Project Lead Jobs at Johnson Controls with Visa Sponsorship
Project Lead jobs at Johnson Controls sit at the intersection of engineering execution and cross-functional coordination, overseeing building systems, HVAC, and industrial automation projects from planning through delivery. Johnson Controls has a consistent record of sponsoring work visas for this function, supporting candidates across multiple visa categories.
Find Project Lead Jobs at Johnson ControlsOverview
Showing 5 of 43+ Project Lead Jobs at Johnson Controls










See all 43+ Project Lead Jobs at Johnson Controls
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Lead Jobs at Johnson Controls.
Get Access To All Jobs
Build your best future with the Johnson Controls team!
As a global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places, and the planet. Join a winning team that enables you to build your best future!
Our teams are uniquely positioned to support a multitude of industries across the globe. You will have the opportunity to develop yourself through meaningful work projects and learning opportunities. We strive to provide our employees with an experience focused on supporting their physical, financial, and emotional wellbeing.
Become a member of the Johnson Controls family and thrive in an empowering company culture where your voice and ideas will be heard – your next great opportunity is just a few clicks away!
What we offer
- Competitive base salary and a comprehensive bonus program.
- Three weeks paid vacation in a calendar year/holidays/sick time/three PTO days in a calendar year.
- Comprehensive benefits package including 401K, medical, dental, and vision care - Available day one.
- Extensive product and on the job/cross training opportunities
- Encouraging and collaborative team environment
- Dedication to safety through our Zero Harm policy
- Providing Scheduling and management support.
- JCI Employee discount programs (The Loop by Perk Spot)
Summary: This role is the day-to-day project lead for validated environment and laboratory construction projects (e.g., cleanrooms, biosafety cabinets, containment suites, biocontainment labs, and related utilities) across a campus. The Project Manager will report to the Project Executive and partner with Engineering, QA/Validation, Delivery, Sponsors, and regional leadership to deliver projects within a validated-state framework, focusing on operational excellence, compliance, and both tactical and financial performance.
What will you do:
- Plan, execute, monitor, and close validated environment projects across multiple sites, ensuring IQ/OQ/PQ, equipment qualification, data integrity, and regulatory expectations are met.
- Serve as the on-site/day-to-day on-site project lead, coordinating Owners, Architects, Engineers, QA/Validation, Contractors, and Vendors to achieve project objectives within validated-state constraints.
- Collaborate with the Project Executive to define and maintain project scope, schedule, and budget baselines; monitor progress and report deviations. Drive project schedule with a sense of urgency while not compromising quality.
- Develop and implement validation strategies and documentation (validation plans, commissioning/qualification activities, and related records) aligned with corporate validation policy.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate project-level risks that could impact deliverables, schedules, budgets, data integrity, or compliance; escalate as needed with proposed remedies.
- Track and report project performance to the Project Executive, including schedule status, budget, risk, QA/validation progress, and regulatory readiness.
- Manage and appropriately change orders, project delays, procurement, and contract administration for assigned projects; ensure alignment with validated baselines and contract requirements. Update all logs on at least a weekly basis. Manage all documentation as per standards in Solution Navigator.
- Ensure robust documentation controls that meet contract, QA, and regulatory standards (validation protocols, IQ/OQ/PQ records, SOP alignment, QA approvals) and support regulatory inspections.
- Seek opportunities to improve validation workflows, data integrity practices, and delivery quality to enhance client satisfaction.
- Maintain relationships with sponsors and stakeholders; act as a trusted advisor on validated-environment delivery and compliance at the project level.
- Manage vendor and subcontractor performance for assigned projects, selecting qualified partners and ensuring alignment with timelines and objectives.
- Manage project finances at the assignment level, including budgeting, forecasting, progress billings, and payables, ensuring alignment with project baselines.
- Prepare the project team for regulatory inspections and audits through thorough documentation and traceability.
- Foster a safe, compliant, and collaborative project environment; provide guidance to junior team members as needed.
What you will need to be successful (Required):
- Bachelor’s degree in construction, Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Business Management, Architecture, or a related field.
- 5–10 years of direct project management experience on large capital projects, including regulated or validated settings (typical project sizes in the $5–$20M range; portfolio responsibility not required).
- Demonstrated success delivering complex, multi-site projects in validated environments (GMP/GLP/ISO 17025) within labs, biopharma, pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical devices, healthcare, or related sectors.
- Understanding of contract language, project accounting, and basic portfolio management as they apply to validated environments.
- Strong executive communication skills; ability to present to senior leadership and diverse stakeholder groups; capable of influencing across functional boundaries.
- Ability to lead and coordinate cross-functional teams (Owners, Architects, Engineers, QA/Validation, Contractors) in regulated contexts.
