Biotech & Pharma Jobs in Illinois with F-1 CPT Sponsorship
Illinois is one of the Midwest's strongest markets for biotech and pharma F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs, with major employers like AbbVie, Horizon Therapeutics, and Baxter International headquartered in the Chicago metro area. Research universities, hospital systems, and a growing network of life sciences startups in Chicago and the North Shore suburbs regularly work with international students on CPT-eligible placements.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT ABBVIE
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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
PURPOSE
The Production Specialist I will work in a high performing and fast-paced pharmaceutical finishing operation in order to meet our production requirements while maintaining the utmost focus on safety and quality. He or she will support setup, changeover and packaging of pharmaceutical products. He or she will be expected to contribute to and build a team environment by working together with his or her peers daily on a finishing line. He or she will be responsible for creating a quality-focused environment by motivating/influencing others and always driving for excellence within his or her team.
Responsibilities
- Adhere to Environmental, Health and Safety procedures and guidelines, and facilitate a proactive safety culture. Use Abbvie approved tools for the job to minimize the introduction of extraneous matter into the packaging process.
- Perform all housekeeping cleans on the finishing lines. Able to complete line clearances for lot and list changes and perform blowing of the finishing line/equipment on 1-2 value stream(s).
- Assist in setup of automated equipment in primary or secondary packaging area within 1-2 value stream(s).
- Servicing and operating automated and semi-automated manufacturing equipment to produce finished product on value stream(s) with the ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
- Perform Quality impactful tasks throughout the production run, including but not limited to challenges, parameters, pulling samples, in-process checks and bulk/commodity accountability.
- Sustain 6S of parts and tooling across the production floor.
- Escalate higher level safety, quality, technical and operating issues in a timely manner to the appropriate groups.
- Communicate and drive improvement opportunities through cross functional teams. Works closely with the production schedule and understands line priorities while working with minimal/limited supervision.
- Troubleshoots minor equipment related issues and performs minor adjustments to improve equipment efficiencies.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Technical experience and troubleshooting aptitude preferred. Technical certificate or degree preferred.
- Demonstrated focus and understanding of the importance of maintaining the highest level of quality and ensuring compliance to site level policies and procedures.
- Ability to communicate issues to appropriate engineering and mechanical team required.
- Basic computer skills and ability to learn new programs and applications required.
- Understanding and experience with systems such as POMs, SAP, and MAXIMO preferred.
- Knowledge of related cGMP requirements and procedures is preferred.
- Requires standing up to 8-12hs per day and lifting up to 25 pounds.
- Work 40 to 48 hours per week and may work as many as 60 hours depending on manufacturing demands.
COMPENSATION
-
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 https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
ABOUT ABBVIE
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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
PURPOSE
The Production Specialist I will work in a high performing and fast-paced pharmaceutical finishing operation in order to meet our production requirements while maintaining the utmost focus on safety and quality. He or she will support setup, changeover and packaging of pharmaceutical products. He or she will be expected to contribute to and build a team environment by working together with his or her peers daily on a finishing line. He or she will be responsible for creating a quality-focused environment by motivating/influencing others and always driving for excellence within his or her team.
Responsibilities
- Adhere to Environmental, Health and Safety procedures and guidelines, and facilitate a proactive safety culture. Use Abbvie approved tools for the job to minimize the introduction of extraneous matter into the packaging process.
- Perform all housekeeping cleans on the finishing lines. Able to complete line clearances for lot and list changes and perform blowing of the finishing line/equipment on 1-2 value stream(s).
- Assist in setup of automated equipment in primary or secondary packaging area within 1-2 value stream(s).
- Servicing and operating automated and semi-automated manufacturing equipment to produce finished product on value stream(s) with the ability to complete assigned tasks with minimal supervision.
- Perform Quality impactful tasks throughout the production run, including but not limited to challenges, parameters, pulling samples, in-process checks and bulk/commodity accountability.
- Sustain 6S of parts and tooling across the production floor.
- Escalate higher level safety, quality, technical and operating issues in a timely manner to the appropriate groups.
- Communicate and drive improvement opportunities through cross functional teams. Works closely with the production schedule and understands line priorities while working with minimal/limited supervision.
- Troubleshoots minor equipment related issues and performs minor adjustments to improve equipment efficiencies.
QUALIFICATIONS
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Technical experience and troubleshooting aptitude preferred. Technical certificate or degree preferred.
- Demonstrated focus and understanding of the importance of maintaining the highest level of quality and ensuring compliance to site level policies and procedures.
- Ability to communicate issues to appropriate engineering and mechanical team required.
- Basic computer skills and ability to learn new programs and applications required.
- Understanding and experience with systems such as POMs, SAP, and MAXIMO preferred.
- Knowledge of related cGMP requirements and procedures is preferred.
- Requires standing up to 8-12hs per day and lifting up to 25 pounds.
- Work 40 to 48 hours per week and may work as many as 60 hours depending on manufacturing demands.
COMPENSATION
-
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 https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
Job Roles in Biotech & Pharma in Illinois
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Which biotech & pharma companies sponsor F-1 CPT visas in Illinois?
Illinois has a concentration of established life sciences employers that have historically worked with F-1 CPT students, including AbbVie, Baxter International, Horizon Therapeutics, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals, which has its U.S. headquarters in Deerfield. Smaller contract research organizations and biotech startups in the Chicago innovation corridor also participate in CPT arrangements. Sponsorship availability depends on the individual employer's existing academic partnerships and internship infrastructure, so direct outreach to university career offices with established company relationships is a practical starting point.
Which cities in Illinois have the most biotech & pharma F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs?
The Chicago metropolitan area accounts for the large majority of biotech and pharma CPT opportunities in Illinois. The North Shore suburbs, particularly Deerfield, Lake County, and Abbott Park, host headquarters and R&D facilities for several major pharma companies. Chicago's medical district and Fulton Market neighborhood have attracted life sciences startups and CROs. Rockford and East St. Louis have smaller pharma manufacturing presences, but CPT-eligible internship roles there are less common than in the Chicago metro.
What types of biotech & pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 CPT sponsorship in Illinois?
Roles that fall within a student's degree program field of study are required for CPT eligibility, so the qualifying role type depends heavily on your major. Common CPT-eligible positions in Illinois biotech and pharma include research intern, analytical chemistry intern, regulatory affairs assistant, clinical data analyst, pharmaceutical sciences intern, and bioinformatics intern. Quality assurance and manufacturing operations roles at Illinois facilities also appear regularly. The position must be integral to your curriculum, and your Designated School Official must authorize the CPT before work begins.
How do I find biotech & pharma F-1 CPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students seeking CPT-eligible positions and filters jobs by visa type, state, and industry, making it straightforward to browse biotech and pharma F-1 CPT openings in Illinois without manually screening general job postings. Beyond Migrate Mate, university career centers at institutions like University of Illinois Chicago, Northwestern, and University of Chicago often maintain direct relationships with North Shore pharma employers who have structured CPT programs. Starting your search early, well before your intended start date, gives your DSO enough time to process authorization.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for F-1 CPT sponsorship in biotech & pharma?
Illinois does not impose state-level restrictions on CPT work beyond federal F-1 requirements, but a few industry-specific factors are worth knowing. Many Illinois pharma employers, particularly in the North Shore corridor, require background checks and drug screening before onboarding, which can add time to your start date. Roles involving controlled substances, select agents, or export-controlled research may require additional compliance clearances. If your placement is at a hospital-affiliated research site, credentialing requirements can extend the pre-start timeline, so confirming all requirements with your employer before your DSO submits CPT authorization is advisable.
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