Manufacturing OPT Jobs in West Virginia
Manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in West Virginia are concentrated around industrial hubs like Charleston, Huntington, and Parkersburg, where employers in chemicals, aerospace components, and steel production regularly hire international STEM graduates. Companies such as Chemours, Apogee Enterprises, and Accuride operate facilities in the state and have histories of supporting OPT candidates in engineering and technical roles.
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Get Access To All JobsLocation: United States, West Virginia, Ravenswood
Remote Position: No
May 14th, 2026
Internship: No
Apprenticeship: No
Job Summary:
The Automation Engineer will be responsible for supporting, maintaining and developing automation control systems used throughout the rolling process. This role requires strong knowledge and experience in electrical and automation control systems such as PLC’s, HMI’s, drives, and VME controllers. The Automation Engineer will also participate in projects that require development, design and documentation of new or improved systems. The Automation Engineer must be highly motivated with excellent communication skills and be willing to provide technical assistance within a team environment.
Responsibilities:
- Troubleshoot, design and improve automation control systems on aluminum rolling mills.
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and develop control system code relating to IEC 61131-3 (Ladder, Function Block, Structured Text, Instruction List, Sequential Function Charts).
- Setup, commission and debug hardware and field instrumentation relating to the control systems.
- Troubleshoot and support small to medium sized AC and DC drives.
- Create or maintain intuitive and user-friendly HMI screens to interface with automation control systems.
- Customize HMI applications to meet specific project requirements.
- Interface and collaborate with area engineers from same or different disciplines to help resolve any rolling process issues.
- Setup, configure and maintain industrial communication networks (Profinet, Profibus, Modbus, OPC, Ethernet).
- Participate in team-oriented projects while providing expertise in automation, leading to successful on-time project completion.
- Participate in FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) for new developments and projects.
- Electronically document thorough detail on control system troubleshooting using change logs.
- Perform routine backups of PLC and drive projects.
- Interface 3rd party products to PLC’s and other control system hardware.
- Effectively communicate with other team members on technical issues needing resolved to maintain a fluent rolling process.
- Ensure any new automation control systems are designed to current industry and plant standards.
- Provide troubleshooting assistance and leadership to area electricians or other maintenance personnel.
- Demonstrate safe working practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Automation or a related field.
- Proficiency in PLC programming relating to IEC 61131-3.
- Strong understanding of PLC hardware and software (Siemens/Modicon preferred).
- Knowledge of HMI development tools and software.
- Experience with electrical components and how they function (Transformers, relay’s, circuit breakers, contactors, motor starters, etc).
- Experience with safety-oriented components and SIL standards.
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Profinet, Profibus, Modbus, TCP/UDP).
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Effective communication and teamwork skills.
- Safety-conscious mindset.
- Occasional off-hours support via phone, VPN, and/or On-site.
About Constellium
With over 1,100 employees, Constellium’s plant in Ravenswood, West Virginia, is one of the world’s largest rolled products facilities, offering customers the most powerful plate stretchers in the world, as well as one of the largest cold rolling mills. Built in 1957, the plant houses 62 acres (about 250,900 m²) of production facilities, and is one of the top 50 businesses in West Virginia.
We produce plate, sheet, and coil products for aerospace, defense, transportation, marine, and industrial uses. As the global leader in aluminum aerospace technology, we specialize in high performance plates, sheets, extrusions, and precision castings that bring cost benefits to space programs and military and commercial aircraft. Our pre-machining and custom designed components can be found in products for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and others.
The Ravenswood facility is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, along the Ohio River. It is the largest employer in Jackson County, and one of the top 50 businesses in West Virginia.
A culture of family, community, and hard work runs deep in Jackson County. Located in the western region of West Virginia, it is one of the most productive regions in the state, with Ripley as its county seat and Ravenswood serving as its largest municipality. Ripley sits between the Parkersburg and Charleston metropolitan areas.
The region offers plenty of activities, both open-air and indoors, for a wide range of interests. These include parks, lakes, forests, Civil War trails, golf courses, historical landmarks (covered bridges, a heritage house, a castle), museums and galleries, conference centers, the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, the Charleston Light Opera Guild, and much more.
Constellium is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
The COO together with the BUs will be responsible for the CII program execution, while audit and tracking of the CII deliveries will department.
Location: United States, West Virginia, Ravenswood
Remote Position: No
May 14th, 2026
Internship: No
Apprenticeship: No
Job Summary:
The Automation Engineer will be responsible for supporting, maintaining and developing automation control systems used throughout the rolling process. This role requires strong knowledge and experience in electrical and automation control systems such as PLC’s, HMI’s, drives, and VME controllers. The Automation Engineer will also participate in projects that require development, design and documentation of new or improved systems. The Automation Engineer must be highly motivated with excellent communication skills and be willing to provide technical assistance within a team environment.
Responsibilities:
- Troubleshoot, design and improve automation control systems on aluminum rolling mills.
- Troubleshoot, maintain, and develop control system code relating to IEC 61131-3 (Ladder, Function Block, Structured Text, Instruction List, Sequential Function Charts).
- Setup, commission and debug hardware and field instrumentation relating to the control systems.
- Troubleshoot and support small to medium sized AC and DC drives.
- Create or maintain intuitive and user-friendly HMI screens to interface with automation control systems.
- Customize HMI applications to meet specific project requirements.
