OPT Controls Technician Jobs
Controls Technician jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with backgrounds in electrical engineering, mechatronics, or industrial automation. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in manufacturing and energy regularly hire controls technicians on OPT.
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Get Access To All JobsCOMPANY OVERVIEW: Hamilton Medical was founded in 1983 with a clear mission: to enhance the lives of patients on respirators and support the caregivers who serve them. Our focus is on developing ventilation technologies that prioritize safety, effectiveness, and lung protection. We are dedicated to easing the burden on healthcare professionals who work tirelessly every day, helping critically ill patients recover and regain their health. We are committed to helping medical teams deliver the best respiratory care ‑ to anyone, anywhere.
Responsibilities:
Hamilton Medical, Inc. (HMI) is seeking a Controls Engineer 2 who will take technical ownership of the control systems for all automated equipment at HMI. This role maintains and improves PLC, HMI, and robot programs to increase equipment reliability, process yield, and production efficiency. The Controls Engineer 2 works with Manufacturing Engineering to optimize automation, supports Maintenance in troubleshooting equipment errors, and coordinates technical activities with external automation vendors. The role independently executes assigned controls work with occasional guidance on complex issues. A strong candidate solves problems efficiently, creates practical solutions, documents changes, shares knowledge, and supports safe, consistent production.
Essential Job Functions:
- Takes technical ownership of control systems for all automated equipment at HMI, maintaining reliable operation and serving as the primary internal controls resource.
- Develops, modifies, tests, and maintains PLC and HMI programs, including machine sequences, alarms, diagnostics, recipes, and process settings.
- Programs, debugs, and optimizes robots, including motion paths, tooling interfaces, equipment handshakes, and fault recovery sequences.
- Integrates and troubleshoots sensors, actuators, servo drives, machine vision, and other peripheral devices through PLC interfaces and industrial communication networks.
- Partners with manufacturing engineers to analyze cycle time, downtime, faults, and yield, and implements controls improvements that increase automation performance and process consistency to attain target OEE KPIs.
- Supports Maintenance in troubleshooting control system errors and restoring equipment operation, and investigates recurring failures and implements corrective actions with Engineering and Quality.
- Coordinates external automation vendors for troubleshooting, modifications, and upgrades, reviews technical deliverables and obtains current source programs, backups, and documentation for HMI support.
- Translates manufacturing needs into controls requirements and functional specifications, reviews proposed hardware, software, and vendor designs for maintainability and compatibility with HMI equipment.
- Coordinates controls startup, debugging, and commissioning for new and modified equipment, supports factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and production handoff.
- Applies and improves programming standards, reusable code, and documentation practices, maintains controlled program versions, verified backups, change histories, and recovery instructions.
- Develops and executes controls test plans, including affected functions and fault recovery, supports equipment qualification and validation with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality.
- Assesses controls changes for effects on machine safety, product quality, and validated processes, follows HMI change control, testing, and release requirements.
- Maintains electrical schematics, I/O lists, network layouts, program comments, and troubleshooting guides, supports equipment data collection for diagnostics and performance analysis.
- Trains Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, and production personnel on controls, diagnostics, and recovery procedures appropriate to their roles.
- Plans assigned controls projects and upgrades, including obsolete component replacement, estimates resources, communicates schedules and risks, and coordinates downtime with Production.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Independently uses first-principles thinking and structured troubleshooting, seeks assistance when technical complexity or risk requires additional expertise.
- Shows initiative, takes ownership of assigned tasks, and completes work without repeated prompting.
- Proficient in PLC programming and troubleshooting, HMI development, and robot programming for automated manufacturing equipment.
- Working knowledge of sensors, actuators, servo systems, variable frequency drives, machine vision interfaces, and industrial communication networks.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and use diagnostic tools to distinguish programming, electrical, mechanical, and process-related faults.
- Ability to evaluate equipment performance data and apply root cause analysis techniques to recurring faults and production losses.
- Working knowledge of machine safety functions, interlocks, and safe troubleshooting practices, follows established equipment safety procedures.
- Excellent communication and documentation skills, works effectively with manufacturing engineers, maintenance technicians, production personnel, Quality, and external vendors.
- Ability to prioritize competing production needs, communicate realistic completion dates, and support planned installations and production recovery activities.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
- 3+ years of technical experience in controls engineering or industrial automation, including hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related engineering discipline required.
- Experience programming and supporting industrial robots in manufacturing applications required.
