H-1B Visa Controls Engineer Jobs
Controls Engineer roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. Employers in manufacturing, energy, and automation regularly file H-1B petitions for this role. Use Migrate Mate to find Controls Engineer positions at companies with verified H-1B visa filing history.
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Get Access To All JobsControls Engineer – Assembly Automation
Location: Georgetown, KY
1501062
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support advanced assembly manufacturing projects for a leading automotive manufacturer. This role focuses on equipment installation, PLC programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated production systems.
The ideal candidate has strong experience with industrial controls, PLC programming, electrical troubleshooting, and equipment start-up within a manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Review equipment designs, electrical drawings, and vendor specifications to ensure compliance with project requirements.
- Support equipment installation, commissioning, and production startup activities.
- Program, troubleshoot, and modify PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
- Perform equipment buyoffs and verify safety, quality, and productivity standards.
- Identify equipment improvements and implement process modifications to increase reliability and efficiency.
- Troubleshoot electrical, controls, and automation systems during equipment installation and production launch.
- Support online production trials and optimize equipment performance.
- Train maintenance personnel on newly installed equipment and control systems.
- Provide technical support to engineering, maintenance, and production teams.
- Travel to manufacturing facilities and suppliers as required to support equipment installation and launches.
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree, technical degree, trade school certification, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- 4+ years of PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.
- 6+ years of industrial controls experience.
- Strong experience with one or more of the following PLC platforms:
- ToyoPuc
- Allen-Bradley
- Siemens
- Omron
- Mitsubishi
- Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems and controls.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical drawings.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams).
- Ability to travel up to 20%.
- Ability to work overtime, weekends, and plant shutdowns as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Industrial maintenance experience.
- Industrial robot programming and troubleshooting.
- AGV/AMR programming and setup.
- Safety scanner configuration and programming.
- Industrial networking experience including:
- Ethernet/IP
- Profinet
- FLNet
- Automotive manufacturing experience.
- Knowledge of Toyota machinery standards.
- OSHA 10 Certification.
Ideal Candidate
We're looking for a hands-on automation professional who enjoys solving complex controls challenges on the manufacturing floor. The ideal candidate has a strong background in PLC programming, commissioning automated equipment, and troubleshooting industrial control systems while working closely with engineering, maintenance, and production teams to support successful equipment launches and continuous improvement initiatives.
Controls Engineer – Assembly Automation
Location: Georgetown, KY
1501062
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support advanced assembly manufacturing projects for a leading automotive manufacturer. This role focuses on equipment installation, PLC programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated production systems.
The ideal candidate has strong experience with industrial controls, PLC programming, electrical troubleshooting, and equipment start-up within a manufacturing environment.
Responsibilities
- Review equipment designs, electrical drawings, and vendor specifications to ensure compliance with project requirements.
- Support equipment installation, commissioning, and production startup activities.
- Program, troubleshoot, and modify PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
- Perform equipment buyoffs and verify safety, quality, and productivity standards.
- Identify equipment improvements and implement process modifications to increase reliability and efficiency.
- Troubleshoot electrical, controls, and automation systems during equipment installation and production launch.
- Support online production trials and optimize equipment performance.
- Train maintenance personnel on newly installed equipment and control systems.
- Provide technical support to engineering, maintenance, and production teams.
- Travel to manufacturing facilities and suppliers as required to support equipment installation and launches.
Required Qualifications
- Associate degree, technical degree, trade school certification, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- 4+ years of PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.
- 6+ years of industrial controls experience.
- Strong experience with one or more of the following PLC platforms:
- ToyoPuc
- Allen-Bradley
- Siemens
- Omron
- Mitsubishi
- Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems and controls.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical drawings.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams).
- Ability to travel up to 20%.
- Ability to work overtime, weekends, and plant shutdowns as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Industrial maintenance experience.
- Industrial robot programming and troubleshooting.
- AGV/AMR programming and setup.
- Safety scanner configuration and programming.
