H-1B Visa Automation Specialist Jobs
Automation Specialist roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field. Employers filing LCAs for these positions must meet DOL prevailing wage requirements, and the annual H-1B cap means timing your job search around the April lottery window matters.
Find H-1B Visa Automation Specialist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 2,159+ Automation Specialist jobs
See all 2,159+ Automation Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Automation Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We are the game changers, innovators, collaborators, who “Dare To Level Up” the Status Quo. We are the ground breakers of the Supply Chain & Logistics space. We spread across 200 countries and territories and are united by a shared set of values and goals. You know our name through our amazing portfolio, including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Quaker, and Gatorade. We WIN with a purpose. We dream globally and act locally, constantly innovating to sustain our planet, our people, our communities, and our business practices. Together, we raise the bar in lean manufacturing practices. We put forth new standards and stretch to reach beyond the goals we set. We are a think tank, bringing our ideas into action and are determined to find ways to drive efficiencies, improve processes and achieve the highest level of safety, all while meeting the demands of our customers and consumers to deliver the best products. At PepsiCo, we are committed to performing as individuals and in teams to strengthen the company.
Are you hungry to be a part of the world’s largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands? Now is the time to explore the opportunities of PepsiCo: What makes you unique makes you.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Automation & Controls Lead is the plant’s technical authority for automation, controls, and factory floor network systems. This role ensures all control systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while driving continuous improvement across the site. In addition to leading automation strategy for the home plant, the Automation & Controls Lead may support multiple facilities within a regional pod—partnering with technicians, engineering teams, and Technical Services Managers to elevate automation capability across sites.
Automation & Controls Leadership:
- Serve as the primary in plant leader for automation and control systems
- Ensure high performance and reliability of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, drives, and industrial networks
- Align automation strategy with plant goals for safety, quality, productivity, and cost
- Own factory floor network design, performance, cybersecurity posture, and obsolescence planning
- Manage hardware and software lifecycle, including upgrades and mitigation plans
Project Leadership & Execution:
- Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and operational handoff
- Deliver projects on time, within scope, and aligned with technical standards
- Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, IT/OT, and Operations to ensure seamless execution
Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement:
- Diagnose and resolve complex automation and controls issues
- Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for automation related downtime
- Deploy automation solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, and safety
- Maintain automation standards, documentation, and change management processes
- Ensure compliance with internal standards, safety requirements, and regulatory expectations
- Support audits and system validation activities
Multi Plant (Pod) Support:
- Provide technical support and leadership to sister plants within the assigned pod
- Coach and develop automation technicians across sites through capability building and knowledge sharing
- Partner with Technical Services Managers to strengthen automation maturity across the region
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- The expected compensation range for this position is between $93,500 - $156,450.
- Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
- Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 12% of annual salary paid out annually
- Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
- In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years of experience leading automation/controls in a manufacturing environment
- 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience with technical teams is preferred
- Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, and control system architecture
- Experience leading automation projects end to end
- Ability to influence across multiple sites and functions
- Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity and OT/IT integration
- Strong problem-solving skills in high availability environments
- Indefinite U.S. work authorization
Preferred:
- Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age
If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.
Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.
INTRODUCTION
We are the game changers, innovators, collaborators, who “Dare To Level Up” the Status Quo. We are the ground breakers of the Supply Chain & Logistics space. We spread across 200 countries and territories and are united by a shared set of values and goals. You know our name through our amazing portfolio, including Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Quaker, and Gatorade. We WIN with a purpose. We dream globally and act locally, constantly innovating to sustain our planet, our people, our communities, and our business practices. Together, we raise the bar in lean manufacturing practices. We put forth new standards and stretch to reach beyond the goals we set. We are a think tank, bringing our ideas into action and are determined to find ways to drive efficiencies, improve processes and achieve the highest level of safety, all while meeting the demands of our customers and consumers to deliver the best products. At PepsiCo, we are committed to performing as individuals and in teams to strengthen the company.
Are you hungry to be a part of the world’s largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands? Now is the time to explore the opportunities of PepsiCo: What makes you unique makes you.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Automation & Controls Lead is the plant’s technical authority for automation, controls, and factory floor network systems. This role ensures all control systems operate safely, reliably, and efficiently while driving continuous improvement across the site. In addition to leading automation strategy for the home plant, the Automation & Controls Lead may support multiple facilities within a regional pod—partnering with technicians, engineering teams, and Technical Services Managers to elevate automation capability across sites.
