Controls Engineer Jobs at Form Energy with Visa Sponsorship
Controls Engineer jobs at Form Energy sit at the intersection of battery system design and industrial automation, requiring hands-on experience with control systems, PLCs, and energy hardware. Form Energy sponsors a range of work visas for this function, making it a realistic target for international engineers building careers in U.S. clean energy.
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Get Access To All JobsAre you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!
In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.
Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.
Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.
Role Description
As a Staff Controls Engineer on the Robotics & Vision team, you will step into a high-impact technical leadership role. You will own the design, development, and deployment of novel automation equipment used to manufacture our revolutionary Iron-Air batteries.
Reporting to our Senior Controls Engineering Manager, you will serve as a pillar of a rapidly growing Manufacturing Control and Execution Systems team. This is a rare opportunity to combine deep hands-on technical execution with high-level project leadership and mentorship, shaping both our factory floor and the careers of the engineers around you.
Relocation assistance is available.
What you'll do:
- Technical Leadership: Act as the technical lead on multiple concurrent Robotics & Vision projects, collaborating closely with Automation, E&I, and SCADA teams to deliver complex systems on time and within budget.
- Mentor & Guide: Share your wealth of knowledge to technically and professionally mentor less experienced robotics and vision controls engineers.
- Vendor Partnership: Collaborate directly with equipment vendors to ensure they meet Form Energy’s rigorous equipment standards. You will lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor sites and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) at Form Factory 1.
- Hands-on Innovation: Develop, test, and program advanced robotics and vision systems, integrating them seamlessly with PLCs, SCADA, and MES layers. This includes programming and troubleshooting MES data transactions within PLC programs.
- Continuous Improvement & Support: Serve as an advanced escalation point for our sustaining, production operations, and maintenance teams. You’ll troubleshoot complex robotics, vision, and electrical issues to maximize throughput and ensure top-tier safety. (Note: This role includes a rotating on-call responsibility for off-hour high-level escalations).
What you'll bring:
- Experience: 8+ years of hands-on engineering experience working deeply with robotic systems in a manufacturing environment.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent hands-on industry experience.
- Advanced PLC Programming: Independence in programming and troubleshooting within Siemens TIA-Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000, including PLC product tracking and handshake/data programming.
- Robotics Mastery: Advanced proficiency in FANUC and FANUC ROBOGUIDE (you should be comfortable training others on these platforms).
- Vision Systems: Expertise in Keyence and Cognex Barcode Scanners, Inspection systems, and Position applications (ability to train others required).
- Functional Safety: Deep familiarity with Functional Safety systems. You can independently review electrical hardware and programming, train others on FANUC DCS Programming, and handle Siemens ProfiSafe and Rockwell CIP Safety programming (with minimal supervision).
- Electrical & Diagnostic Skills: Ability to independently read, interpret, and redline complex electrical schematics to troubleshoot industrial hardware.
- Tools: Independent execution using iba and Octoplant.
Nice to have:
- Familiarity with Beckhoff TwinCat.
- Experience with SCADA/HMI platforms like Ignition Perspective, Siemens WinCC, or Rockwell FTView ME.
- Knowledge of OT Networks (configuring Siemens Scalance Managed Network Switches).
- Design experience using AutoCAD Electrical or SolidWorks.
- Experience with IPC/Panel PC setup and control panel fabrication.
Where you'll work:
This role is based at Form Factory 1 in Weirton, WV—an easy commute from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. This 550,000-square-foot facility is our hub for high-volume battery production and a leader in the new era of American energy manufacturing. Relocation assistance is available.
Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.
When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.
To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.
If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact accommodations@formenergy.com. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.
Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.
Are you ready to build America’s energy future? Form Energy is an American manufacturing and energy technology company. We’re revolutionizing energy storage with cost-effective, multi-day technology designed to keep the electric grid secure and reliable, even during extended periods of stress. By strengthening the electric system and reimagining what’s possible, we’re giving clean energy a whole new form!