- Industrial networking experience including:
- Ethernet/IP
- Profinet
- FLNet
- Automotive manufacturing experience.
- Knowledge of Toyota machinery standards.
- OSHA 10 Certification.
Ideal Candidate
We're looking for a hands-on automation professional who enjoys solving complex controls challenges on the manufacturing floor. The ideal candidate has a strong background in PLC programming, commissioning automated equipment, and troubleshooting industrial control systems while working closely with engineering, maintenance, and production teams to support successful equipment launches and continuous improvement initiatives.
See all 1,737+ H-1B Visa Controls Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Controls Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Controls Engineer
Verify your degree aligns with the role
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and the Controls Engineer position. A degree in electrical, mechanical, systems, or mechatronics engineering supports the specialty occupation standard most cleanly. Computer science degrees may require additional documentation.
Target employers in automation-heavy industries
Manufacturing, oil and gas, aerospace, and building automation firms file H-1B petitions for Controls Engineers far more consistently than general IT employers. Check DOL LCA disclosure data to confirm a company has certified H-1B positions for this specific occupation code before applying.
Search verified H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Filter Controls Engineer openings by employers with confirmed H-1B filing history on Migrate Mate. This removes the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that don't sponsor, so you spend time on roles where sponsorship is already established.
Use OFLC Wage Search before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify your wage meets the DOL prevailing wage for your job title, location, and experience level. Run your offer through OFLC Wage Search yourself so you know the wage floor before any salary conversation starts.
Confirm PLC and SCADA experience is documented
Controls Engineer H-1B petitions frequently face Requests for Evidence questioning whether the role truly requires a degree. Offer letters and job descriptions that specify PLC programming, SCADA architecture, or control system design strengthen the specialty occupation argument significantly.
Plan your petition timeline around cap deadlines
USCIS opens H-1B registration in March for an October 1 start date. If you're on OPT, confirm your OPT end date and cap-gap eligibility with your employer so the I-129 filing window doesn't catch either side unprepared.
H-1B Visa Controls Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Controls Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Controls Engineering requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related engineering discipline, which meets the USCIS specialty occupation definition. The role involves applying theoretical and practical knowledge of control systems, PLCs, and automated processes. Job descriptions that explicitly require an engineering degree and technical specialization make the strongest petition. Generic titles like 'engineer' with vague duties are more likely to attract a Request for Evidence from USCIS.
Which industries sponsor H-1B visas most often for Controls Engineers?
Manufacturing, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and building automation are the industries that file H-1B petitions for Controls Engineers most consistently. These sectors rely on specialized control system expertise that's difficult to fill without sponsoring international talent. You can confirm which specific employers have filed LCAs for Controls Engineer roles by reviewing DOL disclosure data. Migrate Mate surfaces this filing history directly, so you can focus your search on employers already committed to sponsorship.
What documentation strengthens an H-1B petition for a Controls Engineer?
The offer letter should specify that the role requires a bachelor's degree or higher in electrical, mechanical, systems, or mechatronics engineering. It should also detail duties like PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA configuration, or control loop design. Vague descriptions of 'engineering tasks' invite USCIS scrutiny. Your employer's attorney will also reference O*NET occupation data to support the specialty occupation argument, so make sure the job description aligns with the listed requirements for this occupation code.
Can I switch Controls Engineer jobs while on an approved H-1B?
Yes. Under portability rules established by AC21, you can transfer your H-1B to a new employer once your petition has been pending or approved for 180 days, provided the new role is the same or similar occupational classification. For Controls Engineers, moving between employers in similar industries with comparable job duties generally satisfies this standard. Your new employer files an H-1B transfer petition, and you can start working as soon as USCIS receives it, without waiting for approval.
How do I find Controls Engineer jobs where the employer will sponsor an H-1B?
The most reliable approach is targeting employers with a documented history of H-1B filings for engineering roles, rather than relying on job postings that may or may not mention sponsorship. Migrate Mate lets you search Controls Engineer openings filtered by verified H-1B sponsorship history, so you can identify companies that have already committed resources to the filing process for this occupation.