Science & Research OPT Jobs in Missouri
Science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Missouri are concentrated at research-intensive institutions like Washington University in St. Louis, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, and major healthcare systems in St. Louis and Kansas City. Life sciences, agricultural biotechnology, and biomedical research are the state's strongest sectors for OPT-eligible candidates with STEM-designated degrees.
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Validation Process Engineer
Position Summary:
- Work Schedule: M-F 8am-4:30pm
- 100% on-site
Catalent’s Kansas City facility is home to our Oral & Specialty Drug Delivery, Biologics Analytical Services and Clinical Supply Services businesses. The site provides a range of integrated services for oral solid dosage forms, from formulation development and analytical testing to clinical and commercial-scale manufacture. The Kansas City facility is a Center-of-Excellence for our Biologics Analytical Services business. Our talented team has over 25 years of experience providing analytical services for stand-alone and integrated biologics projects.
Catalent Pharma Solutions in Kansas City, MO is hiring a Validation Process Engineer. The Validation Process Engineer supports GMP equipment and process validation activities from requirements definition and vendor selection through installation, qualification, and performance verification to ensure systems meet user needs and regulatory expectations. Manages capital projects (budget, timelines, FAT/SAT) while authoring and executing risk assessments, validation protocols, and controlled documentation (e.g., IQ/OQ/PQ, PPQ, VSR) and coordinating training for operations and maintenance. Supports commercial client onboarding owning process capability assessments, FEMAs, validation master plans, process performance qualifications and final product specifications. Provides technical support for change control, deviations/CAPA, audits, continuous improvement initiatives, and commercial client onboarding.
The Role:
- Develop User Requirement Specifications for new equipment, identify equipment vendors, procure equipment, and oversee build, and ensure that equipment meets functional requirements.
- Submit capital requests and manage project budget/timelines to completion.
- Support Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), equipment installation, and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT) for equipment as needed.
- Prepare/execute/review FMEAs, Risk Assessments, Performance Verifications (PV), Engineering Studies (ES), Validation Plans (VP), System Impact Assessments (SIA), Data Integrity Assessments (DIA), Requirement Specifications (RS), Design Specifications (DS), Functional Requirements Specification (FRS), Design Qualification (DQ), Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), Performance Qualification (PQ), Validation Summary Report (VSR), Configuration Qualifications (CQ), and Process Performance Qualifications (PPQ).
- Author Procedures and Work Instructions for equipment operation. Coordinate and train operations and maintenance personnel.
- Perform periodic reviews and requalifications.
- Participate in site safety team initiatives.
- Participate in Gemba Walks, Kaizens, Lean Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement projects/initiatives.
- Lead and/or provide technical support for management of change forms (MOCs), deviations, change controls, CAPAs and audit findings.
- Provide validation support for the onboarding of commercial clients.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
The Candidate:
- BS Engineering or relevant science degree required.
- 1 - 5 years of GMP process, equipment, and/or facility engineering validation experience.
- Client facing project management experience a preferred.
- Lean six sigma training/certification, preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to write and execute technical documents and validation protocols in compliance with cGDP and cGMP requirements.
- Ability to read, understand, and apply SOPs and regulatory requirements to perform daily tasks in a regulated manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills, including written and verbal communication, presenting to groups (virtual and in person), and working effectively as part of a team to develop solutions.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and apply a working understanding of basic machine functionality (e.g., PLCs, servo motors, controls, pneumatics).
- Physical Requirements: Ability to stand, walk, sit, kneel, and reach frequently, occasionally lift, push, and pull up to 25 lbs, and climb ladders or steps as needed, while working in environments with temperature variation (including refrigerated and freezer areas), noise, humidity, and potential hazards; role also requires successful completion of background and DEA screening and up to 5% travel for trade shows and factory acceptance testing.
Why you should join Catalent:
- Defined career path and annual performance review and feedback process
- Diverse, inclusive culture
- Positive working environment focusing on continually improving processes to remain innovative
- Potential for career growth on an expanding team within an organization dedicated to preserving and bettering lives
- 152 hours of PTO + 8 paid holidays
- Generous 401K match
- Medical, dental and vision benefits effective day one of employment
- Tuition Reimbursement - Let us help you finish your degree or start a new degree!
