J-1 Visa Motor Grader Operator Jobs
Motor Grader Operator positions in the United States are accessible to exchange visitors through the J-1 Trainee or Intern program categories, which require a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and provide J-1 visa sponsorship. Host employers in civil construction, road maintenance, and infrastructure development regularly partner with these sponsors.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout us:
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
ROLE SUMMARY:
Internship Term: Summer 2026
Rivian internships are experiences optimized for student candidates. To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited program during the internship term with an expected graduation date between December 2026 through May 2028. Rivian's Internship Program requires active student enrollment. Information regarding your expected degree completion date is collected solely to verify eligibility and determine your availability for future full-time opportunities. Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and does not use graduation dates to determine the age of applicants or as a basis for discriminatory hiring decisions.
If you are not pursuing a degree, please see our full time positions on our Rivian careers site.
Note that if your university has specific requirements for internship programs, it is your responsibility to fulfill those requirements.
In this role, you will assist the Electric Power Conversion (EPC) team in developing and validating motor control algorithms. This entails using Model-Based Design to simulate motor behavior, and then utilizing Python and SQL within our cloud data platform to analyze how these algorithms perform in the field.
Responsibilities:
- Develop motor control logic in Matlab/Simulink while simultaneously building Python/SQL scripts in Databricks.
- Create a unified workflow where simulation results are compared directly against fleet data.
- Run test cases on Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) benches to verify performance.
- Document and present root-cause findings to the EPC team.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be currently pursuing a PhD degree at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
- Actively pursuing a degree or one closely related in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
- Strong proficiency in Matlab/Simulink for control logic development.
- Core understanding of AC motor theory and 3-phase power electronics.
- Solid programming foundations in C and Python.
- Prior experience in the EV industry or with high-voltage laboratory equipment preferred.
- Knowledge of SQL and cloud-based data analysis preferred.
- Understanding of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) principles is a plus.
PAY DISCLOSURE:
The salary range for this role is $25.00-40.00 per hour for Illinois based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and medical insurance benefits. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.
You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than 4/10/2026.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
CANDIDATE DATA PRIVACY
Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions. Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.
About us:
Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract.
As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.
ROLE SUMMARY:
Internship Term: Summer 2026
Rivian internships are experiences optimized for student candidates. To be eligible, you must be an undergraduate or graduate student in an accredited program during the internship term with an expected graduation date between December 2026 through May 2028. Rivian's Internship Program requires active student enrollment. Information regarding your expected degree completion date is collected solely to verify eligibility and determine your availability for future full-time opportunities. Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and does not use graduation dates to determine the age of applicants or as a basis for discriminatory hiring decisions.
If you are not pursuing a degree, please see our full time positions on our Rivian careers site.
Note that if your university has specific requirements for internship programs, it is your responsibility to fulfill those requirements.
In this role, you will assist the Electric Power Conversion (EPC) team in developing and validating motor control algorithms. This entails using Model-Based Design to simulate motor behavior, and then utilizing Python and SQL within our cloud data platform to analyze how these algorithms perform in the field.
Responsibilities:
- Develop motor control logic in Matlab/Simulink while simultaneously building Python/SQL scripts in Databricks.
- Create a unified workflow where simulation results are compared directly against fleet data.
- Run test cases on Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) benches to verify performance.
- Document and present root-cause findings to the EPC team.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Must be currently pursuing a PhD degree at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign.
- Actively pursuing a degree or one closely related in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
- Strong proficiency in Matlab/Simulink for control logic development.
- Core understanding of AC motor theory and 3-phase power electronics.
- Solid programming foundations in C and Python.
- Prior experience in the EV industry or with high-voltage laboratory equipment preferred.
- Knowledge of SQL and cloud-based data analysis preferred.
- Understanding of Functional Safety (ISO 26262) principles is a plus.
PAY DISCLOSURE:
The salary range for this role is $25.00-40.00 per hour for Illinois based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and medical insurance benefits. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.
You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than 4/10/2026.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Rivian is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Rivian is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.
CANDIDATE DATA PRIVACY
Rivian may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.
Rivian may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian affiliates; and (iii) Rivian’s service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Rivian may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions. Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.
See all 28+ Motor Grader Operator jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Motor Grader Operator roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Motor Grader Operator
Document your grading equipment certifications first
Compile operator certificates for motor graders, blade licenses, and any safety training records before approaching host employers. Sponsors evaluating Trainee applications need evidence of hands-on equipment competency, not just job titles from previous roles.
Target civil infrastructure contractors with active DOT contracts
Employers holding active federal or state Department of Transportation road contracts are more familiar with hosting international workers on structured training programs. Search public contract award databases to identify companies currently grading highways, airports, or land development sites.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee eligibility before applying
The J-1 Intern category applies if you're currently enrolled in a post-secondary program abroad. The Trainee category fits you if you've graduated or have at least one year of professional grading experience outside the United States. Applying under the wrong category will get your DS-2019 application rejected.
Use Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned operator roles
Search Migrate Mate to identify U.S. employers posting Motor Grader Operator positions that align with J-1 program structures. Filtering by role and sponsorship type saves significant time compared to cold-contacting construction firms individually.
Verify your Training or Internship Placement Plan covers real tasks
Your designated sponsor will require a completed DS-7002 Training or Internship Placement Plan before issuing the DS-2019. Host employers sometimes submit vague plans that don't survive sponsor review. Confirm the plan lists specific grading operations, equipment types, and measurable learning objectives.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement before accepting an offer
Some J-1 Trainee participants are subject to a two-year home-country residency requirement after program completion, depending on your country of nationality and funding source. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before signing any host employer agreement.
Motor Grader Operator jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Motor Grader Operator JobsMotor Grader Operator J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Motor Grader Operator role?
Most Motor Grader Operator exchange visitors enter under the J-1 Trainee category, which is designed for individuals who have a degree or professional certificate and at least one year of related work experience outside the United States. Current post-secondary students may qualify under the Intern category instead. A designated sponsor organization, not the host employer, determines which category applies and issues the DS-2019 accordingly.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Motor Grader Operator position?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, that reviews your training plan, issues the DS-2019 form, and monitors compliance throughout your program. The construction company or infrastructure contractor where you work is the host employer, not the sponsor. These are two distinct roles, and conflating them is one of the most common mistakes applicants make.
How do I find U.S. employers willing to host J-1 Motor Grader Operators?
Migrate Mate is the recommended starting point for identifying U.S. employers posting Motor Grader Operator roles compatible with J-1 program structures. Beyond that, civil construction firms holding active federal or state road contracts tend to be more experienced with structured training arrangements than smaller residential contractors, making them more practical targets for J-1 host employer outreach.
What documents should I prepare before a host employer considers my J-1 application?
Prepare your operator certifications, equipment-specific training records, employment verification letters from previous grading roles, and an updated resume that lists grader models and site types you have operated. Sponsors require the DS-7002 Training or Internship Placement Plan to be detailed and equipment-specific, so the more documentation you bring to an employer conversation, the smoother that form completion will be.
Does the J-1 two-year home residency requirement affect Motor Grader Operators?
It can. The two-year home-country residency requirement applies to some J-1 participants based on their country of nationality and whether their program is funded by a home or U.S. government source. If the requirement applies to you, you must return home for two years after your J-1 program before applying for an H-1B, L-1, or immigrant visa, unless you obtain a waiver. Your designated sponsor can confirm whether your situation triggers this requirement.
See which Motor Grader Operator employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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