Chemicals & Materials F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Virginia's chemicals and materials sector spans defense-adjacent specialty chemicals, polymer manufacturing, and materials science research tied to federal contractors in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads corridor. F-1 STEM OPT candidates in this field find sponsoring employers among companies such as Huntsman Corporation, Innodata, and W. R. Grace, alongside university-affiliated research commercialization programs.
See All Chemicals & Materials JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 5+ Chemicals & Materials F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all Chemicals & Materials F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Chemicals & Materials F-1 STEM OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Virginia.
Get Access To All Jobs
Job Description:
TemperPack is seeking a Packaging Engineer II to join our Engineering team in Richmond, VA.
At TemperPack we develop custom pack-out solutions using our high performance, recyclable packaging materials. Our Packaging Engineer plays a key role in designing shipping pack-outs based on customer requirements. Customers come to us with a variety of packaging challenges, from needing to assure the right temperature within their shipper, looking to improve their pack-out economics, to looking at optimizing their box sizes. The Packaging Engineer will work closely with our Sales team and customers to develop solutions and test them in our thermal lab.
Day-to-day activities include assessing pack-outs, developing new pack-out drawings, preparing testing materials and generating reports based on the outcome of the thermal chamber testing. This role requires both engineering expertise and people skills. You will collaborate closely with our engineering, sales, and marketing teams, as well as customers. Customer engagement is important: this is a team effort, but you will play an important role hearing customer problems, learning about their packaging requirements, and communicating our recommendations on how to solve their problems.
Job Title: Packaging Engineer II
Supervisor’s Title: Packaging Engineering Manager
Department: Packaging Engineering
Location: Richmond, VA
About TemperPack
TemperPack is a rapidly growing company based in Richmond, Virginia and with locations in Las Vegas Nevada, and Holt Michigan. We design and manufacture innovative, sustainable packaging components for cold-chain shipping of food and pharmaceutical products. The markets we serve have an urgent need for disruptive, sustainable alternatives to replace the wide array of non-sustainable packaging materials conventionally used in the cold-chain such as Styrofoam coolers. Our aspiration is to provide packaging solutions that customers and end-consumers feel great about using.
Essential Job Functions:
- Documenting and assessing existing pack-out solutions. Measuring and weighing packing elements, calculating density, void space, surface area, and other key metrics.
- Using math, software, and ingenuity to develop new pack-out configurations to optimize shippers for performance, economics, or other customer specifications.
- Maintain a database of solutions by performing diagnostics of inbound samples that will inform our solution design.
- Collaborate with other Packaging Engineers to develop, conduct and document thermal packaging tests in line with ISTA standards. This includes assisting in design, preparation, and maintenance of testing materials and equipment, along with analyzing data and preparing test reports for customers.
- Utilize CAD software to create accurate packaging diagrams for use in testing, sales and marketing documents.
- Software Experience in Excel and CAD programs such as SOLIDWORKS and Onshape.
- Organized and attentive to detail with a “test mentality” – able to define objectives, use creative thinking, eliminate variables, and clearly explain the outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate a continuous learning mindset with a willingness to learn and take on new types of tasks as the business grows.
- Other duties as necessary.
Education and Experience:
- BS in Packaging or Mechanical Engineering (or relevant degree in another discipline)
- Box and corrugated design experience (3-5 years)
- Cold chain shipping experience (2-4 years)
- Achieve ISTA CTP I and II certification within 6 months
- Project management experience
- CAD/FEA experience
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, etc.)
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
- Team Player
- Excellence in Written, Spoken, and Listening Communications
- Detail-Oriented, Quality-Focused
Physical Requirements:
- Able to lift 40 pounds unassisted
- Able to reach, bend, kneel and climb while performing repetitive tasks
- Ability to work in hot and cold environments
- Able to correctly wear PPE for entire shifts
- Able to react and respond quickly to noises, smells, visual hazards, and alerts
- Able to be active and on your feet. Some days you will be mostly at your desk, but there are also days when you are moving around the lab, measuring materials, setting up samples, and other activities for most of the day.
Important Notice:
At this time, our company will not be engaging with external agencies or third-party vendors for recruitment services. We appreciate the interest of recruitment agencies, but kindly request that they refrain from contacting us regarding potential candidates. We are excited to build our internal recruitment capabilities and establish direct relationships with potential hires.
TemperPack provides Equal Employment Opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or status as a covered veteran/reservist, and any other class of protected individuals, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.E-Verify.gov.
Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Virginia
See all Chemicals & Materials Jobs in Virginia
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in VirginiaChemicals & Materials Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals & materials companies sponsor F-1 STEM OPT visas in Virginia?
Virginia hosts several chemicals and materials employers with documented STEM OPT sponsorship activity, including specialty chemicals firms supporting defense and aerospace contracts in Fairfax and Arlington counties, polymer and coatings manufacturers in the Richmond metro, and advanced materials suppliers serving the semiconductor corridor around Loudoun County. Large diversified chemical companies with Virginia operations and federal contractor affiliates are among the most active sponsors in this industry segment.
Which cities in Virginia have the most chemicals & materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs?
Northern Virginia, particularly the Fairfax County and Arlington area, leads in sponsorship activity due to the concentration of defense contractors and federal research affiliates that use specialty chemicals and advanced materials. Richmond supports polymer, coatings, and process chemistry roles tied to its manufacturing base. Hampton Roads sees materials science demand from naval and shipbuilding industries, and Charlottesville hosts opportunities linked to University of Virginia research commercialization.
What types of chemicals & materials roles typically qualify for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship?
Roles that fall under STEM-designated Classification of Instructional Programs codes typically qualify. In chemicals and materials, these include process chemist, materials scientist, polymer engineer, analytical chemist, chemical engineer, corrosion engineer, and research and development scientist positions. The role must appear on the employer's E-Verify enrollment and align with a qualifying STEM degree. O*NET occupation profiles can help confirm whether a specific job title meets the specialty requirement under USCIS guidelines.
How do I find chemicals & materials F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship jobs in Virginia?
Migrate Mate allows you to filter job listings specifically by visa type and industry, so you can search for verified chemicals and materials employers in Virginia who are set up to support F-1 STEM OPT extensions. Because STEM OPT requires E-Verify enrollment and a formal training plan, filtering for employers with active sponsorship history in this industry saves significant time compared to applying broadly and asking about sponsorship during interviews.
Are there any Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 STEM OPT sponsorship in chemicals & materials?
Virginia's large federal contracting ecosystem means many chemicals and materials employers hold security clearances or work on classified programs, which can complicate or limit sponsorship for international candidates depending on the role. Employers in defense-adjacent materials segments may have domestic-person requirements for certain positions. Candidates should confirm clearance eligibility and E-Verify enrollment directly with prospective employers before applying, as STEM OPT requires E-Verify participation regardless of contract type.