In recent years, Form Energy has earned a number of accolades, including being named by TIME as a “Best Invention”, MIT Technology Review as a “Top Climate Tech Company To Watch”, and Fast Company as “One of the Next Big Things In Tech”. We are making rapid progress on our mission of delivering energy storage for a better world, and our team is growing just as rapidly to meet demand. We have signed contracts with leading electric utilities across the United States and production of our iron-air batteries is underway at our first high-volume manufacturing facility in West Virginia.
Working for Form Energy is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something extraordinary. And now - right as we significantly scale up battery manufacturing - might be the most exciting moment in the company’s history to join. We are assembling a team of highly talented and driven individuals across the country. Driven by our core values of humanity, excellence, and creativity, our team is determined to deliver on our mission and transform the energy landscape for the better.
Feeling energized to make a meaningful impact on the world? Then keep reading - you’ve come to the right place.
Role Description
As a Staff Controls Engineer on the Robotics & Vision team, you will step into a high-impact technical leadership role. You will own the design, development, and deployment of novel automation equipment used to manufacture our revolutionary Iron-Air batteries.
Reporting to our Senior Controls Engineering Manager, you will serve as a pillar of a rapidly growing Manufacturing Control and Execution Systems team. This is a rare opportunity to combine deep hands-on technical execution with high-level project leadership and mentorship, shaping both our factory floor and the careers of the engineers around you.
Relocation assistance is available.
What you'll do:
- Technical Leadership: Act as the technical lead on multiple concurrent Robotics & Vision projects, collaborating closely with Automation, E&I, and SCADA teams to deliver complex systems on time and within budget.
- Mentor & Guide: Share your wealth of knowledge to technically and professionally mentor less experienced robotics and vision controls engineers.
- Vendor Partnership: Collaborate directly with equipment vendors to ensure they meet Form Energy’s rigorous equipment standards. You will lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor sites and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) at Form Factory 1.
- Hands-on Innovation: Develop, test, and program advanced robotics and vision systems, integrating them seamlessly with PLCs, SCADA, and MES layers. This includes programming and troubleshooting MES data transactions within PLC programs.
- Continuous Improvement & Support: Serve as an advanced escalation point for our sustaining, production operations, and maintenance teams. You’ll troubleshoot complex robotics, vision, and electrical issues to maximize throughput and ensure top-tier safety. (Note: This role includes a rotating on-call responsibility for off-hour high-level escalations).
What you'll bring:
- Experience: 8+ years of hands-on engineering experience working deeply with robotic systems in a manufacturing environment.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or Mechatronics Engineering, or equivalent hands-on industry experience.
- Advanced PLC Programming: Independence in programming and troubleshooting within Siemens TIA-Portal and Rockwell Studio 5000, including PLC product tracking and handshake/data programming.
- Robotics Mastery: Advanced proficiency in FANUC and FANUC ROBOGUIDE (you should be comfortable training others on these platforms).
- Vision Systems: Expertise in Keyence and Cognex Barcode Scanners, Inspection systems, and Position applications (ability to train others required).
- Functional Safety: Deep familiarity with Functional Safety systems. You can independently review electrical hardware and programming, train others on FANUC DCS Programming, and handle Siemens ProfiSafe and Rockwell CIP Safety programming (with minimal supervision).
- Electrical & Diagnostic Skills: Ability to independently read, interpret, and redline complex electrical schematics to troubleshoot industrial hardware.
- Tools: Independent execution using iba and Octoplant.
Nice to have:
- Familiarity with Beckhoff TwinCat.
- Experience with SCADA/HMI platforms like Ignition Perspective, Siemens WinCC, or Rockwell FTView ME.
- Knowledge of OT Networks (configuring Siemens Scalance Managed Network Switches).
- Design experience using AutoCAD Electrical or SolidWorks.
- Experience with IPC/Panel PC setup and control panel fabrication.
Where you'll work:
This role is based at Form Factory 1 in Weirton, WV—an easy commute from the city of Pittsburgh, PA. This 550,000-square-foot facility is our hub for high-volume battery production and a leader in the new era of American energy manufacturing. Relocation assistance is available.
Humanity is a cornerstone of Form Energy’s culture, and we make sure our compensation and benefits reflect that. Form Energy offers competitive salaries, stock options, and a holistic benefits package to ensure all employees have what they need to thrive while working here.
