Biotech & Pharma STEM OPT Jobs in Ohio
Ohio's biotech and pharma sector spans Columbus research corridors, Cleveland's medical device cluster, and Cincinnati's established pharmaceutical base, with employers like Battelle, Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, and Procter & Gamble offering roles that qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship. Positions in computational biology, formulation science, and clinical research operations frequently appear on Ohio STEM OPT hiring lists.
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Engineer II, Controls serves as the technical authority for manufacturing automation, controls systems, and equipment integration, driving reliability, performance, safety, and operational excellence across production operations. This role provides leadership in the design, implementation, optimization, and lifecycle management of automated manufacturing systems while ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.
As a subject matter expert (SME), the Engineer II partners across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, and Engineering to identify opportunities for automation advancement, improve equipment effectiveness, reduce downtime, and support the successful execution of capital projects. This individual will lead troubleshooting efforts, drive root cause investigations, and develop sustainable controls solutions that enhance productivity, quality, and manufacturing performance.
A key focus of this role is sustaining production through proactive support of critical manufacturing equipment, continuous improvement initiatives, and implementation of best-in-class automation and controls strategies.
This position is 100% onsite at our Dublin, OH manufacturing facility.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Controls & Automation Leadership
- Serve as the technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned manufacturing equipment, automation platforms, and machine control systems.
- Lead complex troubleshooting and root cause investigations to rapidly resolve equipment, controls, and process-related issues impacting safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Develop and implement robust automation strategies that improve equipment reliability, performance, scalability, and maintainability.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to maintenance technicians, engineers, and operations personnel on automation and controls systems.
Manufacturing Performance & Operational Excellence
- Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment uptime, process capability, scrap reduction, material utilization, and manufacturing throughput.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement process automation, machine control, network infrastructure, and system enhancements that improve operational performance and reduce costs.
- Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies and data-driven analysis to identify opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, process optimization, and equipment lifecycle management.
Controls Engineering & System Design
- Design, program, modify, troubleshoot, and support:
- PLC Systems (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell)
- Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
- SCADA Systems
- Industrial Robotics
- Machine Vision Systems
- Servo and AC/DC Drive Systems
- Manufacturing Data Collection and Integration Systems
- Develop and maintain controls documentation, including:
- P&IDs
- Electrical Schematics
- Control Narratives
- Network Architecture Drawings
- I/O Documentation
- Equipment Functional Specifications
Capital Projects & Equipment Implementation
- Lead and support the full project lifecycle for automation and controls projects, including:
- Scope Development
- System Design
- Vendor Management
- Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
- Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
- Installation & Startup
- Commissioning
- Validation Support
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure projects are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.
- Provide technical input for long-term capital planning, equipment replacement strategies, and automation roadmaps.
Compliance & Quality Systems
- Ensure automation and control systems remain compliant with cGMP, regulatory, quality, and internal engineering standards.
- Partner with Quality, Validation, and Manufacturing teams to support qualification, verification, and validation activities for new and modified equipment and processes.
- Apply sound engineering practices, change control, documentation standards, and risk management principles throughout project execution.
Collaboration & Communication
- Effectively communicate technical information to operators, maintenance personnel, engineers, project teams, and leadership.
- Build alignment across functional groups to drive effective decision-making and project execution.
- Facilitate collaborative resolution of technical challenges and conflicting priorities.
- Train personnel on equipment operation, automation systems, HMIs, troubleshooting practices, and applicable procedures.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
- May provide project leadership and functional direction to contractors, technicians, or project team members.
- Contribute technical feedback to employee development and performance discussions.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong expertise in industrial automation, controls engineering, and manufacturing systems.
- Advanced knowledge of plastic injection molding, automated assembly, process control, testing systems, vision inspection, and fixturing technologies.
- Demonstrated proficiency with:
- Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs
- FactoryTalk Suite
- Epson RC+
- Industrial Networking
- Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
- SCADA Systems
- Robotics and Motion Control
- Strong understanding of electrical and controls architecture, including sensors, I/O systems, drives, safety circuits, and machine communications.
- Proven ability to independently assess complex technical issues and implement solutions with broad operational impact.
- Experience utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related technical discipline with a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience; OR
- Associate Degree in a related technical field with a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant controls and automation experience.
- Hands-on experience with:
- PLC Programming
- Robotics
- Industrial Controls
- Machine Vision Systems
- Sensors and Instrumentation
- Data Acquisition Systems
- Manufacturing Automation Platforms
- Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing environments preferred.
Position Summary
Engineer II, Controls serves as the technical authority for manufacturing automation, controls systems, and equipment integration, driving reliability, performance, safety, and operational excellence across production operations. This role provides leadership in the design, implementation, optimization, and lifecycle management of automated manufacturing systems while ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.
As a subject matter expert (SME), the Engineer II partners across Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Validation, and Engineering to identify opportunities for automation advancement, improve equipment effectiveness, reduce downtime, and support the successful execution of capital projects. This individual will lead troubleshooting efforts, drive root cause investigations, and develop sustainable controls solutions that enhance productivity, quality, and manufacturing performance.
A key focus of this role is sustaining production through proactive support of critical manufacturing equipment, continuous improvement initiatives, and implementation of best-in-class automation and controls strategies.
This position is 100% onsite at our Dublin, OH manufacturing facility.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Controls & Automation Leadership
- Serve as the technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assigned manufacturing equipment, automation platforms, and machine control systems.
- Lead complex troubleshooting and root cause investigations to rapidly resolve equipment, controls, and process-related issues impacting safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Develop and implement robust automation strategies that improve equipment reliability, performance, scalability, and maintainability.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to maintenance technicians, engineers, and operations personnel on automation and controls systems.
