Biotech & Pharma OPT Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky's biotech and pharma sector, anchored by major employers like Ashland Global Holdings, Kindred Biosciences, and the University of Kentucky's research complex in Lexington, offers F-1 OPT candidates meaningful entry points in lab sciences, regulatory affairs, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Louisville and Lexington host the largest concentration of sponsoring employers in the state.
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At Jabil (NYSE: JBL), we are proud to be a trusted partner for the world's top brands, offering comprehensive engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing solutions. With 60 years of experience across industries and a vast network of over 100 sites worldwide, Jabil combines global reach with local expertise to deliver both scalable and customized solutions. Our commitment extends beyond business success as we strive to build sustainable processes that minimize environmental impact and foster vibrant and diverse communities around the globe.
- Wednesday/Thursday-Saturday 6am-6pm (shift 403)
SUMMARY
Directs the activities of the Machine Support group. Responsible for maintaining production schedules and ensuring that quality standards are adhered to by the group.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Recruitment and Retention:
- Recruit, interview and hire Process Engineers, Industrial Techs, WAVE Techs, and Machine Support Techs
- Communicate criteria to recruiters for Process Engineers, Industrial Techs, WAVE Techs, and Machine Support Techs candidates.
- Coach machine support department staff in the interviewing/hiring process.
- Monitor team member turnover; identify key factors that can be improved; make improvements.
Employee and Team Development:
- Identify individual and team strengths and development needs on an ongoing basis.
- Create and/or validate training curriculum in area of responsibility.
- Coach and mentor tooling department staff to deliver excellence to every internal and external customer.
- Create and manage succession plans for the machine shop function.
Performance Management:
- Establish clear measurable goals and objectives by which to determine individual and team results (i.e. operational metrics, results against project timelines, training documentation, attendance records, knowledge of operational roles and responsibilities, personal development goals).
- Solicit ongoing feedback from Workcell Manager (WCM), Business Unit Manager (BUM), peers and team member on the PE team member’s contribution to the workcell. Provide ongoing coaching and counseling to team member based on feedback.
- Express pride in staff and encourage them to feel good about their accomplishments.
- Perform team member evaluations professionally and on time.
- Drive individuals and the team to continuously improve in key operational metrics and the achievement of the organizational goals.
- Coordinate activities of large teams and keep them focused in times of crises.
- Ensure recognition and rewards are managed fairly and consistently in area of responsibility.
Communication:
- Provide communication forum for the exchange of ideas and information with the department.
- Organize verbal and written ideas clearly and use an appropriate business style.
- Ask questions; encourage input from team members.
- Assess communication style of individual team members and adapt own communication style accordingly.
TECHNICAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversees the maintenance management program including repair parts, preventative maintenance, feeder maintenance, and the support equipment maintenance program
- Plans the activities of the technical staff
- Develops and maintains all department reports/records
- Supervises the planning and execution of line moves and builds
- Schedules equipment vendors for installation, repair and updates of equipment
- Assure that procedures and work instructions are efficient and not redundant.
- Offer new ideas and suggestions for improvement. Identify and implement new practices and processes that are “best in field.”
- Demonstrate a commitment to customer service; anticipate, meet, and exceed expectations by solving problems quickly and effectively; making customer issues a priority.
- Lead by example; “walk the talk.”
- Utilize Jabil’s Advanced Engineering group to ensure useful support to Jabil South.
- Establish new measurement systems if/where possible.
- Adhere to all safety and health rules and regulations associated with this position and as directed by supervisor.
Comply with all procedures within the company security policy.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred; and three years experience in maintenance management; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Hands-on experience and knowledge of Surface Mount Technologies (SMT) and Thru-hole equipment/gear, process optimization, Statistical Process Control, Design for Manufacturability, Design for Test, Demand Flow Technology (line balancing), and Design of Experiment methodologies. Knowledge of engineering disciplines including chemistry, mechanical, electrical, and industrial as it pertains to surface mount and final assembly.
BE AWARE OF FRAUD: When applying for a job at Jabil you will be contacted via correspondence through our official job portal with a jabil.com e-mail address; direct phone call from a member of the Jabil team; or direct e-mail with a jabil.com e-mail address. Jabil does not request payments for interviews or at any other point during the hiring process. Jabil will not ask for your personal identifying information such as a social security number, birth certificate, financial institution, driver’s license number or passport information over the phone or via e-mail. If you believe you are a victim of identity theft, contact the Federal Bureau of Investigations internet crime hotline (www.ic3.gov), the Federal Trade Commission identity theft hotline (www.identitytheft.gov) and/or your local police department. Any scam job listings should be reported to whatever website it was posted in.
Jabil, including its subsidiaries, is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Accessibility Accommodation
If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Jabil.com/Careers site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by sending an e-mail to Always_Accessible@Jabil.com or calling 727-803-7988 with the nature of your request and contact information. Please do not direct any other general employment related questions to this e-mail or phone number. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to.
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OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in KentuckyBiotech & Pharma OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Kentucky?
Several Kentucky-based employers have a history of hiring F-1 OPT candidates in biotech and pharma, including Ashland Global Holdings, Lexington-area contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical manufacturers with facilities in Louisville. Large hospital systems affiliated with university research programs also hire OPT candidates in lab and research roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role and is not guaranteed, so confirming directly with each employer is essential.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Lexington and Louisville account for the overwhelming majority of biotech and pharma F-1 OPT opportunities in Kentucky. Lexington benefits from proximity to the University of Kentucky and its affiliated research institutes, which attract life sciences employers and CROs. Louisville is home to larger pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare corporations. Outside these two cities, biotech and pharma hiring with OPT sponsorship is limited.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
F-1 OPT allows you to work in roles directly related to your field of study, so qualifying positions in biotech and pharma generally include research associate, quality control analyst, regulatory affairs specialist, clinical data analyst, process development scientist, and biostatistician roles. STEM OPT extension applicants must work in positions that qualify as STEM under the Department of Homeland Security's designated degree list, which covers most life science and chemistry degree programs.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and visa holders, letting you filter biotech and pharma jobs in Kentucky by visa type, including F-1 OPT. This makes it straightforward to identify Kentucky employers actively open to OPT candidates without sorting through listings that don't apply to your situation. Pairing Migrate Mate with outreach to University of Kentucky and University of Louisville career centers can strengthen your search further.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Kentucky's biotech and pharma sector?
Kentucky does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal OPT rules, but the state's biotech sector is smaller and more concentrated than coastal hubs, meaning fewer total employers are sponsoring at any given time. Many Kentucky biotech and pharma roles are tied to manufacturing or quality operations rather than early-stage research, which can affect STEM OPT eligibility depending on your degree field. Verifying your degree's STEM designation with your DSO before applying is advisable.