J-1 Visa Automation Jobs
Automation roles in the United States are open to exchange visitors through the J-1 visa Trainee or Intern program categories, depending on your career stage. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019 and oversee your training plan. Finding host employers willing to work within this structure requires targeted sponsorship search strategies.
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Automation and Controls Engineering Co-Op
Location
US format: Arden, NC
About Us
BorgWarner is a global product leader in delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions. We are a company of innovators and independent thinkers that brings together talented employees, meaningful work and amazing technology in a unique environment. At BorgWarner, we constantly work towards our vision of a clean and energy-efficient world.
Our Culture
BorgWarner promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive environment, honors integrity, strives for excellence, commits to responsibility for our communities and the environment, and builds on the power of collaboration. We believe the health and safety of our employees are a top priority.
Career Opportunities
We manage talent as seriously as we manage our businesses and encourage you to learn about our proud history, strong culture, technologies, and vision for the future. We offer positions locally and globally with over 80 locations in 19 countries.
If this position energizes you and you feel you can help us achieve our mission and vision, you are invited to submit an application for consideration.
You may see the list of requirements and feel you do not meet all of them. However, remember that BorgWarner thinks differently. If your qualifications align with the majority of those outlined in this job description, we encourage you to apply and share your experience and skills with us.
For a listing of Asheville/Arden openings: BorgWarner Openings
Job Purpose
The BorgWarner Arden campus offers two world class technical centers and a cutting-edge manufacturing facility that designs and produces turbos, fan, and fan drive components for the automotive industry. The Arden campus offers a multitude of career opportunities and is in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
We are seeking a controls-focused Automation & Controls Engineering co-op to support PLC and HMI/SCADA activities in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on learning role where you will work alongside Controls Engineers and Maintenance teams to help maintain, troubleshoot, document, and improve industrial automation systems while building strong foundational skills in controls engineering.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with PLC programming tasks such as adding or updating tags, implementing simple ladder logic changes, and supporting standardized code structure under engineering review
- Help with commissioning and validation activities (I/O checks, sensor verification, device addressing, safety interlock verification) and document test results.
- Support troubleshooting of automation equipment by collecting symptoms, checking I/O status and alarms, and helping identify root causes with a mentor.
- Assist with basic industrial networking and device communications checks (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus) under guidance
- Document system configurations, troubleshooting notes, and standard work instructions; help build training and turnover materials.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT/BRM) to support production, reduce downtime, and improve reliability.
- Support continuous improvement activities by gathering data, performing basic analysis, and proposing small enhancements under supervision
- Follow all BorgWarner safety rules and EHS requirements while working around energized equipment and production machinery
What we are looking for
- Working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline.
- Academic or project-based exposure to PLC concepts and logic (Ladder, Function Block, or Structured Text)
- Basic understanding of sensors, actuators, motors/drives, and control fundamentals
- Ability to read (or learn to read) electrical schematics and follow troubleshooting steps
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite
- Comfort using a laptop and basic tools for commissioning/troubleshooting in a plant environment.
- Strong problem-solving mindset, curiosity, and willingness to learn quickly.
- Clear communication skills and ability to document work and follow standard processes.
- Preferred experience:
- Exposure to PLCs
- Exposure to HMI/SCADA platforms
- Exposure to industrial communications and basic networking concepts
- Basic scripting/programming skills (Python, SQL, C/C++)
- Hands-on lab or project experience with robotics or motion control
What we offer
All positions start at an above market pay rate for that position. Benefits are also above market and include the below for all student employees:
- Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with a matching program
- All positions are paid opportunities based on college class standing
- Housing support and travel reimbursement according to policy requirements
Join the company that is creating solutions that support a cleaner, more energy-efficient world. For more information about BorgWarner, please visit www.borgwarner.com
Internal Use Only: Indirect Hourly
Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read the BorgWarner Privacy Policy before using this website. Your ability to access and use this website and apply for a job at BorgWarner are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.
Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the geographical area where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
Career Scam Disclaimer: BorgWarner makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website. To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by BorgWarner. Applicants should never provide their national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online. Job applicants are invited to contact BorgWarner through BorgWarner’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.
Position
Automation and Controls Engineering Co-Op
Location
US format: Arden, NC
About Us
BorgWarner is a global product leader in delivering innovative and sustainable mobility solutions. We are a company of innovators and independent thinkers that brings together talented employees, meaningful work and amazing technology in a unique environment. At BorgWarner, we constantly work towards our vision of a clean and energy-efficient world.
Our Culture
BorgWarner promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive environment, honors integrity, strives for excellence, commits to responsibility for our communities and the environment, and builds on the power of collaboration. We believe the health and safety of our employees are a top priority.
Career Opportunities
We manage talent as seriously as we manage our businesses and encourage you to learn about our proud history, strong culture, technologies, and vision for the future. We offer positions locally and globally with over 80 locations in 19 countries.
If this position energizes you and you feel you can help us achieve our mission and vision, you are invited to submit an application for consideration.
You may see the list of requirements and feel you do not meet all of them. However, remember that BorgWarner thinks differently. If your qualifications align with the majority of those outlined in this job description, we encourage you to apply and share your experience and skills with us.
For a listing of Asheville/Arden openings: BorgWarner Openings
Job Purpose
The BorgWarner Arden campus offers two world class technical centers and a cutting-edge manufacturing facility that designs and produces turbos, fan, and fan drive components for the automotive industry. The Arden campus offers a multitude of career opportunities and is in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
We are seeking a controls-focused Automation & Controls Engineering co-op to support PLC and HMI/SCADA activities in a high-volume manufacturing environment. This is a hands-on learning role where you will work alongside Controls Engineers and Maintenance teams to help maintain, troubleshoot, document, and improve industrial automation systems while building strong foundational skills in controls engineering.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist with PLC programming tasks such as adding or updating tags, implementing simple ladder logic changes, and supporting standardized code structure under engineering review
- Help with commissioning and validation activities (I/O checks, sensor verification, device addressing, safety interlock verification) and document test results.
- Support troubleshooting of automation equipment by collecting symptoms, checking I/O status and alarms, and helping identify root causes with a mentor.
- Assist with basic industrial networking and device communications checks (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus) under guidance
- Document system configurations, troubleshooting notes, and standard work instructions; help build training and turnover materials.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, Quality, IT/BRM) to support production, reduce downtime, and improve reliability.
- Support continuous improvement activities by gathering data, performing basic analysis, and proposing small enhancements under supervision
- Follow all BorgWarner safety rules and EHS requirements while working around energized equipment and production machinery
What we are looking for
- Working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or a related engineering discipline.
- Academic or project-based exposure to PLC concepts and logic (Ladder, Function Block, or Structured Text)
- Basic understanding of sensors, actuators, motors/drives, and control fundamentals
- Ability to read (or learn to read) electrical schematics and follow troubleshooting steps
- Proficiency in Microsoft Suite
- Comfort using a laptop and basic tools for commissioning/troubleshooting in a plant environment.
- Strong problem-solving mindset, curiosity, and willingness to learn quickly.
- Clear communication skills and ability to document work and follow standard processes.
- Preferred experience:
- Exposure to PLCs
- Exposure to HMI/SCADA platforms
- Exposure to industrial communications and basic networking concepts
- Basic scripting/programming skills (Python, SQL, C/C++)
- Hands-on lab or project experience with robotics or motion control
What we offer
All positions start at an above market pay rate for that position. Benefits are also above market and include the below for all student employees:
- Retirement Savings Plan (401k) with a matching program
- All positions are paid opportunities based on college class standing
- Housing support and travel reimbursement according to policy requirements
Join the company that is creating solutions that support a cleaner, more energy-efficient world. For more information about BorgWarner, please visit www.borgwarner.com
Internal Use Only: Indirect Hourly
Global Terms of Use and Privacy Statement
Carefully read the BorgWarner Privacy Policy before using this website. Your ability to access and use this website and apply for a job at BorgWarner are conditioned on your acceptance and compliance with these terms.
