Manufacturing STEM OPT Jobs in New Jersey
F-1 STEM OPT manufacturing jobs in New Jersey put you inside one of the country's most active industrial corridors, with major employers like Johnson & Johnson, Merck, BASF, and Honeywell operating facilities across Morris, Somerset, and Middlesex counties. Companies in pharmaceutical manufacturing, chemical processing, and advanced electronics regularly file STEM OPT sponsorship paperwork for engineering, quality, and operations roles.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Summary: Coherent Corp. is seeking a detail-oriented Crystal Growth Technician to join our Budd Lake, NJ manufacturing team. This role is responsible for operating crystal growth furnaces, preparing raw materials, monitoring process conditions, and performing basic material characterization. The technician will follow work instructions, maintain accurate production records, support equipment and process troubleshooting, and ensure high-quality crystal material is available for downstream processing. The ideal candidate is hands-on, safety-focused, and committed to quality, precision, and teamwork.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare, verify, and document raw materials, process parameters & operating conditions per controlled procedures
- Assemble and inspect furnaces to ensure operability, mechanical integrity and compliance to process documents
- Set up, operate, and monitor growth systems for crystal growth production & perform additional production support activities
- Identify, report and respond to process drift, equipment instability, or infrastructure-related interruptions
- Execute controlled process recipes per engineering guidance
- Accurately record process data, deviations, and observations in controlled Crystal Growth & Quality Control documentation systems
- Participate in root-cause investigations related to yield loss and equipment stability
- Train and mentor junior technicians; review setups for procedural compliance
- Maintain strict adherence to safe operating practices & comply with EH&S directives
Education & Experience
- Minimum four years+ of experience in high tech manufacturing environments
- Associate's degree preferred
- Proven ability to independently operate complex crystal growth, coating or precision machining equipment in a production environment
- Strong understanding of process execution & consequences to outcome, reliability and delivery
- Experience with controlled documentation, deviation management, and manufacturing discipline
- Demonstrated troubleshooting capability with manufacturing equipment and support infrastructure
- Mechanical aptitude for precision equipment & instruments
- Proficiency in data entry systems and Microsoft Office tools
- Strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and process ownership mindset
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfortable working both independently and within small teams
- Strong observation & problem-solving skills with timely & effective communication up and down the escalation ladder
- Strong work ethic, disciplined and willing to take ownership of one’s work
- Comfortable working multiple tasks throughout the day and able to prioritize activities to balance immediate and near term production goals
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Clean laboratory or production floor environment in climate-controlled space
- Work with loose powders and other chemicals requiring use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, lab coats, gloves, closed shoes, and long shirts & pants. As required, some processes may require wearing a respirator
- Cleaning of loose powders and other debris & residues from crystal growth equipment
- Work in close proximity to high temperatures and high voltages
- Handling high value, hard to repair or replace equipment that directly impacts production throughput & output
- Occasional lifting of up to 40lbs
- Good eyesight very helpful for multiple tasks, particularly middle to far (2-6 feet) vision
- Good manual dexterity with a delicate touch
- Capacity to step up onto and work on elevated platforms throughout the day
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
Job Summary: Coherent Corp. is seeking a detail-oriented Crystal Growth Technician to join our Budd Lake, NJ manufacturing team. This role is responsible for operating crystal growth furnaces, preparing raw materials, monitoring process conditions, and performing basic material characterization. The technician will follow work instructions, maintain accurate production records, support equipment and process troubleshooting, and ensure high-quality crystal material is available for downstream processing. The ideal candidate is hands-on, safety-focused, and committed to quality, precision, and teamwork.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities
- Prepare, verify, and document raw materials, process parameters & operating conditions per controlled procedures
- Assemble and inspect furnaces to ensure operability, mechanical integrity and compliance to process documents
- Set up, operate, and monitor growth systems for crystal growth production & perform additional production support activities
- Identify, report and respond to process drift, equipment instability, or infrastructure-related interruptions
- Execute controlled process recipes per engineering guidance
- Accurately record process data, deviations, and observations in controlled Crystal Growth & Quality Control documentation systems
