STEM OPT Control Systems Engineer Jobs
Control Systems Engineer roles qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension when your degree falls under an approved CIP code in engineering or computer science. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan outlining your learning objectives and supervision structure before your extension begins.
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Get Access To All JobsWhat You'll Be Doing
Job Scope: The Project Controls System Engineer is generally responsible for performing all aspects for complete designs of small and large electrical and instrumentation engineering assignments using theoretical knowledge and practical design methods. This work will be performed under general supervision.
Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Familiarity with and utilizing department design and drafting standards.
- Familiarity with project scope, specifications and design criteria upon assignment to a project task team.
- Recognize and communicate scope and design changes promptly.
- On-site assistance during startup.
- Producing estimate level preliminary designs and material take-offs suitable for the level of the estimate being performed on a project.
- Producing detail design calculations and sketches for materials of construction associated with the project. Calculations produced will be neatly prepared and organized for efficient checking by others and efficient use by drafters/designers for preparing drawings and as a deliverable when required.
- Producing designs with efficient use of construction materials with an overall emphasis on ease of construction and completed product meeting the expectations of the client.
- Checking calculations made by other engineers to ensure accuracy, conformance to codes, specifications, design criteria and conformance to good engineering practice.
- Assisting the drafting group in resolving routine layout and detailing problems. It is your responsibility to furnish sufficient sketches and details necessary for completion of engineering drawings.
- Consulting with design leaders from other disciplines to ensure the smooth flow of vital information necessary for the scheduled completion of the project.
- Advising the senior engineer concerning design or scope changes, which have been identified.
- Assisting other engineers in developing and assembling scopes, drawings and specifications into a “package”, enabling electrical/instrumentation purchase inquiries to be issued for procurement of materials or subcontract pricing.
- Reviewing and checking vendor drawings and other discipline drawings for electrical/instrumentation input.
- Developing construction specifications.
- Reviewing fabrication drawings and other construction submittals for conformance to engineering drawings and specifications.
- Performing fieldwork necessary to gather field data, check tie-ins and provide construction support.
- Provide technical guidance to less experienced drafting and engineering personnel in the department.
- Knowledge of the discipline specific methods, practices and techniques required to engineer, design and construct process and manufacturing projects.
- Applying advanced engineering techniques and analysis to complex designs.
- Produce installation details, motor control center single lines, electric room layouts, motor control elementaries, connection diagrams, cable schedules, control panel layouts and grounding, lighting, power and instrumentation plans under general supervision.
- Developing conceptual layouts and cost studies as necessary to determine the simplest, most efficient approach to solving engineering tasks at hand.
- Developing small work sharing packages for interoffice execution support.
Ideal Background
Education: Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university is required.
Experience: Requires 3+ years of relevant industrial experience in electrical and instrumentation engineering.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and application of the current version of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Familiarity with specifications and installation details of construction bulk materials and equipment.
- Ability to perform lighting level calculations.
- Ability to size wire, conduit and overcurrent protection for both lighting and power applications.
- Ability to perform voltage drop calculations.
- Ability to route conduit and cable tray.
- Ability to calculate tray and conduit fill.
- Ability to determine motor control center loading.
- Ability to create accurate electrical installation documents from the information found on vendor equipment drawings.
- Ability to determine load center unit substation loading.
- (Instrumentation) Ability to size control valves using appropriate software.
- (Instrumentation) Ability to develop specifications and data sheets for instrumentation, analyzers, control systems and actuated valves.
- (Instrumentation) Familiarity with standards that apply to instrumentation and controls (ISA).
- Ability to develop equipment specifications for equipment such as motor control centers, variable frequency drivers, induction and synchronous motors, load center unit substations.
- Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all electrical deliverables.
- Ability to develop a construction cost estimate, a detailed engineering schedule and a man-hour budget for a small project or an area for a larger project.
- Ability to determine construction material quantities.
- Knowledge and application of company engineering design and CAD drafting standards.
