Science & Research STEM OPT Jobs in North Carolina
North Carolina's Research Triangle anchors one of the country's most active science and research hiring corridors for F-1 STEM OPT candidates. Employers across biopharmaceuticals, environmental science, and materials research in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, along with institutions like RTI International and major university-affiliated labs, regularly file STEM OPT extensions for research scientists, lab analysts, and data scientists.
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Location: US - North Carolina - Holly Springs
JOB ID: R-248665
WORK LOCATION TYPE: On Site
DATE POSTED: Jun. 25, 2026
CATEGORY: Manufacturing
SALARY RANGE: 88,281.00 USD - 119,439.00 USD
Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients
At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.
Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas – Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease – we reach millions of patients each year. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller, happier lives.
Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science-based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.
Be part of Amgen's newest and most advanced drug substance manufacturing plant. When completed, the Amgen FleX batch facility will combine the latest in disposable technologies with traditional stainless steel equipment to allow for maximum flexibility in operations. The FleX Batch facility will not only feature the best in-class drug substance manufacturing technologies with embedded industry 4.0 capabilities, but it will also integrate sustainability innovations to reduce carbon and waste, as part of Amgen's plan to be a carbon-neutral company by 2027.
Process Analytical Engineer
What you will do
In this vital role, you will join the Facilities & Engineering (F&E) group and be responsible for planning, executing, and documenting the qualification, calibration, and routine maintenance of laboratory systems for cGMP Quality Control laboratory facilities at Amgen North Carolina (ANC). This role includes hands-on troubleshooting and root cause analysis for analytical and laboratory systems, coordination of vendor support and repairs, execution and tracking of calibration, maintenance, and requalification activities through the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) Maximo, and direct support for manufacturing operations to improve equipment uptime and reliability. You will also author, own, and approve Validation Life Cycle documents for computer-related systems, including responsibility for Data Integrity testing and business administration of laboratory computer-related systems.
- Support commissioning, qualification, validation, and system lifecycle documentation to maintain compliance and operational readiness.
- Partner closely with manufacturing teams to resolve issues, improve system reliability, and minimize operational downtime.
Key responsibilities:
- System ownership, reliability, and operations
- Work with the capital project team to ensure systems are installed and operate safely, comply with pertinent environmental health and safety practices, rules, and regulations, and meet Amgen global engineering and design requirements.
- Serve as System Owner and Business Administrator for analytical equipment.
- Lead or work with teams in design, development, and selection of new systems, instruments, calibration capabilities, and consumable components.
- Development of laboratory equipment specifications to use for procurement of new laboratory equipment and instruments.
- Maintaining a current working knowledge regarding regulatory requirements for equipment qualification and calibration.
- Support in generation and resolution of protocol discrepancies as required.
- Alerting Quality Control Management if equipment fails to meet calibration or qualification requirements and conducting impact assessments/investigations as required.
- Lead the development of calibration/maintenance programs, ensure the availability of spare parts, schedule repairs and maintenance, and coordinate maintenance execution to keep systems in proper working order and minimize disruption to laboratory activities.
- Participation in technical project teams to function as a subject matter expert on instrument validation regulations and procedures.
- Evaluate the capabilities of current and potential suppliers, and assess new technologies that could provide cost savings, throughput, or other unique capabilities to Amgen manufacturing.
- Writing/contributing to equipment operating procedures and manuals.
- Designing and conducting training for manufacturing staff, and other department staff as applicable.
- Own and project manage change controls while meeting applicable change control metrics.
- Preparing and presenting periodic management updates on activities to senior management.
- Conduct periodic reviews of instrument validation as part of validation life cycle.
- Validation, compliance, and quality systems
- A key contributor to Data Integrity Assessments for Lab systems.
- Support Amgen’s laboratory systems validation and Data Integrity philosophy during audit interactions.
- Support additional tasks and projects as assigned by management.
- Cross-functional support, projects, and continuous improvement
- Develop, coordinate, analyze, and present results for operational issues and engineering projects.
- Provide technical support for commercial and clinical manufacturing as needed.
- Complete tasks under the general direction of lead engineers to complete design and engineering within schedule and budget constraints.
- Identify, support, and/or lead implementation of engineering-based improvements or upgrades in small to medium scope and complexity.
- Ensure necessary commissioning and qualification of systems is completed in alignment with site GMP requirements and support interactions with regulatory inspectors as necessary.
