Manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in South Carolina
South Carolina's manufacturing sector spans automotive plants, aerospace facilities, and advanced industrial operations, with major employers like BMW, Boeing, and Michelin maintaining a consistent track record of F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship. Engineering, quality, and supply chain roles in the Greenville-Spartanburg corridor and Charleston region represent the strongest opportunities for STEM OPT candidates seeking sponsored manufacturing positions.
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Georgia-Pacific's Dixie® Operations is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer for its Darlington, SC facility. Our Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for ensuring the performance and efficiency of production assets across the plant. As an essential member of the operations staff, this role involves monitoring asset KPIs to assess their effectiveness, supporting the resolution of short-term reliability issues, and developing long-term strategies for equipment management.
The successful candidate should approach work with a business-owner mindset, excel at problem-solving, and be eager to collaborate with others to enhance manufacturing assets and streamline production processes. This position is part of the Operations Team, reporting to the Operations Leader, and will work closely with technical engineering, maintenance execution, and various corporate teams.
Our Team
The Darlington Dixie® plant has been in operation for nearly 85 years and is one of the largest employers in Darlington County. Owned by Georgia-Pacific, the site boasts more than 450 employees and produces plates, bowls, and other tableware products. Affectionately known as "Dixie® Cup" by many in Darlington - the plant shifted its focus to exclusively making plates and bowls in 2020 as part of a major facility upgrade and expansion project. For nearly a century, we've created products that make lives easier. From the first disposable paper cup to our strong and stylish modern plates, the history of Dixie® is one of bringing people together.
What You Will Do
- Develop and implement comprehensive asset strategies for all assigned assets; to include operating envelope, operator basic care, parts strategy, optimization, condition based monitoring, and predictive & preventative maintenance activities.
- Lead efforts to improve asset performance and reliability with regards to safety, environmental compliance, quality, utilization / efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
- Work with operators and maintenance to identify critical equipment hazards and mitigate the impact of human error where the highest levels of risk exist.
- Communicate with and help employees connect to our vision, priorities, and business objectives.
- Support operations teams with coaching operators on safe equipment operation, operator basic care, operating parameters, equipment changes / upgrades, and best practices.
- Work closely with operators and customers to troubleshoot process, quality and equipment issues and evaluate and implement improvement ideas.
- Work closely with shift supervision to identify knowledge / operator capability gaps and provide support in developing / updating operating procedures.
- Lead the Root Cause Analysis process and execute effective corrective actions.
- Evaluate, approve, and prioritize equipment repairs and scheduled shutdowns; initiating capital projects as needed.
- Perform GEMBA walks in the areas to improve employee engagement and maintenance performance.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- Bachelor's degree in an Engineering or other relevant technical disciplines, or in lieu of a degree a High School Diploma / GED and (4) years in a manufacturing or industrial operations environment.
- Experience troubleshooting and improving manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Experience with manufacturing equipment set-up, operation, or repair.
- Must be able and willing to work in a food-grade manufacturing plant environment, including extended periods of time in areas which may be noisy, non-air conditioned, or unheated areas.
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and/or Project)
What Will Put You Ahead
- Experience working with converting, packaging, or other industrial manufacturing equipment.
- Experience in the pulp and paper industry.
- Experience with automation, conveyor & vision systems, and/or robotics.
- Experience initiating and/or executing engineering projects.
- Experience with PI or other data historian programs.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
Your Job
Georgia-Pacific's Dixie® Operations is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer for its Darlington, SC facility. Our Manufacturing Engineers are responsible for ensuring the performance and efficiency of production assets across the plant. As an essential member of the operations staff, this role involves monitoring asset KPIs to assess their effectiveness, supporting the resolution of short-term reliability issues, and developing long-term strategies for equipment management.
The successful candidate should approach work with a business-owner mindset, excel at problem-solving, and be eager to collaborate with others to enhance manufacturing assets and streamline production processes. This position is part of the Operations Team, reporting to the Operations Leader, and will work closely with technical engineering, maintenance execution, and various corporate teams.
Our Team
The Darlington Dixie® plant has been in operation for nearly 85 years and is one of the largest employers in Darlington County. Owned by Georgia-Pacific, the site boasts more than 450 employees and produces plates, bowls, and other tableware products. Affectionately known as "Dixie® Cup" by many in Darlington - the plant shifted its focus to exclusively making plates and bowls in 2020 as part of a major facility upgrade and expansion project. For nearly a century, we've created products that make lives easier. From the first disposable paper cup to our strong and stylish modern plates, the history of Dixie® is one of bringing people together.
