Automotive OPT Jobs in Minnesota
F-1 OPT automotive jobs in Minnesota are concentrated around the Twin Cities metro, where companies like 3M, Polaris, and regional dealership networks and Tier 1 suppliers actively hire international students. Engineering, data analytics, and supply chain roles in this sector regularly qualify for both standard 12-month OPT and the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
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We are looking for a talented Senior Sales Application Engineer join our team specializing in Technical Sales for Cummins, Inc. in Minneapolis, MN.
In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:
- Build and lead strategic relationships with key influencer customers across regions (e.g., architects, engineers, contractors, OEMs, dealers, and channel partners) to drive long-term sales influence.
- Set and execute the influencer strategy, targeting existing priority firms while identifying and cultivating new firms and individuals to expand influence.
- Serve as the technical subject matter expert, providing code, standards, and solution guidance to consulting engineers, end users, and sales teams.
- Identify customer needs and market opportunities by leveraging customer insights, market trends, and competitor research to prospect and shape demand.
- Manage opportunity flow and rigor, ensuring sales opportunities are identified, reported, tracked in Salesforce, and passed to the appropriate sales owners.
- Create and maintain key influencer account strategies, measuring customer perception, team credibility, and the overall impact of influence efforts.
- Act as an industry thought leader and customer advocate, sharing market insights internally, representing the company externally, and aligning influence activities with business targets (sales plans, margin, market share).
To be successful in this role you will need the following:
- Articulating Value Proposition - Deeply interpret both internal and external customer needs. Clearly explain and demonstrate how your products, solutions, and services meet these needs. Highlight strengths and address any weaknesses to differentiate from competitors.
- Developing Account Strategy - Evaluate the current relationship, financial status, product competitiveness, barriers, quality, and service levels of your accounts. Balance customer requirements with business capabilities to set achievable targets that align with your business strategy.
- Sales Pipeline Management - Develop and execute account/territory-level sales strategies based on your current pipeline. Regularly assess the size, contents, and progress of your pipeline. Adjust your sales strategy and plans as needed.
- Sales Forecasting - Gather customer data from various sources and compare it against historical data. Use this information to predict future consumption patterns. Develop forecasts that are realistic and based on solid data analysis.
Education/Experience:
- University or college degree in the field of engineering, or an acceptable combination of education and experience.
- This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
- Significant level of relevant work experience required. Experience in technical sales, application engineering or project management required.
Additional Responsibilities
- University or college degree in the field of engineering preferred.
- 4+ years of experience in technical sales or sales application engineering desirable.
- Responsible for building relationships with Consulting Engineers in the Minnesota and Wisconsin markets.
- Clear communication with leadership, peers on the Northern Region Sales Application Engineering/Upstream Influencing Team, and the local Power Generation Sales Representatives on key projects, relationships, and sales initiatives.
- Project and relationship management/tracking will be documented in Salesforce.
- Technical aptitude to quickly ramp up on the products we are responsible for selling and supporting.
- Ability to execute technical presentations with external customers and internal sales teams.
Compensation
Please note that the salary range provided is a good faith estimate on the applicable range. The final salary offer will be determined after considering relevant factors, including a candidate’s qualifications and experience, where appropriate.
This role is on an 80/20 sales compensation plan.
Job Sales
Organization Cummins Inc.
Role Category Off-site Remote
Job Type Exempt - Experienced
Min Salary $121000
Max Salary $164000
ReqID 2431650
Relocation Package No
100% On-Site No
At Cummins, we are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law. Cummins validates the right to work using E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. Visit http://EEOC.gov to know your rights on workplace discrimination.
OPT Automotive Job Roles in Minnesota
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Search Automotive Jobs in MinnesotaAutomotive OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Minnesota?
Polaris Industries in Medina is one of Minnesota's most prominent automotive employers hiring international students, particularly in engineering and product development. 3M in Maplewood supplies materials to automotive manufacturers and has historically supported OPT candidates in technical roles. Regional Tier 1 suppliers and specialty vehicle manufacturers across the Twin Cities metro also participate in OPT authorization, though sponsorship practices vary by company and role.
Which cities in Minnesota have the most automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Twin Cities metro, covering Minneapolis and Saint Paul, accounts for the majority of automotive F-1 OPT opportunities in Minnesota. Suburbs like Medina, Roseville, and Shakopee host manufacturing and engineering facilities tied to the sector. Rochester has a smaller but growing presence in precision manufacturing. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul corridor is the practical starting point for most F-1 candidates targeting automotive roles in the state.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Minnesota?
Roles that align directly with a STEM-eligible degree field are the strongest candidates for OPT authorization. In Minnesota's automotive sector, this includes mechanical and electrical engineering positions, manufacturing process engineering, supply chain analytics, quality assurance, and embedded systems development. Roles in vehicle connectivity and data engineering increasingly qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, which is particularly relevant given the industry's shift toward electrification and software-defined vehicles.
How do I find automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Minnesota?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students searching for visa-friendly roles, and you can filter directly by F-1 OPT, the automotive industry, and Minnesota to see relevant listings. This removes the guesswork of identifying which employers are open to OPT candidates. Beyond the platform, connecting with University of Minnesota and Minnesota State career offices can surface employer relationships that don't always appear in general job searches.
Are there any Minnesota-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in automotive?
Minnesota's automotive sector leans heavily toward powersports, specialty vehicles, and advanced manufacturing rather than traditional passenger car assembly, which shapes the types of roles available to OPT candidates. Many employers in this space are mid-size companies rather than large OEMs, so OPT familiarity can vary. Confirming that your role is directly related to your degree field before accepting an offer is important, since OPT authorization depends on that alignment, not just the employer's willingness to hire.