Automation & Controls Leadership:
- Serve as the primary in plant leader for automation and control systems
- Ensure high performance and reliability of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, drives, and industrial networks
- Align automation strategy with plant goals for safety, quality, productivity, and cost
- Own factory floor network design, performance, cybersecurity posture, and obsolescence planning
- Manage hardware and software lifecycle, including upgrades and mitigation plans
Project Leadership & Execution:
- Lead automation projects from concept through commissioning and operational handoff
- Deliver projects on time, within scope, and aligned with technical standards
- Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, IT/OT, and Operations to ensure seamless execution
Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement:
- Diagnose and resolve complex automation and controls issues
- Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for automation related downtime
- Deploy automation solutions that improve reliability, efficiency, and safety
- Maintain automation standards, documentation, and change management processes
- Ensure compliance with internal standards, safety requirements, and regulatory expectations
- Support audits and system validation activities
Multi Plant (Pod) Support:
- Provide technical support and leadership to sister plants within the assigned pod
- Coach and develop automation technicians across sites through capability building and knowledge sharing
- Partner with Technical Services Managers to strengthen automation maturity across the region
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- The expected compensation range for this position is between $93,500 - $156,450.
- Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting actual starting salary. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range during the hiring process.
- Bonus based on performance and eligibility target payout is 12% of annual salary paid out annually
- Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
- In addition to salary, PepsiCo offers a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life), Defined Contribution Retirement Plan.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 5+ years of experience leading automation/controls in a manufacturing environment
- 2+ years of leadership or supervisory experience with technical teams is preferred
- Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, and control system architecture
- Experience leading automation projects end to end
- Ability to influence across multiple sites and functions
- Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity and OT/IT integration
- Strong problem-solving skills in high availability environments
- Indefinite U.S. work authorization
Preferred:
- Experience in food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
Our Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and all other applicable laws, including but not limited to, San Francisco Police Code Sections 4901-4919, commonly referred to as the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance; and Chapter XVII, Article 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code, commonly referred to as the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.
PepsiCo is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Female / Minority / Disability / Protected Veteran / Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity / Age
If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement documents. View PepsiCo EEO Policy.
Please view our Pay Transparency Statement.
See all 2,159+ H-1B Visa Automation Specialist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Automation Specialist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Automation Specialist
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
USCIS evaluates whether your degree field directly relates to automation work. A degree in mechanical, electrical, or software engineering carries the strongest case. If your degree is in a tangential field, gather documentation showing coursework or certifications that bridge the gap.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Automation Specialist roles by employers who have filed Labor Condition Applications for this occupation code, so you're applying to companies with a demonstrated H-1B filing track record rather than guessing at sponsorship willingness.
Verify the role's prevailing wage tier before negotiating
The DOL's OFLC Wage Search assigns Automation Specialist positions to wage levels one through four based on experience and supervision. Knowing your expected level before salary discussions helps you confirm the employer's offer satisfies the LCA wage requirement.
Prioritize E-Verify enrolled employers for STEM OPT transitions
If you're moving from STEM OPT to H-1B, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify before your OPT extension is authorized. Confirm enrollment status early in the interview process, not after an offer is extended.
Clarify cap-exempt status with research or nonprofit employers
Automation roles at universities, nonprofit research institutions, and government-affiliated entities are exempt from the H-1B cap and lottery. These employers can file at any time of year, giving you a path to H-1B status outside the April registration window.
Build your O*NET job zone profile into your application materials
Automation Specialist maps to a Job Zone 4 occupation on O*NET, requiring substantial preparation and experience. Referencing the specific tasks and technology skills listed there in your resume strengthens the employer's specialty occupation argument in the H-1B petition.
H-1B Visa Automation Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Automation Specialist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, Automation Specialist positions typically qualify because they require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field such as electrical engineering, computer science, or mechatronics. USCIS looks at whether the role normally requires this degree and whether your degree directly relates to the duties. Roles involving PLC programming, robotics integration, or process control systems have a strong specialty occupation argument.
How do I find employers who actually sponsor H-1B visas for Automation Specialist jobs?
Search for Automation Specialist positions on Migrate Mate, which surfaces employers based on verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history for this occupation. This filters out postings from companies with no H-1B track record and focuses your applications on employers who have filed for similar roles before.
What happens to my H-1B status if my automation project ends or I'm placed on bench time?
H-1B status is tied to a bona fide employer-employee relationship and active employment in the approved specialty occupation. If you're benched without pay, USCIS may consider the position abandoned. You have a 60-day grace period after involuntary termination to find a new sponsor, transfer your H-1B, or change status.
Can a staffing agency sponsor my H-1B for an Automation Specialist placement at a client site?
Yes, but USCIS scrutinizes staffing agency petitions closely. The agency must demonstrate it retains the right to control your work, including supervision and assignment authority. The LCA wage must reflect the worksite location's prevailing wage, not the agency's home state. Client site changes may require amended petitions if the new location is in a different metropolitan statistical area.
Is the Automation Specialist occupation subject to the H-1B cap and annual lottery?
Most private-sector Automation Specialist positions are cap-subject, meaning your employer must register you in the annual lottery held each March for an October start date. Roles at universities, nonprofit research organizations, or government research entities are cap-exempt and can be filed year-round. If you're on OPT with a cap-gap, your work authorization extends automatically through September 30 if your petition is pending.