H-1B Visa Associate Director of Engineering Jobs
H-1B visa jobs for Associate Directors of Engineering are plentiful at mid-to-large technology and manufacturing employers who routinely sponsor cap-subject petitions. This role qualifies as a specialty occupation, requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering or a closely related field, and commands prevailing wage compliance under DOL's Level III or IV classifications.
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The Manufacturing Engineering Lead manages a mission-critical function within Site Engineering and Facilities, overseeing the installation, validation, reliability, and optimization of manufacturing process equipment and cGxP warehouse technologies. This leader will guide a team of engineers, represent Site Engineering and Facilities in key operational decisions, and partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, EHS, Maintenance, Automation, and global engineering teams. The role requires a strong technical foundation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, validation, equipment performance, and regulated operations.
What you’ll do
- Lead and develop the Manufacturing Engineering function, including a team of approximately 7–15 employees.
- Ensure the ongoing reliability, performance, safety, and compliance of manufacturing process equipment and assigned systems.
- Establish departmental goals, development plans, operating metrics, and tactical priorities aligned with manufacturing and site objectives.
- Represent Site Engineering and Facilities in site and factory leadership discussions involving manufacturing strategy, technical risks, and operational direction.
- Lead validation strategy, execution, and lifecycle management while ensuring alignment with the Quality Management System and global procedures.
- Present and defend manufacturing engineering and validation programs during regulatory audits and inspections.
- Develop operating and capital forecasts, manage departmental resources, and provide oversight of the site’s small-capital portfolio.
- Prioritize continuous-improvement initiatives, equipment upgrades, and engineering solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, and manufacturing performance.
- Provide technical direction during critical equipment issues and support uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
- Collaborate with Quality and EHS to maintain equipment and systems in a safe, compliant, and validated state.
- Support 24/7 manufacturing operations as business needs require.
- Coach and develop engineering employees while promoting technical capability, accountability, and effective delegation.
Who you are
You are an experienced engineering leader who combines deep technical knowledge with sound operational judgment. You can lead through complex equipment and compliance challenges, develop engineering talent, influence senior stakeholders, and make timely decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Required skills
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university
- At minimum, 10 years of relevant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or adjacent industry.
- At minimum, 2 years of experience managing or leading engineering professionals, contractors, or cross-functional technical teams.
- In-depth experience with GMP validation, manufacturing, engineering, or facilities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations, cGMP, GLP, EMEA, and ISO requirements.
- Experience working with FDA or comparable regulatory investigators, preparing responses to observations, and implementing corrective measures.
- Experience leading GMP validation activities and maintaining manufacturing systems in a compliant and validated state.
- Experience with large operating and capital budgets and complex engineering projects.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-site or cross-functional initiatives.
Preferred skills
- Working knowledge of distributed control systems, programmable logic controllers, P&IDs, and standard operating procedures.
- Experience with manufacturing process equipment and supporting utility or facility systems.
- Lean Six Sigma, continuous-improvement, or operational-excellence experience.
- Contract management and contractor safety-management experience.
- Experience supporting large-scale, multi-use manufacturing facilities.
- Strong business acumen, strategic planning, capital-investment analysis, and resource-management capabilities.
- Ability to communicate engineering strategy and technical risk effectively to senior leaders, regulators, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
Job Level: Management
Additional Information
The base compensation range for this role is: $147,000.00-$202,500.00
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
About this role
The Manufacturing Engineering Lead manages a mission-critical function within Site Engineering and Facilities, overseeing the installation, validation, reliability, and optimization of manufacturing process equipment and cGxP warehouse technologies. This leader will guide a team of engineers, represent Site Engineering and Facilities in key operational decisions, and partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, EHS, Maintenance, Automation, and global engineering teams. The role requires a strong technical foundation in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, validation, equipment performance, and regulated operations.
What you’ll do
- Lead and develop the Manufacturing Engineering function, including a team of approximately 7–15 employees.
- Ensure the ongoing reliability, performance, safety, and compliance of manufacturing process equipment and assigned systems.
- Establish departmental goals, development plans, operating metrics, and tactical priorities aligned with manufacturing and site objectives.
- Represent Site Engineering and Facilities in site and factory leadership discussions involving manufacturing strategy, technical risks, and operational direction.
- Lead validation strategy, execution, and lifecycle management while ensuring alignment with the Quality Management System and global procedures.
- Present and defend manufacturing engineering and validation programs during regulatory audits and inspections.
- Develop operating and capital forecasts, manage departmental resources, and provide oversight of the site’s small-capital portfolio.
- Prioritize continuous-improvement initiatives, equipment upgrades, and engineering solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, and manufacturing performance.
- Provide technical direction during critical equipment issues and support uninterrupted manufacturing operations.
- Collaborate with Quality and EHS to maintain equipment and systems in a safe, compliant, and validated state.
- Support 24/7 manufacturing operations as business needs require.
- Coach and develop engineering employees while promoting technical capability, accountability, and effective delegation.
Who you are
You are an experienced engineering leader who combines deep technical knowledge with sound operational judgment. You can lead through complex equipment and compliance challenges, develop engineering talent, influence senior stakeholders, and make timely decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Required skills
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university
- At minimum, 10 years of relevant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or adjacent industry.
- At minimum, 2 years of experience managing or leading engineering professionals, contractors, or cross-functional technical teams.
- In-depth experience with GMP validation, manufacturing, engineering, or facilities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of biopharmaceutical manufacturing operations, cGMP, GLP, EMEA, and ISO requirements.
- Experience working with FDA or comparable regulatory investigators, preparing responses to observations, and implementing corrective measures.
