Automotive OPT Jobs in Michigan
Michigan is the center of U.S. automotive manufacturing and engineering, making it one of the strongest states for F-1 OPT students seeking automotive work authorization. Companies like Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and a dense network of Tier 1 suppliers in Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Auburn Hills regularly hire international students in engineering, software, and design roles.
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Location: Dearborn, MI
Cleveland-Cliffs Steel has an open opportunity for an Electrical Engineer at our Dearborn Works location. The Electrical Engineer ensures the reliability of the electrical equipment, by leading the preventative maintenance program and supporting the maintenance department.
Summary of Responsibilities
- Contributes toward the development and continuous improvement of equipment
- Utilizes appropriate failure analysis techniques to determine root causes of failures and initiates necessary corrective action to eliminate/reduce such failures
- Establishes preventive maintenance procedures; plans equipment outages, down turn repairs, and efficient replacement
- Assists in the continuous improvement of departmental spares including maintenance, repair, and costs control procedures
- Works closely with Plant Engineering, ensures drawings are updated in keeping with equipment modifications, provides counsel for equipment redesign and performance
- Coordinates requirements, standards, and procedures for the operations of the equipment
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and 3 years of experience
Preferred Qualifications
Experiences of broad electrical engineering in a manufacturing environment
Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North America-based steel producer with focus on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry. The Company is vertically integrated from the mining of iron ore, production of pellets and direct reduced iron, and processing of ferrous scrap through primary steelmaking and downstream finishing, stamping, tooling, and tubing. We offer an excellent total compensation package, including competitive pay with variable compensation opportunity, health insurance, retirement plan, education assistance, paid time off, and more.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to careers@clevelandcliffs.com or call 1-(312) 899-3097 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Do not email your application materials to this email address. Application materials sent to this email address will not be considered.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is an equal opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment screening as a condition of employment.
OPT Automotive Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Automotive Jobs in MichiganAutomotive OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies in Michigan sponsor F-1 OPT visas?
Ford Motor Company, General Motors, and Stellantis are the largest employers of F-1 OPT students in Michigan's automotive sector. Beyond the Detroit Three, major Tier 1 suppliers such as BorgWarner, Aptiv, Magna International, and Bosch's Michigan operations have established histories of hiring international students. Many also support subsequent H-1B visa sponsorship after OPT ends, though this is not guaranteed and varies by role and business need.
Which cities in Michigan have the most automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Metro Detroit concentrates the majority of Michigan's automotive F-1 OPT opportunities. Dearborn hosts Ford's global headquarters, while Detroit and Warren are home to General Motors and Stellantis. Auburn Hills is a significant hub for supplier and technology firms. Ann Arbor has grown into a software-defined vehicle and autonomous driving center, with offices from Toyota Research Institute, Waymo, and several mobility startups actively hiring OPT candidates.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Michigan?
Roles that align with a STEM degree are most straightforward for F-1 OPT, and Michigan automotive employers most commonly hire OPT students as software engineers, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, data scientists, and controls engineers. Vehicle cybersecurity, battery systems engineering, and ADAS development are particularly active hiring areas. Non-STEM business or design roles can qualify for standard 12-month OPT but do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
How do I find automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters jobs by visa type and industry, making it straightforward to search for automotive F-1 OPT roles in Michigan without wading through listings that don't sponsor. You can filter by the automotive industry and Michigan location to see verified sponsoring employers. Beyond that, targeting university career fairs at University of Michigan and Michigan State often surfaces direct connections to local automotive recruiters actively seeking OPT candidates.
Are there any Michigan-specific considerations for F-1 OPT students in the automotive industry?
Michigan's automotive sector is heavily engineering-driven, meaning STEM OPT eligibility, which extends authorization from 12 to 36 months, is particularly valuable here. Students graduating from Michigan programs in mechanical, electrical, or computer engineering are well-positioned. Many large Michigan automotive employers are E-Verify participants, a federal requirement for STEM OPT extensions, so confirming E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer is an important step in the process.