Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's chemicals and materials sector spans specialty chemical manufacturers, automotive materials suppliers, and polymer research firms, with major employers like Dow, BASF, and Huntsman operating across Midland, Detroit, and Grand Rapids. F-1 OPT candidates with backgrounds in chemical engineering, materials science, or chemistry will find active hiring at both established corporations and growing specialty manufacturers throughout the state.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Production supervisors supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in operation a variety of machines to manufacture parts of products by performing the following duties (other duties may be assigned):
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Achieves production, quality, environmental, safety, and efficiency goals. Acts as liaison with other departments when other staff is not present.
-
Confers with production personnel to resolve problems affecting production schedules; may be asked to prepare work schedules for the Production Dept.; assign replacements for employees' vacations.
-
Assign duties and examines work for conformance to policies and procedures including but not limited to the production rounds and inspections.
-
Studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency of subordinates; maintains harmony among workers.
-
Troubleshoots process and equipment problems to improve operation and material flow.
-
Identifies and lists order of importance for clean-up efforts and develops solutions for perpetual clean-up issues.
-
Report any safety or environmental issues; solve the problems or address them by work order.
-
Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations; resolve equipment problems; handle teamwork with crew.
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Ability to make decisions during shift work hours; have discernment to know when to get management involved during shift hours; assess every situation for safety; understand what work need to be assigned to whom.
QUALIFICATIONS
- One year certificate from college or technical school and 3-6 months related experience and/or training; or 4-6 years' experience, or equivalent combination of education and strong organizational and time management skills.
- Diplomacy interacting with both union and non-union groups.
- Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, maintenance instructions.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram.
- Experience improving and managing process improvements.
- Problem solving and decision making skills.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and general computer skills.
COMPENSATION
- Salary range: $82,000-$95,000
INTRODUCTION
Production supervisors supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in operation a variety of machines to manufacture parts of products by performing the following duties (other duties may be assigned):
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
-
Achieves production, quality, environmental, safety, and efficiency goals. Acts as liaison with other departments when other staff is not present.
-
Confers with production personnel to resolve problems affecting production schedules; may be asked to prepare work schedules for the Production Dept.; assign replacements for employees' vacations.
-
Assign duties and examines work for conformance to policies and procedures including but not limited to the production rounds and inspections.
-
Studies and standardizes procedures to improve efficiency of subordinates; maintains harmony among workers.
-
Troubleshoots process and equipment problems to improve operation and material flow.
-
Identifies and lists order of importance for clean-up efforts and develops solutions for perpetual clean-up issues.
-
Report any safety or environmental issues; solve the problems or address them by work order.
-
Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations; resolve equipment problems; handle teamwork with crew.
-
Ability to make decisions during shift work hours; have discernment to know when to get management involved during shift hours; assess every situation for safety; understand what work need to be assigned to whom.
QUALIFICATIONS
- One year certificate from college or technical school and 3-6 months related experience and/or training; or 4-6 years' experience, or equivalent combination of education and strong organizational and time management skills.
- Diplomacy interacting with both union and non-union groups.
- Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, maintenance instructions.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram.
- Experience improving and managing process improvements.
- Problem solving and decision making skills.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and general computer skills.
COMPENSATION
- Salary range: $82,000-$95,000
OPT Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in MichiganChemicals & Materials OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals & materials companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Michigan?
Michigan-based employers that have historically supported F-1 OPT workers in chemicals and materials include Dow Chemical in Midland, BASF's Michigan operations, Huntsman Corporation, and automotive materials suppliers such as PPG Industries and Henkel. Smaller specialty chemical manufacturers and polymer compounders across the state also hire OPT candidates, particularly those with hands-on laboratory or process engineering experience from U.S. universities.
Which cities in Michigan have the most chemicals & materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Midland is the top city for chemicals and materials OPT roles given Dow's global headquarters there. Detroit and its surrounding metro, including Auburn Hills and Dearborn, concentrate automotive coatings, adhesives, and advanced materials positions tied to the auto industry. Grand Rapids attracts specialty chemical and polymer employers, while Kalamazoo has a presence in pharmaceutical-adjacent chemical manufacturing. Each city reflects a distinct sub-sector of the broader industry.
What types of chemicals & materials roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include process engineer, materials scientist, R&D chemist, polymer chemist, quality engineer, and analytical chemist. Positions requiring a degree in chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, or polymer science generally meet OPT work authorization requirements since the job directly relates to the field of study. Regulatory affairs and applications engineering roles tied to chemical products may also qualify depending on the degree alignment.
How do I find chemicals & materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students on F-1 OPT and filters jobs by visa type, industry, and state, making it straightforward to browse chemicals and materials openings in Michigan that are open to OPT candidates. Rather than sorting through thousands of general listings, Migrate Mate surfaces roles where employers have demonstrated willingness to support work authorization, saving significant time during a period when OPT timelines are tight.
Are there any Michigan-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in chemicals & materials?
Michigan's chemicals and materials sector is heavily integrated with the automotive industry, so OPT hiring often follows automotive production cycles and model-year planning timelines. Many larger employers like Dow are E-Verify participants, which is required for OPT STEM extension eligibility. Candidates with STEM degrees in chemical engineering or materials science can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, significantly extending the window for employer-sponsored visa transitions in this industry.