J-1 Visa Automation Engineer Jobs
Automation Engineer roles in the U.S. are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa under the Trainee or Intern program category, depending on your career stage. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019 and coordinate sponsorship with your host employer, covering structured training in industrial automation, PLC programming, robotics, and systems integration.
See All Automation Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 40+ Automation Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 40+ Automation Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Automation Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsProven to Perform.
From the edges of space to the bottoms of ocean, our materials are proven to perform - and so is our team. We're hiring high performers as proven as our products. Join us.
Summary
We are currently seeking a Process Controls and Automation Engineer intern for our Washington, PA Operations.
Essential Functions:
- Develop a working knowledge of the mill models and control systems.
- Monitoring performance of mill setup models and control system and making real-time adjustments to the setups and technical controls, within prescribed limits, to maintain the required performance parameters of the process.
- Troubleshoot sensors, switches, relays, PLCs, variable drives and motors, and crane controls.
- Make modifications to electrical systems based on reliability and production needs.
- Analyzing problems and completing analysis projects to improve process performance.
Requirements
- Currently attending accredited 4-year college with a major in an Engineering discipline.
Preferred Requirements:
- Knowledge of MATLAB or other tools for process analysis is required.
- Knowledge of motor control centers, PLC's, static drives and power distribution is a plus.
- Knowledge of Automation System Experience/Interest with networking, databases, computer interfacing, data analytics, programming (OOP, Web, SQL), high level computer system design/control/administration is highly desired.
- Desire to work in a manufacturing environment, and working from a maintenance perspective with heavy industrial equipment is a plus.
We thrive when the expectations are great, and the barriers are high. We're solving the world's most difficult challenges through materials science. Our advanced, integrated process technologies and proven performers give us a tremendous competitive advantage. When customers systems need to fly higher, dig deeper, stand stronger, and last longer - anywhere on, above or below the earth - ATI is proven to perform.
It is ATI's policy to not provide immigration sponsorship for any of the company's positions.
ATI and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by federal or state law. The company will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process if so requested.
Proven to Perform.
From the edges of space to the bottoms of ocean, our materials are proven to perform - and so is our team. We're hiring high performers as proven as our products. Join us.
Summary
We are currently seeking a Process Controls and Automation Engineer intern for our Washington, PA Operations.
Essential Functions:
- Develop a working knowledge of the mill models and control systems.
- Monitoring performance of mill setup models and control system and making real-time adjustments to the setups and technical controls, within prescribed limits, to maintain the required performance parameters of the process.
- Troubleshoot sensors, switches, relays, PLCs, variable drives and motors, and crane controls.
- Make modifications to electrical systems based on reliability and production needs.
- Analyzing problems and completing analysis projects to improve process performance.
Requirements
- Currently attending accredited 4-year college with a major in an Engineering discipline.
Preferred Requirements:
- Knowledge of MATLAB or other tools for process analysis is required.
- Knowledge of motor control centers, PLC's, static drives and power distribution is a plus.
- Knowledge of Automation System Experience/Interest with networking, databases, computer interfacing, data analytics, programming (OOP, Web, SQL), high level computer system design/control/administration is highly desired.
- Desire to work in a manufacturing environment, and working from a maintenance perspective with heavy industrial equipment is a plus.
We thrive when the expectations are great, and the barriers are high. We're solving the world's most difficult challenges through materials science. Our advanced, integrated process technologies and proven performers give us a tremendous competitive advantage. When customers systems need to fly higher, dig deeper, stand stronger, and last longer - anywhere on, above or below the earth - ATI is proven to perform.
It is ATI's policy to not provide immigration sponsorship for any of the company's positions.
ATI and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by federal or state law. The company will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process if so requested.
See all 40+ Automation Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Automation Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as an Automation Engineer
Align your training plan to automation competencies
Your DS-2019 requires a detailed training plan listing specific skills you'll develop. Map it to measurable automation competencies like SCADA configuration, PLC ladder logic, or HMI design so the designated sponsor can approve it without revisions.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee eligibility early
Intern status applies if you're currently enrolled in a degree program. Trainee status requires at least one year of post-degree work experience in automation or a related engineering field. Applying under the wrong category delays your DS-2019 issuance.
Search for host employers using Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter for Automation Engineer roles at U.S. employers that have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before. Targeting companies with established host relationships shortens the sponsor approval timeline significantly.
Verify the host employer's DOL compliance posture
Your designated sponsor will confirm that the host employer meets DOL workplace standards before issuing your DS-2019. Ask the employer upfront whether they've hosted J-1 Trainees before and whether their safety and compensation practices are documented.
Request a specialty occupation letter from your degree institution
Designated sponsors often require official documentation linking your engineering degree to the automation role. A letter from your university confirming your field of study and relevant coursework strengthens your training plan approval, especially for Intern applicants.
Negotiate the offer before the DS-2019 is finalized
Once a designated sponsor begins processing your DS-2019, changing the job title, responsibilities, or training duration requires restarting the approval process. Confirm the role scope, start date, and host site address with your employer before submission.
Automation Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Automation Engineer JobsAutomation Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits an Automation Engineer role?
The Trainee category applies to Automation Engineers who have completed a degree in engineering or a related field and have at least one year of relevant professional experience. If you're still enrolled in a degree program, the Intern category applies instead. Both require a formal training plan covering specific automation skills and a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor to issue your DS-2019.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as an Automation Engineer?
Your J-1 sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue your DS-2019, review your training plan, and monitor your program compliance. The manufacturing or engineering company where you work is the host employer. That company does not hold sponsorship authority and cannot issue the DS-2019 on its own.
Does the J-1 Trainee category carry a two-year home residency requirement for Automation Engineers?
It depends on your country of origin and whether your training is funded by a government or international organization. Many J-1 Trainees from countries on the Exchange Visitor Skills List are subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e), which restricts your ability to change to H-1B or permanent resident status until you return home or obtain a waiver.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting a J-1 Automation Engineer?
Use Migrate Mate to search for Automation Engineer positions at companies that have experience hosting J-1 exchange visitors. Not every employer understands the host relationship, training plan requirements, or designated sponsor process, so targeting companies with prior J-1 host experience reduces friction and speeds up DS-2019 approval.
What does the training plan need to include for an Automation Engineer J-1 application?
Your training plan must outline specific technical objectives organized by phase, the supervision structure, and the automation competencies you'll gain, such as PLC programming, robotics integration, or SCADA systems. The designated sponsor reviews this plan before issuing your DS-2019, and it must reflect actual hands-on training rather than routine production work. Generic engineer job descriptions typically fail sponsor review.
See which Automation Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Automation Engineer Jobs