Manufacturing STEM OPT Jobs in South Dakota
Manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in South Dakota are concentrated around Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen, where employers like Raven Industries, Daktronics, and Molten Metal Equipment Innovations hire engineering and operations talent. South Dakota's growing advanced manufacturing and precision agriculture equipment sectors create steady demand for STEM-qualified candidates on OPT work authorization.
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Position Title or Job Classification: Quality Control Specialist
Location: Watertown, SD
Reports to: Quality Manager
What you’ll do:
- Provide support and administration of quality systems in Watertown
- Direct tasks and objectives of Watertown quality team
- Lead Nonconformance Review for issue root cause identification as well as corrective and preventive actions
- Provide strong visibility of nonconformance issues, associated projects, and progress in the form of a dashboard-style format with critical success indicators
- Drive, design and manufacture quality improvements utilizing a data-based decision-making approach, rapid problem resolution, collaboration with engineers and internal customers and relentless continuous process/engineering improvements
- Analyze the effectiveness of the quality system and coordinate quality related issues with other departments, suppliers and customers
- Analyze current quality monitoring methods, systems, and tools and develop and implement new ones to increase effectiveness and efficiency
- Promotes use of statistical analysis for determination of improvements, and provides analyses to support risk mitigation
- Implement quality plans for new or revised materials and/or products
- Support line audits as well as First Article and receiving inspection functions
- Evaluate work methods, procedures, and policies while also coaching and mentoring functional groups and departments on quality processes
- Work cooperatively with all members of the Supply Chain and Product Development teams and with third-party manufacturers
- Support new product development teams
- Generate training materials and programs as required, and conduct training sessions to support quality system
- Ensuring all products are manufactured in compliance with product requirements, safety standards and design specifications, including fixture and tooling analysis
- Identify areas of systemic weakness and leads initiatives to implement corrective action
- Supports efforts in conjunction with manufacturing and engineering to develop plans for continual improvement of product and process quality
- Provides support to groups and departments regarding product quality issues, measurement data, measurement techniques, performance
What you’ll bring:
Basic Qualifications:
- 2+ years of Quality experience in a manufacturing environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Engineering or technical degree
- Ability to influence
- Ability to compile and analyze data
- Understanding SPC, and process capability determination
- Technical expertise to identify root cause through data analysis
- Ability to evaluate, develop and implement improvements quickly
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to teach other team members
- Ability to work independently and within a team
- Ability to coordinate assignments among multiple support groups and provide direction for project team members
- Ability to evaluate product and process change requests to ensure product quality is not compromised
- Ability to work well under compressed time constraints
- Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects at one time
- Understanding of precision measurement instruments
- Hands-on manufacturing/engineering experience in a fabrication/assembly shop environment
- Experience supporting an ISO Quality System
- Ability to eliminate Quality challenges using poke-yokes and Zero QC techniques
- Welding process knowledge
Salary:
The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $70,000 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to a base salary, this position is eligible for a performance bonus.
Why join us
- We are a global company, and our culture is defined by our Values — Integrity, Respect, Improvement, Servant Leadership, Courage, and Citizenship.
- Safety is an absolute way of life. We expect all team members to prioritize safety and commit to Zero Harm.
- Our top priority is creating an inclusive environment where every team member feels safe, supported, and valued.
- We make a positive impact by providing innovative solutions, engaging our people, and operating in a sustainable way.
- We are committed to helping team members reach their full potential.
- Through innovation and collaboration, our vision remains forward-looking, and we aim to be a catalyst for change, inspiring others to build a better world for generations.
- We offer competitive salaries, Team Member bonus, healthcare, paid holidays, 401K, life insurance, LinkedIn Learning.
If you are interested in an open position but feel you may not meet all the listed qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.
