STEM OPT Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs
Electrical Controls Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or a related CIP-coded field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify to authorize the 24-month extension, giving you up to 36 months of total OPT work authorization to build experience in PLC programming, industrial automation, and control systems design.
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Description:
Fitesa is a global leader in nonwoven fabric solutions, delivering innovative materials to the hygiene, medical, and industrial markets. We are seeking talented individuals to join our rapidly growing team. We are looking for team-oriented, motivated professionals who are committed to quality, safety, and continuous improvement.
Fitesa offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the well-being and long-term success of our employees.
Fitesa Benefits Include:
- Paid vacation
- Paid holidays
- 401(k) contribution (4% dollar-for-dollar match + additional 3% company discretionary contribution annually for those who qualify)
- Flexible insurance packages, including medical, vision, and dental, with no waiting period
Requirements
Summary(What/Why/Coverage)-Main Activities:
Under the general direction of the Maintenance Manager, the Electrical Controls Engineer is responsible for installation and technical support of PLC based hardware and software and optimal performance of the electrical tools and equipment.
Education & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field - Required
3–5 years of experience in an automation or controls engineering role - Required
Manufacturing experience - preferred (polymer or related industry a plus)
Core Competencies:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Decision making
- Initiative
- Works standards
- Ownership
- Organizing
Behavioral Competencies:
- Demonstrated familiarity with manufacturing processes or equipment preferably of polymer industry
- Demonstrated ability to motivate, coach and train others
- Effective Communication skills
- Problem solving/troubleshooting skills
- Statistical Analysis skills with the ability to establish and audit against goals
- Self-motivated and able to work with a minimal amount of daily supervision
- Thorough knowledge of the occupation hazards and corresponding safety precautions necessary for the safe performance of assigned duties
- Familiar with air and water pollution control technology and federal, state and community regulatory agency workings
- Willing and able to work flexible hours including rotating shifts as needed
Technical Competencies:
- Computer ERP
- Microsoft Office proficient
- Possess human resource skills to relate effectively with people of diverse background
Key Responsibilities (What/How):
- Leads/supports internal Project and Maintenance Engineers, Maintenance Technicians & Production personnel, OEMs, vendors, and contractors to design, install, interface, start up new equipment and process controls including: electrical component selection and approval, electrical design approval, software assessments & modifications, machine acceptance testing and problem identification and resolution
- Responsible for specifying PLC's, HMI's, servo systems, motors, drives, sensors, vision sensors and data collection and analysis software, based on our companies controls standards criteria. Evaluates electrical equipment from multiple sources and recommends best value for use
- Assesses, identifies, schematically designs, and makes complex program modifications in DCS's, PLC's logic, HMI's programs, and servo controller logic to improve individual equipment and overall system's performance. May delegate tasks and oversee others completing this work. Provides quality checks to insure correct software development
- Performs high level troubleshooting, in-depth critical thinking, and utilizes all internal & external resources to solve any electrical, mechanical or process problem. Leads & assists others in troubleshooting machinery, equipment, components, and programs including PLC's HMI's Servo systems and Robotics
- Leads Controls support during machine installations and upgrades. This includes interfacing auxiliary equipment, identifying and correcting errors in programming and wiring and ensuring vendors and contractors are meeting our needs and expectations
- Expected to keep abreast of all of the new controls technologies, industry trends, health and safety regulations and standards that affect current operations
- Proactively identifies opportunities to increase production operation performance, then initiates and oversees projects through completion
- Provides technical and operating training to production, warehouse, and other personnel as needed. Shares knowledge and techniques with team members and coordinates the training of new personnel
- Assists in project planning and forecasting as part of budgeting process
- Provide training of Maintenance Technicians with new control equipment or schedule outside training to enhance troubleshooting skills
- Develop Maintenance Technician Electrical/Electronic Training Matrix to identify skill gaps, then design training program to address them
- Organize equipment documentation from OEMs, produced documents and troubleshooting guides
- Develop Safety Procedures for installed machines Lock-Out /Tag-Out for operations and maintenance personnel
- All other duties as assigned
Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration.