- Interface and collaborate with area engineers from same or different disciplines to help resolve any rolling process issues.
- Setup, configure and maintain industrial communication networks (Profinet, Profibus, Modbus, OPC, Ethernet).
- Participate in team-oriented projects while providing expertise in automation, leading to successful on-time project completion.
- Participate in FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) for new developments and projects.
- Electronically document thorough detail on control system troubleshooting using change logs.
- Perform routine backups of PLC and drive projects.
- Interface 3rd party products to PLC’s and other control system hardware.
- Effectively communicate with other team members on technical issues needing resolved to maintain a fluent rolling process.
- Ensure any new automation control systems are designed to current industry and plant standards.
- Provide troubleshooting assistance and leadership to area electricians or other maintenance personnel.
- Demonstrate safe working practices.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Automation or a related field.
- Proficiency in PLC programming relating to IEC 61131-3.
- Strong understanding of PLC hardware and software (Siemens/Modicon preferred).
- Knowledge of HMI development tools and software.
- Experience with electrical components and how they function (Transformers, relay’s, circuit breakers, contactors, motor starters, etc).
- Experience with safety-oriented components and SIL standards.
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Profinet, Profibus, Modbus, TCP/UDP).
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Effective communication and teamwork skills.
- Safety-conscious mindset.
- Occasional off-hours support via phone, VPN, and/or On-site.
About Constellium
With over 1,100 employees, Constellium’s plant in Ravenswood, West Virginia, is one of the world’s largest rolled products facilities, offering customers the most powerful plate stretchers in the world, as well as one of the largest cold rolling mills. Built in 1957, the plant houses 62 acres (about 250,900 m²) of production facilities, and is one of the top 50 businesses in West Virginia.
We produce plate, sheet, and coil products for aerospace, defense, transportation, marine, and industrial uses. As the global leader in aluminum aerospace technology, we specialize in high performance plates, sheets, extrusions, and precision castings that bring cost benefits to space programs and military and commercial aircraft. Our pre-machining and custom designed components can be found in products for Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Lockheed Martin, NASA, and others.
The Ravenswood facility is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, along the Ohio River. It is the largest employer in Jackson County, and one of the top 50 businesses in West Virginia.
A culture of family, community, and hard work runs deep in Jackson County. Located in the western region of West Virginia, it is one of the most productive regions in the state, with Ripley as its county seat and Ravenswood serving as its largest municipality. Ripley sits between the Parkersburg and Charleston metropolitan areas.
The region offers plenty of activities, both open-air and indoors, for a wide range of interests. These include parks, lakes, forests, Civil War trails, golf courses, historical landmarks (covered bridges, a heritage house, a castle), museums and galleries, conference centers, the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, the Charleston Light Opera Guild, and much more.
Constellium is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
The COO together with the BUs will be responsible for the CII program execution, while audit and tracking of the CII deliveries will department.
OPT Manufacturing Job Roles in West Virginia
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in West VirginiaManufacturing OPT Sponsorship Jobs in West Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor F-1 OPT visas in West Virginia?
West Virginia's manufacturing base includes chemical producers, metals processors, and specialty fabricators that have hired F-1 OPT workers in engineering and operations roles. Companies with significant facilities in the state include Chemours in Belle, Koppers in Institute, and several defense and aerospace suppliers in the Eastern Panhandle. Sponsorship availability depends on the role, the employer's international hiring experience, and whether the position qualifies as a STEM OPT extension-eligible occupation.
Which cities in West Virginia have the most manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Charleston and the Kanawha Valley corridor have the highest concentration of manufacturing employers in West Virginia, particularly in chemicals and energy-related production. Huntington supports metals and industrial manufacturing jobs tied to its proximity to the Ohio River. Martinsburg and the Eastern Panhandle have seen growth in defense manufacturing and logistics-adjacent production roles, making them secondary markets worth tracking for F-1 OPT candidates with engineering or supply chain backgrounds.
What types of manufacturing roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship?
Roles that align with STEM degree fields are the strongest fit for F-1 OPT in manufacturing. These include process and chemical engineering positions, quality assurance and control roles, industrial and mechanical engineering jobs, materials science positions, and manufacturing operations roles requiring specialized technical training. West Virginia's chemical and metals sectors specifically draw graduates from chemical engineering, environmental engineering, and materials science programs, all of which are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
How do I find manufacturing F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in West Virginia?
Migrate Mate is designed specifically for F-1 OPT job seekers and filters manufacturing roles in West Virginia by visa sponsorship availability, so you're not sorting through listings from employers who won't support OPT. Focus your search on STEM-classified roles in chemical, mechanical, and industrial engineering to maximize eligibility for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Connecting directly with plant-level HR contacts at West Virginia manufacturers can also surface openings before they are broadly posted.
Are there any West Virginia-specific considerations for F-1 OPT sponsorship in manufacturing?
West Virginia's manufacturing sector is heavily weighted toward chemicals, energy infrastructure, and metals, which means demand tends to favor graduates with STEM backgrounds in chemical, mechanical, or environmental engineering rather than consumer goods or electronics manufacturing. The state's employer pool is smaller than in major industrial states, so OPT timelines matter more here. Starting your job search at least three to four months before your OPT start date gives employers enough time to complete onboarding and, if applicable, begin STEM extension paperwork with your DSO.