Automotive STEM OPT Jobs in North Carolina
Automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina draw on the state's growing manufacturing corridor, with employers like Freightliner, Continental, and Honeywell operating facilities across Charlotte, the Piedmont Triad, and the Research Triangle. Engineering, data analytics, and advanced manufacturing roles at these companies frequently qualify for STEM OPT authorization.
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Get Access To All JobsManufacturing Network Systems Engineer (Battery Production)
Location: Liberty, NC
Work Setting: 100% Onsite
Travel: Up to 20% (Domestic with potential for future international travel)
Overtime: Approximately 20%
Interview Process: One 60-minute STAR-format interview via Microsoft Teams
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Network Systems Engineer to support the implementation and integration of shop floor manufacturing network systems within a state-of-the-art battery manufacturing facility. This role bridges manufacturing engineering, controls engineering, and industrial IT by connecting production equipment, PLCs, SCADA, MES, and enterprise manufacturing systems.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience configuring industrial networks, integrating manufacturing equipment, supporting SCADA and MES environments, and troubleshooting PLC communications within an automated manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Support implementation and integration of manufacturing network systems across battery production operations.
- Configure manufacturing equipment PLCs for network connectivity using industrial communication protocols.
- Support Manufacturing Execution System (MES), SCADA, Andon, and Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) system integration.
- Configure and troubleshoot industrial network communications utilizing Ethernet/IP, Ethernet TCP, OPC-UA, CC-Link, and SLMP protocols.
- Program, troubleshoot, and modify PLC logic to support manufacturing connectivity and production requirements.
- Develop and maintain SQL and Oracle databases supporting manufacturing systems.
- Configure and maintain Cisco-based industrial machine networks.
- Develop Ignition-based Andon visualization screens and manufacturing dashboards.
- Support equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, production trials, and manufacturing launch activities.
- Participate in vendor equipment FATs, installation verification, startup, and production readiness activities.
- Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for manufacturing network and production issues.
- Create and maintain detailed project schedules, budgets, and milestone tracking.
- Collaborate with engineering, construction, IT, vendors, and international project teams throughout implementation.
- Support production handover activities and ongoing manufacturing system improvements.
- Participate in clean room manufacturing activities as required.
- Prepare technical reports and provide project status updates to engineering leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.
- 3+ years of manufacturing engineering or industrial automation experience.
- Experience programming, troubleshooting, and modifying PLCs.
- Experience with industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP and TCP/IP.
- Working knowledge of SQL, Oracle, or similar relational databases.
- Experience configuring and maintaining Cisco industrial networks.
- Experience developing or supporting Ignition SCADA applications and Andon visualization systems.
- Experience supporting capital equipment installation, commissioning, and manufacturing launches.
- Project management experience supporting capital projects exceeding $500K.
- Experience creating and maintaining detailed project schedules.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and equipment layouts.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience using AutoCAD or similar drafting software.
- Ability to travel up to 20% domestically with occasional future international travel.
- Ability to support weekends, holidays, and plant shutdown periods as project schedules require.
Preferred Qualifications
- Mitsubishi PLC programming experience.
- Experience implementing or supporting SCADA systems.
- Manufacturing Execution System (MES) experience.
- Experience with Kepware or similar industrial data integration software.
- Experience with OPC-UA, CC-Link, and SLMP communication protocols.
- Battery manufacturing or automotive manufacturing experience.
- Experience integrating shop floor equipment with enterprise manufacturing systems.
Preferred Technical Skills
- PLC Programming (Mitsubishi preferred)
- Industrial Ethernet Networks
- Ethernet/IP
- Ethernet TCP
- OPC-UA
- CC-Link
- SLMP
- Ignition SCADA
- MES
- Andon Systems
- SQL
- Oracle
- Cisco Networking
- Kepware
- AutoCAD
- Manufacturing Network Integration
- Industrial Automation
- Capital Project Execution
- Equipment Commissioning
- Root Cause Analysis
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing connectivity challenges. The ideal candidate combines strong PLC and industrial networking experience with manufacturing project execution, allowing them to successfully integrate production equipment, manufacturing software, and enterprise systems while supporting new production line launches.
Manufacturing Network Systems Engineer (Battery Production)
Location: Liberty, NC
Work Setting: 100% Onsite
Travel: Up to 20% (Domestic with potential for future international travel)
Overtime: Approximately 20%
Interview Process: One 60-minute STAR-format interview via Microsoft Teams
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Manufacturing Network Systems Engineer to support the implementation and integration of shop floor manufacturing network systems within a state-of-the-art battery manufacturing facility. This role bridges manufacturing engineering, controls engineering, and industrial IT by connecting production equipment, PLCs, SCADA, MES, and enterprise manufacturing systems.
The ideal candidate has hands-on experience configuring industrial networks, integrating manufacturing equipment, supporting SCADA and MES environments, and troubleshooting PLC communications within an automated manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Support implementation and integration of manufacturing network systems across battery production operations.
- Configure manufacturing equipment PLCs for network connectivity using industrial communication protocols.
- Support Manufacturing Execution System (MES), SCADA, Andon, and Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) system integration.
