Automotive OPT Jobs in Mississippi
Automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Mississippi are concentrated around the state's growing manufacturing base, with employers like Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi in Blue Springs and several tier-one suppliers actively hiring international graduates in engineering, quality assurance, and production roles. Jackson, Tupelo, and the Golden Triangle region are the primary hiring hubs.
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Get Access To All JobsProject Engineer – Paint Booth Construction & Modifications
1496789
Position Summary
K&K is seeking a hands-on Project Engineer to support paint booth modification and construction projects within a manufacturing environment. This role will focus on planning, managing, and executing capital improvement projects involving paint booth structures, airflow systems, environmental controls, and facility infrastructure.
The ideal candidate combines practical trade experience with engineering and project management expertise, capable of overseeing contractors, coordinating installations, and driving projects from concept through completion. This position is highly execution-focused and requires significant field presence supporting construction activities within active manufacturing operations.
Location: TMMMS – Onsite (Monday–Friday)
Overtime: Approximately 20%, including weekends and plant shutdowns
Travel: Up to 10% domestically and internationally (Canada, Mexico, suppliers, and Toyota manufacturing facilities)
Interview Process: One 60-minute Microsoft Teams interview
Responsibilities
Project Management & Execution
- Investigate project feasibility, scope, schedule, budget, and resource requirements.
- Develop project scopes of work, bid packages, technical specifications, and contractor requirements.
- Manage paint booth modification and construction projects from planning through completion.
- Coordinate project activities to ensure safety, quality, budget, and schedule objectives are achieved.
- Develop countermeasures and recovery plans to address project delays and execution challenges.
Paint Booth & Facility Modifications
- Execute and manage paint booth modification projects, including structural improvements and airflow enhancements.
- Support installation and modification of sheet metal systems, large structural components, and facility infrastructure.
- Coordinate equipment installation and construction activities within active manufacturing environments.
- Assist with utility, environmental, and process-related modifications supporting paint operations.
Engineering & Technical Support
- Review technical drawings, specifications, and contractor submittals.
- Provide feedback on design changes and recommend technical improvements.
- Modify and review drawings utilizing AutoCAD.
- Support bid evaluations, contractor negotiations, and project procurement activities.
- Collaborate with engineers, equipment manufacturers, skilled trades, and affiliate companies to achieve project milestones.
Construction Management
- Supervise contractors performing work in both greenfield and brownfield environments.
- Coordinate installation activities with maintenance, operations, engineering, and construction teams.
- Monitor contractor performance, schedule adherence, quality, and safety compliance.
- Support construction planning for weekends, shutdowns, and production downtime activities.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure projects comply with local, state, and national safety regulations and codes.
- Collaborate with third-party safety compliance consultants and contractors.
- Promote safe work practices and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Participate in project risk assessments and safety reviews.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or related discipline), Technical Trade Certification, or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- 3+ years of project management experience.
- Experience managing capital projects, preferably valued at $500,000 or greater.
- Strong hands-on engineering and field execution background.
- Commercial or industrial construction experience.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- AutoCAD experience including drawing review and modification.
- Experience developing bid specifications and negotiating with contractors.
- 2+ years of technical drawing review experience.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 Certification.
- Toyota project management experience.
- Automotive paint process experience.
- Paint booth or controlled environment experience.
- Experience with airflow systems, ventilation systems, and environmental controls.
- Sheet metal trade experience.
- Familiarity with utility cost calculations and facility operating expenses.
- Experience working within active manufacturing or production environments.
Project Engineer – Paint Booth Construction & Modifications
1496789
Position Summary
K&K is seeking a hands-on Project Engineer to support paint booth modification and construction projects within a manufacturing environment. This role will focus on planning, managing, and executing capital improvement projects involving paint booth structures, airflow systems, environmental controls, and facility infrastructure.
The ideal candidate combines practical trade experience with engineering and project management expertise, capable of overseeing contractors, coordinating installations, and driving projects from concept through completion. This position is highly execution-focused and requires significant field presence supporting construction activities within active manufacturing operations.
Location: TMMMS – Onsite (Monday–Friday)
Overtime: Approximately 20%, including weekends and plant shutdowns
Travel: Up to 10% domestically and internationally (Canada, Mexico, suppliers, and Toyota manufacturing facilities)
Interview Process: One 60-minute Microsoft Teams interview
Responsibilities
Project Management & Execution
- Investigate project feasibility, scope, schedule, budget, and resource requirements.