Catalent offers rewarding opportunities to further your career! Join the global drug development and delivery leader and help us bring over 7,000 life-saving and life-enhancing products to patients around the world. Catalent is an exciting and growing international company where employees work directly with pharma, biopharma and consumer health companies of all sizes to advance new medicines from early development to clinical trials and to the market. Catalent produces more than 70 billion doses per year, and each one will be used by someone who is counting on us. Join us in making a difference.
personal initiative. dynamic pace. meaningful work.
Visit Catalent Careers to explore career opportunities.
Catalent is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and veterans.
If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, you may submit your request by sending an email, and confirming your request for an accommodation and include the job number, title and location to DisabilityAccommodations@catalent.com. This option is reserved for individuals who require accommodation due to a disability. Information received will be processed by a U.S. Catalent employee and then routed to a local recruiter who will provide assistance to ensure appropriate consideration in the application or hiring process.
Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives: Catalent Pharma Solutions (Catalent) is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Catalent employee by a third party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, will become the sole property of Catalent. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral. Thank you.
Important Security Notice to U.S. Job Seekers:
Catalent NEVER asks candidates to provide any type of payment, bank details, photocopies of identification, social security number or other highly sensitive personal information during the offer process, and we NEVER do so via email or social media. If you receive any such request, DO NOT respond— it is a fraudulent request. Please forward such requests to spam@catalent.com for us to investigate with local authorities.
California Job Seekers can find our California Job Applicant Notice HERE.
OPT Science & Research Job Roles in Missouri
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Search Science & Research Jobs in MissouriScience & Research OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science and research companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Missouri?
Missouri's most active F-1 OPT sponsors in science and research include Washington University in St. Louis, the Stowers Institute for Medical Research in Kansas City, Bayer CropScience (with significant agricultural research operations in Chesterfield), and BJC HealthCare. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a notable non-profit sponsor focused on plant biology and food security research. University of Missouri campuses in Columbia and Kansas City also file OPT-related employment authorizations regularly for research staff.
Which cities in Missouri have the most science and research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
St. Louis leads by a wide margin, driven by its concentration of academic medical centers, the Cortex Innovation Community, and agricultural biotech firms headquartered in the western suburbs. Kansas City is the second-strongest market, anchored by the Stowers Institute, UMKC research programs, and life sciences employers along the I-435 corridor. Columbia, home to the University of Missouri flagship campus, offers a smaller but consistent pipeline of research-focused OPT positions in agriculture, veterinary science, and public health.
What types of science and research roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Missouri?
Roles that commonly qualify include research scientist, postdoctoral associate, laboratory technician, biostatistician, bioinformatics analyst, and environmental scientist positions. In Missouri specifically, agricultural research roles tied to crop genomics and plant pathology are unusually common given the state's agribusiness base. Clinical research coordinator and translational science positions at academic medical centers in St. Louis also appear frequently. All qualifying roles must be directly related to your degree field to satisfy OPT employment authorization requirements under USCIS guidelines.
How do I find science & research F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Missouri?
Migrate Mate filters science and research positions in Missouri specifically by F-1 OPT sponsorship history, so you can see which Missouri employers have a verified record of sponsoring OPT candidates rather than guessing from general job postings. Search by STEM designation status if you're on or approaching a STEM OPT extension, and filter by St. Louis or Kansas City to target the highest-density markets. Cross-reference employer LCA filing data to confirm sponsorship activity before applying.
Are there any Missouri-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in science and research?
Missouri has no state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal OPT rules, but a few practical factors stand out. Agricultural and plant science roles at institutions like the Danforth Center or Bayer CropScience often involve fieldwork components, so confirm your OPT employment authorization covers all described duties. Missouri's academic research sector follows a traditional academic hiring calendar, meaning many research assistant and postdoc postings open in late winter for summer or fall start dates. STEM OPT extensions are particularly relevant here given the concentration of STEM-designated degree programs at Missouri research universities.