About Terex:
Terex Corporation is a global leader in specialized equipment solutions, serving essential sectors such as emergency services, waste and recycling, utilities, and construction. Our diversified portfolio positions us in resilient, high-demand markets with strong long-term growth potential. We design and manufacture advanced specialty vehicles—including fire, ambulance, and recreational vehicles—alongside waste collection vehicles, materials processing machinery, mobile elevating work platforms, and equipment for the electric utility industry. Through our global dealer, parts and service network and true value-creating digital solutions, we deliver best-in-class lifecycle support, helping customers maximize return on investment. With a strong manufacturing footprint in the United States and operations across Europe, India, and Asia Pacific, Terex combines global reach with local expertise to capture opportunities worldwide. Our strategy is clear: exceed customer expectations, invest in innovation, leverage our diversified portfolio, and deliver consistent, profitable growth for our shareholders.
Additional Information:
We are passionate about producing equipment that helps improve the lives of people around the world and providing our team members with a rewarding career and the opportunity to make an impact. We are committed to recruiting, engaging, developing, and retaining team members at all levels of our global workforce. Our culture is defined by our Terex Way Values – Integrity, Respect, Improvement, Servant Leadership, Courage, and Citizenship. Our values are the driving force behind our commitment to maintain an inclusive, supportive, non-discriminatory, and safe workplace for all team members. To that end, we are committed to actively foster a culture where every team member feels valued, listened to, and appreciated. We are committed to being fair and impartial in our decisions.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, including disabled veterans, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting the recruiting department at Globaltalentacquisitions@terex.com.
Job Description:
Position Title or Job Classification: Quality Control Specialist
Location: Watertown, SD
Reports to: Quality Manager
What you’ll do:
- Provide support and administration of quality systems in Watertown
- Direct tasks and objectives of Watertown quality team
- Lead Nonconformance Review for issue root cause identification as well as corrective and preventive actions
- Provide strong visibility of nonconformance issues, associated projects, and progress in the form of a dashboard-style format with critical success indicators
- Drive, design and manufacture quality improvements utilizing a data-based decision-making approach, rapid problem resolution, collaboration with engineers and internal customers and relentless continuous process/engineering improvements
- Analyze the effectiveness of the quality system and coordinate quality related issues with other departments, suppliers and customers
- Analyze current quality monitoring methods, systems, and tools and develop and implement new ones to increase effectiveness and efficiency
- Promotes use of statistical analysis for determination of improvements, and provides analyses to support risk mitigation
- Implement quality plans for new or revised materials and/or products
- Support line audits as well as First Article and receiving inspection functions
- Evaluate work methods, procedures, and policies while also coaching and mentoring functional groups and departments on quality processes
- Work cooperatively with all members of the Supply Chain and Product Development teams and with third-party manufacturers
- Support new product development teams
- Generate training materials and programs as required, and conduct training sessions to support quality system
- Ensuring all products are manufactured in compliance with product requirements, safety standards and design specifications, including fixture and tooling analysis
- Identify areas of systemic weakness and leads initiatives to implement corrective action
- Supports efforts in conjunction with manufacturing and engineering to develop plans for continual improvement of product and process quality
- Provides support to groups and departments regarding product quality issues, measurement data, measurement techniques, performance
What you’ll bring:
Basic Qualifications:
- 2+ years of Quality experience in a manufacturing environment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree: Engineering or technical degree
- Ability to influence
- Ability to compile and analyze data
- Understanding SPC, and process capability determination
- Technical expertise to identify root cause through data analysis
- Ability to evaluate, develop and implement improvements quickly
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to teach other team members
- Ability to work independently and within a team
- Ability to coordinate assignments among multiple support groups and provide direction for project team members
- Ability to evaluate product and process change requests to ensure product quality is not compromised
- Ability to work well under compressed time constraints
- Ability to manage multiple tasks/projects at one time
- Understanding of precision measurement instruments
- Hands-on manufacturing/engineering experience in a fabrication/assembly shop environment
- Experience supporting an ISO Quality System
- Ability to eliminate Quality challenges using poke-yokes and Zero QC techniques
- Welding process knowledge
Salary:
The salary range for this position is $60,000 to $70,000 annually. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. In addition to a base salary, this position is eligible for a performance bonus.
Why join us
- We are a global company, and our culture is defined by our Values — Integrity, Respect, Improvement, Servant Leadership, Courage, and Citizenship.
- Safety is an absolute way of life. We expect all team members to prioritize safety and commit to Zero Harm.
- Our top priority is creating an inclusive environment where every team member feels safe, supported, and valued.
