Manufacturing OPT Jobs in Iowa
Manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa span food processing, agricultural equipment, and advanced manufacturing, with employers like John Deere, Collins Aerospace, and Pella Corporation among the state's largest industrial hirers. Des Moines, Waterloo, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport are the main hiring centers for OPT-eligible international students in engineering, quality, and operations roles.
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Get Access To All JobsJob ID: 636126
Type: Full-time
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Departments: Sales
Date Published: September 14, 2026
End Date: 09-28-2026
Sales Associate
5610 4th St Ct SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
IACED Public Store
Full-time Shift(s): MON TUE WED THU FRI 7:00am - 5:00pm
Overview:
Kickstart your sales career as a Full-time Sales Associate, where every interaction becomes an opportunity to shape customer relationships and drive business success. From developing new partnerships to growing existing ones in your book of business, you'll unleash your potential by communicating the value of our inventory management solutions using a consultative sales approach. This position is for our branch located at 5610 4th St Ct SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting business to business (B2B) sales and customer service activities
- Providing value to customer through a consultative sales approach
- Developing new and growing existing relationships from leads, referrals and prospecting
- Coordinating resources to respond to customer service needs
- Performing local sales calls driving a company vehicle to customer sites
- Performing other duties as needed to ensure branch success
REQUIRED POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
The following skills and qualifications are required for this position:
- 18 years of age or older, due to the nature of work
- Possess a current full valid driver's license issued in the country where the job is located (including successful completion of any applicable graduated license program for your state or province) as well as the ability to meet our driving record requirements to use a company vehicle, as needed
- Possess or are working towards a degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Management or related field of study OR have customer service or industry related work experience
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficient computer skills
- Exhibit strong aptitude for sales and a desire to sell
- Highly motivated, self directed and customer service oriented
- Demonstrate strong math aptitude, attention to detail and sense of urgency
- Demonstrate strong organization, planning and prioritizing abilities
- Exhibit strong problem solving, deductive reasoning and decision making skills
- Demonstrate our core values of ambition, innovation, integrity and teamwork
- Lift, slide, carry and lower packages that typically weigh 25lbs-50lbs and may weigh up to 75lbs
- Pass the required drug screen (applicable in the US, Puerto Rico and Guam ONLY)
- Pass a sex offender registry check, required by a customer/contract serviced by this location
- Comply with any customer site access authorizations, required by a customer/contract serviced by this location
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT:
Our mission within Fastenal's School of Business is to collaboratively maximize the potential of each employee by consistently providing efficient, effective, and engaging learning opportunities to drive improved work performance. The experience includes on-the-job, online, instructor led classroom and virtual trainings which will equip you with the knowledge, skills and strategies to be successful in your role and grow with the company.
About us:
Since 1967 Fastenal has grown as a distributor of industrial and construction supplies from a single branch to a Fortune 500 company with over 3,000 servicing locations, each providing tailored local inventory and personal service for our customers. As we've expanded across the world, we've retained a core belief in people and their ability to accomplish remarkable things - if given the opportunity. From this philosophy stems an entrepreneurial culture that challenges every employee to run their own business, create their own success, and advance to become company leaders.
As a growth company with a solid financial position, we are committed to training, promoting from within, and creating opportunities for our employees. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are looking to make your mark as part of an elite growth company, you won't find a better fit than Fastenal.
FULL-TIME BENEFITS:
Fastenal offers a competitive benefits package to all full-time employees. This package includes Health, Life, Long Term Disability, and Dental Insurance, in addition to, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, and 401(k) with an employer contribution.
