Chemicals & Materials F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is a significant hub for chemicals and materials hiring, anchored by companies like BASF, Dow, and Abbott Laboratories operating across the Chicago metro, Joliet, and Waukegan corridors. F-1 students on STEM OPT can pursue roles in process engineering, materials science, and polymer research at employers with documented OPT sponsorship history in the state.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join MAPEI Corporation, a global leader in the manufacturing of construction chemicals and building materials, including adhesives, sealants, and specialty products used in flooring, tile, and concrete restoration. We’re looking for an Automation Software Developer (DCS) to lead the design, implementation, and optimization of automation systems that support our operations across the U.S. and Canada. Reporting to the Director of Operations – Canada, this role will collaborate with cross-functional teams in both countries, with a preferred base in the United States. The ideal candidate combines technical development skills with strong analytical thinking and project coordination expertise.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
System Design & Implementation:
- Design, implement, and maintain process automation systems
- Collaborate with process engineers on P&IDs, utility lists, instrumentation tags, and layout optimization
- Define project scopes, estimate budgets, and prepare technical specifications for field instrumentation and the DCS
Project Coordination & Commissioning:
- Issue RFQs, evaluate technical proposals, and support procurement activities
- Oversee installations, track deliveries, and manage AS-BUILT documentation updates
- Develop operator interfaces, configure logic, visualization, and field I/O; support contract programmers as needed
- Lead system testing, startup, and commissioning of automation applications
Maintenance & Support:
- Perform updates and preventive maintenance on DCS/PLC hardware and software
- Troubleshoot and reconfigure control logic, alarms, and visualization settings
- Guide field technicians in diagnosing equipment issues and ensuring system performance
- Conduct jobsite visits, manage supplier testing, and ensure systems meet technical requirements
Process Optimization & Compliance:
- Set operational limits, define alarms, and analyze control system data to improve performance
- Generate trends for key metrics (e.g., pressure, temperature, flow, valve position)
- Maintain system documentation and procedures
- Monitor new technologies and recommend upgrades aligned with budget and safety standards
- Adhere to all policies, procedures and instructions as defined in our Quality Management System (QMS), Employee Handbook, Health and Safety manual, or any other instruction issued by the company
- Perform other duties as assigned
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
- In this role, you will earn a competitive base salary ranging from $100,000 to $114,000 per year, depending on your experience and qualifications
- This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, which is a variable percentage of your base salary, based on individual performance and company results
- FREE MEDICAL INSURANCE for our employees or the option of a highly competitive medical plan with minimal monthly employee contributions
- 17 Days of paid, sick and vacation time annually (days are prorated in year one)
- 401K retirement with up to 6% matching program
- Excellent dental, vision programs, flex spending accounts, employer paid life insurance and free tele-med physician services
- Various other company employee-centric perks initiatives; tuition reimbursement programs, discounted home/auto insurance programs, supplemental life insurance, and more
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from a four-year College or University in Engineering
- Minimum of three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience, preferably in a manufacturing setting
- Working knowledge of PLC programming software including but not limited to Allen Bradley, Omron and Siemens
- HMIs, SCADA or DCS programming experience is a plus
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint within a Windows environment
- Valid U.S. driver’s license
- Ability to travel required
Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran (M/F/D/V)
INTRODUCTION
Join MAPEI Corporation, a global leader in the manufacturing of construction chemicals and building materials, including adhesives, sealants, and specialty products used in flooring, tile, and concrete restoration. We’re looking for an Automation Software Developer (DCS) to lead the design, implementation, and optimization of automation systems that support our operations across the U.S. and Canada. Reporting to the Director of Operations – Canada, this role will collaborate with cross-functional teams in both countries, with a preferred base in the United States. The ideal candidate combines technical development skills with strong analytical thinking and project coordination expertise.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
System Design & Implementation:
- Design, implement, and maintain process automation systems
- Collaborate with process engineers on P&IDs, utility lists, instrumentation tags, and layout optimization
- Define project scopes, estimate budgets, and prepare technical specifications for field instrumentation and the DCS
Project Coordination & Commissioning:
- Issue RFQs, evaluate technical proposals, and support procurement activities
- Oversee installations, track deliveries, and manage AS-BUILT documentation updates
- Develop operator interfaces, configure logic, visualization, and field I/O; support contract programmers as needed
