Manufacturing OPT Jobs in Connecticut
F-1 OPT manufacturing jobs in Connecticut put you close to major employers like Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and Henkel, with concentrations in aerospace, precision manufacturing, and specialty chemicals across Hartford, Bridgeport, and New Haven. Connecticut's dense industrial base and strong engineering culture make it one of the more active states for F-1 OPT sponsorship in manufacturing.
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Get Access To All JobsJob ID: 640401
Type: Full-time
Location: Wallingford, CT 06492
Departments: Sales
Date Published: October 28, 2026
End Date: 11-04-2026
Job Description
Manufacturing Sales Specialist
61 Barnes Industrial Park North, Wallingford, CT 06492
CT180 Manufacturing Facility
Full-time Shift(s): MON TUE WED THU FRI 7:00am - 4:30pm
Overview:
Working as Full-time Manufacturing Sales Specialist, you will sell all aspects of Fastenal Manufacturing Services, including precision machining, hot forging, cold forming and stud bolting. This role will have a specific focus on developing new account sales within Fastenal Company National Accounts program.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Targeting opportunities to grow manufacturing sales by working directly with our National Accounts, District Managers and branch key account sales force
- Facilitating and executing growth goals of the Manufacturing Center
- Developing, selling, and implementing programs that will allow Fastenal to continue to grow its manufacturing industry sales
REQUIRED POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
The following skills and qualifications are required for this position:
- 18 years of age or older, due to the nature of work
- Possess a current full valid driver's license issued in the country where the job is located (including successful completion of any applicable graduated license program for your state or province) as well as the ability to meet our driving record requirements to use a company vehicle, as needed
- Possess a degree in Business/Marketing/Manufacturing Engineering OR have 3 years of industry related sales experience
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficient computer skills
- Exhibit strong aptitude for sales and desire to earn commission after the training period
- Willingness to travel
- Highly motivated, self directed and customer service oriented
- Demonstrate our core values of ambition, innovation, integrity and teamwork
- Lift, slide, carry and lower packages that typically weigh 25lbs-50lbs and may weigh up to 100lbs
- Pass the required drug screen (applicable in the US, Puerto Rico and Guam ONLY)
PREFERRED POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- Possess an interest in career advancement
About us:
Since 1967 Fastenal has grown as a distributor of industrial and construction supplies from a single branch to a Fortune 500 company with over 3,000 servicing locations, each providing tailored local inventory and personal service for our customers. As we've expanded across the world, we've retained a core belief in people and their ability to accomplish remarkable things - if given the opportunity. From this philosophy stems an entrepreneurial culture that challenges every employee to run their own business, create their own success, and advance to become company leaders.
As a growth company with a solid financial position, we are committed to training, promoting from within, and creating opportunities for our employees. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are looking to make your mark as part of an elite growth company, you won't find a better fit than Fastenal.
FULL-TIME BENEFITS:
Fastenal offers a competitive benefits package to all full-time employees. This package includes Health, Life, Long Term Disability, and Dental Insurance, in addition to, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, and 401(k) with an employer contribution.
COMPENSATION:
The base pay range for this position is $55,000 - 80,000. In addition to base pay, this position is also eligible for a bonus and/or commission.
