Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Florida
Chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Florida span polymer research, specialty coatings, and industrial manufacturing, with employers like Honeywell, BASF, and Chemours operating facilities across the state. Tampa, Jacksonville, and the Miami metro host the highest concentration of hiring activity, making Florida a competitive market for international students in this field.
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Get Access To All JobsTooling Manager – Plastic Injection Molding
Great benefits including: Medical, Dental Vision and Life Insurance; Paid Time Off; Paid Holidays; 401k & ESOP; Profit Sharing; Tuition Reimbursement and more!
Join Our Team!
Purpose: The Tooling Manager leads all tooling operations within our plastic injection molding facility. This role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient mold maintenance, repair, and performance while guiding a skilled team of mold technicians. You’ll play a key part in improving tooling reliability, minimizing downtime, and supporting production goals through strong leadership and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Do
Safety & Team Leadership
- Create and maintain a safe, controlled environment for all tooling operations
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of mold technicians through clear expectations and ongoing support
- Foster a collaborative, respectful culture grounded in human-centered leadership
- Support team growth through training, feedback, and career development opportunities
Tooling Maintenance & Reliability
- Oversee and prioritize all mold repair and maintenance activities
- Partner with production and maintenance teams to coordinate preventive maintenance (PM)
- Implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve uptime and efficiency
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels for mold components and standard replacement parts
Technical Support & Continuous Improvement
- Provide hands-on technical support for troubleshooting and mold repair challenges
- Use structured problem-solving to identify root causes and eliminate recurring issues
- Interpret blueprints, specs, and technical documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on tooling reliability and performance
Supplier & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Build and manage strong relationships with tooling suppliers and vendors
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to support production goals and scheduling
- Help align tooling performance with overall plant objectives
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent hands-on experience
- Strong mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems
- 3+ years of leadership experience (preferred)
- 5+ years of injection molding experience (preferred)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience working with CMMS systems (JD Edwards preferred)
Why Join Us?
- Work in a supportive, team-first culture where people genuinely care about each other
- Opportunities for growth, development, and leadership impact
- Be part of a company that values safety, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Make a difference by helping build reliable systems and strong teams
Apply Today
If you’re ready to lead with purpose, solve meaningful challenges, and grow with a company that values teamwork and people, we encourage you to apply.
Why Rehrig Pacific?
Rehrig Pacific is a leading manufacturer of integrated sustainable solutions for the supply chain and environmental waste industries with a diverse customer list of industry leaders. We provide end-to-end solutions including returnable plastic products, delivery lifts and sleds, technology to track those assets, and a service team to ensure their longevity. Our team is dedicated to the values, mission, and unique culture within our organization that celebrates our people. We believe in fostering an environment where employees can be their authentic selves and know that they are viewed as integral members of the Rehrig Pacific Family.
Tooling Manager – Plastic Injection Molding
Great benefits including: Medical, Dental Vision and Life Insurance; Paid Time Off; Paid Holidays; 401k & ESOP; Profit Sharing; Tuition Reimbursement and more!
Join Our Team!
Purpose: The Tooling Manager leads all tooling operations within our plastic injection molding facility. This role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient mold maintenance, repair, and performance while guiding a skilled team of mold technicians. You’ll play a key part in improving tooling reliability, minimizing downtime, and supporting production goals through strong leadership and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Do
Safety & Team Leadership
- Create and maintain a safe, controlled environment for all tooling operations
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of mold technicians through clear expectations and ongoing support
- Foster a collaborative, respectful culture grounded in human-centered leadership
- Support team growth through training, feedback, and career development opportunities
Tooling Maintenance & Reliability
- Oversee and prioritize all mold repair and maintenance activities
- Partner with production and maintenance teams to coordinate preventive maintenance (PM)
- Implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs to improve uptime and efficiency
- Maintain appropriate inventory levels for mold components and standard replacement parts
Technical Support & Continuous Improvement
- Provide hands-on technical support for troubleshooting and mold repair challenges
- Use structured problem-solving to identify root causes and eliminate recurring issues
- Interpret blueprints, specs, and technical documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on tooling reliability and performance
Supplier & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Build and manage strong relationships with tooling suppliers and vendors
- Work closely with cross-functional teams to support production goals and scheduling
- Help align tooling performance with overall plant objectives
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in a technical field or equivalent hands-on experience
- Strong mechanical aptitude with working knowledge of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems
- 3+ years of leadership experience (preferred)
- 5+ years of injection molding experience (preferred)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint)
- Experience working with CMMS systems (JD Edwards preferred)
Why Join Us?
- Work in a supportive, team-first culture where people genuinely care about each other
- Opportunities for growth, development, and leadership impact
- Be part of a company that values safety, innovation, and continuous improvement
- Make a difference by helping build reliable systems and strong teams
Apply Today
If you’re ready to lead with purpose, solve meaningful challenges, and grow with a company that values teamwork and people, we encourage you to apply.
Why Rehrig Pacific?
Rehrig Pacific is a leading manufacturer of integrated sustainable solutions for the supply chain and environmental waste industries with a diverse customer list of industry leaders. We provide end-to-end solutions including returnable plastic products, delivery lifts and sleds, technology to track those assets, and a service team to ensure their longevity. Our team is dedicated to the values, mission, and unique culture within our organization that celebrates our people. We believe in fostering an environment where employees can be their authentic selves and know that they are viewed as integral members of the Rehrig Pacific Family.
OPT Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Florida
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in FloridaChemicals & Materials OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals and materials companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Florida?
Florida-based employers that have historically sponsored F-1 OPT workers in chemicals and materials include Honeywell's aerospace materials division in Clearwater, BASF's regional operations, Chemours facilities near Jacksonville, and specialty coatings manufacturers in the Tampa Bay area. Smaller contract manufacturers and polymer compounders also participate in OPT hiring, though sponsorship practices vary by facility and role. Verifying current sponsorship status directly with each employer is always recommended.
Which cities in Florida have the most chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Tampa and the broader Tampa Bay region leads in chemicals and materials OPT hiring, supported by a concentration of industrial manufacturers and specialty chemical distributors. Jacksonville follows, with port-adjacent chemical handling and processing companies active in the area. Miami attracts roles in materials science and quality assurance tied to pharmaceutical-adjacent chemical suppliers. Orlando also sees demand from polymer and coatings firms serving the aerospace and defense sectors.
What types of chemicals and materials roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include process engineer, quality control chemist, R&D scientist, polymer engineer, materials analyst, and environmental health and safety coordinator. These positions typically require a degree directly related to chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related STEM field. STEM OPT extension eligibility is an important consideration, as it allows up to 24 additional months of work authorization beyond the initial 12-month OPT period for qualifying degree programs and employers.
How do I find chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Florida?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students seeking OPT sponsorship and lets you filter by visa type, industry, and state, making it straightforward to browse verified chemicals and materials F-1 OPT jobs in Florida. Because OPT-sponsoring employers are not always easy to identify from standard job postings, using a platform focused on visa-friendly employers saves significant time and reduces uncertainty during your job search.
Are there any Florida-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in chemicals and materials?
Florida's chemicals and materials sector is influenced by proximity to the Gulf Coast petrochemical corridor and strong demand from aerospace, defense, and agricultural industries. Many roles involve working with regulated substances, which may require additional background checks or compliance training that can affect onboarding timelines. Students pursuing STEM OPT extension should confirm their employer is enrolled in E-Verify, a federal requirement for the 24-month extension that all chemicals and materials employers in Florida must meet.