- We make a positive impact by providing innovative solutions, engaging our people, and operating in a sustainable way.
- We are committed to helping team members reach their full potential.
- Through innovation and collaboration, our vision remains forward-looking, and we aim to be a catalyst for change, inspiring others to build a better world for generations.
- We offer competitive salaries, Team Member bonus, healthcare, paid holidays, 401K, life insurance, LinkedIn Learning.
If you are interested in an open position but feel you may not meet all the listed qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.
About Terex:
Terex Corporation is a global leader in specialized equipment solutions, serving essential sectors such as emergency services, waste and recycling, utilities, and construction. Our diversified portfolio positions us in resilient, high-demand markets with strong long-term growth potential. We design and manufacture advanced specialty vehicles—including fire, ambulance, and recreational vehicles—alongside waste collection vehicles, materials processing machinery, mobile elevating work platforms, and equipment for the electric utility industry. Through our global dealer, parts and service network and true value-creating digital solutions, we deliver best-in-class lifecycle support, helping customers maximize return on investment. With a strong manufacturing footprint in the United States and operations across Europe, India, and Asia Pacific, Terex combines global reach with local expertise to capture opportunities worldwide. Our strategy is clear: exceed customer expectations, invest in innovation, leverage our diversified portfolio, and deliver consistent, profitable growth for our shareholders.
Additional Information:
We are passionate about producing equipment that helps improve the lives of people around the world and providing our team members with a rewarding career and the opportunity to make an impact. We are committed to recruiting, engaging, developing, and retaining team members at all levels of our global workforce. Our culture is defined by our Terex Way Values – Integrity, Respect, Improvement, Servant Leadership, Courage, and Citizenship. Our values are the driving force behind our commitment to maintain an inclusive, supportive, non-discriminatory, and safe workplace for all team members. To that end, we are committed to actively foster a culture where every team member feels valued, listened to, and appreciated. We are committed to being fair and impartial in our decisions.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability, including disabled veterans, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting the recruiting department at Globaltalentacquisitions@terex.com.
STEM OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in South Dakota
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in South DakotaManufacturing STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in South Dakota?
South Dakota manufacturers with a history of hiring STEM OPT workers include Raven Industries (precision ag technology), Daktronics (display and control systems), and Terex Cranes in Watertown. Larger industrial facilities in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen also participate in STEM OPT programs, particularly for roles in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, manufacturing process engineering, and quality assurance. Checking DOL Labor Condition Application disclosure data helps verify which employers have sponsored STEM roles.
Which cities in South Dakota have the most manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest manufacturing employment center and offers the broadest range of STEM OPT opportunities, including medical device, food processing equipment, and electronics manufacturing. Rapid City has defense and aerospace manufacturing activity tied to its proximity to Ellsworth Air Force Base. Brookings is notable for agricultural technology manufacturing, home to Daktronics headquarters. Aberdeen and Watertown round out the state's industrial base with machinery and construction equipment production.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles qualifying for STEM OPT in manufacturing must appear on the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program List and involve applying STEM knowledge directly. Common qualifying positions include manufacturing process engineer, quality engineer, industrial engineer, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, automation engineer, and materials scientist. Roles that are primarily supervisory or administrative without a direct technical function may not qualify, so reviewing the O*NET classification for a specific job title before applying is advisable.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in South Dakota?
Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for manufacturing employers in South Dakota that have active F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship history, using DOL Labor Condition Application filing data to surface verified sponsors rather than relying on unverified job listings. This is particularly useful for identifying mid-size South Dakota manufacturers like those in Sioux Falls and Brookings that sponsor less visibly than national corporations but hire STEM OPT candidates regularly.
Are there any state-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in South Dakota manufacturing?
South Dakota has no state income tax, which affects take-home pay calculations for STEM OPT workers. The state's manufacturing sector leans heavily toward precision agriculture equipment, medical devices, and electronics, so degrees in mechanical, electrical, agricultural, or biomedical engineering align well with local employer demand. South Dakota's smaller metro areas mean fewer total openings than coastal markets, but competition for STEM talent is also comparatively lower, and some employers offer relocation support to attract qualified candidates.