- Lead system testing, startup, and commissioning of automation applications
Maintenance & Support:
- Perform updates and preventive maintenance on DCS/PLC hardware and software
- Troubleshoot and reconfigure control logic, alarms, and visualization settings
- Guide field technicians in diagnosing equipment issues and ensuring system performance
- Conduct jobsite visits, manage supplier testing, and ensure systems meet technical requirements
Process Optimization & Compliance:
- Set operational limits, define alarms, and analyze control system data to improve performance
- Generate trends for key metrics (e.g., pressure, temperature, flow, valve position)
- Maintain system documentation and procedures
- Monitor new technologies and recommend upgrades aligned with budget and safety standards
- Adhere to all policies, procedures and instructions as defined in our Quality Management System (QMS), Employee Handbook, Health and Safety manual, or any other instruction issued by the company
- Perform other duties as assigned
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
- In this role, you will earn a competitive base salary ranging from $100,000 to $114,000 per year, depending on your experience and qualifications
- This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus, which is a variable percentage of your base salary, based on individual performance and company results
- FREE MEDICAL INSURANCE for our employees or the option of a highly competitive medical plan with minimal monthly employee contributions
- 17 Days of paid, sick and vacation time annually (days are prorated in year one)
- 401K retirement with up to 6% matching program
- Excellent dental, vision programs, flex spending accounts, employer paid life insurance and free tele-med physician services
- Various other company employee-centric perks initiatives; tuition reimbursement programs, discounted home/auto insurance programs, supplemental life insurance, and more
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree (B.S.) from a four-year College or University in Engineering
- Minimum of three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience, preferably in a manufacturing setting
- Working knowledge of PLC programming software including but not limited to Allen Bradley, Omron and Siemens
- HMIs, SCADA or DCS programming experience is a plus
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint within a Windows environment
- Valid U.S. driver’s license
- Ability to travel required
Equal Opportunity Employer – Minority/Female/Disability/Veteran (M/F/D/V)
Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in IllinoisChemicals & Materials Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals & materials companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Illinois?
Illinois hosts several major chemicals and materials employers with F-1 STEM OPT hiring histories, including BASF, Stepan Company, Cabot Microelectronics, and Quaker Houghton. Specialty chemical producers and materials testing firms in the greater Chicago metro and along the I-90 corridor have also filed LCAs for OPT roles in process engineering, analytical chemistry, and materials characterization. Employer sponsorship practices vary, so reviewing DOL Labor Condition Application records is a useful starting point.
Which cities in Illinois have the most chemicals & materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Chicago metropolitan area, including suburbs like Naperville, Gurnee, and Waukegan, concentrates the majority of chemicals and materials STEM OPT opportunities in Illinois. Joliet and the broader Will County corridor also host manufacturing and specialty chemicals facilities with engineering and R&D functions. Peoria and Decatur occasionally have openings tied to agricultural chemicals and industrial materials production linked to large-scale processing operations in central Illinois.
What types of chemicals & materials roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include process engineer, materials scientist, analytical chemist, polymer engineer, quality assurance engineer, and R&D chemist. These positions typically map to STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs codes in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, and related fields. The role must be directly related to the student's degree program for STEM OPT eligibility. Job titles in laboratory operations, formulation development, and coatings technology frequently appear in Illinois LCA filings for OPT candidates.
How do I find chemicals & materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 students seeking STEM OPT sponsorship and filters chemicals and materials jobs in Illinois by employers with verified sponsorship activity. You can search by role type, location, and visa category to identify companies that have filed LCAs for OPT positions in this industry. Reviewing employer LCA filing history through the OFLC Wage Search tool also helps confirm which Illinois chemicals and materials employers have sponsored international candidates in similar roles.
Are there any Illinois-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT in chemicals & materials?
Illinois chemicals and materials employers often require background checks and facility access clearances, which can affect onboarding timelines for OPT candidates. Some production and laboratory roles at defense-adjacent materials companies may involve export control regulations under EAR or ITAR, which can restrict international student hiring for certain positions. Students should confirm their degree's CIP code maps to the intended role and work with their Designated School Official to ensure STEM OPT authorization aligns with the employer's E-Verify enrollment status before accepting an offer.