- Experience leading GMP validation activities and maintaining manufacturing systems in a compliant and validated state.
- Experience with large operating and capital budgets and complex engineering projects.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-site or cross-functional initiatives.
Preferred skills
- Working knowledge of distributed control systems, programmable logic controllers, P&IDs, and standard operating procedures.
- Experience with manufacturing process equipment and supporting utility or facility systems.
- Lean Six Sigma, continuous-improvement, or operational-excellence experience.
- Contract management and contractor safety-management experience.
- Experience supporting large-scale, multi-use manufacturing facilities.
- Strong business acumen, strategic planning, capital-investment analysis, and resource-management capabilities.
- Ability to communicate engineering strategy and technical risk effectively to senior leaders, regulators, vendors, and cross-functional partners.
Job Level: Management
Additional Information
The base compensation range for this role is: $147,000.00-$202,500.00
Base salary offered is determined through an analytical approach utilizing a combination of factors including, but not limited to, relevant skills & experience, job location, and internal equity.
Regular employees are eligible to receive both short term and long-term incentives, including cash bonus and equity incentive opportunities, designed to reward recent achievements and recognize your future potential based on individual, business unit and company performance.
In addition to compensation, Biogen offers a full and highly competitive range of benefits designed to support our employees’ and their families physical, financial, emotional, and social well-being; including, but not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, & Life insurances
- Fitness & Wellness programs including a fitness reimbursement
- Short- and Long-Term Disability insurance
- A minimum of 15 days of paid vacation and an additional end-of-year shutdown time off (Dec 26-Dec 31)
- Up to 12 company paid holidays + 3 paid days off for Personal Significance
- 80 hours of sick time per calendar year
- Paid Maternity and Parental Leave benefit
- 401(k) program participation with company matched contributions
- Employee stock purchase plan
- Tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000 per calendar year
- Employee Resource Groups participation
Why Biogen?
We are a global team with a commitment to excellence, and a pioneering spirit. As a mid-sized biotechnology company, we provide the stability and resources of a well-established business while fostering an environment where individual contributions make a significant impact. Our team encompasses some of the most talented and passionate achievers who have unparalleled opportunities for learning, growth, and expanding their skills. Above all, we work together to deliver life-changing medicines, with every role playing a vital part in our mission. Caring Deeply. Achieving Excellence. Changing Lives.
At Biogen, we are committed to building on our culture of inclusion and belonging that reflects the communities where we operate and the patients we serve. We know that diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives make us a stronger and more innovative company, and we are focused on building teams where every employee feels empowered and inspired.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law. Biogen is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.
See all 33+ H-1B Visa Associate Director of Engineering Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Associate Director of Engineering Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Associate Director of Engineering
Map your degree to your specialty
Your H-1B visa petition must show your engineering degree directly relates to the Associate Director role. Document how your academic field connects to your technical duties, since USCIS scrutinizes management-heavy titles for specialty occupation eligibility more closely than individual contributor roles.
Target employers with LCA filing history
Search Migrate Mate's database of verified H-1B sponsors to find employers who have certified LCAs for engineering director-level roles specifically. Prior filing history at that level signals the employer already understands prevailing wage obligations and the I-129 process.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level III or Level IV prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before accepting any offer. Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above that threshold, so knowing the floor protects you during salary discussions.
Prepare a detailed duties letter early
Associate Director roles blend technical leadership and people management, which can invite USCIS Requests for Evidence. Ask your future employer to draft a duties letter that quantifies the engineering judgment required, distinguishing it from general administrative oversight before the I-129 is filed.
Account for multi-site LCA requirements
If your role involves managing teams across multiple office locations or remote engineering hubs, each worksite needs its own certified LCA before you work there. Raise this with the employer's immigration counsel during the offer stage, not after the first petition is already filed.
Use premium processing for time-sensitive transitions
If you're switching employers while in H-1B status, USCIS premium processing cuts adjudication to 15 business days on Form I-129. Confirm with your new employer whether their immigration policy covers premium processing fees for director-level hires before signing.
H-1B Visa Associate Director of Engineering: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Associate Director of Engineering role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, this role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a closely related technical field to perform the core duties. USCIS will look for evidence that the position demands theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, so the job description should emphasize technical decision-making rather than purely managerial responsibilities.
How do I find employers actively sponsoring H-1B visas for engineering director roles?
Browse Migrate Mate to search for employers with verified LCA filing histories for senior engineering positions. DOL's public disclosure data shows which companies have certified labor condition applications at director-level SOC codes, letting you target organizations that have already committed to the prevailing wage and sponsorship process rather than those just open to exploring it.
What prevailing wage level applies to an Associate Director of Engineering on H-1B?
Most Associate Director of Engineering roles fall under DOL prevailing wage Level III or Level IV, which correspond to experienced and fully competent workers in a given occupation and geography. Your employer must certify the LCA at or above the applicable level for your worksite's metropolitan statistical area. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify the current threshold before evaluating any offer.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer for an Associate Director role mid-status?
Yes, H-1B portability allows you to begin working for a new employer once they file a non-frivolous I-129 petition on your behalf, without waiting for USCIS approval, provided you're maintaining valid status. The new employer must file a fresh LCA certified for your specific worksite and role. Your H-1B status remains valid for up to six years total across employers, not per employer.
What documentation should I gather before an employer files my H-1B for this role?
You'll need official transcripts and degree certificates showing your engineering or related technical degree, your resume detailing engineering-specific responsibilities at each position, and any professional licenses or certifications relevant to your specialty. The employer's counsel will also need your passport, prior immigration documents, and a detailed job description that ties the Associate Director duties to your specific field of study for the O*NET occupation profile review.