Manufacturing OPT Jobs in South Dakota

South Dakota's manufacturing sector, anchored by companies like Daktronics in Brookings, Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, and large-scale meat processing operations across the state, offers F-1 OPT candidates opportunities in production engineering, quality assurance, and supply chain. Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Watertown are the primary hiring hubs for international students pursuing manufacturing roles with OPT authorization.

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Overview

Open Jobs18+
Work Type94% On-site
Median Salary$93K
Top LocationSioux Falls, SD
Most JobsAstec Industries

Showing 5 of 18+ Manufacturing OPT Jobs in South Dakota

First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard
Experian Platform Owner
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First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard
Added 1w ago
Experian Platform Owner
First PREMIER Bank and PREMIER Bankcard
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Project Management
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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ITW
Key Account Manager
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ITW
Added 2w ago
Key Account Manager
ITW
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sales
Account Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Business Development
$100,000/yr - $130,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Graphic Packaging International
Production Control Manager
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Graphic Packaging International
Added 2w ago
Production Control Manager
Graphic Packaging International
Mitchell, South Dakota
Manufacturing Operations
Project & Program Management
Human Resources
Project Management
$83,300/yr - $111,100/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Terex Corporation
Controls Engineer
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Terex Corporation
Added 3w ago
Controls Engineer
Terex Corporation
Watertown, South Dakota
Specialized Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Software Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$80,000/yr - $95,000/yr
On-Site
3+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Astec Industries
Software & Data Solutions Developer
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Astec Industries
Added 3w ago
Software & Data Solutions Developer
Astec Industries
Yankton, South Dakota
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Data Engineering
Remote (US)
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in South Dakota

Project & Program Management6 jobs
Manufacturing Operations5 jobs
Account Management4 jobs
Business Development4 jobs
Partnerships & Business Development4 jobs
Project Management4 jobs
Quality Control4 jobs
Sales4 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)3 jobs
Human Resources3 jobs

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Manufacturing OPT Sponsorship Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions

Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in South Dakota?

South Dakota manufacturers that have historically hired international workers include Daktronics in Brookings, a major electronics and display systems manufacturer, and Raven Industries in Sioux Falls, which produces precision agriculture equipment. Larger employers in food processing and industrial equipment manufacturing also participate in OPT hiring, though sponsorship availability changes by role, team, and hiring cycle. Confirming OPT acceptance directly with each employer is always necessary.

Which cities in South Dakota have the most manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?

Sioux Falls has the highest concentration of manufacturing employers in South Dakota, particularly in electronics, agriculture technology, and industrial sectors. Brookings, home to South Dakota State University and Daktronics headquarters, is a notable secondary hub. Rapid City and Watertown also have manufacturing operations in metals, food processing, and plastics. Students at SDSU and USD are geographically well-positioned for local manufacturing OPT opportunities.

What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?

F-1 OPT authorization covers roles directly related to a student's field of study. In South Dakota manufacturing, qualifying positions commonly include mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, electrical engineering, quality control engineering, manufacturing process engineering, and supply chain or operations roles. STEM OPT extension applicants benefit from an additional 24 months if their degree falls under an approved STEM field, which applies to most engineering and computer science graduates.

How do I find manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in South Dakota?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters job listings by visa type, including F-1 OPT, and by industry and state. Searching for manufacturing roles in South Dakota on Migrate Mate surfaces employers actively open to OPT candidates, saving significant time compared to manually screening general job boards. Combining that search with outreach to university career centers at SDSU or USD, which have employer relationships in the state, is a practical approach.

Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in South Dakota manufacturing?

South Dakota's manufacturing sector skews toward agriculture technology, electronics, and food processing, meaning roles often require engineering or applied science backgrounds for OPT eligibility. The state has a relatively small international student population, so competition for OPT-friendly roles can be lower than in larger states, but the overall volume of open positions is also more limited. STEM OPT candidates should confirm their degree's STEM designation through SEVP before applying, as this significantly affects authorization length.