What You Will Do
- Develop and implement comprehensive asset strategies for all assigned assets; to include operating envelope, operator basic care, parts strategy, optimization, condition based monitoring, and predictive & preventative maintenance activities.
- Lead efforts to improve asset performance and reliability with regards to safety, environmental compliance, quality, utilization / efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
- Work with operators and maintenance to identify critical equipment hazards and mitigate the impact of human error where the highest levels of risk exist.
- Communicate with and help employees connect to our vision, priorities, and business objectives.
- Support operations teams with coaching operators on safe equipment operation, operator basic care, operating parameters, equipment changes / upgrades, and best practices.
- Work closely with operators and customers to troubleshoot process, quality and equipment issues and evaluate and implement improvement ideas.
- Work closely with shift supervision to identify knowledge / operator capability gaps and provide support in developing / updating operating procedures.
- Lead the Root Cause Analysis process and execute effective corrective actions.
- Evaluate, approve, and prioritize equipment repairs and scheduled shutdowns; initiating capital projects as needed.
- Perform GEMBA walks in the areas to improve employee engagement and maintenance performance.
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- Bachelor's degree in an Engineering or other relevant technical disciplines, or in lieu of a degree a High School Diploma / GED and (4) years in a manufacturing or industrial operations environment.
- Experience troubleshooting and improving manufacturing equipment and processes.
- Experience with manufacturing equipment set-up, operation, or repair.
- Must be able and willing to work in a food-grade manufacturing plant environment, including extended periods of time in areas which may be noisy, non-air conditioned, or unheated areas.
- Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel and/or Project)
What Will Put You Ahead
- Experience working with converting, packaging, or other industrial manufacturing equipment.
- Experience in the pulp and paper industry.
- Experience with automation, conveyor & vision systems, and/or robotics.
- Experience initiating and/or executing engineering projects.
- Experience with PI or other data historian programs.
At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.
Who We Are
As a Koch company and a leading manufacturer of bath tissue, paper towels, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers, building products and much more, Georgia-Pacific works to meet evolving needs of customers worldwide with quality products. In addition to the products we make, we operate one of the largest recycling businesses. Our more than 30,000 employees in over 150 locations are empowered to innovate every day - to make everyday products even better.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).
Manufacturing Job Roles in South Carolina
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in South CarolinaManufacturing Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in South Carolina?
South Carolina's largest manufacturing employers with documented STEM OPT sponsorship history include BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg, Boeing in North Charleston, Michelin North America in Greenville, and Volvo Cars in Berkeley County. Tier-one automotive suppliers such as Magna and ZF also operate facilities in the state and have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering and technical roles that align with STEM OPT-eligible positions.
Which cities in South Carolina have the most manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
The Greenville-Spartanburg metro concentrates the highest volume of STEM OPT manufacturing roles, driven by the BMW plant and its extensive supplier base. Charleston is the second-strongest market, anchored by Boeing's 787 Dreamliner facility and a growing aerospace supply chain. Columbia, Rock Hill, and Anderson also host industrial operations with recurring openings in engineering and manufacturing technology functions.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in South Carolina?
Migrate Mate filters manufacturing job listings specifically by visa type, so you can search F-1 STEM OPT-eligible roles in South Carolina without sifting through positions that do not offer sponsorship. The platform surfaces employers with verified LCA filing histories in manufacturing occupations, covering engineering, quality assurance, and operations roles across the Upstate and Lowcountry regions. Searching by both location and industry on Migrate Mate helps narrow results to companies that have actively sponsored STEM OPT candidates.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that qualify must fall under a STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs code tied to your degree and involve practical application of that field. In manufacturing, qualifying titles commonly include industrial engineer, manufacturing engineer, quality engineer, process engineer, automation engineer, and supply chain analyst. Roles in data analytics for operations and advanced materials science also frequently meet the STEM OPT criteria when the degree field directly corresponds to the job duties.
Are there state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in South Carolina's manufacturing industry?
South Carolina does not impose state-level visa sponsorship requirements beyond federal obligations, but employers with federal contracts or E-Verify enrollment, which is mandatory for state contractors under South Carolina law, must verify work authorization through E-Verify. STEM OPT participants are fully authorized to work through that system. The state's concentration of foreign-owned manufacturers, including German, French, and Swedish automotive and aerospace firms, often means these employers have established immigration compliance programs familiar with STEM OPT extension documentation requirements.