- Configure and troubleshoot industrial network communications utilizing Ethernet/IP, Ethernet TCP, OPC-UA, CC-Link, and SLMP protocols.
- Program, troubleshoot, and modify PLC logic to support manufacturing connectivity and production requirements.
- Develop and maintain SQL and Oracle databases supporting manufacturing systems.
- Configure and maintain Cisco-based industrial machine networks.
- Develop Ignition-based Andon visualization screens and manufacturing dashboards.
- Support equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, production trials, and manufacturing launch activities.
- Participate in vendor equipment FATs, installation verification, startup, and production readiness activities.
- Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for manufacturing network and production issues.
- Create and maintain detailed project schedules, budgets, and milestone tracking.
- Collaborate with engineering, construction, IT, vendors, and international project teams throughout implementation.
- Support production handover activities and ongoing manufacturing system improvements.
- Participate in clean room manufacturing activities as required.
- Prepare technical reports and provide project status updates to engineering leadership.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.
- 3+ years of manufacturing engineering or industrial automation experience.
- Experience programming, troubleshooting, and modifying PLCs.
- Experience with industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP and TCP/IP.
- Working knowledge of SQL, Oracle, or similar relational databases.
- Experience configuring and maintaining Cisco industrial networks.
- Experience developing or supporting Ignition SCADA applications and Andon visualization systems.
- Experience supporting capital equipment installation, commissioning, and manufacturing launches.
- Project management experience supporting capital projects exceeding $500K.
- Experience creating and maintaining detailed project schedules.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and equipment layouts.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience using AutoCAD or similar drafting software.
- Ability to travel up to 20% domestically with occasional future international travel.
- Ability to support weekends, holidays, and plant shutdown periods as project schedules require.
Preferred Qualifications
- Mitsubishi PLC programming experience.
- Experience implementing or supporting SCADA systems.
- Manufacturing Execution System (MES) experience.
- Experience with Kepware or similar industrial data integration software.
- Experience with OPC-UA, CC-Link, and SLMP communication protocols.
- Battery manufacturing or automotive manufacturing experience.
- Experience integrating shop floor equipment with enterprise manufacturing systems.
Preferred Technical Skills
- PLC Programming (Mitsubishi preferred)
- Industrial Ethernet Networks
- Ethernet/IP
- Ethernet TCP
- OPC-UA
- CC-Link
- SLMP
- Ignition SCADA
- MES
- Andon Systems
- SQL
- Oracle
- Cisco Networking
- Kepware
- AutoCAD
- Manufacturing Network Integration
- Industrial Automation
- Capital Project Execution
- Equipment Commissioning
- Root Cause Analysis
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a hands-on engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing connectivity challenges. The ideal candidate combines strong PLC and industrial networking experience with manufacturing project execution, allowing them to successfully integrate production equipment, manufacturing software, and enterprise systems while supporting new production line launches.
STEM OPT Automotive Job Roles in North Carolina
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Search Automotive Jobs in North CarolinaAutomotive STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in North Carolina?
North Carolina's automotive and mobility sector includes Freightliner Trucks in Cleveland County, Continental's tire and automotive technology operations, Honeywell's aerospace and performance materials divisions near Charlotte, and Corning's automotive glass operations. Suppliers and Tier 1 manufacturers clustered along the I-85 corridor have also filed STEM-related Labor Condition Applications for engineering and technical roles. Sponsorship availability varies by role, facility, and hiring cycle, so verifying current filings with OFLC directly is worthwhile.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Charlotte leads in automotive and mobility hiring, particularly for engineering, supply chain analytics, and software roles tied to corporate and regional operations. The Piedmont Triad, including Greensboro and Winston-Salem, hosts manufacturing and logistics facilities. The Research Triangle area around Raleigh and Durham attracts automotive technology and connected-vehicle work. Smaller manufacturing hubs like Statesville and Concord also support Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier operations with technical hiring.
How do I find automotive F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for employers with F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history in the automotive sector, letting you search by North Carolina location and role type without sifting through listings that don't support international candidates. You can filter by STEM-designated occupation codes relevant to automotive engineering, manufacturing technology, and data roles. Confirming an employer's active STEM OPT sponsorship history before applying saves significant time in your job search.
What types of automotive roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify under STEM OPT are tied to occupations on the STEM Designated Degree Program List and must directly relate to the student's qualifying degree. In the automotive sector, positions in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing systems, data analytics, quality assurance, and materials science commonly meet these criteria. Roles classified under relevant O*NET codes in engineering and computer science categories are worth checking against your specific degree field to confirm alignment.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in North Carolina's automotive industry?
North Carolina does not impose additional state-level visa requirements beyond federal STEM OPT rules governed by USCIS and your Designated School Official. However, the state's heavy manufacturing presence means many automotive employers are enrolled in E-Verify, which is a federal requirement for STEM OPT employers regardless of state. Students at North Carolina universities such as NC State, UNC Charlotte, or Duke should coordinate STEM OPT extensions directly with their DSO well before the standard OPT end date to avoid authorization gaps.