Please respond by 11-04-2026.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Job ID: 640401
Type: Full-time
Location: Wallingford, CT 06492
Departments: Sales
Date Published: October 28, 2026
End Date: 11-04-2026
Job Description
Manufacturing Sales Specialist
61 Barnes Industrial Park North, Wallingford, CT 06492
CT180 Manufacturing Facility
Full-time Shift(s): MON TUE WED THU FRI 7:00am - 4:30pm
Overview:
Working as Full-time Manufacturing Sales Specialist, you will sell all aspects of Fastenal Manufacturing Services, including precision machining, hot forging, cold forming and stud bolting. This role will have a specific focus on developing new account sales within Fastenal Company National Accounts program.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
- Targeting opportunities to grow manufacturing sales by working directly with our National Accounts, District Managers and branch key account sales force
- Facilitating and executing growth goals of the Manufacturing Center
- Developing, selling, and implementing programs that will allow Fastenal to continue to grow its manufacturing industry sales
REQUIRED POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
The following skills and qualifications are required for this position:
- 18 years of age or older, due to the nature of work
- Possess a current full valid driver's license issued in the country where the job is located (including successful completion of any applicable graduated license program for your state or province) as well as the ability to meet our driving record requirements to use a company vehicle, as needed
- Possess a degree in Business/Marketing/Manufacturing Engineering OR have 3 years of industry related sales experience
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficient computer skills
- Exhibit strong aptitude for sales and desire to earn commission after the training period
- Willingness to travel
- Highly motivated, self directed and customer service oriented
- Demonstrate our core values of ambition, innovation, integrity and teamwork
- Lift, slide, carry and lower packages that typically weigh 25lbs-50lbs and may weigh up to 100lbs
- Pass the required drug screen (applicable in the US, Puerto Rico and Guam ONLY)
PREFERRED POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
- Possess an interest in career advancement
About us:
Since 1967 Fastenal has grown as a distributor of industrial and construction supplies from a single branch to a Fortune 500 company with over 3,000 servicing locations, each providing tailored local inventory and personal service for our customers. As we've expanded across the world, we've retained a core belief in people and their ability to accomplish remarkable things - if given the opportunity. From this philosophy stems an entrepreneurial culture that challenges every employee to run their own business, create their own success, and advance to become company leaders.
As a growth company with a solid financial position, we are committed to training, promoting from within, and creating opportunities for our employees. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are looking to make your mark as part of an elite growth company, you won't find a better fit than Fastenal.
FULL-TIME BENEFITS:
Fastenal offers a competitive benefits package to all full-time employees. This package includes Health, Life, Long Term Disability, and Dental Insurance, in addition to, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, and 401(k) with an employer contribution.
COMPENSATION:
The base pay range for this position is $55,000 - 80,000. In addition to base pay, this position is also eligible for a bonus and/or commission.
Please respond by 11-04-2026.
Equal Opportunity Employer
OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in Connecticut
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in ConnecticutManufacturing OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Connecticut: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies in Connecticut sponsor F-1 OPT visas?
Connecticut's aerospace and defense manufacturers are among the most active F-1 OPT sponsors. Pratt & Whitney, a United Technologies subsidiary based in East Hartford, regularly hires engineering interns and entry-level engineers on OPT. Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, Henkel in Rocky Hill, and Synchronoss Technologies have also appeared in OPT employer records. Sponsorship willingness varies by role, team, and hiring cycle, so confirming directly with the employer's HR team is important.
Which cities in Connecticut have the most manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Hartford and its surrounding suburbs, particularly East Hartford and Windsor Locks, concentrate heavily in aerospace and defense manufacturing. Bridgeport and New Haven anchor the southwestern manufacturing corridor, with activity in precision parts, medical devices, and industrial equipment. Waterbury has a long history in specialty metals and fastener manufacturing. For F-1 OPT candidates, roles in the Hartford metro tend to appear most frequently given the density of large aerospace employers there.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Connecticut?
Roles that align OPT authorization with a degree in engineering, materials science, chemistry, or supply chain management tend to qualify most cleanly. Common positions include manufacturing engineer, quality assurance engineer, process engineer, production planner, and industrial engineer. Roles in R&D, product development, and technical operations also appear frequently. The key requirement is that the work must be directly related to your field of study, as OPT authorization is tied to your degree program, not just the job title.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Connecticut?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT job seekers and lets you filter manufacturing jobs in Connecticut by visa type, so you're only seeing roles where sponsorship is a realistic option. Beyond Migrate Mate, targeting employers with a documented history of LCA filings in Connecticut manufacturing, particularly in aerospace and precision industries, narrows your search to companies already familiar with the OPT authorization process. Reaching out to university career offices with employer partnerships in Connecticut's industrial sector can also surface opportunities not widely advertised.
Are there any Connecticut-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in manufacturing?
Connecticut's manufacturing base is heavily defense-oriented, and some roles at contractors like Pratt & Whitney or Sikorsky involve work on export-controlled programs subject to ITAR or EAR regulations. These rules can restrict certain positions to U.S. persons, which excludes most F-1 OPT holders. It's worth confirming export control requirements with each employer before applying, as this is a meaningful limiting factor specific to Connecticut's aerospace-heavy manufacturing sector that doesn't apply as broadly in other states or industries.