Manufacturing Performance & Operational Excellence
- Drive improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment uptime, process capability, scrap reduction, material utilization, and manufacturing throughput.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement process automation, machine control, network infrastructure, and system enhancements that improve operational performance and reduce costs.
- Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies and data-driven analysis to identify opportunities and implement sustainable solutions.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, process optimization, and equipment lifecycle management.
Controls Engineering & System Design
- Design, program, modify, troubleshoot, and support:
- PLC Systems (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell)
- Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
- SCADA Systems
- Industrial Robotics
- Machine Vision Systems
- Servo and AC/DC Drive Systems
- Manufacturing Data Collection and Integration Systems
- Develop and maintain controls documentation, including:
- P&IDs
- Electrical Schematics
- Control Narratives
- Network Architecture Drawings
- I/O Documentation
- Equipment Functional Specifications
Capital Projects & Equipment Implementation
- Lead and support the full project lifecycle for automation and controls projects, including:
- Scope Development
- System Design
- Vendor Management
- Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT)
- Site Acceptance Testing (SAT)
- Installation & Startup
- Commissioning
- Validation Support
- Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure projects are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and aligned with business objectives.
- Provide technical input for long-term capital planning, equipment replacement strategies, and automation roadmaps.
Compliance & Quality Systems
- Ensure automation and control systems remain compliant with cGMP, regulatory, quality, and internal engineering standards.
- Partner with Quality, Validation, and Manufacturing teams to support qualification, verification, and validation activities for new and modified equipment and processes.
- Apply sound engineering practices, change control, documentation standards, and risk management principles throughout project execution.
Collaboration & Communication
- Effectively communicate technical information to operators, maintenance personnel, engineers, project teams, and leadership.
- Build alignment across functional groups to drive effective decision-making and project execution.
- Facilitate collaborative resolution of technical challenges and conflicting priorities.
- Train personnel on equipment operation, automation systems, HMIs, troubleshooting practices, and applicable procedures.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.
- May provide project leadership and functional direction to contractors, technicians, or project team members.
- Contribute technical feedback to employee development and performance discussions.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong expertise in industrial automation, controls engineering, and manufacturing systems.
- Advanced knowledge of plastic injection molding, automated assembly, process control, testing systems, vision inspection, and fixturing technologies.
- Demonstrated proficiency with:
- Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs
- FactoryTalk Suite
- Epson RC+
- Industrial Networking
- Human Machine Interfaces (HMI)
- SCADA Systems
- Robotics and Motion Control
- Strong understanding of electrical and controls architecture, including sensors, I/O systems, drives, safety circuits, and machine communications.
- Proven ability to independently assess complex technical issues and implement solutions with broad operational impact.
- Experience utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, and Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and lead projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
Minimum Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related technical discipline with a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience; OR
- Associate Degree in a related technical field with a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant controls and automation experience.
- Hands-on experience with:
- PLC Programming
- Robotics
- Industrial Controls
- Machine Vision Systems
- Sensors and Instrumentation
- Data Acquisition Systems
- Manufacturing Automation Platforms
- Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing environments preferred.
STEM OPT Biotech & Pharma Job Roles in Ohio
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Search Biotech & Pharma Jobs in OhioBiotech & Pharma STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
Which biotech and pharma companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Ohio?
Ohio employers with documented F-1 STEM OPT hiring include Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic's research divisions, and Cincinnati-area pharmaceutical manufacturers. Smaller contract research organizations and bioanalytical labs also participate, particularly those enrolled in E-Verify, which is a federal requirement for STEM OPT employers. Sponsorship patterns vary by role and hiring cycle, so confirming E-Verify status directly with each employer is important.
Which cities in Ohio have the most biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Columbus concentrates the highest volume of Ohio biotech and pharma STEM OPT postings, driven by Battelle, Ohio State University spinouts, and a growing life sciences corridor. Cleveland follows closely, anchored by Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and medical device firms. Cincinnati's pharmaceutical manufacturing base, historically tied to Procter & Gamble and Medpace, also generates consistent openings in formulation, regulatory affairs, and clinical operations for STEM OPT candidates.
How do I find biotech and pharma F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Ohio?
Migrate Mate filters biotech and pharma job listings specifically for F-1 STEM OPT eligibility in Ohio, surfacing employers with verified E-Verify enrollment and active STEM OPT hiring history. Because STEM OPT requires the employer to be E-Verify certified and to sign a formal training plan, searching through a platform that already screens for these requirements saves significant time compared to evaluating each employer independently.
What types of biotech and pharma roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in Ohio?
Roles that align with STEM-designated degree programs are the qualifying factor, not the industry alone. In Ohio's biotech and pharma sector, positions commonly meeting this threshold include bioinformatics analyst, pharmaceutical scientist, regulatory affairs associate, process development engineer, clinical data analyst, and quality assurance specialist. The role's Standard Occupational Classification code must correspond to the graduate's STEM field, which candidates and employers can verify through O*NET occupation profiles and USCIS guidance.
Are there Ohio-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in biotech and pharma?
Ohio does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal STEM OPT rules, but the state's research funding environment matters practically. Ohio Third Frontier and JobsOhio programs have channeled investment into life sciences, expanding the number of E-Verify-enrolled startups and CROs that can legally employ STEM OPT students. Candidates should confirm that any prospective employer, including smaller spinouts from Ohio State or Case Western Reserve, maintains active E-Verify enrollment before beginning the 24-month extension paperwork with their DSO.