- Working knowledge of CAD software, either AutoCAD, Microstation or both.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Good presentation skills.
- Virtual team skills and cross divisional relationships are developed and able to provide interoffice execution support with general supervision.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
Hargrove Culture
We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.
Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.
As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
What You'll Be Doing
Job Scope: The Project Controls System Engineer is generally responsible for performing all aspects for complete designs of small and large electrical and instrumentation engineering assignments using theoretical knowledge and practical design methods. This work will be performed under general supervision.
Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:
- Familiarity with and utilizing department design and drafting standards.
- Familiarity with project scope, specifications and design criteria upon assignment to a project task team.
- Recognize and communicate scope and design changes promptly.
- On-site assistance during startup.
- Producing estimate level preliminary designs and material take-offs suitable for the level of the estimate being performed on a project.
- Producing detail design calculations and sketches for materials of construction associated with the project. Calculations produced will be neatly prepared and organized for efficient checking by others and efficient use by drafters/designers for preparing drawings and as a deliverable when required.
- Producing designs with efficient use of construction materials with an overall emphasis on ease of construction and completed product meeting the expectations of the client.
- Checking calculations made by other engineers to ensure accuracy, conformance to codes, specifications, design criteria and conformance to good engineering practice.
- Assisting the drafting group in resolving routine layout and detailing problems. It is your responsibility to furnish sufficient sketches and details necessary for completion of engineering drawings.
- Consulting with design leaders from other disciplines to ensure the smooth flow of vital information necessary for the scheduled completion of the project.
- Advising the senior engineer concerning design or scope changes, which have been identified.
- Assisting other engineers in developing and assembling scopes, drawings and specifications into a “package”, enabling electrical/instrumentation purchase inquiries to be issued for procurement of materials or subcontract pricing.
- Reviewing and checking vendor drawings and other discipline drawings for electrical/instrumentation input.
- Developing construction specifications.
- Reviewing fabrication drawings and other construction submittals for conformance to engineering drawings and specifications.
- Performing fieldwork necessary to gather field data, check tie-ins and provide construction support.
- Provide technical guidance to less experienced drafting and engineering personnel in the department.
- Knowledge of the discipline specific methods, practices and techniques required to engineer, design and construct process and manufacturing projects.
- Applying advanced engineering techniques and analysis to complex designs.
- Produce installation details, motor control center single lines, electric room layouts, motor control elementaries, connection diagrams, cable schedules, control panel layouts and grounding, lighting, power and instrumentation plans under general supervision.
- Developing conceptual layouts and cost studies as necessary to determine the simplest, most efficient approach to solving engineering tasks at hand.
- Developing small work sharing packages for interoffice execution support.
Ideal Background
Education: Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university is required.
Experience: Requires 3+ years of relevant industrial experience in electrical and instrumentation engineering.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge and application of the current version of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
- Familiarity with specifications and installation details of construction bulk materials and equipment.
- Ability to perform lighting level calculations.
- Ability to size wire, conduit and overcurrent protection for both lighting and power applications.
- Ability to perform voltage drop calculations.
- Ability to route conduit and cable tray.
- Ability to calculate tray and conduit fill.
- Ability to determine motor control center loading.
- Ability to create accurate electrical installation documents from the information found on vendor equipment drawings.
- Ability to determine load center unit substation loading.
- (Instrumentation) Ability to size control valves using appropriate software.
- (Instrumentation) Ability to develop specifications and data sheets for instrumentation, analyzers, control systems and actuated valves.
- (Instrumentation) Familiarity with standards that apply to instrumentation and controls (ISA).
- Ability to develop equipment specifications for equipment such as motor control centers, variable frequency drivers, induction and synchronous motors, load center unit substations.
- Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all electrical deliverables.
- Ability to develop a construction cost estimate, a detailed engineering schedule and a man-hour budget for a small project or an area for a larger project.
- Ability to determine construction material quantities.
- Knowledge and application of company engineering design and CAD drafting standards.
