OPT Control Systems Engineer Jobs
Control Systems Engineer jobs on OPT are well-suited for F-1 students with degrees in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or related fields. Many roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in manufacturing, aerospace, and automation regularly sponsor H-1B visas for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsControl Systems Designer/EIT
- (195139)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
HDR is currently seeking to hire a Control Systems Designer/EIT. This individual’s primary function will be to serve on a team that supports our global Control Systems practice which includes full-service capabilities. Our practice provides assessment, planning, design, automation programming/configuration, testing & commissioning, and maintenance for control systems in multiple industries.
The Control Systems Designer/EIT will work under the direction of a Senior Control Systems Engineer or Control Systems Engineer as part of a team responsible for the design of building management (BMS) and automated facility support systems. This position requires coordination with multidiscipline teams to deliver full-service control systems solutions for construction and implementation in multiple market sectors including tech, media & telecom; healthcare, research, and life sciences. This individual should be self-motivated with attention to detail and an initiative to deliver high quality, technically sound control system designs.
Primary responsibilities and duties include:
- Assist with the selection and specification of process instrumentation, control panels, and network equipment.
- Assist with the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications.
- Develop skillset and utilize CADD software including the following AutoDesk products: AutoCAD, Revit; Microsoft Visio.
Growth opportunities:
- Exposure to multiple market sectors and core services of our global control systems program.
- Travel to client facilities to participate in field activities to assess and document the current state of installed control systems.
- Assist with the review of shop drawings during construction.
- Participate in field observations during construction.
- Participate in system testing and commissioning activities.
- Advancement to Control Systems Engineer with additional responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Engineer in Training (EIT) certificate
- Candidates without their EIT will be placed into a Control Systems Designer job code and will be expected to obtain their EIT for career progression
- Experience designing control systems a plus.
- Experience developing P&IDs, control schematics, and loop drawings a plus.
- Experience with networking and communications a plus.
- Experience with AutoCAD and Revit a plus.
- Knowledge of control systems, networking, and instrumentation.
- Preference given to local candidates.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Denver: $62,370.00 - $95,810.00
Primary Location:
United States-Colorado-Denver
Industry:
Building Engineering
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Control Systems and OT Cybersecurity
Job Posting:
Aug 7, 2026
Control Systems Designer/EIT
- (195139)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
HDR is currently seeking to hire a Control Systems Designer/EIT. This individual’s primary function will be to serve on a team that supports our global Control Systems practice which includes full-service capabilities. Our practice provides assessment, planning, design, automation programming/configuration, testing & commissioning, and maintenance for control systems in multiple industries.
The Control Systems Designer/EIT will work under the direction of a Senior Control Systems Engineer or Control Systems Engineer as part of a team responsible for the design of building management (BMS) and automated facility support systems. This position requires coordination with multidiscipline teams to deliver full-service control systems solutions for construction and implementation in multiple market sectors including tech, media & telecom; healthcare, research, and life sciences. This individual should be self-motivated with attention to detail and an initiative to deliver high quality, technically sound control system designs.
Primary responsibilities and duties include:
- Assist with the selection and specification of process instrumentation, control panels, and network equipment.
- Assist with the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications.
- Develop skillset and utilize CADD software including the following AutoDesk products: AutoCAD, Revit; Microsoft Visio.
Growth opportunities:
- Exposure to multiple market sectors and core services of our global control systems program.
- Travel to client facilities to participate in field activities to assess and document the current state of installed control systems.
- Assist with the review of shop drawings during construction.
- Participate in field observations during construction.
- Participate in system testing and commissioning activities.
- Advancement to Control Systems Engineer with additional responsibilities.
Preferred Qualifications
- Engineer in Training (EIT) certificate
- Candidates without their EIT will be placed into a Control Systems Designer job code and will be expected to obtain their EIT for career progression
- Experience designing control systems a plus.
- Experience developing P&IDs, control schematics, and loop drawings a plus.
- Experience with networking and communications a plus.
- Experience with AutoCAD and Revit a plus.
- Knowledge of control systems, networking, and instrumentation.
- Preference given to local candidates.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related field.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Denver: $62,370.00 - $95,810.00
Primary Location:
United States-Colorado-Denver
Industry:
Building Engineering
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Control Systems and OT Cybersecurity
Job Posting:
Aug 7, 2026
See all 799+ OPT Control Systems Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Control Systems Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Control Systems Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Control systems roles almost always fall under STEM OPT extension eligibility. Prioritize companies with a history of filing H-1B petitions for engineers, since they already understand the sponsorship process and are less likely to hesitate at visa costs.
Frame your degree field precisely
Employers need to confirm your degree aligns with the role for OPT authorization. Electrical engineering, mechatronics, and control engineering are strong matches. If your degree is mechanical or computer engineering, highlight coursework in control theory, PLCs, or embedded systems explicitly.
Lead with your technical stack in applications
Hiring managers in controls scan for MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW, PLC programming, and SCADA experience. Listing these prominently signals you can contribute immediately, which reduces employer hesitation about the time and cost of sponsoring work authorization.
Pursue roles in aerospace, defense, and industrial automation
These industries file H-1B petitions for controls engineers at high rates. Defense contractors and aerospace manufacturers often have established immigration programs, making them more comfortable extending offers to OPT candidates who will eventually need H-1B sponsorship.
Raise OPT status early and clearly
Disclosing your OPT status in your first substantive conversation avoids wasted time. Briefly explain that STEM OPT gives you up to three years of work authorization and that H-1B sponsorship is a future step, not an immediate cost, to set accurate expectations.
Highlight project experience with real systems
Employers value controls engineers who have worked on physical systems, not only simulations. Academic or internship projects involving motor control, robotics, or industrial automation hardware demonstrate hands-on competency that differentiates you from candidates with only theoretical backgrounds.
Control Systems Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Control Systems Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Control Systems Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer engineering, or a related STEM field. Your DSO must confirm your degree's CIP code is on the STEM designated degree program list. If it qualifies, you get up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization.
How do I find Control Systems Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and surfaces Control Systems Engineer roles from employers with a demonstrated history of visa sponsorship. Filtering by sponsorship-willing companies saves significant time compared to applying broadly and discovering late in the process that an employer does not sponsor work authorization.
Which industries hire Control Systems Engineers on OPT most consistently?
Aerospace, automotive, industrial automation, semiconductor manufacturing, and defense consistently hire controls engineers on OPT. Companies in these sectors file H-1B petitions for this role at high rates because the specialty occupation requirement is straightforward to establish with an engineering degree and relevant technical skills.
What does a Control Systems Engineer need to demonstrate for H-1B specialty occupation eligibility?
The role must require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific technical field such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related discipline. Control systems work typically satisfies this standard because it requires applying theoretical knowledge of feedback systems, signal processing, and embedded control that is directly tied to a qualifying engineering degree.
Can I work as a Control Systems Engineer on OPT while my employer files my H-1B petition?
Yes. If your employer files your H-1B petition before your OPT expires, you may be covered by cap-gap work authorization, which extends your ability to work through September 30 of that year while USCIS processes the petition. Your DSO can issue an updated I-20 reflecting the cap-gap extension once your employer files.