Manufacturing STEM OPT Jobs in Illinois
Manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois draw engineers, production technologists, and quality specialists to a state home to major employers like Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, and Deere & Company. Chicago, Peoria, and the broader Chicagoland corridor are the primary hiring centers, with aerospace, food manufacturing, and industrial machinery sectors actively filing Labor Condition Applications for STEM OPT candidates.
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Job Title: Software Engineer I
Requisition ID: 6264
Job Location: Oak Brook - Illinois - United States
Category: Engineering and Technical
Job Type: Full Time
Working Mode: Hybrid
About us
At CNH, we're driven by a clear purpose: we serve and advance the people who feed and build a growing world.
As a global leader in agriculture and construction, we create the equipment, technology, and solutions that help our customers work more productively and sustainably. Our success starts with our people, and we foster a collaborative culture where innovation thrives and every employee has the opportunity to grow.
Grow a Career. Build a Future.
If you're ready to make an impact and build a career with purpose, there's a place for you at CNH.
Job Purpose
A Software Engineer designs, develops, and maintains software and computer systems. They apply engineering principles and programming knowledge to create solutions for various needs, from individual applications to large-scale systems. Their work involves a range of tasks, including coding, testing, debugging, and ensuring the software is user-friendly and efficient.
Key Responsibilities
- Work independently, as well as with a team.
- Provide business support to analyze software.
- Write, develop, evaluate and document new and modified software programs.
- Test and prepare software applications for installation.
- Support end users, including software troubleshooting and training.
- Research, investigate, and select technical data pertinent to the assigned project.
- Work with internal teams and external sources to obtain and communicate data relative to engineering requirements.
- Facilitate software asset management, including maintenance contracts.
- Prepare and present technical reports and recommendations on projects.
- Participate in department improvement activities.
- Demonstrates support for company culture in their daily actions.
- May be called upon to perform comparable duties of a similar or related nature and/or assist in other areas as needed.
- Learning, understanding, continuously improving, and promoting the quality management system in accordance with ISO standards.
Experience Required
- Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
- 2 years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience (Masters + Internship).
- Developed expert in technical skills, proficiencies, and knowledge in field of support.
- Well-developed problem analysis and problem solving techniques.
Pay Transparency
The annual salary for this role is USD $74,625.00 - $114,425.00 plus any applicable bonus (Actual salaries will vary and will be based on various factors, such as skill, experience and qualification for the role.)
For roles open across multiple locations, the salary range indicated refers to the primary location. If a different location is considered, the applicable salary range will be communicated to candidates prior to the first interview.
What We Offer
At CNH, our people are at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we offer a comprehensive benefits program designed to support your health, well-being, and long-term success. From competitive compensation to flexible work arrangements and opportunities for continuous development, our benefits reflect our commitment to creating an environment where employees feel supported and empowered—both personally and professionally. We believe that when you’re given the tools to thrive, you can drive meaningful impact. At CNH, you’ll not only find the resources to succeed today—you’ll find the foundation to grow a career and build a future.
US applicants: CNH Industrial is an equal opportunity employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Applicants can learn more about their rights by viewing the federal "Know Your Rights" poster here. CNH Industrial participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. You can view additional information here.
Canada applicants: CNH Industrial is an equal opportunity employer. This company considers candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, place of origin, disability, marital status, family status, age, or any other ground prohibited by applicable provincial human rights legislation.
If you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please contact us at narecruitingmailbox@cnh.com.
STEM OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in IllinoisManufacturing STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Illinois?
Illinois-based manufacturers with documented STEM OPT and H-1B visa filing histories include Caterpillar, Abbott Laboratories, Deere and Company, Kraft Heinz, and Illinois Tool Works. Boeing and Baxter International also have significant Illinois operations and have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering and technical roles. Filing history varies by location, business unit, and hiring cycle, so it is worth reviewing OFLC disclosure data for the most current employer-level records.
Which cities in Illinois have the most manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Chicago and the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs, including Schaumburg, Deerfield, and North Chicago, concentrate the largest share of manufacturing sponsorship activity, driven by corporate headquarters and research-linked production facilities. Peoria is a strong secondary market, anchored by Caterpillar's global headquarters. Rockford has an established aerospace and precision machining cluster, while the Quad Cities region along the Iowa border sees consistent industrial hiring from agricultural equipment manufacturers.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify must be directly related to a STEM-designated degree field. In Illinois manufacturing, this commonly includes process engineers, manufacturing engineers, quality assurance engineers, supply chain analysts with quantitative backgrounds, automation and controls engineers, and materials scientists. Job titles in production management or operations may qualify if the employer confirms the role requires the application of a specific STEM discipline rather than general business or administrative skills. USCIS and O*NET classifications are useful reference points for determining eligibility.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. You can filter by Illinois, by the F-1 STEM OPT visa type, and by the manufacturing industry to see employers with verified Labor Condition Application filing histories in the state. This removes the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that have never sponsored international employees. Reviewing employer LCA filing records through Migrate Mate helps you prioritize roles where sponsorship is part of an established hiring pattern rather than a one-off exception.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Illinois manufacturing?
Illinois does not impose additional state-level immigration requirements beyond federal USCIS and DOL rules, but manufacturing employers in the state are concentrated in regulated industries, food production, medical devices, and defense contracting, where E-Verify participation is often mandatory. Employers in federally contracted manufacturing segments must use E-Verify, which is a standard part of STEM OPT onboarding regardless of state. Illinois also has a dense community of mid-size manufacturers where immigration infrastructure varies widely, so confirming an employer's prior sponsorship experience before applying is advisable.