Controls Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Controls Engineer jobs are actively hiring OPT students with backgrounds in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and automation systems. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in manufacturing, energy, and industrial automation regularly sponsor H-1B visas for strong performers.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title
Controls Engineer
Location
Greenwood, SC (Hybrid)
The actual location of this job is in Greenwood, SC. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.
Join Lonza AG as a Controls Engineer and help shape the future of life sciences through cutting-edge automation solutions. This role offers the chance to work on global projects that impact multiple continents, driving innovation and efficiency across our manufacturing sites.
What you will get
- An agile career and dynamic working culture.
- An inclusive and ethical workplace.
- Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
- A variety of benefits dependent on role and location.
- The full list of our global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.
What you will do
- Develop, replicate, and support global automation systems across sites in Belgium, France, US, Mexico, China, Japan, and India.
- Apply advanced PLC/SCADA/Simotion expertise to global initiatives, focusing on software development and validation.
- Design and execute test plans to ensure software reliability and compliance.
- Lead commissioning activities and support validation of control systems.
- Collaborate with R&D and production site automation teams to align strategies and solutions.
- Provide accurate time estimates for control software development tasks.
- Drive continuous improvement and contribute to environmental and health safety initiatives.
What we are looking for
- Bachelor’s degree required in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Robotics. Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with a focus on automation required.
- Strong skills in PLC/SCADA systems and software development processes required.
- Experience with Siemens automation platforms—particularly STL, SCL, FBD, and LAD—is a huge plus.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a global team setting.
- Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills.
- Open to mentorship and professional growth opportunities.
- Travel < 10 %
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values—Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion, and Integrity—reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.
Job Title
Controls Engineer
Location
Greenwood, SC (Hybrid)
The actual location of this job is in Greenwood, SC. Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.
Join Lonza AG as a Controls Engineer and help shape the future of life sciences through cutting-edge automation solutions. This role offers the chance to work on global projects that impact multiple continents, driving innovation and efficiency across our manufacturing sites.
What you will get
- An agile career and dynamic working culture.
- An inclusive and ethical workplace.
- Compensation programs that recognize high performance.
- A variety of benefits dependent on role and location.
- The full list of our global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.
What you will do
- Develop, replicate, and support global automation systems across sites in Belgium, France, US, Mexico, China, Japan, and India.
- Apply advanced PLC/SCADA/Simotion expertise to global initiatives, focusing on software development and validation.
- Design and execute test plans to ensure software reliability and compliance.
- Lead commissioning activities and support validation of control systems.
- Collaborate with R&D and production site automation teams to align strategies and solutions.
- Provide accurate time estimates for control software development tasks.
- Drive continuous improvement and contribute to environmental and health safety initiatives.
What we are looking for
- Bachelor’s degree required in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or Robotics. Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with a focus on automation required.
- Strong skills in PLC/SCADA systems and software development processes required.
- Experience with Siemens automation platforms—particularly STL, SCL, FBD, and LAD—is a huge plus.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a global team setting.
- Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills.
- Open to mentorship and professional growth opportunities.
- Travel < 10 %
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values—Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion, and Integrity—reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Controls Engineer
Target STEM-designated employers first
Controls Engineering falls under CIP codes tied to electrical or mechanical engineering, qualifying for 36-month STEM OPT. Prioritize employers who have filed H-1B petitions before, as they understand the sponsorship process and are more likely to extend your authorization.
Emphasize PLC and SCADA experience upfront
Hiring managers in automation and manufacturing screen for hands-on PLC programming skills, particularly with Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or Rockwell platforms. Quantify your project experience in your resume rather than listing tools generically. Specificity signals readiness to contribute from day one.
Frame your OPT timeline proactively
Bring up your work authorization early, not after an offer. Clarify you have up to 36 months on STEM OPT and that H-1B sponsorship, when the time comes, involves a straightforward filing. Removing ambiguity early builds employer confidence and avoids late-stage hesitation.
Focus on industries with strong sponsorship track records
Automotive, semiconductor, oil and gas, and industrial manufacturing companies sponsor Controls Engineers at high rates. These industries have long project cycles and strong incentives to retain specialized talent, making them more willing to invest in H-1B sponsorship for qualified OPT candidates.
Get your OPT EAD and STEM extension paperwork in order early
Employers sometimes stall offers when authorization timelines are unclear. Having your EAD card, I-20 with OPT authorization, and STEM extension eligibility documented and ready to share demonstrates professionalism and removes a common point of friction during the hiring process.
Apply to mid-size manufacturers, not just large corporations
Large enterprises get most attention, but mid-size manufacturers in states like Ohio, Michigan, and Texas frequently hire Controls Engineers on OPT with genuine sponsorship intent. These companies often offer faster hiring cycles and more direct access to the engineers making sponsorship decisions.
Controls Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Controls Engineer jobs qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Controls Engineering roles typically fall under CIP codes for electrical engineering or mechanical engineering, both of which are STEM-designated. That makes you eligible for a 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of your initial 12 months, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to qualify.
How common is H-1B sponsorship for Controls Engineers?
H-1B sponsorship is relatively common for Controls Engineers, particularly in automotive, semiconductor, energy, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Roles requiring specialized PLC programming, motion control, or SCADA system experience meet the specialty occupation standard clearly, which simplifies the employer's legal case. Searching on Migrate Mate lets you filter specifically for OPT-friendly employers who have a history of sponsoring these roles.
What makes a Controls Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
A Controls Engineer position qualifies as a specialty occupation when it requires a bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a directly related field as a standard entry requirement. Roles involving PLC programming, control system design, or industrial automation typically meet this standard. Generic maintenance or technician roles that accept any technical background may not qualify, so reviewing the job description carefully matters.
Can I work as a Controls Engineer on OPT before my employer sponsors my H-1B?
Yes. Your OPT EAD authorizes you to work for any qualifying employer in a role directly related to your degree. You do not need H-1B sponsorship to start working. Most Controls Engineers on STEM OPT use the 36-month window to build experience while their employer files an H-1B petition, typically during a future lottery cycle.
What should I look for in a job posting to assess whether sponsorship is realistic?
Look for postings that explicitly mention visa sponsorship availability, list engineering degree requirements rather than accepting any technical background, and describe work tied to specific systems or platforms like Rockwell Automation or Siemens TIA Portal. Employers who detail technical requirements in depth are generally more serious about hiring specialists long-term. Migrate Mate surfaces Controls Engineer roles with sponsorship indicators so you can focus your search efficiently.
See which Controls Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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