OPT Automation Technician Jobs
Automation Technician roles are strong OPT fits because the work falls squarely within engineering and industrial technology, fields that support both 12-month standard OPT and 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employers in manufacturing, automotive, and energy routinely hire OPT students for hands-on automation and controls work.
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Get Access To All JobsElectrical & Automation Technician
Michelin, le leader mondial de la fabrication de pneus embauche!
MISSION
To perform electrical & automation installation and troubleshooting related to maintenance projects adhering all types of safety and health guidelines implemented in the factory.
KEY EXPECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
- Install, troubleshoot and maintain the electrical & automation systems ensuring adherence to safety standards.
- Proactively engage in daily routines, preventive maintenance and maintaining the records.
- Timely management of maintenance tasks to minimize the plant/machine downtime and other KPIs.
- Experience of PLC systems, motor drives and servo systems will be an added advantage.
- Collaboratively work with mechanical technicians during the hydraulic, pneumatic, and general mechanical system maintenance works.
- Ensure accurate identification of roles within the workshop and meticulous file maintenance (including work workshop job analysis and Bill of Materials (BOM) preparation).
- Adhere to engineering drawings by consulting with their supervisor regarding relevant roles.
POTENTIAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
- NVQ Level 4 or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical & Electronic Technology, or equivalent technical qualification.
- Minimum 2 years of industrial electrical maintenance experience.
- Ability to read electrical drawings and control schematics.
- Good troubleshooting skills in industrial electrical systems.
- Familiarity with PLC-controlled machinery would be an added advantage.
Michelin est un employeur qui souscrit au principe de l’égalité des chances en matière d’emploi pour les minorités visibles, les femmes, les autochtones et les personnes handicapées. Si, en raison d'un handicap, vous avez besoin d'un aménagement pour une quelconque partie de la procédure de candidature, veuillez nous contacter à l'adresse suivante: accommodation@michelin.com
Electrical & Automation Technician
Michelin, le leader mondial de la fabrication de pneus embauche!
MISSION
To perform electrical & automation installation and troubleshooting related to maintenance projects adhering all types of safety and health guidelines implemented in the factory.
KEY EXPECTED ACHIEVEMENTS
- Install, troubleshoot and maintain the electrical & automation systems ensuring adherence to safety standards.
- Proactively engage in daily routines, preventive maintenance and maintaining the records.
- Timely management of maintenance tasks to minimize the plant/machine downtime and other KPIs.
- Experience of PLC systems, motor drives and servo systems will be an added advantage.
- Collaboratively work with mechanical technicians during the hydraulic, pneumatic, and general mechanical system maintenance works.
- Ensure accurate identification of roles within the workshop and meticulous file maintenance (including work workshop job analysis and Bill of Materials (BOM) preparation).
- Adhere to engineering drawings by consulting with their supervisor regarding relevant roles.
POTENTIAL CANDIDATE PROFILE
- NVQ Level 4 or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical & Electronic Technology, or equivalent technical qualification.
- Minimum 2 years of industrial electrical maintenance experience.
- Ability to read electrical drawings and control schematics.
- Good troubleshooting skills in industrial electrical systems.
- Familiarity with PLC-controlled machinery would be an added advantage.
Michelin est un employeur qui souscrit au principe de l’égalité des chances en matière d’emploi pour les minorités visibles, les femmes, les autochtones et les personnes handicapées. Si, en raison d'un handicap, vous avez besoin d'un aménagement pour une quelconque partie de la procédure de candidature, veuillez nous contacter à l'adresse suivante: accommodation@michelin.com
See all 760+ OPT Automation Technician Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as an Automation Technician
Lead with your controls experience
Hiring managers for automation roles care most about hands-on skills. List specific platforms you've worked with, such as PLCs, SCADA systems, or HMIs, before mentioning your degree. Concrete technical experience reduces perceived risk for employers considering OPT candidates.
Target STEM-designated employers early
Manufacturing, semiconductor, and energy companies frequently hold STEM OPT extension experience. Prioritizing employers with a track record of sponsoring STEM OPT gives you more runway and signals they already understand the authorization process for engineering roles.
Address OPT timing in your cover letter
Briefly state your OPT start date and expiration upfront. Automation hiring timelines can run six to ten weeks, so showing you've thought through the overlap between their process and your work authorization window removes a common employer hesitation.
Highlight industry certifications
Credentials like Rockwell Automation certifications or an OSHA 10 card signal job-readiness to plant managers who may be unfamiliar with OPT. Certifications shift the conversation from your visa status toward your qualifications, which is exactly where you want it.
Apply to mid-size manufacturers, not just large firms
Mid-size manufacturers in automotive, food processing, and aerospace often struggle to find qualified automation technicians and are more flexible on sponsorship than their hiring pages suggest. Smaller hiring teams make decisions faster and value technical fit over administrative convenience.
Prepare to explain E-Verify enrollment clearly
Most OPT employers must participate in E-Verify, and automation employers with federal contracts are already enrolled. Confirming you understand that requirement and can provide DSO-issued documentation quickly makes you a lower-friction hire for plant HR teams.
Automation Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Automation Technician role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree field, not just the job title. If your degree is in electrical engineering, mechatronics, industrial engineering, or a related STEM field, and the role involves applying that technical knowledge directly, it will generally qualify. Your DSO must confirm the degree is on the official STEM Designated Degree Program List before approving the extension.
How do I find Automation Technician jobs that sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters for employers open to work authorization. Searching there saves time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that a company won't hire OPT candidates. Automation roles in manufacturing, utilities, and defense contracting appear regularly on the platform.
Can I work as an Automation Technician at a staffing or contract firm on OPT?
Yes, but the staffing agency must be your employer of record and enrolled in E-Verify. Contract placements are common in automation and controls, but your OPT authorization is tied to the agency, not the client site. Confirm that the agency understands OPT requirements and will sign your employer verification documentation before accepting a placement.
What counts as a qualifying job for OPT in an Automation Technician role?
USCIS requires that your position be directly related to your degree field and that you work at least 20 hours per week. For automation technicians, roles involving PLC programming, system integration, troubleshooting, or process control equipment typically satisfy this standard when paired with a relevant engineering or technology degree. Document the connection clearly in case of an audit.
How much time do I have to find an Automation Technician job after graduation?
You have a 60-day unemployment buffer within your OPT authorization period. If your OPT start date is tied to your graduation, the clock starts then. Automation hiring processes often take six to ten weeks, so applying before you finish your final semester gives you the best chance of starting work before or shortly after your authorization begins.