Operational Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Operational Specialist roles attract strong H-1B visa and TN visa sponsorship because employers treat them as specialty occupations requiring a directly related business, operations, or engineering degree. With no lottery for TN and a 65,000-cap annual lottery for H-1B, your path depends on nationality, degree field, and how the employer classifies the role.
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General Summary:
The GMP Operational Quality Senior Specialist supports the principles and application of quality assurance and regulatory compliance. The incumbent supports or executes a wide range of straightforward activities, and supports new/existing project initiatives.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports quality oversight for root-cause analysis and product impact assessment for investigations as a result of deviations, OOS, and OOT investigations ensuring appropriate CAPA actions are identified.
- Supports change control assessments, implementation and closure.
- Identifies and facilitates continuous improvement efforts.
- Supports drafting and revising Quality Agreements between CMOs/Suppliers and Vertex, as needed.
- Helps represent Vertex Quality on cross-functional working teams, applying strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Supports continuous improvement projects.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Experience supporting multiple projects/teams within stated objectives and timelines.
- Experience supporting cross-functional team members and collaborating effectively.
- Good communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to exchange potentially complex information.
- Able to integrate activities with other groups, departments, and project teams as needed.
- Demonstrated ability to support evaluation of quality matters and solve straightforward problems using technical experience and judgment based on precedent.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet quality, accuracy, and timeliness objectives.
- Expanded conceptual knowledge of cGMP's in a pharmaceutical setting.
- Proficient in leading event investigations, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and CAPA.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in scientific or allied health field (or equivalent degree).
Typically requires 2 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Pay Range:
$94,200 - $141,200
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
- Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
- On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
LI-Hybrid
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com.
Job Description
General Summary:
The GMP Operational Quality Senior Specialist supports the principles and application of quality assurance and regulatory compliance. The incumbent supports or executes a wide range of straightforward activities, and supports new/existing project initiatives.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supports quality oversight for root-cause analysis and product impact assessment for investigations as a result of deviations, OOS, and OOT investigations ensuring appropriate CAPA actions are identified.
- Supports change control assessments, implementation and closure.
- Identifies and facilitates continuous improvement efforts.
- Supports drafting and revising Quality Agreements between CMOs/Suppliers and Vertex, as needed.
- Helps represent Vertex Quality on cross-functional working teams, applying strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Supports continuous improvement projects.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Experience supporting multiple projects/teams within stated objectives and timelines.
- Experience supporting cross-functional team members and collaborating effectively.
- Good communication skills (written and verbal) and the ability to exchange potentially complex information.
- Able to integrate activities with other groups, departments, and project teams as needed.
- Demonstrated ability to support evaluation of quality matters and solve straightforward problems using technical experience and judgment based on precedent.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet quality, accuracy, and timeliness objectives.
- Expanded conceptual knowledge of cGMP's in a pharmaceutical setting.
- Proficient in leading event investigations, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and CAPA.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in scientific or allied health field (or equivalent degree).
Typically requires 2 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Pay Range:
$94,200 - $141,200
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
- Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
- On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
LI-Hybrid
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com.
See all 425+ Operational Specialist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Operational Specialist
Align your degree to the role title
Operational Specialist petitions get challenged when the degree field feels tangential. Pull the O*NET occupation profile for your specific role and match your transcript's major to the listed knowledge domains before any employer files paperwork.
Verify your LCA wage tier early
Run your target city and job title through the OFLC Wage Search before accepting an offer. Employers must pay at least the prevailing wage Level I through IV, and mismatches delay LCA certification and push back your start date.
Target companies with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with verified operational specialist LCA sponsorship history, filtered by city and role, so you're applying to companies that have already cleared DOL certification for this exact job category.
Distinguish TN eligibility from H-1B for operations roles
Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN status under the Management Consultant or Industrial Engineer category if the role qualifies, skipping the H-1B lottery entirely. Confirm which USMCA profession fits your specific duties before the employer decides which petition to file.
Get the LCA job description specificity right
Generic titles like 'Operational Specialist' invite USCIS Requests for Evidence. Push your employer's HR or legal team to document the specific duties, decision-making authority, and degree requirement in the LCA job description, not just the job title.
Time your H-1B transfer to protect OPT continuity
If you're on OPT and switching operational specialist employers, your new employer's I-129 petition must be filed before your OPT expires. H-1B portability lets you start working once the petition is received by USCIS, without waiting for approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Operational Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the employer defines the role. USCIS requires that the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Operational Specialist titles that involve process engineering, supply chain analysis, or business systems work typically qualify. Generalist operations roles with no specific degree requirement face higher scrutiny and are more likely to receive a Request for Evidence.
What visa options exist for Operational Specialist candidates who want to skip the H-1B lottery?
Canadian and Mexican nationals can explore TN status under qualifying USMCA profession categories such as Management Consultant or Industrial Engineer, depending on actual job duties. Australian nationals may qualify for the E-3 visa, which has a separate 10,500-cap annual allocation that has never been exhausted. Both avoid the H-1B lottery entirely and are renewable indefinitely.
Which degree fields most commonly support Operational Specialist sponsorship petitions?
Business administration, operations management, industrial engineering, supply chain management, and systems engineering are the degree fields most frequently cited in successful LCA filings for this job category. A general business degree can work if the transcript reflects coursework directly tied to the role's analytical or process functions. Degrees with no operational coursework create mismatch risk during USCIS adjudication.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor Operational Specialist visa candidates?
Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA sponsorship history for operational roles, searchable by city and job category. This shows you which companies have already gone through DOL certification for this role type, so you're not guessing at sponsorship willingness during the application process.
Can an employer sponsor an Operational Specialist for a green card, and how long does that take?
Yes. Most employer-sponsored green card paths for this role go through EB-2 or EB-3, both requiring PERM labor certification from DOL before USCIS adjudicates the I-140 petition. PERM alone can take six months to over a year. Nationals from India and China face additional wait times due to per-country priority date backlogs, which can extend the total timeline by years.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Operational Specialist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.