- Apply basic engineering principles and practices in support of daily operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of plant and process systems.
- Monitor systems to identify performance risks and implement risk reduction strategies.
- Provide troubleshooting support to reduce production downtime, including leading and/or supporting technical root cause analysis and implementation of corrective/preventive action; support may be required outside of normal working hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Support new product/technology introductions by performing engineering assessments, implementing equipment modifications, and supporting engineering runs.
- Advance the use of condition-based and predictive maintenance practices by incorporating advanced data analytics where applicable.
- Lead investigations of abnormal conditions through Deviation and related business processes.
What we expect of you
We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The engineering professional we seek enjoys challenges and is motivated to help serve patients with these qualifications.
Basic Qualifications:
- Master’s degree
OR
- Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of cGMP laboratory, analytical instrument validation, and/or Process Engineer experience
OR
- Associate’s degree and 6 years of cGMP laboratory, analytical instrument validation, and/or Process Engineer experience
OR
- High school diploma / GED and 8 years of cGMP laboratory, analytical instrument validation, and/or Process Engineer experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical field
- Laboratory experience in a cGMP laboratory environment including exposure to analytical instrument validation.
- Knowledge of the methodology and instrumentation and analytical techniques used for biopharmaceutical testing.
- Understanding of current regulatory requirements for cGMP laboratory equipment validation and electronic record integrity.
- Demonstrated success in managing an equipment qualification or maintenance program.
- Ability to provide On-Call support coverage nights and weekends, on a rotating basis.
- Position requires strong written and verbal skills and the ability to work with minimum direction.
- Demonstrated interpersonal and facilitation skills and ability to work in a collaborative team-based environment.
- Ability to apply analytical skills to evaluate and interpret sophisticated problems using multiple sources of information.
- Ability to function within cross-functional teams and embrace a team-based environment.
- Work schedule flexibility as required to support 24/7 operations.
- Ability for domestic/international travel.
What you can expect of us
As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.
In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards Plans that are aligned with local industry standards.
and make a lasting impact with the Amgen team!
As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.
Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
STEM OPT Science & Research Job Roles in North Carolina
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Search Science & Research Jobs in North CarolinaScience & Research STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which science & research companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in North Carolina?
North Carolina's life sciences and research sector includes employers with consistent STEM OPT sponsorship histories. Companies such as RTI International, Biogen, Novo Nordisk, IQVIA, and Syneos Health in the Research Triangle area have active research divisions that hire international candidates on STEM OPT. Federal research facilities like the EPA National Health and Environmental Effects Research Lab in Research Triangle Park also support OPT extensions for qualifying research roles.
Which cities in North Carolina have the most science & research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Research Triangle Park and the surrounding Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metro concentrate the highest density of science and research STEM OPT opportunities in North Carolina. Chapel Hill and Durham benefit from proximity to UNC, Duke, and NC State research clusters. Charlotte has a growing concentration of environmental and materials science employers. Wilmington supports marine and coastal research roles tied to UNCW and state environmental agencies.
How do I find science & research F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in North Carolina?
Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for science and research positions in North Carolina where employers have verified STEM OPT sponsorship histories, drawing on DOL Labor Condition Application filing data. This makes it straightforward to identify which organizations in the Research Triangle, Charlotte, or Wilmington have actively supported F-1 STEM OPT candidates in research scientist, environmental analyst, and laboratory specialist roles rather than relying on generic job listings.
What types of science & research roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in North Carolina?
Roles that qualify must fall under STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs codes tied to the student's degree. In North Carolina's science and research sector, qualifying positions commonly include research scientist, environmental scientist, biostatistician, computational biologist, laboratory analyst, materials scientist, and clinical research associate roles. The position must involve direct application of the STEM degree field. O*NET occupation profiles can help confirm whether a specific role meets the theoretical and practical application standard USCIS requires.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in North Carolina's science sector?
North Carolina employers in the research sector who hire STEM OPT students must be enrolled in E-Verify, as required for all STEM OPT extension sponsors nationally. Within North Carolina specifically, Research Triangle Park employers are generally familiar with OPT and STEM OPT processes given the high concentration of international research talent from nearby universities. State-funded research institutions and contract research organizations in the Triangle often have established international hiring workflows, though sponsorship readiness still varies by employer and role.