- Develop project scopes of work, bid packages, technical specifications, and contractor requirements.
- Manage paint booth modification and construction projects from planning through completion.
- Coordinate project activities to ensure safety, quality, budget, and schedule objectives are achieved.
- Develop countermeasures and recovery plans to address project delays and execution challenges.
Paint Booth & Facility Modifications
- Execute and manage paint booth modification projects, including structural improvements and airflow enhancements.
- Support installation and modification of sheet metal systems, large structural components, and facility infrastructure.
- Coordinate equipment installation and construction activities within active manufacturing environments.
- Assist with utility, environmental, and process-related modifications supporting paint operations.
Engineering & Technical Support
- Review technical drawings, specifications, and contractor submittals.
- Provide feedback on design changes and recommend technical improvements.
- Modify and review drawings utilizing AutoCAD.
- Support bid evaluations, contractor negotiations, and project procurement activities.
- Collaborate with engineers, equipment manufacturers, skilled trades, and affiliate companies to achieve project milestones.
Construction Management
- Supervise contractors performing work in both greenfield and brownfield environments.
- Coordinate installation activities with maintenance, operations, engineering, and construction teams.
- Monitor contractor performance, schedule adherence, quality, and safety compliance.
- Support construction planning for weekends, shutdowns, and production downtime activities.
Safety & Compliance
- Ensure projects comply with local, state, and national safety regulations and codes.
- Collaborate with third-party safety compliance consultants and contractors.
- Promote safe work practices and support continuous improvement initiatives.
- Participate in project risk assessments and safety reviews.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or related discipline), Technical Trade Certification, or equivalent experience.
- 3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
- 3+ years of project management experience.
- Experience managing capital projects, preferably valued at $500,000 or greater.
- Strong hands-on engineering and field execution background.
- Commercial or industrial construction experience.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- AutoCAD experience including drawing review and modification.
- Experience developing bid specifications and negotiating with contractors.
- 2+ years of technical drawing review experience.
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 Certification.
- Toyota project management experience.
- Automotive paint process experience.
- Paint booth or controlled environment experience.
- Experience with airflow systems, ventilation systems, and environmental controls.
- Sheet metal trade experience.
- Familiarity with utility cost calculations and facility operating expenses.
- Experience working within active manufacturing or production environments.
OPT Automotive Job Roles in Mississippi
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Search Automotive Jobs in MississippiAutomotive OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Mississippi: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Mississippi?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi in Blue Springs is the state's most prominent automotive employer and has historically hired international graduates in engineering and technical roles. Tier-one suppliers operating near Toyota's facility, including companies in the Golden Triangle and Northeast Mississippi corridor, also participate in OPT hiring. Sponsorship availability varies by role, headcount, and the employer's familiarity with the OPT authorization process.
Which cities in Mississippi have the most automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Blue Springs and the broader Prentiss County area host the highest concentration of automotive OPT opportunities due to Toyota's manufacturing presence. Tupelo and the Golden Triangle region, which includes Columbus, Starkville, and West Point, have developed supporting supplier networks. Jackson, as the state capital, adds administrative and corporate automotive roles. Most hands-on manufacturing and engineering positions are in the northeast part of the state.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align with a STEM degree field are the strongest fit for F-1 OPT, including mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, quality engineering, manufacturing process engineering, and supply chain management. Production supervisor and automation technician positions with a relevant bachelor's degree also qualify. Roles with direct degree-to-job-function alignment matter most, since OPT work must be directly related to your field of study as defined by your designated school official.
How do I find automotive F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Mississippi?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters automotive job listings in Mississippi by OPT eligibility, saving you the guesswork of determining whether an employer is open to sponsorship. Search the platform for automotive roles in Northeast Mississippi and the Gulf Coast region, and filter by F-1 OPT to surface employers who have posted with visa sponsorship in mind. Applying through a targeted source like Migrate Mate increases your chances of reaching receptive hiring managers.
Are there any Mississippi-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the automotive industry?
Mississippi's automotive sector is heavily manufacturing-focused, meaning most OPT roles require on-site presence at production facilities rather than remote work options. STEM OPT extension eligibility is important here since many engineering roles at Toyota and its suppliers qualify, extending your work authorization to 36 months total. Mississippi does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements, but employers in smaller markets may have less experience processing OPT documentation, so confirming HR familiarity early in the process is advisable.