Chemicals & Materials STEM OPT Jobs in Tennessee
Chemicals & materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Tennessee span specialty chemicals manufacturing, advanced coatings, and materials science across a state home to major employers like Eastman Chemical in Kingsport and BASF operations in the region. Memphis, Nashville, and the Tri-Cities area each host chemical industry employers actively hiring STEM OPT-eligible graduates in engineering, R&D, and process roles.
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TITLE: Quality Assurance Engineer
POSITION OBJECTIVE: Assists the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager in regulatory compliant company-wide quality assurance department that provides all research, support, product development, and quality assurance functions required along with accurate specifications, service, and delivery of product to our customers. Assist the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager in the management of the quality assurance department to support production schedules, personnel, resources and continuous improvement efforts that achieve efficient service productivity. Assists the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager in the evaluation and controls to vendor reliability of goods and services.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or business from an accredited four-year college is preferred. Associate’s degree or equivalent from an accredited two-year college/technical school, or higher will be considered, plus 2-4 years of quality assurance engineering experience in a medical device manufacturing environment; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience in Plastic Injection and/or Blow Molding is desired.
- Must have working knowledge of the FDA 21 CFR Part 820 Quality System Regulation.
- Working knowledge of ISO 13485:2016 Standard is preferred.
- Current certified ISO 13485:2016 Lead Auditor certificate is preferred.
- Computer literate in Microsoft Office suite and experience with imputing data into database systems is a must. Proficiency in SAP is a plus.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving concrete variables in standardized situations.
- Ensure consistent, dependable attendance and demonstrate a willingness to accommodate non-standard work hours as necessary.
- Capable of effectively managing job-related stress and fostering productive workplace interactions.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager in developing and maintaining a complete, comprehensive, and compliant quality management system that supports the manufacture and sourcing of medical products in FDA product device classes I and II and Health Canada Class I; currently excluding FDA Device Class III and Health Canada Device Class II, III, IV products.
- Assists the Quality Assurance and Regulatory Manager with medical device company compliance to various regulatory agencies and regulations; specifically, the FDA and Health Canada: QSR and applicable cGMP’s, AMMI Sterilization Standards, OSHA, EPA and other federal, state and local regulatory agencies.
- Assists Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager in the compliance and maintenance of the quality management system.
- Provides the quality engineering function assuring that products meet their intended use through product specification, continuous evaluation, and data analysis.
- Provides the company-wide training in statistical techniques and quality science.
- Directs technical and administrative personnel engaged in quality assurance activities.
- Evaluates and provides for audits, corrective actions, preventive actions, and compliance verification of internal and external quality management systems and their functions.
- Investigates, prepares, and maintains records for customer complaints with root cause analysis along with corrective action, preventive action, and effectiveness check.
- Acts as a quality representative for customers and vendors.
- Assures validation and compliance of our medical device products through our contract sterilization facilities and our sourced medical device products sterilization facilities.
- Acts as a quality representative for customers and vendors.
- Other duties as assigned by Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Manager.
WORK ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS SUBJECTED TO IN THIS POSITION:
- Office environment consists of a fixed or modular office that includes adequate lighting, heating/cooling, equipment and furniture in a good working condition.
- Must be able to work constructively and cheerfully in an environment that may be stressful due to adversarial situations, and at all times maintaining company as well as employee confidentiality.
- Must be able to tolerate a manufacturing environment of noise, fumes, and particulates generated from various types of plastic materials and equipment.
Inteplast Group is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at applicantaccommodation@inteplast.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.
For more information, about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, view the EEO - Know Your Rights and Pay Transparency Statement.
STEM OPT Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Tennessee
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in TennesseeChemicals & Materials STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals & materials companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Tennessee?
Eastman Chemical, headquartered in Kingsport, is one of Tennessee's largest specialty chemicals employers with a history of sponsoring STEM OPT candidates in R&D and engineering roles. DuPont, BASF, and regional coatings and materials manufacturers operating across the state also appear in DOL Labor Condition Application filings for STEM-related occupations. Employer sponsorship patterns vary by facility and role, so reviewing LCA disclosure data through OFLC is a practical starting point.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most chemicals & materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Kingsport anchors Tennessee's chemicals sector as home to Eastman Chemical's global headquarters, making it the most concentrated hub for STEM OPT-eligible roles in the industry. Memphis supports chemical distribution and materials handling operations tied to its logistics infrastructure. Nashville's growing advanced manufacturing corridor and Chattanooga's materials and coatings employers round out the primary cities where chemicals and materials sponsorship opportunities appear most frequently.
What types of chemicals & materials roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that regularly qualify include chemical engineer, materials scientist, process engineer, R&D chemist, quality assurance engineer, and polymer scientist. These occupations appear under STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs codes that make graduates eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, provided the employer is E-Verify enrolled and the position falls within the student's degree field. O*NET occupation profiles can help confirm whether a specific job title aligns with your declared major.
How do I find chemicals & materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for chemicals and materials employers in Tennessee that have filed Labor Condition Applications for STEM-relevant occupations, so you're not sifting through roles that don't match your authorization. Rather than searching general job boards and guessing at sponsorship willingness, Migrate Mate surfaces verified employer filing history so F-1 STEM OPT candidates can focus on companies already familiar with the process in Tennessee's specialty chemicals and advanced materials sector.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT in Tennessee's chemicals sector?
Tennessee does not impose additional state-level work authorization requirements beyond federal STEM OPT rules, but the chemicals and materials industry carries unique compliance considerations. Many facilities operate under EPA or OSHA process safety regulations that may require background checks or security clearances, which can affect hiring timelines. Employers in specialty chemicals sometimes require on-site work at regulated facilities, making remote or hybrid arrangements less common than in other STEM fields, so candidates should confirm work location expectations early in the hiring process.