- Experience with PLC and HMI platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or comparable systems, ability to learn and support multiple platforms.
- Experience with program backups, version control, engineering change processes, and document control.
- Experience supporting equipment commissioning, acceptance testing, qualification, or validation preferred, medical device or other regulated manufacturing experience preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools, experience with electrical CAD, machine vision, or equipment data integration is preferred.
ABOUT HAMILTON:
- Tremendous opportunities for professional growth.
- Commitment to sustainable design.
- Competitive compensation.
- Excellent benefit package includes medical, dental, vision insurance, paid vacation time, paid sick time, disability insurance, 401k, tuition reimbursement and more.
- Solid stable company.
- Must pass drug and background screens. May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (provided by employer).
EEO - It is the policy of this organization to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age 40 and over, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, religious preference, or veteran status in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
COMPANY OVERVIEW: Hamilton Medical was founded in 1983 with a clear mission: to enhance the lives of patients on respirators and support the caregivers who serve them. Our focus is on developing ventilation technologies that prioritize safety, effectiveness, and lung protection. We are dedicated to easing the burden on healthcare professionals who work tirelessly every day, helping critically ill patients recover and regain their health. We are committed to helping medical teams deliver the best respiratory care ‑ to anyone, anywhere.
Responsibilities:
Hamilton Medical, Inc. (HMI) is seeking a Controls Engineer 2 who will take technical ownership of the control systems for all automated equipment at HMI. This role maintains and improves PLC, HMI, and robot programs to increase equipment reliability, process yield, and production efficiency. The Controls Engineer 2 works with Manufacturing Engineering to optimize automation, supports Maintenance in troubleshooting equipment errors, and coordinates technical activities with external automation vendors. The role independently executes assigned controls work with occasional guidance on complex issues. A strong candidate solves problems efficiently, creates practical solutions, documents changes, shares knowledge, and supports safe, consistent production.
Essential Job Functions:
- Takes technical ownership of control systems for all automated equipment at HMI, maintaining reliable operation and serving as the primary internal controls resource.
- Develops, modifies, tests, and maintains PLC and HMI programs, including machine sequences, alarms, diagnostics, recipes, and process settings.
- Programs, debugs, and optimizes robots, including motion paths, tooling interfaces, equipment handshakes, and fault recovery sequences.
- Integrates and troubleshoots sensors, actuators, servo drives, machine vision, and other peripheral devices through PLC interfaces and industrial communication networks.
- Partners with manufacturing engineers to analyze cycle time, downtime, faults, and yield, and implements controls improvements that increase automation performance and process consistency to attain target OEE KPIs.
- Supports Maintenance in troubleshooting control system errors and restoring equipment operation, and investigates recurring failures and implements corrective actions with Engineering and Quality.
- Coordinates external automation vendors for troubleshooting, modifications, and upgrades, reviews technical deliverables and obtains current source programs, backups, and documentation for HMI support.
- Translates manufacturing needs into controls requirements and functional specifications, reviews proposed hardware, software, and vendor designs for maintainability and compatibility with HMI equipment.
- Coordinates controls startup, debugging, and commissioning for new and modified equipment, supports factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, and production handoff.
- Applies and improves programming standards, reusable code, and documentation practices, maintains controlled program versions, verified backups, change histories, and recovery instructions.
- Develops and executes controls test plans, including affected functions and fault recovery, supports equipment qualification and validation with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality.
- Assesses controls changes for effects on machine safety, product quality, and validated processes, follows HMI change control, testing, and release requirements.
- Maintains electrical schematics, I/O lists, network layouts, program comments, and troubleshooting guides, supports equipment data collection for diagnostics and performance analysis.
- Trains Maintenance, Manufacturing Engineering, and production personnel on controls, diagnostics, and recovery procedures appropriate to their roles.
- Plans assigned controls projects and upgrades, including obsolete component replacement, estimates resources, communicates schedules and risks, and coordinates downtime with Production.
- Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Independently uses first-principles thinking and structured troubleshooting, seeks assistance when technical complexity or risk requires additional expertise.
- Shows initiative, takes ownership of assigned tasks, and completes work without repeated prompting.
- Proficient in PLC programming and troubleshooting, HMI development, and robot programming for automated manufacturing equipment.
- Working knowledge of sensors, actuators, servo systems, variable frequency drives, machine vision interfaces, and industrial communication networks.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and use diagnostic tools to distinguish programming, electrical, mechanical, and process-related faults.
- Ability to evaluate equipment performance data and apply root cause analysis techniques to recurring faults and production losses.
