Automotive OPT Jobs in Illinois
F-1 OPT automotive jobs in Illinois are concentrated around the Chicago metropolitan area, where Tier 1 suppliers like Bosch, Denso, and Aptiv maintain engineering and technical operations. Illinois also hosts corporate and R&D functions for several global automotive firms. OPT-eligible candidates in engineering, data analytics, and supply chain find genuine sponsorship activity here.
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SUMMARY
The Mechanical Design Engineer II position will be responsible for the development of new products (platform or Customer Lead Opportunity - CLO) that meet performance, cost, and quality requirements. Along with other responsibilities, this position will also generate clear technical documentation and procedures that can be referenced by other design, manufacturing, or quality engineers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Support existing products through cost reduction, failure analysis, application solution and product derivatives.
- Provide drawing and documentation approval for simple to medium complexity components and processes.
- Provide recommendations with corresponding documentation to engineering manager or project team for complex components and processes.
- MRB dispositioning (Material Review Board).
- Use of computer-aided design analysis tools to optimize designs in an efficient manner.
- Position requires 5-10% travel.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Meeting TG2 contract deliverables (launch OTD, product & project cost and quality metrics).
- Deliver designs that meet VOC and VOP (voice of process) inputs and requirements.
- Product and process design documentation that leverages reference designs and best practices enabling design traceability.
- Review existing designs to support selection of alternate designs and components while maintaining original design intent features and functions.
CRITICAL COMPETENCIES
- Analytical Thinking – identifies patterns across data or situations that are not obviously related.
- Communication – listens to others and creates clarity through verbal and written communications.
- Customer Focus – clearly articulates customer needs to drive customer satisfaction; provides excellent service to internal and external customers.
- Decision Making – makes timely and informed decisions that consider the facts, constraints, risks, and likely impacts.
- Entrepreneurial Spirit – actively seeks out and recognizes opportunities that help company grow, improve, and evolve.
- Organizational Effectiveness – effectively navigates organizational structures and drives momentum to achieve desired outcomes.
- Problem Solving – methodically defines, investigates, and executes effective solutions.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
- 4-year degree (BS) in Mechanical Engineering or other related discipline.
- 3 years’ required experience.
- Ability to perform design calculations.
- Use of computer-aided design tools. SolidWorks and PDM experience desirable.
- Understanding of design requirements, part function and manufacturing principles.
- Ability to facilitate a technical discussion with internal and external customers (application or spec review and VOC).
- Ability to solve moderately complex problems.
PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
Physical Demands - while performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.
Work Environment – The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Must be willing to travel by all forms of transportation. Position requires 5-10% travel.
Restrictions imposed by federal export control laws may limit this job opportunity to candidates who are a "U.S. Person," which includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, individuals granted asylum in the United States, and refugees in the United States.
EXPECTED SALARY
Expected salary: $80,000 - $95,000 annually. The salary range provided is intended to display the value of the company's base pay compensation for all statewide locations across the United States. Salary is dependent on a multitude of factors, including but not limited to the physical worksite location, candidate's skill set, level of experience, education, and internal peer compensation comparisons.
BENEFITS
- Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Coverage.
- Spending accounts (HSA, Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA).
- Paid Time Off and Holidays.
- 401k Retirement Plan with Matching Employer Contributions.
- Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance.
- Paid Leaves.
- Tuition Assistance.
ABOUT REGAL REXNORD
Regal Rexnord is a publicly held global industrial manufacturer with 30,000 associates around the world who help create a better tomorrow by providing sustainable solutions that power, transmit and control motion. The Company’s electric motors and air moving subsystems provide the power to create motion. A portfolio of highly engineered power transmission components and subsystems efficiently transmits motion to power industrial applications. The Company’s automation offering, comprised of controls, actuators, drives, and precision motors, controls motion in applications ranging from factory automation to precision control in surgical tools.
The Company’s end markets benefit from meaningful secular demand tailwinds, and include factory automation, food & beverage, aerospace, medical, data center, warehouse, alternative energy, residential and commercial buildings, general industrial, construction, metals and mining, and agriculture.
Regal Rexnord is comprised of three operating segments: Industrial Powertrain Solutions, Power Efficiency Solutions, and Automation & Motion Control. Regal Rexnord has offices and manufacturing, sales and service facilities worldwide. For more information, including a copy of our Sustainability Report, visit RegalRexnord.com.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Regal Rexnord is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, ancestry, national origin, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status (unless required by the applicable law or government contract), disability or protected veteran status or any other status or characteristic protected by law. Regal Rexnord is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are committed to building a team that represents diverse and inclusive backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. If you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan for protected veterans/individuals with disabilities or policy statement, please email Recruiting@RegalRexnord.com. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail Recruiting@RegalRexnord.com.
NOTIFICATION TO AGENCIES: Please note that Regal Rexnord Corporation and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("Regal Rexnord") do not accept unsolicited resumes or calls from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Master Service Agreement or similar contract and approval from HR to submit resumes for a specific requisition, Regal Rexnord will not consider or approve payment to any third-parties for hires made.
OPT Automotive Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Automotive Jobs in IllinoisAutomotive OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Illinois?
Several Tier 1 automotive suppliers with Illinois operations have sponsored F-1 OPT workers, including Bosch, Denso, Aptiv, and ZF Group. These companies maintain engineering, software, and supply chain functions in the Chicago area. Sponsorship availability varies by role, team, and hiring cycle, so it is worth confirming OPT authorization directly with each employer's HR or talent acquisition team during the application process.
Which cities in Illinois have the most automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Chicago metropolitan area, including suburbs like Schaumburg, Itasca, and Northbrook, accounts for the majority of automotive F-1 OPT opportunities in Illinois. These suburbs host regional offices and technical centers for global automotive suppliers. Aurora and Elgin also have light manufacturing and supplier operations. Chicago proper is more relevant for corporate, technology, and analytics roles within automotive-adjacent companies.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Illinois?
Roles in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, software development, data analytics, supply chain management, and quality engineering are among the most common OPT-eligible positions in Illinois automotive companies. These positions typically require a degree directly related to the job function, which aligns with OPT's requirement that employment be in a field related to your major. General administrative or sales roles less frequently qualify for OPT in an automotive context.
How do I find automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by visa type, including F-1 OPT, and by industry, so you can search automotive roles in Illinois without sifting through listings that do not support work authorization. Migrate Mate surfaces employers with active OPT sponsorship patterns in Illinois automotive, saving significant research time compared to general job searches. Filtering by location and industry on Migrate Mate gives you a targeted starting point.
Are there any Illinois-specific or automotive-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Illinois does not impose additional state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal OPT rules, but automotive employers in the state frequently work with export-controlled technologies, which can create separate eligibility restrictions for some international students under U.S. export control regulations. Additionally, STEM OPT extension applicants in engineering roles should confirm their employer has an active E-Verify enrollment, which is a federal requirement for the 24-month STEM OPT extension regardless of state.