Chemicals & Materials OPT Jobs in Virginia
Chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia draw on the state's strength in defense-adjacent materials science, polymer research, and specialty chemicals manufacturing. Companies like Huntsman, Cytec (now Solvay), and federal contractors near Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads corridor regularly hire OPT candidates in engineering and research roles.
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At Evonik, you’re part of a global chemical company working in many sectors that go beyond chemistry. From lipids for tomorrow’s medicines, biosurfactants for green detergents, additives for plastics recycling or membranes to help drive forward the energy transition, you’ll play an essential part in helping the world’s most essential industries succeed.
Our success hinges on a diversity of ideas powered by people, not egos. Whether you’re a scientist or engineer, new to the team or established, in business, production, or anything in between – we cheer each other on. Because we believe we can do anything. Explore everything. And Be Part of Something Special!
Find out more about the many benefits we offer:
https://www.evonik.com/en/careers/why.html
Meet the team and get to know the people behind Evonik:
https://www.evonik.com/en/news/meet-the-team.html
Responsibilities:
- Drive profitable growth of the specialty ingredients portfolio across the Americas Home Care, Industrial & Institutional (HI&I) cleaning markets.
- Develop and execute business development strategies to expand market share, penetrate new applications, accelerate adoption of innovative technologies, and identify high-growth opportunities.
- Build and manage a robust opportunity pipeline by identifying, qualifying, and converting opportunities into new business with existing and prospective customers.
- Lead strategic customer engagement, including technical and commercial discussions, account reviews, site visits, presentations, and executive-level meetings, while providing consultative solutions to formulation and performance challenges.
- Identify market trends, customer needs, competitive activity, regulatory developments, pricing dynamics, and emerging technologies to inform growth strategies, market-entry plans, and portfolio priorities.
- Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams—including R&D, application development, marketing, sales, supply chain, regulatory, and sustainability—to translate market needs into differentiated solutions and successful product launches.
- Lead customer development projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring measurable business results and effective transition to the business management team.
- Develop compelling value propositions and commercial strategies that communicate product performance, sustainability benefits, and economic value, while supporting pricing and value-based selling initiatives.
- Build strategic partnerships across the value chain and represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, customer events, and technical seminars to strengthen brand visibility and generate new opportunities.
- Gather and communicate customer, market, and portfolio insights to influence product development, marketing strategies, and investment priorities, while sharing regional best practices with global teams.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Science, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA is preferred.
- 3–5 years of experience in Business Development, Product Management, Sales, Marketing, or Technical Service, preferably within the Cleaning Solutions, HI&I, or specialty chemicals industry.
- Commercially driven business development professional with experience in specialty chemicals, surfactants, cleaning ingredients, or formulated products preferred.
- Proven track record of identifying growth opportunities, developing new business, growing revenue, and building strategic customer relationships.
- Working knowledge of surfactants, biosurfactants, and specialty additives used in cleaning formulations; experience with ethoxylated amines, amine oxides, silicones/siloxanes, malodor removal actives, or similar technologies is an asset.
- Strong ability to translate technical concepts and customer needs into compelling business value, differentiated solutions, and successful commercialization opportunities.
- Excellent market analysis, strategic thinking, project management, analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to independently research and interpret customer and market data.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across customers, sales, marketing, R&D/application labs, and other cross-functional and global teams.
- Self-directed, entrepreneurial “start-up mentality” with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and guide others toward defined business objectives.
- Fluent in English (verbal and written) and willing to travel 30–35% nationally and internationally.
Summary Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. (Specific rate to be determined, but not limited to, geographic location, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data).
Pay Range: $111,800 to $202,900
Evonik offers a comprehensive benefit package, subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. Benefits included, but not limited to:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid time off plan
- 401(k) savings plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts
- Disability benefits
- Life Insurance
- Parental leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.
Your Application
To ensure that your application is proceeded as quickly as possible and to protect the environment, please apply online via our careers portal. Further information about Evonik as Employer can be found at www.evonik.com/en/careers.html.
Please address your application to the Talent Acquisition Manager, stating your earliest possible starting date and your salary expectations.
Your Talent Acquisition Manager:
Mary Shang
Company is
Evonik Corporation
What we offer
At Evonik, you’re part of a global chemical company working in many sectors that go beyond chemistry. From lipids for tomorrow’s medicines, biosurfactants for green detergents, additives for plastics recycling or membranes to help drive forward the energy transition, you’ll play an essential part in helping the world’s most essential industries succeed.
Our success hinges on a diversity of ideas powered by people, not egos. Whether you’re a scientist or engineer, new to the team or established, in business, production, or anything in between – we cheer each other on. Because we believe we can do anything. Explore everything. And Be Part of Something Special!
Find out more about the many benefits we offer:
https://www.evonik.com/en/careers/why.html
Meet the team and get to know the people behind Evonik:
https://www.evonik.com/en/news/meet-the-team.html
Responsibilities:
- Drive profitable growth of the specialty ingredients portfolio across the Americas Home Care, Industrial & Institutional (HI&I) cleaning markets.
- Develop and execute business development strategies to expand market share, penetrate new applications, accelerate adoption of innovative technologies, and identify high-growth opportunities.
