Manufacturing OPT Jobs in Kentucky
Manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in a state with deep industrial roots, from Toyota's Georgetown assembly plant to Ford's Louisville operations and a growing network of automotive suppliers. Engineering, quality, and production roles across Lexington, Louisville, and Bowling Green regularly attract international candidates on OPT authorization.
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About Packsize
Packsize is an automation company that enables more efficient and sustainable packaging process flows—from packing to unboxing. We’re propelling our customers and the industry forward, always looking to innovate and improve. Because, to us, packaging is about much more than a box; it’s about delivering what’s right—for our customers, their customers, and our planet.
About the Role
Packsize is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to drive continuous improvement and aligning supplier quality with business strategy. This role ensures that materials supplied to Packsize meet defined quality expectations while fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and mutually beneficial supply chain.
The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in supplier quality engineering, inspection sampling methodologies, and structured problem-solving, along with a proactive, continuous improvement mindset. This role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to hold suppliers accountable in a professional and constructive manner.
What You’ll Do
- Ensure a high-quality, compliant supply base for corrugated packaging, consumables, and spare parts supporting the European Business Unit
- Lead supplier quality activities for advanced product development, including APQP and PPAP support
- Develop and implement effective inspection sampling plans; manage deviations, nonconformance reports (NCRs), and supplier corrective actions (SCARs)
- Monitor and improve supplier performance through audits, scorecards, questionnaires, and inspection data, enforcing accountability for quality issues
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, driving continuous improvement initiatives in quality systems and process control
- Support material certifications (e.g., FSC, SFI) and assist in customer audits and compliance activities related to the consumables supply chain
- Issue and manage NCRs and SCARs, ensuring timely and effective root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
What You’ll Bring
- 4+ years of experience in supplier quality engineering or a closely related quality-focused engineering role
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field
- Strong knowledge of supplier quality principles and Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001 and IATF 16949
- Proficiency with inspection sampling plans (e.g., AQL) and statistical quality tools such as SPC and MSA
- Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone)
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal
- Proven experience managing supplier relationships, including conducting audits, driving corrective actions, and delivering constructive feedback
- Customer-facing experience investigating quality issues, facilitating resolution, and communicating outcomes to internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers, including capability assessments, quality inspections, and compliance verification
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate across supply chain, engineering, and operations teams
- Solid understanding and practical experience with APQP and PPAP processes
- Travel will be required when necessary
Nice to Have
- Experience in the paper or natural materials industry
- Familiarity with corrugated packaging and consumables manufacturing processes
- Previous experience working in a manufacturing or production environment
What We Offer
The salary range for this role is $88,637-$108,600 however, Packsize considers several factors when determining compensation when extending a job offer, including but not limited to, the role being offered, the associated responsibilities, the candidate's prior work experience, education/training, and any special skills.
If this role excites you but you don’t meet each requirement listed, we encourage you to apply anyway. At Packsize, we welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences and understand that the best candidates may come from the most unlikely of places.
Packsize considers several factors when determining compensation when extending a job offer, including but not limited to, the role being offered, the associated responsibilities, the candidate's prior work experience, education/training, and any special skills. At Packsize, we’re committed to supporting the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; Paid Time Off; Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA); and life and disability insurance. Additional voluntary benefits include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, and legal/ID theft protection. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your overall well-being.
Packsize is an Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in its workforce. In compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Packsize policy of equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, veteran’s status, status as a qualified person with a disability, or genetic information. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Job Description:
About Packsize
Packsize is an automation company that enables more efficient and sustainable packaging process flows—from packing to unboxing. We’re propelling our customers and the industry forward, always looking to innovate and improve. Because, to us, packaging is about much more than a box; it’s about delivering what’s right—for our customers, their customers, and our planet.
About the Role
Packsize is seeking a Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE) to drive continuous improvement and aligning supplier quality with business strategy. This role ensures that materials supplied to Packsize meet defined quality expectations while fostering a collaborative, high-performing, and mutually beneficial supply chain.
The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in supplier quality engineering, inspection sampling methodologies, and structured problem-solving, along with a proactive, continuous improvement mindset. This role requires strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to hold suppliers accountable in a professional and constructive manner.