When it comes to you and your family’s health, we cover 100% of medical, dental, and vision premiums for full-time employees - and 80% of healthcare premiums for dependents. This starts from day one. We also offer at least 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents (up to 20 weeks for birthing parents), and generous vacation policies to give employees time to recharge when needed.
To build America’s energy future, we need everyone at the table. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply to our open jobs.
If you may require reasonable accommodations to participate in our interview process, please contact accommodations@formenergy.com. Requests for accommodations will be treated with discretion.
Form Energy is committed to maintaining the privacy of our applicants. Please be aware that we will never solicit sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account details during the recruiting or hiring process.
Tips for Finding Controls Engineer Jobs at Form Energy
Align your credentials to battery system controls
Form Energy builds long-duration iron-air batteries, so frame your resume around PLC programming, SCADA systems, and power electronics rather than general controls experience. Employers in this space weigh domain-specific hardware skills heavily at the screening stage.
Verify your degree supports specialty occupation status
H-1B eligibility for Controls Engineer roles requires USCIS to confirm your degree directly relates to the position. Electrical engineering, systems engineering, or mechatronics degrees typically satisfy this. A general business or unrelated technical degree creates risk at adjudication.
Target Form Energy during hardware expansion hiring cycles
Energy storage companies ramp Controls Engineer hiring when they scale manufacturing or commission new pilot plants. Monitoring Form Energy's engineering job board during announced facility expansions gives you a timing advantage over applicants who apply ad hoc.
Find Form Energy's open roles through Migrate Mate
Search Migrate Mate to filter Controls Engineer positions at Form Energy by visa type, so you only see roles where sponsorship is confirmed. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to postings that don't clarify immigration support upfront.
Prepare for TN status if you hold Canadian or Mexican citizenship
Controls Engineering qualifies under the TN visa's Engineer category for Canadian and Mexican nationals. TN status can be obtained at the border or port of entry with an offer letter and degree documentation, bypassing the H-1B lottery entirely.
Clarify LCA prevailing wage compliance before negotiating salary
Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL before your H-1B petition, certifying your offered wage meets the prevailing rate for your job zone and location. Understanding this before salary discussions helps you avoid offer structures that create LCA complications later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Form Energy sponsor H-1B visas for Controls Engineers?
Yes, Form Energy sponsors H-1B visas for Controls Engineer roles. The H-1B is the most common path for international engineers at U.S. hardware and energy companies. Because H-1B selection is subject to an annual lottery, your employer files the petition in April and work authorization under the new H-1B typically begins October 1 if selected.
How do I apply for Controls Engineer jobs at Form Energy?
Apply directly through Form Energy's careers page, or use Migrate Mate to browse their open Controls Engineer roles filtered by visa sponsorship type. Tailor your application to highlight control system experience relevant to energy storage hardware, including PLC programming, instrumentation, and commissioning work. Following up with a recruiter after applying can improve your response rate at engineering-focused companies.
Which visa types does Form Energy typically use for Controls Engineer roles?
Form Energy sponsors H-1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 CPT, TN visa, and employment-based Green Cards including EB-2 and EB-3 for Controls Engineer positions. F-1 OPT is common for recent graduates entering the role, while H-1B and TN visa are the standard paths for experienced engineers. Green Card sponsorship through PERM labor certification is typically available after an initial period in the role.
What qualifications does Form Energy expect for Controls Engineer roles?
A bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, systems engineering, or a closely related field is the baseline. Form Energy's hardware focus means practical experience with PLC programming, SCADA platforms, industrial sensors, and control panel design carries more weight than general software skills. Familiarity with energy storage systems, battery management, or power electronics is a meaningful differentiator for this specific employer.
How do I think about timing if I'm on F-1 OPT and targeting Form Energy?
If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in electrical engineering or a STEM field, you qualify for a 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization after graduation. This creates enough runway to work at Form Energy through at least two H-1B lottery cycles. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to support a STEM OPT extension, which is standard practice at hardware companies of Form Energy's profile.