This position requires frequent lifting and/or moving up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. The position requires frequent lifting, walking and standing for long periods of time and performs strenuous physical labor under extreme temperatures. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Additional Information:
Eligibility to apply is in accordance with Fitesa hiring policies and practices. Please contact Fitesa HR with questions regarding eligibility.
Fitesa offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation.
Fitesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. Fitesa will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen. This position is reserved for US candidates only and does not offer international transfer.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as an Electrical Controls Engineer
Verify your degree CIP code first
Electrical engineering degrees typically fall under CIP code 14.1001, but control systems coursework may also qualify under related codes. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying, so you don't discover eligibility issues after accepting an offer.
Filter employers by E-Verify enrollment status
Before submitting applications, confirm each employer is enrolled in E-Verify using the E-Verify employer search. Manufacturers and automation firms sometimes operate across subsidiaries, so verify the specific legal entity listed on your offer letter, not just the parent company.
Target industries with high controls engineering demand
Automotive OEMs, food and beverage manufacturers, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and utility companies file the highest volume of LCAs for controls engineer roles. Focusing your search on these sectors increases your chances of finding E-Verify-enrolled employers actively hiring OPT candidates.
Use Migrate Mate to surface verified sponsorship history
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and active LCA filings for electrical controls and automation roles. This lets you prioritize outreach to companies already familiar with OPT paperwork rather than educating hiring teams from scratch.
Submit your I-983 training plan before your start date
Your employer must sign the I-983 documenting your training goals, supervision structure, and how the role relates to your STEM degree. Have your hiring manager or HR contact review the form before your first day, since ICE requires it to be in place at the start of the extension period.
Check prevailing wage levels before negotiating
Look up the wage level for your role using the OFLC Wage Search and the O*NET occupation code for electrical and electronics engineers. Knowing the DOL prevailing wage for your metro area prevents you from accepting offers that could create compliance problems for your employer during the extension period.
Electrical Controls Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Electrical Controls Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as an Electrical Controls Engineer?
Your degree qualifies if it falls under an approved STEM CIP code, which includes electrical engineering (14.1001), computer engineering (14.0901), and several related fields. Your DSO can confirm whether your specific program is on the STEM Designated Degree Program list maintained by USCIS. Automation and controls roles are consistently recognized as matching these degree fields, but the degree itself, not the job title, determines eligibility.
Does my Electrical Controls Engineer employer need to be enrolled in E-Verify?
Yes. E-Verify enrollment is a hard requirement for STEM OPT. Your employer must be enrolled before your extension begins, and enrollment must cover the specific worksite location listed on your I-983 training plan. If your employer operates across multiple entities or sites, verify that the legal entity signing your offer letter and I-983 is the enrolled one, since parent company enrollment doesn't automatically extend to subsidiaries.
What goes into the I-983 training plan for a controls engineering role?
The I-983 must describe the specific learning objectives tied to your STEM degree, the supervision structure, how your daily work connects to your field of study, and the practical skills you'll develop. For controls engineering, this typically means documenting PLC programming projects, instrumentation work, or control system design tasks that align with your electrical or computer engineering coursework. Both you and your employer sign the form, and your DSO must receive a copy before the extension starts.
How does cap-gap protection work if my employer files an H-1B petition while I'm on STEM OPT?
If your employer files a timely H-1B petition and your STEM OPT expires before October 1 of that fiscal year, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization until the H-1B start date. USCIS confirms cap-gap status through the USCIS website, and your DSO will issue an updated I-20 reflecting the extension. You can continue working in your controls engineering role without interruption as long as the petition remains pending or approved.
How do I find Electrical Controls Engineer jobs that accept STEM OPT students?
Search Migrate Mate to find Electrical Controls Engineer roles at employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and LCA filing history in automation and controls engineering. Many manufacturers and industrial firms actively hire STEM OPT candidates but don't advertise it explicitly in job postings, so filtering by verified sponsorship history saves significant time compared to applying broadly and asking each recruiter individually.
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