Automotive STEM OPT Jobs in Minnesota
Automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Minnesota are concentrated around the Twin Cities metro, where companies like 3M, Cummins, and Polaris Industries hire engineering and data science talent. Minnesota's manufacturing base and growing EV and powertrain research activity make it a practical state for STEM OPT holders pursuing automotive careers without switching to H-1B visa immediately.
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Location: Eveleth, MN
Cleveland-Cliffs has an immediate opening for a Geologist in Eveleth, MN. The Geologist will manage, coordinate and implement all functions related to the geology of the open pit mine including mine planning, ore grading, geological modeling, crude ore sampling, and diamond drilling.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Conduct ore grading including statistical analysis of source data, and the development of ore grading locations which are communicated to Mining Dispatch daily.
- Prepare annual reports to state and federal agencies.
- Oversee mining operations pertaining to ore grading and its effect on plant metallurgical and production results on scheduled weekends.
- Perform sampling of blast holes when ore quality is in question and perform sampling of shovel loading banks in order to resolve ore processing problems in the plant.
- Complete grading of the blast pattern and reconcile against plans. Input data into GIS and make maps and then input data into WENCO Monitor deviations and report issues to the Section Manager.
- Provide geological advice to mining operations around geological issues that arise affecting the delivery of mine plans.
- Complete monthly geology reconciliation reports.
- Create blast reserve reports.
- Maintain daily records of ore quality characteristics and reconcile predicted with measured ore quality characteristics.
- Participate in short and long-range mine planning by providing geological information.
- Perform miscellaneous duties such as blast monitoring, mill throughput testing, special rotary sampling programs, selection of Liberation index testing hole samples, and display or souvenir sample collection.
- Maintain up to date dig blocks and mining progress in Wenco.
- Provide geological advice on ore characterization and feedback loop to the plant about ore quality.
- Communicate with corporate on geological and geometallurgical aspects of mine development and improvement projects.
- Build relations with Cliffs technology group on geological and geo-metallurgical aspects of mine development and process control improvement projects.
- Develop, direct, and coordinate diamond drilling programs including preparation of maps and specifications, budgets, communications with Fee Representatives, site inspections, on-site supervision of surveyors, acquisition of supplies, on-site supervision of contracted drilling crews, core classification, photography, submission of samples to laboratory, compilation and proofing of sample analyses, and preparation of final reports. Develop diamond drill plan and manage drilling contractors. Collect diamond drilling samples, clean samples, split samples, do some analysis of samples, send samples to outside lab and input data into systems for updating resource and reserve estimates.
- Develop geological and geophysical plan maps based on field mapping.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
- B.S. in geology, metallurgy, earth sciences, or equivalent.
- 3-5 years’ supervisory experience at mining/mineral processing facility.
- Schedule requirements – 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Mon-Fri, periodic weekend duty on-call coverage.
- Travel requirements – less than 5%.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Geology experience within the Iron Ore Mining industry.
- Prior experiences working within a unionized environment.
Relocation assistance may be considered for highly qualified candidates from outside the local area.
Please note that all applicants must meet the physical requirements of the position by the close of the posting period.
The salary range for this role is $80,000 - $100,000. An employee’s pay within the salary range will be based on numerous factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, experience, skills, geographic location and business or organizational needs.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. is the largest flat-rolled steel company and the largest iron ore pellet producer in North America. The Company is vertically integrated from mined raw materials, direct reduced iron, and ferrous scrap to 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.
STEM OPT Automotive Job Roles in Minnesota
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Search Automotive Jobs in MinnesotaAutomotive STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Minnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Minnesota?
Minnesota employers with documented STEM OPT hiring in automotive-adjacent roles include Polaris Industries, Cummins, and 3M's transportation materials division. Larger manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers operating in the Twin Cities metro tend to have established OPT onboarding processes, though sponsorship availability varies by role, team, and hiring cycle. Checking DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data can help verify which employers have filed for STEM-eligible positions.
Which cities in Minnesota have the most automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Twin Cities metro, particularly Minneapolis and Saint Paul, concentrates the largest share of automotive engineering and manufacturing roles in Minnesota. Medina, Osceola, and Mankato also host manufacturing and R&D facilities tied to powertrain, recreational vehicle, and heavy equipment production. For STEM OPT holders, proximity to these hubs matters because E-Verify enrollment, which is required for STEM OPT extensions, is handled at the individual employer location level.
How do I find automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Minnesota?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters automotive roles in Minnesota by STEM OPT eligibility and employer sponsorship history, so you're not sorting through listings that don't apply to you. Searching by STEM degree classification for automotive engineering and manufacturing occupations helps narrow results to roles that qualify under STEM OPT's designated degree field requirements. Cross-referencing DOL LCA filings for Minnesota employers adds another layer of verification.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Minnesota?
Roles that qualify for STEM OPT generally require a degree in a STEM-designated field and involve work directly related to that field. In automotive, this typically covers mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, manufacturing engineering, materials science, and data analytics positions. Minnesota employers in powertrain development, autonomous systems, and vehicle component manufacturing frequently hire into these categories. O*NET occupation profiles can help confirm whether a specific job title maps to a qualifying STEM STEM degree classification.
Are there any Minnesota-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT automotive sponsorship?
Minnesota does not impose state-level immigration requirements beyond federal rules, but STEM OPT employers in the state must be E-Verify enrolled and provide a formal training plan under a signed I-983. Minnesota's automotive sector includes both large OEMs and smaller Tier 2 suppliers, and smaller companies may not always have E-Verify enrollment in place. Confirming E-Verify status before accepting an offer is important because employment at a non-enrolled employer invalidates the STEM OPT extension.