Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Arizona
Arizona's biotech and pharma sector is anchored by major employers like Dignity Health, Banner Health, and a growing cluster of life sciences companies in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. F-1 OPT candidates in fields like biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, and biomedical engineering will find meaningful sponsorship opportunities across research, manufacturing, and clinical roles throughout the state.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
Job Description
• As Software / Control Engineer, you are responsible for basic configuration and programming per AbbVie’s change management procedures for the manufacturing process, utilities and facilities control systems. This position performs system troubleshooting during and outside business hours as necessary. Responsible for the maintenance of assigned site operations technologies (OT) systems per applicable departmental procedures.
Responsibilities
- Develop basic control configuration or programming in accordance with the design documents to meet the functional requirements.
- Provide first line technical support to Project Engineers, Maintenance, Production and Technical Operation personnel in automation related problems as need arises. Provides training for OT Systems users in automation technologies and process control applications.
- Diagnose and troubleshooting Control System hardware, software, and networking issues, replace defective components as needed.
- Perform site OT systems (PLC’s, SCADA, and Data Historian) upgrades and data migrations activities.
- Develop and execute qualification protocols plus associated technical documentation like System’s Functional and/or Design Specifications following OT Systems lifecycle validation activities.
- Perform scheduled OT Systems administration and maintenance tasks such as operating systems (OS) and anti-virus updates, users accounts managements, critical data back-up and others.
- Evaluate and provide input and recommendations regarding control system improvements. Establish monitoring and reporting project techniques to support equipment performance reliability.
- Provide production support during off-peak hours. This might require working overtime, overnight or on weekends.
- Conform to EHS management system requirements and compliance obligations, promote continuous improvement, and consider EHS aspects during the design and change process. Comply with all EHS procedures and policies including incident reporting, use of PPE, waste management and disposal, and any other program applicable according to the position duties.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering or related discipline with a minimum of (two) 2 years of relevant experience. Master’s degree in computer science, engineering or related discipline, no experience is required.
- Hands-on experience configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Allen Bradley PLC’s and Rockwell Automation software required. Experience programming and troubleshooting 3-axis robotics platforms (Epson), vision systems (Cognex/Keyence), OPC UA Communications protocol (utilizing Kepware), and the Inductive Automation Ignition platform are desirable.
- Knowledge of Data Historian systems such as OSIsoft PI is a plus.
- Experience with commissioning and qualification activities, desirable.
- Hands-on experience programming in ladder logic and instructional texts. HMI graphics development is a plus.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
-
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
-
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
-
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
Company Description
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio.
Job Description
• As Software / Control Engineer, you are responsible for basic configuration and programming per AbbVie’s change management procedures for the manufacturing process, utilities and facilities control systems. This position performs system troubleshooting during and outside business hours as necessary. Responsible for the maintenance of assigned site operations technologies (OT) systems per applicable departmental procedures.
Responsibilities
- Develop basic control configuration or programming in accordance with the design documents to meet the functional requirements.
- Provide first line technical support to Project Engineers, Maintenance, Production and Technical Operation personnel in automation related problems as need arises. Provides training for OT Systems users in automation technologies and process control applications.
- Diagnose and troubleshooting Control System hardware, software, and networking issues, replace defective components as needed.
- Perform site OT systems (PLC’s, SCADA, and Data Historian) upgrades and data migrations activities.
- Develop and execute qualification protocols plus associated technical documentation like System’s Functional and/or Design Specifications following OT Systems lifecycle validation activities.
- Perform scheduled OT Systems administration and maintenance tasks such as operating systems (OS) and anti-virus updates, users accounts managements, critical data back-up and others.
- Evaluate and provide input and recommendations regarding control system improvements. Establish monitoring and reporting project techniques to support equipment performance reliability.
- Provide production support during off-peak hours. This might require working overtime, overnight or on weekends.
- Conform to EHS management system requirements and compliance obligations, promote continuous improvement, and consider EHS aspects during the design and change process. Comply with all EHS procedures and policies including incident reporting, use of PPE, waste management and disposal, and any other program applicable according to the position duties.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Engineering or related discipline with a minimum of (two) 2 years of relevant experience. Master’s degree in computer science, engineering or related discipline, no experience is required.
- Hands-on experience configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Allen Bradley PLC’s and Rockwell Automation software required. Experience programming and troubleshooting 3-axis robotics platforms (Epson), vision systems (Cognex/Keyence), OPC UA Communications protocol (utilizing Kepware), and the Inductive Automation Ignition platform are desirable.
- Knowledge of Data Historian systems such as OSIsoft PI is a plus.
- Experience with commissioning and qualification activities, desirable.
- Hands-on experience programming in ladder logic and instructional texts. HMI graphics development is a plus.
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
-
The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
-
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
-
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Arizona
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in ArizonaBiotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Arizona: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Arizona?
Several employers in Arizona have a documented history of hiring F-1 OPT workers in biotech and pharma roles. These include Banner Health, Dignity Health, Iridium, Microchip Technology (which supports adjacent life sciences divisions), and contract research organizations operating in the Phoenix metro. Large pharmaceutical distributors like McKesson also maintain Arizona operations and have sponsored OPT workers in science and operations roles.
Which cities in Arizona have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Phoenix and its surrounding suburbs, including Tempe, Scottsdale, and Chandler, account for the largest concentration of biotech and pharma F-1 OPT roles in Arizona. Tucson is a secondary hub, supported by proximity to the University of Arizona's medical and life sciences programs. The Mayo Clinic campus in Phoenix also generates demand for research and clinical science graduates seeking OPT sponsorship.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Arizona?
Roles that directly apply a STEM degree tend to qualify most consistently for F-1 OPT in Arizona's biotech and pharma sector. These include research associate, quality control analyst, clinical data analyst, regulatory affairs specialist, process development scientist, and pharmaceutical manufacturing technician positions. Employers generally require that the role's day-to-day duties align with the graduate's major field of study, which is a standard OPT eligibility requirement regardless of state.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Arizona?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by visa type, including F-1 OPT, and by industry, making it straightforward to browse verified biotech and pharma sponsorship roles in Arizona. Unlike general job boards, Migrate Mate surfaces employers who have actively hired OPT workers in life sciences, saving time you would otherwise spend screening companies individually for sponsorship history.
Are there any Arizona-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in biotech and pharma?
Arizona does not impose state-level restrictions on OPT employment, but a few practical factors are worth knowing. The state's life sciences sector is growing but more concentrated than hubs like Boston or San Diego, so the pool of actively sponsoring employers is smaller. Arizona's proximity to major university research programs, particularly Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, means many biotech employers are accustomed to hiring OPT candidates and understand the documentation requirements.