Manufacturing STEM OPT Jobs in Kentucky
Manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky are concentrated around Louisville, Lexington, and Bowling Green, where companies like Toyota, Ford, and GE Appliances operate large engineering and production facilities. Kentucky's automotive and advanced manufacturing sector regularly hires engineers and process specialists in roles that qualify under STEM OPT designation.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities across all phases of assigned engineering projects to ensure the objectives of quality, time, and cost are met. Prepares project schedules and reviews cost estimates, compiles required cost and equipment information, and writes appropriation requests. Responsible for effective communication of engineering information among team members. Follows the structure of the Pella Project Management, Safety, Continuous Improvement and Quality Systems throughout project execution. Investigates problems and requirements of projects and develops plans for solutions in line with economic, personnel, and environmental considerations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SCOPE:
Projects and tasks as assigned by supervisor. Entry level position working within a team environment.
SUPERVISING OTHERS:
Primarily an individual contributor role; may supervise non-exempt and hourly employees.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE:
Performs work which requires direct application of engineering skills to conventional types of tasks, some having complex features. Begins to develop competency in multiple engineering technologies. Gains exposure to Pella's application of engineering technologies within the fenestration industry. Learns how to apply engineering tools to deliver business results.
JUDGMENT:
Evaluates, selects and applies standard engineering and scientific techniques, processes, and criteria, using judgment in making minor adaptations and modifications. Assignments have clear, specific objectives and require investigation of a limited number of variables.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities:
- Transfer, modify, procure, install, and start up manufacturing processes at suppliers and Pella.
- The scope of this position spans manufacturing, engineering, product development, material and equipment vendors.
- Collaboration skills are necessary when prioritizing, planning and implementing projects.
- The ability to effectively present information, defend a position and address concerns is key to driving execution.
- The position is expected to understand and apply safe practices in line with Pella’s safety policies.
Supervisory responsibilities: None.
Work hours: Normal + irregular hours/shifts required.
Travel expectations: 5% to 40% varies dependent upon role & project assignments: divisional, corporate.
Computer skills: Microsoft Office applications and AutoCAD required. Microsoft Project preferred.
Technical / functional skills: Developing skills within multiple disciplines or technologies.
Safety: Periodically exposed to machinery where safe operating procedures must be followed, occasional lifting of materials up to 30 lbs. is required, work environment is noisy.
Certificates, licenses, and registrations: Pella CI / 2P Leader Certification.
Leadership competencies: Apply technical and functional expertise, Manage and improve processes, Foster collaboration, Build Relationships, Drive execution.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
Entry level; 1-3 years combined engineering experience. Previous Co-op experience preferred.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Math, or relevant Science or combination of education and experience. Responsible for ongoing development of technical and leadership competencies.
SUMMARY
PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities across all phases of assigned engineering projects to ensure the objectives of quality, time, and cost are met. Prepares project schedules and reviews cost estimates, compiles required cost and equipment information, and writes appropriation requests. Responsible for effective communication of engineering information among team members. Follows the structure of the Pella Project Management, Safety, Continuous Improvement and Quality Systems throughout project execution. Investigates problems and requirements of projects and develops plans for solutions in line with economic, personnel, and environmental considerations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
SCOPE:
Projects and tasks as assigned by supervisor. Entry level position working within a team environment.
SUPERVISING OTHERS:
Primarily an individual contributor role; may supervise non-exempt and hourly employees.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE:
Performs work which requires direct application of engineering skills to conventional types of tasks, some having complex features. Begins to develop competency in multiple engineering technologies. Gains exposure to Pella's application of engineering technologies within the fenestration industry. Learns how to apply engineering tools to deliver business results.
JUDGMENT:
Evaluates, selects and applies standard engineering and scientific techniques, processes, and criteria, using judgment in making minor adaptations and modifications. Assignments have clear, specific objectives and require investigation of a limited number of variables.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities:
- Transfer, modify, procure, install, and start up manufacturing processes at suppliers and Pella.
- The scope of this position spans manufacturing, engineering, product development, material and equipment vendors.
- Collaboration skills are necessary when prioritizing, planning and implementing projects.
- The ability to effectively present information, defend a position and address concerns is key to driving execution.
- The position is expected to understand and apply safe practices in line with Pella’s safety policies.
Supervisory responsibilities: None.
Work hours: Normal + irregular hours/shifts required.
Travel expectations: 5% to 40% varies dependent upon role & project assignments: divisional, corporate.
Computer skills: Microsoft Office applications and AutoCAD required. Microsoft Project preferred.
Technical / functional skills: Developing skills within multiple disciplines or technologies.
Safety: Periodically exposed to machinery where safe operating procedures must be followed, occasional lifting of materials up to 30 lbs. is required, work environment is noisy.
Certificates, licenses, and registrations: Pella CI / 2P Leader Certification.
Leadership competencies: Apply technical and functional expertise, Manage and improve processes, Foster collaboration, Build Relationships, Drive execution.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:
Entry level; 1-3 years combined engineering experience. Previous Co-op experience preferred.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT:
Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Math, or relevant Science or combination of education and experience. Responsible for ongoing development of technical and leadership competencies.
STEM OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in KentuckyManufacturing STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies in Kentucky sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas?
Several large manufacturers in Kentucky have histories of filing Labor Condition Applications for STEM-eligible roles. Toyota's Georgetown assembly plant, GE Appliances in Louisville, and Ford's Louisville Assembly and Kentucky Truck plants are among the operations that regularly hire engineering talent. Smaller Tier 1 automotive suppliers across the I-65 corridor also participate in STEM OPT hiring. You can verify a specific employer's filing history through the OFLC Wage Search tool.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Louisville leads in sheer employer volume, anchored by GE Appliances, Ford, and a dense network of logistics and industrial suppliers. Georgetown and Lexington benefit from Toyota's North American manufacturing hub and its supplier ecosystem. Bowling Green attracts automotive and advanced materials employers tied to the Corvette assembly plant and Western Kentucky University's manufacturing research programs. Elizabethtown and Shelbyville also host notable production facilities along the interstate manufacturing corridor.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for manufacturing roles in Kentucky that are open to F-1 STEM OPT candidates, showing verified employer sponsorship history drawn from DOL Labor Condition Application data. This is more targeted than a general search because it surfaces only companies that have filed for STEM-eligible positions. Cross-reference results with your DSO to confirm your specific program and CIP code qualify under the STEM OPT extension before applying.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kentucky?
Roles that qualify must be directly related to a STEM-designated CIP code from your degree. In Kentucky's manufacturing sector, that commonly includes industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing engineering, quality assurance engineering, process engineering, and supply chain analytics. Production supervisory roles or general operations positions that do not require an engineering or applied science degree are typically ineligible. O*NET occupation profiles can help you confirm whether a specific role maps to a STEM classification.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Kentucky's manufacturing sector?
Kentucky does not add state-level visa requirements on top of federal STEM OPT rules, but employers in the state must be enrolled in E-Verify as a condition of sponsoring STEM OPT workers, and they must submit a formal training plan through your DSO. Kentucky's heavy concentration in automotive manufacturing means many open roles have shift-work or plant-floor components, which can affect how training plans are written. Confirm E-Verify enrollment and training plan readiness with any employer before accepting an offer.