- Working knowledge of CAD software, either AutoCAD, Microstation or both.
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Good presentation skills.
- Virtual team skills and cross divisional relationships are developed and able to provide interoffice execution support with general supervision.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.
Hargrove Culture
We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and passion to meet and exceed the needs of the clients we serve across the globe.
Our safety culture protects and promotes the well-being of every person who works with us and every person touched by our work.
As a 100% Teammate owned company, we proudly offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible Teammates.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Hargrove is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, sexual identity, marital or family status), disability, military service or obligations, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Hargrove is a drug-free workplace.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
See all 163+ STEM OPT Control Systems Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Control Systems Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Control Systems Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's CIP code appears on the STEM Designated Degree Program List before targeting control systems roles. Engineering disciplines like electrical, mechanical, and systems engineering typically qualify, but your DSO confirms eligibility through your I-20.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment during screening
Ask recruiters directly whether the hiring entity, not just the parent company, is enrolled in E-Verify. Multi-site organizations sometimes have subsidiaries without active enrollment, which disqualifies them as STEM OPT employers regardless of company size.
Draft your I-983 training plan before your offer letter is signed
Control systems roles involve distinct learning objectives around PLC programming, SCADA systems, and feedback loop design. Having a draft I-983 ready speeds up employer approval and shows technical fluency that distinguishes you from candidates unfamiliar with the requirement.
Target employers with LCA filings in systems engineering SOC codes
Search DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification disclosure data filtered to SOC code 17-2199 or 17-2071. Employers who have filed LCAs for these codes already understand STEM authorization workflows and are more likely to navigate your extension without delays. Use Migrate Mate to surface this filing history quickly.
Use OFLC Wage Search to negotiate from a documented baseline
Look up the prevailing wage for your role, experience level, and work location using the OFLC Wage Search before salary discussions. Control systems engineering wages vary significantly by industry, and your LCA wage floor must meet the prevailing wage for your specific SOC code and metro area.
Understand cap-gap coverage if your H-1B is selected
If your H-1B visa registration is selected while you're on STEM OPT, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Your employer doesn't need to take additional action during that window, but your I-20 must reflect the cap-gap extension before your STEM OPT end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a control systems engineering degree qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most control systems engineering degrees qualify, but eligibility depends on your specific CIP code appearing on the STEM Designated Degree Program List, not just your job title. Electrical engineering (CIP 14.1001), mechanical engineering (CIP 14.1901), and systems engineering (CIP 14.2701) are common qualifying codes. Your DSO verifies eligibility and updates your I-20 before USCIS approves the extension.
What does the I-983 training plan need to cover for a control systems role?
Your I-983 must describe specific learning goals tied to your work assignments, not generic job duties. For control systems engineers, that means documenting objectives around areas like feedback control design, embedded systems programming, or industrial automation. Your employer's supervisor signs the plan, and both parties must provide annual evaluations to USCIS. Vague training plans are a common reason extensions face complications.
How do I verify that an employer is enrolled in E-Verify before accepting an offer?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact to confirm E-Verify enrollment for the specific hiring entity. E-Verify enrollment is searchable through the official E-Verify Employer Search tool maintained by DHS. Enrollment at a parent company doesn't automatically extend to subsidiaries or contracting entities, so confirm the exact legal entity that will appear on your offer letter.
What happens to my STEM OPT if my H-1B petition is approved mid-extension?
If USCIS selects your H-1B registration and approves the petition with an October 1 start date, cap-gap provisions extend your STEM OPT work authorization through September 30 without any gap. Your employer doesn't need to file anything additional during this period, but your DSO must issue a cap-gap I-20 before your current STEM OPT end date expires.
Where can I find control systems engineer jobs from employers already familiar with STEM OPT?
Migrate Mate filters Control Systems Engineer listings to employers with verified DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can identify companies that have already sponsored engineers in similar roles. This saves time by focusing your applications on employers who understand STEM OPT requirements, E-Verify obligations, and the I-983 training plan process.