- Working knowledge of machine safety functions, interlocks, and safe troubleshooting practices, follows established equipment safety procedures.
- Excellent communication and documentation skills, works effectively with manufacturing engineers, maintenance technicians, production personnel, Quality, and external vendors.
- Ability to prioritize competing production needs, communicate realistic completion dates, and support planned installations and production recovery activities.
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:
- 3+ years of technical experience in controls engineering or industrial automation, including hands-on PLC programming and troubleshooting.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related engineering discipline required.
- Experience programming and supporting industrial robots in manufacturing applications required.
- Experience with PLC and HMI platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or comparable systems, ability to learn and support multiple platforms.
- Experience with program backups, version control, engineering change processes, and document control.
- Experience supporting equipment commissioning, acceptance testing, qualification, or validation preferred, medical device or other regulated manufacturing experience preferred.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and data analysis tools, experience with electrical CAD, machine vision, or equipment data integration is preferred.
ABOUT HAMILTON:
- Tremendous opportunities for professional growth.
- Commitment to sustainable design.
- Competitive compensation.
- Excellent benefit package includes medical, dental, vision insurance, paid vacation time, paid sick time, disability insurance, 401k, tuition reimbursement and more.
- Solid stable company.
- Must pass drug and background screens. May be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (provided by employer).
EEO - It is the policy of this organization to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age 40 and over, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship status, religious preference, or veteran status in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
See all 666+ OPT Controls Technician Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Controls Technician Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Controls Technician
Confirm your role qualifies for STEM OPT
Controls Technician positions typically fall under CIP codes for electrical, mechatronic, or systems engineering. Verify your specific degree CIP code aligns with the role before accepting an offer to ensure you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Target manufacturers and industrial automation firms
Companies running large-scale manufacturing lines, oil and gas facilities, or automated warehouses hire controls technicians regularly. These employers are experienced with OPT work authorization and are more likely to have established processes for supporting international students through the hiring process.
Highlight PLC and SCADA experience prominently
Employers screening Controls Technician resumes look for hands-on experience with Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or Rockwell systems. Listing specific platforms and projects signals technical readiness and shortens the hiring timeline, which matters when your OPT start date is fixed and non-negotiable.
Start your job search at least three months before OPT begins
Controls Technician roles often involve background checks, safety clearances, and onboarding processes that add weeks to the timeline. Beginning early gives you room to complete hiring steps without risking a gap between your graduation date and authorized employment start date.
Address OPT authorization proactively with recruiters
Many hiring managers at industrial companies confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. Clarify upfront that OPT is pre-authorized federal work authorization requiring no employer petition or fees, which removes a common objection early and keeps your application moving through the pipeline.
Pursue E-Verify registered employers for STEM OPT eligibility
To qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Confirm E-Verify participation before accepting any offer. Most established manufacturers and defense contractors are already enrolled, making them reliable targets for your Controls Technician job search.
Controls Technician OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Controls Technician jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Controls Technician roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in electrical engineering, mechatronics, industrial engineering, or a related STEM field. The role must be directly related to your degree program. Your DSO at your university will confirm eligibility based on your specific CIP code before filing the extension.
Do Controls Technician employers need to sponsor me or file paperwork for OPT?
No. OPT is authorized by USCIS through your university, not your employer. The employer does not file any petition or pay any government fees to hire you on OPT. For the STEM OPT extension, your employer does need to be E-Verify enrolled and sign a formal training plan, but this is straightforward for most established manufacturers.
Where can I find Controls Technician jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters job listings by OPT sponsorship willingness, so you can focus on employers already open to hiring international students. General job boards do not filter by work authorization compatibility, which means you spend time applying to roles where OPT will be an obstacle.
Can I work as a Controls Technician while on OPT if my degree is in computer science or a non-engineering field?
It depends on how directly your degree relates to the Controls Technician role. A computer science degree may support OPT authorization if the position involves embedded systems, industrial software, or automation programming. Your DSO makes this determination. For the STEM extension specifically, the connection between your CIP code and the job duties needs to be defensible and documented.
What happens to my OPT status if my Controls Technician contract ends or I'm laid off?
F-1 OPT students have a 90-day unemployment allowance during the standard OPT period and 60 days during the STEM OPT extension. If your contract ends, you must find a new qualifying Controls Technician role within that window or fall out of status. Report the job change to your DSO immediately and use Migrate Mate to find your next OPT-compatible position quickly.