- Participate in root-cause investigations related to yield loss and equipment stability
- Train and mentor junior technicians; review setups for procedural compliance
- Maintain strict adherence to safe operating practices & comply with EH&S directives
Education & Experience
- Minimum four years+ of experience in high tech manufacturing environments
- Associate's degree preferred
- Proven ability to independently operate complex crystal growth, coating or precision machining equipment in a production environment
- Strong understanding of process execution & consequences to outcome, reliability and delivery
- Experience with controlled documentation, deviation management, and manufacturing discipline
- Demonstrated troubleshooting capability with manufacturing equipment and support infrastructure
- Mechanical aptitude for precision equipment & instruments
- Proficiency in data entry systems and Microsoft Office tools
- Strong attention to detail, safety awareness, and process ownership mindset
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and comfortable working both independently and within small teams
- Strong observation & problem-solving skills with timely & effective communication up and down the escalation ladder
- Strong work ethic, disciplined and willing to take ownership of one’s work
- Comfortable working multiple tasks throughout the day and able to prioritize activities to balance immediate and near term production goals
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
- Clean laboratory or production floor environment in climate-controlled space
- Work with loose powders and other chemicals requiring use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses, lab coats, gloves, closed shoes, and long shirts & pants. As required, some processes may require wearing a respirator
- Cleaning of loose powders and other debris & residues from crystal growth equipment
- Work in close proximity to high temperatures and high voltages
- Handling high value, hard to repair or replace equipment that directly impacts production throughput & output
- Occasional lifting of up to 40lbs
- Good eyesight very helpful for multiple tasks, particularly middle to far (2-6 feet) vision
- Good manual dexterity with a delicate touch
- Capacity to step up onto and work on elevated platforms throughout the day
Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust
C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome
R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone
E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
STEM OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in New Jersey
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in New JerseyManufacturing STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in New Jersey?
New Jersey's pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing sector produces the highest concentration of STEM OPT sponsors. Companies like Johnson & Johnson, Merck, BASF, Honeywell, and Becton Dickinson have consistent histories of filing Labor Condition Applications for manufacturing and engineering roles. Medical device manufacturers and specialty chemical producers in the Edison and Parsippany corridors also appear regularly in DOL disclosure data as active STEM OPT employers.
Which cities in New Jersey have the most manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Middlesex County, including New Brunswick and Edison, hosts a dense cluster of pharmaceutical and life sciences manufacturers with active STEM OPT hiring programs. Morris County, anchored by Parsippany and Morris Plains, is home to major chemical and technology manufacturers. Somerset County, particularly around Bridgewater, draws process engineering and quality assurance roles. These three counties account for a disproportionate share of F-1 STEM OPT filings in manufacturing statewide.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in New Jersey?
Migrate Mate filters manufacturing job listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT eligibility in New Jersey, pulling from DOL Labor Condition Application filing history to surface employers that have actively sponsored this visa category. Searching by industry and location on Migrate Mate removes the guesswork of identifying which manufacturers have a documented STEM OPT sponsorship track record, which is especially useful in a state where pharmaceutical and chemical employers dominate the field.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in New Jersey?
Roles that qualify under STEM OPT in manufacturing are those tied to a STEM-designated degree program and involving hands-on application of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. In New Jersey's manufacturing sector this commonly includes process engineers, quality engineers, validation engineers, manufacturing scientists, automation engineers, and supply chain analysts. Roles must be directly related to the student's degree field as documented in the training plan submitted to the Designated School Official.
Are there any New Jersey-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in manufacturing?
New Jersey manufacturing employers in regulated industries like pharmaceuticals and medical devices are accustomed to STEM OPT compliance requirements, including E-Verify enrollment, which is mandatory for all STEM OPT employers. The state's density of FDA-regulated facilities means many hiring managers already understand formal training plan documentation. New Jersey also has no state-level STEM OPT restrictions beyond federal USCIS requirements, so federal eligibility rules govern entirely.