Chemicals & Materials STEM OPT Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's chemicals and materials sector spans automotive coatings, specialty polymers, and advanced composites, with major employers like Dow, BASF, and Huntsman operating facilities across Midland, Saginaw, and the Detroit metro. F-1 STEM OPT candidates in chemical engineering, materials science, and polymer chemistry find meaningful sponsorship pathways here, particularly at manufacturers tied to Michigan's deep automotive and industrial supply chains.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At DuPont, our purpose is to empower the world with essential innovations to thrive. We work on things that matter. Whether it’s providing clean water to more than a billion people on the planet, producing materials that are essential in everyday technology devices from smartphones to electric vehicles, or protecting workers around the world. Discover the many reasons the world’s most talented people are choosing to work at DuPont.
DuPont is seeking an Analytical Chemist to support the Advanced Mobility business, with a focus on Automotive Adhesives. This is a highly independent, hands-on laboratory role where you will own critical separations capabilities and deliver high-quality analytical insights that enable product development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.
You will play a key role in solving complex technical challenges, supporting product stewardship, and expanding analytical capabilities in a dynamic R&D environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities
Separations Leadership & Method Ownership
- Own and operate chromatographic methods including GC/MS, GC/FID, HPLC, and GPC
- Serve as site subject matter expert (SME) for separations and chromatographic analysis
- Develop, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot analytical methods to support R&D, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory needs
- Maintain instrument performance, calibration, and data integrity standards
- Collaborate with centralized analytical teams to advance and implement new methodologies
Analytical Testing, Problem Solving & Compliance
- Perform hands-on laboratory work including sample preparation, testing, data analysis, and reporting
- Deliver actionable insights to support root cause failure analysis (RCFA), material characterization and product development, and manufacturing and quality investigations
- Generate high-quality data to support regulatory and product stewardship activities, including:
- Quantification and screening of Substances of Concern (SoC) and Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
- Development of data packages to demonstrate compliance with regulatory thresholds
- Support for REACH, TSCA, customer specifications, and product compliance evaluations
- Ensure analytical methods, documentation, and data meet regulatory and quality standards
Expanded Analytical Capability
- Build and apply working knowledge across additional techniques, including:
- Auto titration (e.g., NCO, water content)
- VOC and compositional analysis
- Rheology and viscoelastic characterization
- Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, thermal conductivity)
- Electrical and flammability testing
Laboratory & Equipment Ownership
- Act as Equipment Responsible Person (ERP) for assigned instrumentation
- Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting
- Ensure compliance with quality systems, documentation requirements, and audit readiness
Collaboration & Execution
- Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and TS&D to define and deliver analytical support
- Contribute to cross-functional projects by providing technical recommendations and insights
- Manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced laboratory environment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in an analytical laboratory environment
- Hands-on experience with chromatographic techniques (GC, HPLC, GPC; MS-based methods preferred)
- Strong analytical problem-solving and data interpretation skills
- Proven ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry or related field
- Experience supporting regulatory testing, compliance data generation, or product stewardship
- Experience with polymer or materials characterization
- Familiarity with quality systems, SOP-driven environments, and LIMS/ELN platforms
Key Success Factors
- Strong ownership of analytical methods, data quality, and technical outputs
- High attention to detail, particularly in regulatory-relevant data and documentation
- Ability to translate analytical findings into clear technical and business insights
- Continuous learning mindset with initiative to expand analytical capabilities
- Effective collaboration across technical and cross-functional teams
- Proficiency in managing data within LIMS/ELN systems to ensure traceability and integrity
- Strong bias toward leveraging digital tools to enhance laboratory productivity and efficiency
LOCATION
Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States of America
DuPont offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package.
DuPont is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit our Accessibility Page for Contact Information.
INTRODUCTION
At DuPont, our purpose is to empower the world with essential innovations to thrive. We work on things that matter. Whether it’s providing clean water to more than a billion people on the planet, producing materials that are essential in everyday technology devices from smartphones to electric vehicles, or protecting workers around the world. Discover the many reasons the world’s most talented people are choosing to work at DuPont.
DuPont is seeking an Analytical Chemist to support the Advanced Mobility business, with a focus on Automotive Adhesives. This is a highly independent, hands-on laboratory role where you will own critical separations capabilities and deliver high-quality analytical insights that enable product development, manufacturing, and regulatory compliance.
You will play a key role in solving complex technical challenges, supporting product stewardship, and expanding analytical capabilities in a dynamic R&D environment.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Key Responsibilities
Separations Leadership & Method Ownership
- Own and operate chromatographic methods including GC/MS, GC/FID, HPLC, and GPC
- Serve as site subject matter expert (SME) for separations and chromatographic analysis
- Develop, optimize, validate, and troubleshoot analytical methods to support R&D, manufacturing, quality, and regulatory needs
- Maintain instrument performance, calibration, and data integrity standards
- Collaborate with centralized analytical teams to advance and implement new methodologies
Analytical Testing, Problem Solving & Compliance
- Perform hands-on laboratory work including sample preparation, testing, data analysis, and reporting
- Deliver actionable insights to support root cause failure analysis (RCFA), material characterization and product development, and manufacturing and quality investigations
- Generate high-quality data to support regulatory and product stewardship activities, including:
- Quantification and screening of Substances of Concern (SoC) and Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC)
- Development of data packages to demonstrate compliance with regulatory thresholds
- Support for REACH, TSCA, customer specifications, and product compliance evaluations
- Ensure analytical methods, documentation, and data meet regulatory and quality standards
Expanded Analytical Capability
- Build and apply working knowledge across additional techniques, including:
- Auto titration (e.g., NCO, water content)
- VOC and compositional analysis
- Rheology and viscoelastic characterization
- Thermal analysis (DSC, TGA, thermal conductivity)
- Electrical and flammability testing
Laboratory & Equipment Ownership
- Act as Equipment Responsible Person (ERP) for assigned instrumentation
- Perform routine maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting
- Ensure compliance with quality systems, documentation requirements, and audit readiness
Collaboration & Execution
- Partner cross-functionally with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and TS&D to define and deliver analytical support
- Contribute to cross-functional projects by providing technical recommendations and insights
- Manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced laboratory environment
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, or related field
- 2+ years of experience in an analytical laboratory environment
- Hands-on experience with chromatographic techniques (GC, HPLC, GPC; MS-based methods preferred)
- Strong analytical problem-solving and data interpretation skills
- Proven ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry or related field
- Experience supporting regulatory testing, compliance data generation, or product stewardship
- Experience with polymer or materials characterization
- Familiarity with quality systems, SOP-driven environments, and LIMS/ELN platforms
Key Success Factors
- Strong ownership of analytical methods, data quality, and technical outputs
- High attention to detail, particularly in regulatory-relevant data and documentation
- Ability to translate analytical findings into clear technical and business insights
- Continuous learning mindset with initiative to expand analytical capabilities
- Effective collaboration across technical and cross-functional teams
- Proficiency in managing data within LIMS/ELN systems to ensure traceability and integrity
- Strong bias toward leveraging digital tools to enhance laboratory productivity and efficiency
LOCATION
Location: Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States of America
DuPont offers a comprehensive pay and benefits package.
DuPont is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability or any other protected class. If you need a reasonable accommodation to search or apply for a position, please visit our Accessibility Page for Contact Information.
STEM OPT Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in MichiganChemicals & Materials STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals and materials companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Michigan?
Michigan hosts several large chemicals and materials employers with documented F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship activity, including Dow (headquartered in Midland), BASF's Michigan operations, Huntsman, Kuraray America, and automotive coatings suppliers such as PPG and Axalta. Tier-one automotive suppliers with advanced materials divisions, including those serving the EV battery supply chain, also actively hire STEM OPT candidates in materials engineering and polymer science roles.
Which cities in Michigan have the most chemicals and materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Midland is the densest hub given Dow's global headquarters there. The Detroit metro, including Auburn Hills, Warren, and Dearborn, concentrates automotive-adjacent coatings and adhesives roles. Saginaw and Bay City have established chemical manufacturing facilities. Grand Rapids attracts specialty materials and plastics employers, and Ann Arbor draws R&D-focused materials science positions tied to University of Michigan industry partnerships and startup spinouts.
How do I find chemicals and materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate filters chemicals and materials job listings by visa type, letting you see Michigan roles where employers have active F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history. Because STEM OPT requires employer E-Verify enrollment, Migrate Mate surfaces only compliant employers, saving you time. Focus searches on titles like process engineer, materials scientist, polymer chemist, and applications engineer to surface the most relevant Michigan postings in this sector.
What types of chemicals and materials roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Michigan?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to your degree. In Michigan's chemicals and materials sector, qualifying positions commonly include process engineer, materials engineer, polymer chemist, coatings scientist, quality engineer, and R&D chemist. Employers must also be enrolled in E-Verify. You can cross-reference your degree's SOC occupation alignment using O*NET to confirm a given role qualifies before applying.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Michigan's chemicals sector?
Michigan's chemicals and materials hiring is heavily tied to automotive production cycles, so sponsorship activity often peaks when automakers expand EV and lightweighting programs. Many Michigan facilities are unionized manufacturing sites; most F-1 STEM OPT positions are in engineering or R&D functions rather than production floor roles. Candidates should verify that their prospective employer is E-Verify enrolled, as USCIS requires this for all STEM OPT extensions, and Michigan has no state-level overlay that changes this federal requirement.