What You’ll Do
- Ensure a high-quality, compliant supply base for corrugated packaging, consumables, and spare parts supporting the European Business Unit
- Lead supplier quality activities for advanced product development, including APQP and PPAP support
- Develop and implement effective inspection sampling plans; manage deviations, nonconformance reports (NCRs), and supplier corrective actions (SCARs)
- Monitor and improve supplier performance through audits, scorecards, questionnaires, and inspection data, enforcing accountability for quality issues
- Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, driving continuous improvement initiatives in quality systems and process control
- Support material certifications (e.g., FSC, SFI) and assist in customer audits and compliance activities related to the consumables supply chain
- Issue and manage NCRs and SCARs, ensuring timely and effective root cause analysis and corrective action implementation
What You’ll Bring
- 4+ years of experience in supplier quality engineering or a closely related quality-focused engineering role
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain Management, or a related technical field
- Strong knowledge of supplier quality principles and Quality Management Systems (QMS), including ISO 9001 and IATF 16949
- Proficiency with inspection sampling plans (e.g., AQL) and statistical quality tools such as SPC and MSA
- Demonstrated expertise in root cause analysis methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Fishbone)
- Fluency in English, both written and verbal
- Proven experience managing supplier relationships, including conducting audits, driving corrective actions, and delivering constructive feedback
- Customer-facing experience investigating quality issues, facilitating resolution, and communicating outcomes to internal and external stakeholders
- Ability to evaluate, qualify, and onboard new suppliers, including capability assessments, quality inspections, and compliance verification
- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to collaborate across supply chain, engineering, and operations teams
- Solid understanding and practical experience with APQP and PPAP processes
- Travel will be required when necessary
Nice to Have
- Experience in the paper or natural materials industry
- Familiarity with corrugated packaging and consumables manufacturing processes
- Previous experience working in a manufacturing or production environment
What We Offer
The salary range for this role is $88,637-$108,600 however, Packsize considers several factors when determining compensation when extending a job offer, including but not limited to, the role being offered, the associated responsibilities, the candidate's prior work experience, education/training, and any special skills.
If this role excites you but you don’t meet each requirement listed, we encourage you to apply anyway. At Packsize, we welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences and understand that the best candidates may come from the most unlikely of places.
Packsize considers several factors when determining compensation when extending a job offer, including but not limited to, the role being offered, the associated responsibilities, the candidate's prior work experience, education/training, and any special skills. At Packsize, we’re committed to supporting the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; Paid Time Off; Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA); and life and disability insurance. Additional voluntary benefits include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, and legal/ID theft protection. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your overall well-being.
Packsize is an Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in its workforce. In compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Packsize policy of equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, veteran’s status, status as a qualified person with a disability, or genetic information. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.
OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in KentuckyManufacturing OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Kentucky?
Toyota's Georgetown plant, Ford's Louisville Assembly and Kentucky Truck plants, and suppliers like Magna International and Denso Manufacturing Kentucky have historically hired international talent in engineering and technical roles. Beyond automotive, companies such as Lexmark in Lexington and Brown-Forman in Louisville operate large manufacturing operations that have supported F-1 OPT workers in qualified specialty positions.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Louisville and Lexington account for the largest share of manufacturing OPT opportunities in Kentucky, driven by their concentration of automotive, electronics, and consumer goods facilities. Bowling Green is notable for its General Motors Corvette plant and a cluster of related suppliers. Georgetown, just north of Lexington, anchors Toyota's North American production network and draws consistent demand for engineering and operations graduates.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that typically qualify involve applying specialized knowledge tied to a bachelor's degree or higher, such as manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, process engineer, industrial engineer, supply chain analyst, and automation or controls engineer. Positions requiring degrees in mechanical, electrical, industrial, or chemical engineering align well with F-1 OPT authorization. General labor or technician roles that do not require a degree typically fall outside standard OPT eligibility.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, so you can search for manufacturing F-1 OPT positions in Kentucky without sifting through roles that offer no sponsorship. Filtering by the manufacturing industry and Kentucky location surfaces employers already familiar with OPT work authorization, saving significant time compared to applying broadly and screening manually.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Kentucky's manufacturing sector?
Kentucky's manufacturing base is heavily automotive, which means many OPT-eligible roles are tied to production cycles and plant expansion timelines rather than continuous open hiring. Some facilities operate as subsidiaries of Japanese or European parent companies with established international hiring programs, which can make them more experienced with F-1 OPT onboarding. STEM OPT extension eligibility is particularly relevant here, as engineering roles in manufacturing commonly qualify for the 24-month STEM extension beyond the initial 12 months.