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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About us:
At ENFRA, we blend a rich history with a forward-looking vision. With over 100 years of experience, we are a pillar of stability in the energy infrastructure industry and a leader in innovative energy solutions. Our commitment to leveraging emerging technologies ensures that we remain at the forefront of the Energy-as-a-Service sector.
We believe in growth—not just for our business, but for our people. Our team members have the opportunity to advance their careers in a supportive environment that values continuous learning and development. We embrace innovation and encourage creative problem solving to tackle the energy infrastructure and energy challenges of tomorrow.
Inclusion is at the heart of our culture. We strive to create a workplace where every voice is heard and valued, fostering a collaborative environment where diverse perspectives drive our success.
Join us to be part of a legacy of excellence and a future of groundbreaking advancements. At ENFRA, stability, innovation, and growth are more than just values—they are the pillars of our continued success.
Overview:
The Senior Project Controls Specialist is responsible for providing oversight of project Planning & Scheduling, Progress Measurement and Cost Management throughout all project phases. They are proactive self-starters with a proven ability to work independently and efficiently, while also engaging closely with the Project Team, Executives, Subcontractors, and Clients. They must proactively identify and solve problems that impact project performance. Focusing on continual improvement and opportunities for risk mitigation is a key responsibility of this position. The Senior Project Controls Specialist may be required to provide guidance to junior personnel. As such, they must have in-depth knowledge of the Project Controls function.
Responsibilities:
GENERAL:
- Leads the project controls team on large and highly complex EPC projects.
- Provides oversight in the areas of scheduling, cost management, change management, and risk management.
- Provides technical guidance for decisions by key stakeholders.
- Supports development of the constructability process, (the how it's built) & related interdependencies between Engineering, Procurement, Fabrication and Construction in support of feasibility studies.
- Interacts with Operations and represents the Company in the best manner to owners, subcontractors, and their representatives.
- Implements internal and contractual requirements on the project via the project controls execution plan.
- Leads setup and implementation of Project Management and Controls Systems.
- Attend all meetings concerning cost, progress, schedule, and contractual matters.
- Supports the preparation of the project close-out report.
- Support Division Project Controls Leadership with ad hoc tasks as required.
- From time to time, may participate in proposal development.
- Support development of the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) on complex projects.
- Ensures adherence to Company systems and processes.
- May be required to take on more technical roles on smaller projects, including Procurement, Subcontract Administration, etc.
- Recommends solutions or recovery plans for problem areas.
- Supervise and mentor junior personnel in all Project Controls aspects.
- Actively looks for areas of improvement on project and company standards.
SCHEDULE:
- Oversees and assists in the development, maintenance, review, and analysis of the project schedule.
- Maintains outstanding issues logs and coordinate follow up as necessary.
- Monitor key dates, against dates defined in the main contract and any subcontracts.
- Develops schedule views as required, such as, Weekly and Six Week Look Ahead schedules.
COST CONTROL:
- Leads preparation of the monthly project EAC.
- Analyzes and interprets the project forecast.
- Supports Project Accounting with billing, revenue recognition, and cash flow processes.
- Supports the project controls team in development of the cost spread for cash flows.
PROGRESS MEASUREMENT:
- Leads the set up and maintenance of the progress measurement system.
- Oversees the quantity surveying and progress functions on the project.
- Monitor project progress; prepares necessary project reports weekly, monthly, or as required by the project cadence.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT:
- Responsible for Implementing and supporting the Change Management process.
- Supports change management efforts, including building of cost estimates and amendments to the contract.
- Evaluate, negotiate, and agree to costs and revenue with client and subcontractor(s) for changes in contract and subcontract work (on larger projects, this responsibility can be with the Contracts Manager).
- Prepare contract supplements (on larger projects, this responsibility is with the Contracts Manager).
- Support the development of claims including back charges against subcontractors and vendors.
RISK AND OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT:
- Implements and maintains the Project Risk and Opportunity process.
- Assists with risk and opportunity analysis for all phases of the project.
REPORTING:
- Responsible for accuracy of project controls reports.
- Participate or lead project reviews conducted with the client and internal management.
- Develop Cost Curves and Run-Down Curves.
- Develop Project Risk and Opportunity Management reports.
- Participate or lead the weekly and monthly cost and schedule review meetings.
- Create Weekly/Monthly/Quarterly Reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required Education, Experience, and Qualifications
- 4 year degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, business, finance, or a related field or
- 4 to 8 years of experience in project controls or project management, preferably in building construction, healthcare, or EPC.
- Demonstrated knowledge of scheduling, cost engineering, subcontract coordination, and general project administration.
- Familiarity reading drawings and specifications.
- Proficient in common business tools such as P6 and Microsoft Office applications.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Detail-oriented and willing to tackle various ongoing projects in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to multitask and perform duties outside of the scope of work when necessary.
Preferred Education, Experience, and Qualifications
- N/A
Travel Requirements
- 5-10% of time will be spent traveling to job site(s)/office location.
Physical/Work Environment Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Climbing stairs.
- Remaining in a stationary position, often kneeling, standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
- Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
- Quiet environment.
- Light work that includes adjusting and/or moving objects up to 20 pounds.
Pay Range: USD $101,610.00 - USD $135,640.00 /Yr.
ENFRA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities, and participates in the e-Verify program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other classification protected by law.
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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.