- Proficiency with standard project management tools (Primavera P6, MS Project) and reporting platforms; advanced skills in MS Office with the ability to create executive-level dashboards and presentations.
- Working knowledge of validation concepts, commissioning/qualification processes, data integrity best practices, and regulatory expectations for validated facilities.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with key stakeholders and subcontractors in validated environments.
- Willingness to travel and operate across multiple sites as needed.
Preferred:
- Master’s degree.
- PMI certification (PMP) or equivalent.
- Certifications or hands-on experience in CQV; CSV awareness; familiarity with FDA 21 CFR Part 11, EU Annex 11, and related regulatory frameworks.
- Specific experience delivering validated environments: GMP/GLP labs, ISO 14644 cleanrooms, ISO 17025 laboratories, or similar.
- Experience working on programs in datacenter-adjacent facilities requiring stringent validation regimes.
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to continuous improvement programs for validation processes and data integrity across a project portfolio.
Reporting line:
This position reports to the Project Executive. May supervise project coordinators or junior project team members as part of the assigned project team.
HIRING SALARY RANGE: $130,000.00 - 165,000.00 USD Annual. (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data.) This position includes a competitive benefits package.
See all 43+ Project Lead Jobs at Johnson Controls
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Project Lead Jobs at Johnson Controls.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Project Lead Jobs at Johnson Controls
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
H-1B eligibility for Project Lead roles hinges on the position requiring a specific bachelor's degree, not just any degree. Frame your engineering or technical degree as directly tied to building systems, controls, or project management disciplines before applying.
Target Johnson Controls' service branch operations
Johnson Controls fills Project Lead openings heavily through its service and installation branches, not just corporate pipelines. Search for branch-level postings in your metro area, as these teams hire independently and often have more immediate sponsorship flexibility than centralized recruiting.
Use Migrate Mate to filter open Project Lead roles
Johnson Controls posts Project Lead positions across multiple regions with varying sponsorship terms. Use Migrate Mate to filter specifically for Johnson Controls openings that include visa sponsorship, so you're targeting confirmed opportunities rather than cold-applying across the company.
Prepare your LCA documentation before the offer stage
Johnson Controls initiates the Labor Condition Application with DOL before your H-1B petition can be filed with USCIS. Confirm your job title, work location, and prevailing wage tier with HR early, as any discrepancy between the LCA and your actual role can delay or invalidate the filing.
Leverage F-1 OPT to build a Johnson Controls track record
Johnson Controls regularly converts OPT hires into H-1B sponsorship candidates. Starting as a Project Lead on STEM OPT gives you up to three years of employment before cap-subject H-1B registration, long enough to demonstrate performance and secure internal sponsorship commitment ahead of the April lottery.
Negotiate sponsorship terms before signing an offer letter
Johnson Controls' project teams span long contract cycles, so confirm whether your sponsorship covers premium processing and what happens if your project assignment changes location after your I-129 is filed. Work location changes can require an amended petition, which affects your start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Johnson Controls sponsor H-1B visas for Project Leads?
Yes, Johnson Controls sponsors H-1B visas for Project Lead roles. The position typically qualifies as a specialty occupation given its requirement for a degree in engineering, construction management, or a related technical field. Your employer initiates the process by filing a Labor Condition Application with DOL, followed by an H-1B petition with USCIS. Cap-subject candidates must be selected in the annual lottery, which opens in March each year.
Which visa types are commonly used for Project Lead roles at Johnson Controls?
Johnson Controls sponsors H-1B visas most frequently for Project Lead positions, but the company also supports F-1 OPT and CPT for early-career candidates, TN visas for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying engineering roles, and EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card pathways for longer-term employees. The right category depends on your nationality, degree, and how far along you are in your career with the company.
What qualifications and experience does Johnson Controls expect for Project Lead roles?
Johnson Controls generally expects a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering, or a closely related field, combined with hands-on experience managing building automation, HVAC, or industrial controls projects. PMP certification and familiarity with Johnson Controls' Metasys or other building management platforms strengthen your profile. For visa purposes, your degree field must align directly with the technical scope of the role.
How do I apply for Project Lead jobs at Johnson Controls?
You can find and apply for Project Lead positions at Johnson Controls through Migrate Mate, which filters listings to show roles with confirmed visa sponsorship. When you apply, tailor your resume to reflect project lifecycle management, site coordination, and any experience with building systems or controls. Referencing relevant certifications and technical platforms used in Johnson Controls' service environment helps your application clear initial screening.
How do I time my H-1B sponsorship process when starting a Project Lead role at Johnson Controls?
If you're on F-1 OPT, your employer must submit your H-1B registration during the March window for an October 1 start date. USCIS typically announces lottery results by late March or April. Johnson Controls can file for premium processing to get a decision within 15 business days once petitions open in April, which matters if your OPT expires before October. Start conversations with HR about sponsorship at least six months before your status expires.