Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Electrical Controls Engineer jobs are among the stronger options for F-1 OPT students, since the role sits squarely in a STEM-designated field and qualifies for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Most positions involve PLC programming, HMI development, and systems integration work that maps cleanly to electrical or controls engineering degrees.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
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ABOUT THE JOB
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Brandon DeDeker
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button and sending us your resume.
SALARY
Salary: $85,000 - $125,000 per year
A bit about us:
Based in beautiful Oshkosh, we are a global leader in packaging solutions. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by designing recyclable and reusable packaging solutions! Currently, we are experiencing tremendous growth in our Maintenance and Engineering department. Therefore, we are in search of an Electrical Engineer with Control System experience to join us immediately! Therefore, if you're an Electrical Engineer with Control System experience, then please read on….
WHY JOIN US?
- Competitive Base Salary ($85 - $125k)!
- Extremely Competitive Equity Package!
- Flexible Work Schedules!
- Accelerated Career Growth!
- Opportunity to create a cleaner planet
JOB DETAILS
Step into a high energy engineering role where you’ll take ownership of meaningful projects, solve real problems, and help shape the future of our facilities and equipment. You’ll tackle moderate to complex technical challenges with autonomy, lead routine engineering initiatives, and collaborate across teams to bring smart, safe, high quality solutions to life.
WHAT YOU BRING
Strong engineering fundamentals, clear communication, and the ability to adapt, problem solve, and push projects forward independently. You’re organized, disciplined, and skilled at managing multiple priorities while keeping execution aligned with business goals.
WHERE YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT
Facilities Engineering: Optimize facility layouts, systems, and infrastructure through sound design, calculations, and technical documentation.
Electrical Engineering: Design and validate electrical machine systems, producing accurate models, documentation, and testing plans.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Controls/Automation, CS&E, or related)
- 3–6 years of hands on engineering experience
TECHNOLOGIES WE USE:
- Rockwell/Allen Bradley, Siemens, Wonderware, Ignition
- AutoCAD / SolidWorks / E Plan
- Industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet)
- HVAC, boilers, chilled water, or other facility systems
- PLC/HMI platforms, SCADA, robotics, drives, etc.
Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ROLE AND JOBOT?
Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
INTRODUCTION
Want to learn more about this role and Jobot? Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
ABOUT THE JOB
This Jobot Job is hosted by: Brandon DeDeker
Are you a fit? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button and sending us your resume.
SALARY
Salary: $85,000 - $125,000 per year
A bit about us:
Based in beautiful Oshkosh, we are a global leader in packaging solutions. We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint by designing recyclable and reusable packaging solutions! Currently, we are experiencing tremendous growth in our Maintenance and Engineering department. Therefore, we are in search of an Electrical Engineer with Control System experience to join us immediately! Therefore, if you're an Electrical Engineer with Control System experience, then please read on….
WHY JOIN US?
- Competitive Base Salary ($85 - $125k)!
- Extremely Competitive Equity Package!
- Flexible Work Schedules!
- Accelerated Career Growth!
- Opportunity to create a cleaner planet
JOB DETAILS
Step into a high energy engineering role where you’ll take ownership of meaningful projects, solve real problems, and help shape the future of our facilities and equipment. You’ll tackle moderate to complex technical challenges with autonomy, lead routine engineering initiatives, and collaborate across teams to bring smart, safe, high quality solutions to life.
WHAT YOU BRING
Strong engineering fundamentals, clear communication, and the ability to adapt, problem solve, and push projects forward independently. You’re organized, disciplined, and skilled at managing multiple priorities while keeping execution aligned with business goals.
WHERE YOU’LL MAKE AN IMPACT
Facilities Engineering: Optimize facility layouts, systems, and infrastructure through sound design, calculations, and technical documentation.
Electrical Engineering: Design and validate electrical machine systems, producing accurate models, documentation, and testing plans.
WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Controls/Automation, CS&E, or related)
- 3–6 years of hands on engineering experience
TECHNOLOGIES WE USE:
- Rockwell/Allen Bradley, Siemens, Wonderware, Ignition
- AutoCAD / SolidWorks / E Plan
- Industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet)
- HVAC, boilers, chilled water, or other facility systems
- PLC/HMI platforms, SCADA, robotics, drives, etc.
Interested in hearing more? Easy Apply now by clicking the "Easy Apply" button.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS ROLE AND JOBOT?
Click our Jobot logo and follow our LinkedIn page!
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Electrical Controls Engineer
Verify your degree aligns with the role
Electrical Controls Engineer roles require a degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a closely related field. Confirm your specific program is on the STEM OPT extension list before applying, since mismatches can complicate future H-1B sponsorship conversations with employers.
Target manufacturers and industrial automation firms
Companies in automotive, aerospace, food processing, and industrial automation sponsor controls engineers at high rates. These industries run capital-intensive operations where retaining specialized engineers long-term makes H-1B sponsorship a straightforward business decision, not a policy exception.
Lead with PLC and SCADA platform experience
Hiring managers screen resumes for specific platform experience: Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, Ignition SCADA. Listing the platforms you have hands-on time with upfront signals you can contribute immediately, which directly reduces the perceived risk of hiring someone who needs work authorization support.
Apply before your OPT start date
Electrical controls roles often have structured onboarding tied to project cycles. Starting the application process two to three months before your OPT authorization begins gives you time to clear technical interviews and background checks without putting employers under a deadline pressure that can cool interest.
Prepare to explain your work authorization timeline clearly
Many hiring managers are unfamiliar with STEM OPT extension details. Have a one- or two-sentence explanation ready: your initial OPT period, the 24-month STEM extension eligibility, and the fact that your employer files an E-Verify form, not a government petition, for the extension.
Pursue roles at companies with existing H-1B filing history
Companies that have sponsored H-1B petitions before understand the process and are more likely to do it again. Searching for controls engineer roles on Migrate Mate filters for employers who actively sponsor, saving you time spent on companies with no history of supporting international engineers.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does an Electrical Controls Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. The role qualifies if your degree is in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related STEM-designated field. The extension gives you 24 additional months of work authorization beyond your initial 12-month OPT period. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to support the extension, which most mid-to-large manufacturers already are.
What types of employers sponsor Electrical Controls Engineers for H-1B visas?
Manufacturers in automotive, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and industrial automation are the most consistent sponsors. Companies like Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and large contract engineering firms regularly file H-1B petitions for controls engineers because the skill set is specialized and hard to replace. You can browse employers actively sponsoring these roles on Migrate Mate to narrow your search to companies with a real sponsorship track record.
Can I work on-site at a client facility as an Electrical Controls Engineer while on OPT?
Yes, but your employer of record must be the company that authorized your OPT employment, not the client site. If a staffing firm or engineering services company places you at a client facility, the staffing firm is your legal employer for OPT purposes. Make sure your OPT authorization lists the correct employer before any placement begins, since unauthorized employment has serious immigration consequences.
How do I handle the gap between graduating and starting my first controls engineering role on OPT?
Your OPT application should be filed before graduation, and you have up to 90 days of unemployment allowed during your OPT period. If the job search takes longer than expected, prioritize roles that are actively hiring rather than waiting for a perfect fit. Migrate Mate lists open positions from employers who sponsor, which helps focus your time on applications with a realistic path to long-term authorization.
Do project-based or contract Electrical Controls Engineer roles count as valid OPT employment?
They can, but the work must be at least 20 hours per week and directly related to your degree field. Short-duration project contracts that end and restart create gaps that count against your 90-day unemployment limit. If you take contract work, confirm with your DSO that the arrangement qualifies before you start, since misclassified employment can jeopardize your status and any future extension.
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