ensure CoP Control Plans are created, implemented, and maintained
- Communicate required product changes to the Chinese Certification Authority as needed
Customer Support
- Provide preventive customer support and proactive quality solutions
- Support customer concerns and quality issue resolution
- Complete other duties as assigned
What You Bring
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related Engineering field
(Equivalent experience in Economics, Business Administration, or relevant experience may be considered) - 2+ years of experience in automotive manufacturing quality
- Strong knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive quality management systems
- Experience leading cross-functional teams through full 8D corrective action processes
- Knowledge of:
- PFMEA
- PPAP requirements
- Control Plans
- Work Instructions and Operator Standards
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Gage R&R and MSA studies
- Strong data analysis and reporting skills
- Proficiency in:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Office Suite
- SAP
- Strong English communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- ASQ CQE or ASQ CQT certification
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Knowledge of plastic injection molding, painting, and assembly processes
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Toyota Production System, and Value Stream Mapping
- Knowledge of VDA standards
- Certified auditor (IATF and/or VDA)
- Experience supervising or managing people
- Experience working as an operator on the manufacturing floor
- Knowledge of Mercedes-Benz Customer Specific Requirements
What Makes You Successful
You demonstrate our Core Values every day:
Passion for Excellence
Accountability
Respect
Innovation
Teamwork
Integrity
You are detail-oriented, proactive, and committed to solving problems the right way—not the easy way.
What You’ll Enjoy Working With Us
We believe great people deserve great benefits.
Time Off & Work-Life Balance
- 120 hours of PTO annually
- 32 hours of unplanned PTO (sick time)
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid volunteer time for charitable work
Financial Benefits
- 401(k) with company match
(100% match on first 3%, 50% match on 4–5%)
Health & Wellness
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical & Prescription Plans (2 plan options)
- Delta Dental (2 plan options)
- Ameritas Vision
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Legal Plan
- EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Company-Paid Benefits
- 100% Employer-Paid Life Insurance
- 100% Employer-Paid Short-Term Disability
- 100% Employer-Paid Long-Term Disability
Additional Perks
- Voluntary Life Insurance for team member and family
- Safety shoe allotment
- Prescription safety glasses allotment
- Team wear allotment
- ADP LifeMart employee discounts
- Paid training and professional development
- Recognition for your hard work and achievements
- Opportunities for advancement—we are growing!
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you can demonstrate strong results in quality engineering, continuous improvement, and problem-solving, we would love to hear from you.
Please submit your resume along with a summary of your professional successes and apply at:
Offers are contingent upon successful completion of background check and drug screening.
Automotive Job Roles in Alabama
See all Automotive Jobs in Alabama
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Search Automotive Jobs in AlabamaAutomotive Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies in Alabama are known to sponsor F-1 STEM OPT workers?
Mercedes-Benz U.S. International in Vance, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln, and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Montgomery are the state's largest automotive employers and have established patterns of hiring international STEM talent. Their Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, including companies in casting, stamping, and electronics assembly, also hire STEM OPT workers in engineering and technical roles.
Which cities in Alabama have the most automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Tuscaloosa and the surrounding Vance area host the Mercedes-Benz plant and a dense supplier corridor, making it one of the strongest clusters for automotive STEM OPT roles. Montgomery anchors the Hyundai manufacturing ecosystem, while Lincoln draws talent to Honda's facility. Huntsville, though primarily aerospace and defense, also has automotive technology and advanced manufacturing employers that hire STEM OPT candidates.
How do I find automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Alabama?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers with verified STEM OPT sponsorship history in the automotive sector, so you can focus on Alabama-based roles at manufacturers and suppliers without sorting through listings from companies that don't support OPT extensions. Search by the automotive industry and Alabama location to see active openings at assembly plants, engineering centers, and Tier 1 suppliers across the state.
What types of automotive roles in Alabama typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify under STEM OPT must appear on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. In Alabama's automotive sector, this commonly includes manufacturing engineering, quality assurance engineering, controls and automation, supply chain analytics, and materials science positions. Titles like process engineer, robotics technician, data analyst, and industrial engineer at OEM plants and suppliers consistently fall within qualifying STEM occupation categories as defined by O*NET codes.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Alabama's automotive industry?
Alabama does not have a state-level work authorization registry, so F-1 STEM OPT eligibility is governed entirely by federal USCIS rules and your designated school official at your university. Many Alabama automotive employers are enrolled in E-Verify, which is a federal requirement for STEM OPT employers. If you attended an Alabama university such as the University of Alabama or Auburn University, coordinate your OPT application timeline with your DSO well before your program end date.