Biotech & Pharma Jobs in Illinois with F-1 OPT Sponsorship
Illinois is one of the Midwest's strongest biotech and pharma markets, anchored by the Chicago metro area and research corridors in Lake County and the North Shore. Major employers including AbbVie, Baxter International, and Takeda have deep hiring pipelines that have historically included F-1 OPT candidates in research, regulatory, and laboratory roles.
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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

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 and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Illinois?
Several large Illinois-based biotech and pharma employers have OPT hiring histories, including AbbVie in North Chicago, Baxter International in Deerfield, Takeda Pharmaceuticals in Bannockburn, and Horizon Therapeutics in Deerfield. Smaller contract research organizations and biotech startups in the Chicago metro area also participate in OPT sponsorship, though hiring practices vary by role, department, and business need at the time of application.
Which cities in Illinois have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The North Shore suburbs, particularly North Chicago, Deerfield, Bannockburn, and Lake Forest, host the highest concentration of large pharma employers in Illinois. Chicago itself has a growing biotech cluster, especially around the Illinois Medical District and the Fulton Market neighborhood. Evanston and the University of Illinois at Chicago campus area also generate biotech and life sciences hiring activity tied to academic research programs.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Illinois?
Roles that qualify for OPT must be directly related to your degree field. In biotech and pharma, this commonly includes research associate, analytical chemist, regulatory affairs associate, clinical data analyst, bioinformatics specialist, quality control scientist, and process development engineer positions. Roles in computational biology and drug discovery that align with life sciences, chemistry, or engineering degrees are also frequently eligible, provided the employer is registered with E-Verify.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters biotech and pharma jobs in Illinois that are open to F-1 OPT candidates, saving you time screening listings that won't consider your status. Beyond job boards, attending Chicago-area biotech networking events, connecting with University of Illinois or Northwestern alumni in the industry, and targeting companies with an established OPT and H-1B sponsorship track record can strengthen your pipeline.
Are there any Illinois-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in biotech and pharma?
Most Illinois biotech and pharma employers require E-Verify enrollment to hire OPT students, so confirming this before applying is important. Roles in STEM-designated fields such as biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or computational biology may qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Illinois has no state-level restrictions on OPT employment, but some federal contractor positions at pharma companies may have additional work authorization requirements.
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