- Build and manage a robust opportunity pipeline by identifying, qualifying, and converting opportunities into new business with existing and prospective customers.
- Lead strategic customer engagement, including technical and commercial discussions, account reviews, site visits, presentations, and executive-level meetings, while providing consultative solutions to formulation and performance challenges.
- Identify market trends, customer needs, competitive activity, regulatory developments, pricing dynamics, and emerging technologies to inform growth strategies, market-entry plans, and portfolio priorities.
- Collaborate with customers and cross-functional teams—including R&D, application development, marketing, sales, supply chain, regulatory, and sustainability—to translate market needs into differentiated solutions and successful product launches.
- Lead customer development projects from concept through commercialization, ensuring measurable business results and effective transition to the business management team.
- Develop compelling value propositions and commercial strategies that communicate product performance, sustainability benefits, and economic value, while supporting pricing and value-based selling initiatives.
- Build strategic partnerships across the value chain and represent the company at industry conferences, trade shows, customer events, and technical seminars to strengthen brand visibility and generate new opportunities.
- Gather and communicate customer, market, and portfolio insights to influence product development, marketing strategies, and investment priorities, while sharing regional best practices with global teams.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Science, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA is preferred.
- 3–5 years of experience in Business Development, Product Management, Sales, Marketing, or Technical Service, preferably within the Cleaning Solutions, HI&I, or specialty chemicals industry.
- Commercially driven business development professional with experience in specialty chemicals, surfactants, cleaning ingredients, or formulated products preferred.
- Proven track record of identifying growth opportunities, developing new business, growing revenue, and building strategic customer relationships.
- Working knowledge of surfactants, biosurfactants, and specialty additives used in cleaning formulations; experience with ethoxylated amines, amine oxides, silicones/siloxanes, malodor removal actives, or similar technologies is an asset.
- Strong ability to translate technical concepts and customer needs into compelling business value, differentiated solutions, and successful commercialization opportunities.
- Excellent market analysis, strategic thinking, project management, analytical, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to independently research and interpret customer and market data.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders across customers, sales, marketing, R&D/application labs, and other cross-functional and global teams.
- Self-directed, entrepreneurial “start-up mentality” with the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, manage multiple priorities, and guide others toward defined business objectives.
- Fluent in English (verbal and written) and willing to travel 30–35% nationally and internationally.
Summary Compensation & Benefits:
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. (Specific rate to be determined, but not limited to, geographic location, education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities of applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data).
Pay Range: $111,800 to $202,900
Evonik offers a comprehensive benefit package, subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. Benefits included, but not limited to:
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- Paid time off plan
- 401(k) savings plans
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts
- Disability benefits
- Life Insurance
- Parental leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
The Evonik Group adopts an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) approach. Candidates are assessed based on their educational qualifications, experience, job competencies and potential and shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, nationality, disability or sexual orientation or other classifications protected by local, state, or provincial regulations.
Your Application
To ensure that your application is proceeded as quickly as possible and to protect the environment, please apply online via our careers portal. Further information about Evonik as Employer can be found at www.evonik.com/en/careers.html.
Please address your application to the Talent Acquisition Manager, stating your earliest possible starting date and your salary expectations.
Your Talent Acquisition Manager:
Mary Shang
Company is
Evonik Corporation
OPT Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Virginia
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in VirginiaChemicals & Materials OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals and materials companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in Virginia?
Virginia-based employers with a track record of hiring OPT candidates in chemicals and materials include Huntsman Corporation, Solvay (formerly Cytec Industries), and specialty coatings and polymer firms concentrated in the Northern Virginia and Richmond corridors. Defense contractors like Leidos and Northrop Grumman also hire materials scientists and chemical engineers on OPT for government-adjacent R&D projects, particularly around Hampton Roads and the DC metro area.
Which cities in Virginia have the most chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly the Fairfax and Arlington areas, sees strong demand for materials scientists and chemical engineers tied to federal contracting. Richmond has a concentration of specialty chemicals and coatings manufacturers. The Hampton Roads region, including Newport News and Norfolk, supports materials R&D connected to shipbuilding and defense. Blacksburg, home to Virginia Tech, also generates OPT hiring through university-affiliated industry partnerships.
What types of chemicals and materials roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that commonly qualify include process engineer, materials scientist, quality assurance chemist, R&D chemist, polymer engineer, environmental health and safety analyst, and chemical engineer in manufacturing or formulation. These positions generally require a bachelor's degree or higher in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field, which aligns with OPT eligibility requirements tying work authorization to your degree field of study.
How do I find chemicals and materials F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international students and filters chemicals and materials jobs in Virginia by visa type, including F-1 OPT, so you avoid wasting time applying to roles that won't support your status. You can search by industry, location, and OPT compatibility in one place. Beyond Migrate Mate, targeting employers with existing STEM OPT sponsorship history in the chemicals sector improves your odds of a straightforward authorization process.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in the chemicals and materials industry?
Virginia's large federal contracting presence means some chemicals and materials roles require security clearances, which non-U.S. citizens on OPT typically cannot obtain. This narrows the pool of accessible positions, particularly in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. However, commercial chemicals, coatings, and materials manufacturing employers across Richmond and the Shenandoah Valley generally do not have clearance requirements, making those sectors more accessible for OPT candidates.