Please access the linked document by clicking here, select the geographical area where you are applying for employment, and review. Before submitting your application you will be asked to confirm your agreement with the terms.
Career Scam Disclaimer: BorgWarner makes no representations or guarantees regarding employment opportunities listed on any third-party website. To protect against career scams, job applicants should take the necessary precautions when interviewing for and accepting employment positions allegedly offered by BorgWarner. Applicants should never provide their national ID numbers, birth dates, credit card numbers, bank account information or other private information when communicating with prospective employers or responding to employment opportunities online. Job applicants are invited to contact BorgWarner through BorgWarner’s website to verify the authenticity of any employment opportunities.
See all J-1 Visa Automation Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Automation Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Automation
Align your training plan with automation tasks
Designated sponsors require a detailed training plan before issuing your DS-2019. Map your objectives to specific automation competencies like PLC programming, robotics integration, or process control to satisfy sponsor review and host employer expectations.
Target manufacturers with established trainee programs
Automation trainees fit best at host employers who regularly work with J-1 participants and already understand training plan obligations. Industrial manufacturers, systems integrators, and process engineering firms are the most consistent host categories for this field.
Search for J-1-aligned automation roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers actively hosting exchange visitors in engineering and automation disciplines. Filtering by role type narrows your search to hosts already familiar with J-1 program requirements and DS-2019 procedures.
Confirm the home residency requirement early
Some J-1 Trainee participants are subject to a two-year home country residency requirement after program completion. Verify your status with your designated sponsor before accepting a host employer offer, since this affects any future U.S. visa plans.
Verify host employer eligibility before your interview
Not all automation employers are approved to host J-1 participants. Ask prospective hosts whether they have an existing agreement with a State Department-designated sponsor organization before progressing to the offer stage to avoid delays after your interview.
Use O*NET to build a credible skills narrative
Automation covers a wide range of occupational profiles. Pull the relevant O*NET occupation codes for your specialty, whether controls engineering, robotics, or industrial automation, and use that language when describing your training objectives to sponsors and host employers.
Automation J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to automation professionals?
It depends on your career stage. If you're currently enrolled in a degree program, the Intern category applies. If you've graduated within the past 12 months or are a working professional seeking structured U.S. training, the Trainee category is the right fit. Both categories require a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and approve your training plan before you can begin work with a host employer.
Is the hiring employer my J-1 visa sponsor in automation roles?
No. In the J-1 program, your visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, that issues your DS-2019 and monitors your training plan compliance. The automation company that hires you is your host employer, not your sponsor. The distinction matters because the sponsor bears legal responsibility for your program, and the host must cooperate with the sponsor's oversight requirements.
How do I find automation host employers willing to work with J-1 trainees?
Many automation employers are unfamiliar with the J-1 host process, so targeting companies with prior exchange visitor experience saves time. Migrate Mate helps you identify U.S. employers in engineering and automation fields that are already aligned with J-1 sponsorship structures, so you can focus your outreach on hosts who understand the DS-2019 and training plan requirements before your first conversation.
Can a J-1 Trainee in automation work on real production equipment or systems?
Yes, hands-on work is expected and encouraged in the Trainee category, provided it aligns with your approved training plan. You can work with PLC systems, robotics platforms, or process control environments as part of structured training. Your designated sponsor reviews the plan to confirm the activities are genuinely educational rather than filling a standard employment gap, so detail and specificity in your plan documentation matter.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect automation J-1 participants?
It can, depending on your country of origin and funding source. If your training is funded by your home government or a U.S. government agency, or if your home country has designated your skill area as one in short supply, the two-year residency requirement applies after your J-1 ends. You'd need to return home or obtain a waiver before pursuing an H-1B visa or other U.S. work visa. Confirm this with your designated sponsor before signing your host employer offer.