Please respond by 09-28-2026.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Job ID: 636126
Type: Full-time
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Departments: Sales
Date Published: September 14, 2026
End Date: 09-28-2026
Sales Associate
5610 4th St Ct SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
IACED Public Store
Full-time Shift(s): MON TUE WED THU FRI 7:00am - 5:00pm
Overview:
Kickstart your sales career as a Full-time Sales Associate, where every interaction becomes an opportunity to shape customer relationships and drive business success. From developing new partnerships to growing existing ones in your book of business, you'll unleash your potential by communicating the value of our inventory management solutions using a consultative sales approach. This position is for our branch located at 5610 4th St Ct SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:
- Supporting business to business (B2B) sales and customer service activities
- Providing value to customer through a consultative sales approach
- Developing new and growing existing relationships from leads, referrals and prospecting
- Coordinating resources to respond to customer service needs
- Performing local sales calls driving a company vehicle to customer sites
- Performing other duties as needed to ensure branch success
REQUIRED POSITION QUALIFICATIONS:
The following skills and qualifications are required for this position:
- 18 years of age or older, due to the nature of work
- Possess a current full valid driver's license issued in the country where the job is located (including successful completion of any applicable graduated license program for your state or province) as well as the ability to meet our driving record requirements to use a company vehicle, as needed
- Possess or are working towards a degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Operations, Management or related field of study OR have customer service or industry related work experience
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Proficient computer skills
- Exhibit strong aptitude for sales and a desire to sell
- Highly motivated, self directed and customer service oriented
- Demonstrate strong math aptitude, attention to detail and sense of urgency
- Demonstrate strong organization, planning and prioritizing abilities
- Exhibit strong problem solving, deductive reasoning and decision making skills
- Demonstrate our core values of ambition, innovation, integrity and teamwork
- Lift, slide, carry and lower packages that typically weigh 25lbs-50lbs and may weigh up to 75lbs
- Pass the required drug screen (applicable in the US, Puerto Rico and Guam ONLY)
- Pass a sex offender registry check, required by a customer/contract serviced by this location
- Comply with any customer site access authorizations, required by a customer/contract serviced by this location
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT:
Our mission within Fastenal's School of Business is to collaboratively maximize the potential of each employee by consistently providing efficient, effective, and engaging learning opportunities to drive improved work performance. The experience includes on-the-job, online, instructor led classroom and virtual trainings which will equip you with the knowledge, skills and strategies to be successful in your role and grow with the company.
About us:
Since 1967 Fastenal has grown as a distributor of industrial and construction supplies from a single branch to a Fortune 500 company with over 3,000 servicing locations, each providing tailored local inventory and personal service for our customers. As we've expanded across the world, we've retained a core belief in people and their ability to accomplish remarkable things - if given the opportunity. From this philosophy stems an entrepreneurial culture that challenges every employee to run their own business, create their own success, and advance to become company leaders.
As a growth company with a solid financial position, we are committed to training, promoting from within, and creating opportunities for our employees. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and are looking to make your mark as part of an elite growth company, you won't find a better fit than Fastenal.
FULL-TIME BENEFITS:
Fastenal offers a competitive benefits package to all full-time employees. This package includes Health, Life, Long Term Disability, and Dental Insurance, in addition to, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, and 401(k) with an employer contribution.
Please respond by 09-28-2026.
Equal Opportunity Employer
OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in IowaManufacturing OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Iowa?
Several large Iowa manufacturers have histories of hiring international students on F-1 OPT, including John Deere (headquartered in Moline with major operations in Waterloo and Dubuque), Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, and Rockwell Collins. Food and agri-processing companies like Cargill and Quaker Oats also hire OPT workers in engineering and supply chain roles. Sponsorship availability varies by department, role, and hiring cycle, so confirming directly with each employer's recruiter is important.
Which cities in Iowa have the most manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Waterloo and Cedar Rapids lead for manufacturing OPT roles, driven by heavy equipment and aerospace production. Davenport, part of the Quad Cities metro, has a strong industrial base in machinery and metals. Des Moines offers manufacturing-adjacent opportunities in operations and supply chain management. Iowa City sees some demand tied to precision manufacturing and university industry partnerships. Proximity to large facilities often matters more than city size when evaluating opportunities.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles directly tied to a student's degree field qualify under F-1 OPT. In Iowa manufacturing, that commonly includes mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance, process improvement, supply chain analysis, and materials science positions. Production operator or general assembly roles typically do not qualify because they don't require a degree in a specific technical field. STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on whether the employer is E-Verify registered and the role is directly related to the student's STEM degree.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by visa type, including F-1 OPT, and by industry, so you can browse manufacturing roles in Iowa without sorting through listings that don't offer sponsorship. Beyond Migrate Mate, attending career fairs at Iowa State University and the University of Iowa connects you with Iowa manufacturers that actively recruit international students. Reaching out directly to talent acquisition teams at major Iowa manufacturers during peak hiring in January through March and August through October can also improve your chances.
Are there any Iowa-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in manufacturing?
Iowa's manufacturing sector is heavily tied to agricultural equipment and food processing, meaning seasonal hiring cycles can affect when roles open. Many employers in these industries operate under federal contracts or food safety regulations that sometimes create additional screening requirements for international hires. Iowa State University's strong engineering programs mean local manufacturers are familiar with OPT hiring processes, which can streamline onboarding. Students pursuing STEM OPT extensions should confirm that their prospective employer is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer.