Manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's manufacturing sector spans automotive engineering, advanced materials, and industrial automation, with major employers like General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, and Dow Chemical filing F-1 STEM OPT Labor Condition Applications across Detroit, Grand Rapids, Midland, and Lansing. Engineers, materials scientists, and process analysts in STEM-designated roles often find strong sponsorship pathways here.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB DESCRIPTION
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Design, develop, implement, and validate manufacturing processes, methods, tooling, equipment, and controls to support the production of products and components.
- Analyze and plan labor utilization, equipment requirements, workflow, manufacturing space, and layout to maximize efficiency and productivity.
- Support all phases of prototype development, builds, and production launches.
- Actively apply new manufacturing technologies and evaluate opportunities that contribute to plant objectives, cost reduction, quality improvement, and operational efficiency.
- Participate in product design reviews to ensure manufacturability, optimal productivity, and cost effectiveness; recommend alternative designs, materials, or processes as needed.
- Prepare and evaluate manufacturing studies related to cost, quality, inventory levels, feasibility, and process capability for new and existing products.
- Recommend and implement improvements to manufacturing processes involving materials, labor, tooling, equipment, layouts, and ancillary systems.
- Select, approve, and develop tooling and equipment to meet manufacturing requirements and product design intent.
- Coordinate implementation of new processes and provide training to ensure readiness and timing objectives are met.
- Establish and verify poka-yoke (error-proofing) systems.
- Serve as a technical resource for process changes, problem-solving teams, and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring product design intent is maintained.
- Actively pursue quality improvements across manufacturing processes.
- Support new program launches as part of the SDT or Pre-Launch Team, as assigned.
- Research and implement state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to ensure products are manufactured in the most capable and cost-effective manner.
- Work closely with production teams to ensure key performance measures are met and lines are properly balanced.
- Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders and provide periodic status updates.
- Act as a customer liaison for product design and engineering-related matters.
- Complete all required training as mandated by the company and customers.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Quality, Safety & Compliance Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with ISO and IATF 16949 standards.
- Develop and maintain PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, and Operator Instruction Sheets.
- Collaborate closely with Ergonomics and Health & Safety teams to ensure safe and efficient workstation and line design.
- Adhere to all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards.
- Report occupational injuries, illnesses, accidents, and unsafe conditions promptly.
- Support continuous improvement in safety, ergonomics, and environmental performance.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 3–5 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering or a related manufacturing role (automotive experience and background required).
- Strong working knowledge of product design and assembly processes using PFMEA principles.
- Hands-on experience implementing manufacturing processes, methods, tooling, equipment, and controls.
- Practical knowledge of GD&T, PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flows, and Operator Instruction Sheets.
- Experience creating processes and procedures to meet budgetary goals and performance metrics.
- Proficiency with Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and time-management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in an ISO/IATF 16949-certified environment.
- Experience troubleshooting using Allen Bradley RSLogix 5000 / ControlLogix software.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations.
LOCATION
Bridgewater Interiors II
JOB DESCRIPTION
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Design, develop, implement, and validate manufacturing processes, methods, tooling, equipment, and controls to support the production of products and components.
- Analyze and plan labor utilization, equipment requirements, workflow, manufacturing space, and layout to maximize efficiency and productivity.
- Support all phases of prototype development, builds, and production launches.
- Actively apply new manufacturing technologies and evaluate opportunities that contribute to plant objectives, cost reduction, quality improvement, and operational efficiency.
- Participate in product design reviews to ensure manufacturability, optimal productivity, and cost effectiveness; recommend alternative designs, materials, or processes as needed.
- Prepare and evaluate manufacturing studies related to cost, quality, inventory levels, feasibility, and process capability for new and existing products.
- Recommend and implement improvements to manufacturing processes involving materials, labor, tooling, equipment, layouts, and ancillary systems.
- Select, approve, and develop tooling and equipment to meet manufacturing requirements and product design intent.
- Coordinate implementation of new processes and provide training to ensure readiness and timing objectives are met.
- Establish and verify poka-yoke (error-proofing) systems.
- Serve as a technical resource for process changes, problem-solving teams, and continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring product design intent is maintained.
- Actively pursue quality improvements across manufacturing processes.
- Support new program launches as part of the SDT or Pre-Launch Team, as assigned.
- Research and implement state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to ensure products are manufactured in the most capable and cost-effective manner.
- Work closely with production teams to ensure key performance measures are met and lines are properly balanced.
- Maintain effective communication with all stakeholders and provide periodic status updates.
- Act as a customer liaison for product design and engineering-related matters.
- Complete all required training as mandated by the company and customers.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.
Quality, Safety & Compliance Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with ISO and IATF 16949 standards.
- Develop and maintain PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, and Operator Instruction Sheets.
- Collaborate closely with Ergonomics and Health & Safety teams to ensure safe and efficient workstation and line design.
- Adhere to all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) standards.
- Report occupational injuries, illnesses, accidents, and unsafe conditions promptly.
- Support continuous improvement in safety, ergonomics, and environmental performance.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- 3–5 years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering or a related manufacturing role (automotive experience and background required).
- Strong working knowledge of product design and assembly processes using PFMEA principles.
- Hands-on experience implementing manufacturing processes, methods, tooling, equipment, and controls.
- Practical knowledge of GD&T, PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flows, and Operator Instruction Sheets.
- Experience creating processes and procedures to meet budgetary goals and performance metrics.
- Proficiency with Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office applications.
- Strong organizational, analytical, communication, and time-management skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in an ISO/IATF 16949-certified environment.
- Experience troubleshooting using Allen Bradley RSLogix 5000 / ControlLogix software.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing operations.
LOCATION
Bridgewater Interiors II
Manufacturing Job Roles in Michigan
See all 167+ Manufacturing Jobs in Michigan
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in MichiganManufacturing Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Michigan?
Michigan's largest manufacturing employers, including General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Stellantis, Dow Chemical, and Whirlpool, have documented histories of filing Labor Condition Applications for STEM OPT workers. Tier-1 automotive suppliers such as BorgWarner, Dana Incorporated, and Aptiv also sponsor STEM OPT candidates in engineering and technical roles. Sponsorship activity varies by facility, role, and business need, so confirming with individual hiring teams is necessary.
Which cities in Michigan have the most manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Detroit and its surrounding metro area, including Auburn Hills, Warren, and Dearborn, concentrate the highest volume of manufacturing STEM OPT sponsorship activity due to the automotive industry's density. Grand Rapids supports significant manufacturing in medical devices and food processing equipment. Midland is a center for chemical manufacturing through Dow. Lansing and Flint also host production and engineering facilities with documented STEM hiring patterns.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles qualifying for STEM OPT in manufacturing generally require a degree in a STEM-designated field listed by the Department of Homeland Security. Common qualifying positions include manufacturing engineer, process engineer, quality engineer, materials scientist, industrial engineer, robotics engineer, and supply chain analyst with quantitative responsibilities. The role must be directly related to the student's degree program, and the employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to participate in the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers with F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history in Michigan's manufacturing sector, drawing on DOL Labor Condition Application data to surface companies that have actively filed for STEM workers. You can search by city, role type, and employer to identify opportunities at automotive OEMs, chemical manufacturers, and industrial suppliers. Confirming STEM OPT eligibility with your Designated School Official before accepting an offer is also recommended.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT in Michigan manufacturing?
Michigan manufacturing employers, particularly in automotive, operate on project-based hiring cycles tied to vehicle program timelines, which can affect when roles open and how quickly OPT authorization needs to be in place. Because the 24-month STEM OPT extension must be applied for before the initial 12-month OPT expires, timing your job search relative to your program end date is important. Michigan also has a strong presence of unionized facilities, where hiring processes for salaried engineering roles follow separate tracks from production positions.