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.
Find STEM OPT Electrical Controls Engineer JobsOverview
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Get Access To All JobsJOB FUNCTIONS AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Specify, evaluate and select electrical engineered and specialty equipment for operations and major/complex projects.
- Prepare technical bids and/or proposal evaluations and recommendations.
- Evaluate, prepare and analyze designs of electrical systems including power generation, utility inter-ties, distribution, motor/plant logic, control systems, lighting, emergency power, supplies, grounding, alarm and safety shutdown systems.
- Provide technical assistance in the form of written reports, consultation, research, electrical system studies, National Electrical Code interpretations, recommendations and utility contracts.
- Prepare highly detailed short circuit, motor starting, voltage drop, load shedding and relay coordination studies as needed to ensure plant reliability and personnel safety.
- Ensure that company standards and strategies comply with the latest industry practices, safety, environmental and process safety management requirements.
- Develop and maintain electrical engineering specifications and facility electrical area classification drawings.
- Investigate plant uses for improved energy conservation.
- Direct work and review outside engineering contractors' designs, studies, drawings and material selections to ensure conformance with Targa specifications and standards.
- Investigate and resolve problems associated with new or existing facilities and their electrical design.
- Prepare budgetary and AFE quality cost estimates in addition to technical scopes of work.
- Participate in technical and industry conferences, making presentations when requested.
- Supervise field work and small projects in terms of coordinating activities, monitoring the budget, and ensuring timely and accurate completion of multiple tasks at one time.
- Additional duties as assigned.
MINIMUM ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university
- 3+ years related experience and/or training.
- Experience with power system design, power distribution equipment and protective relaying.
- Experience with design and troubleshooting of electric motors and related equipment including motor starters, motor protection relay, and variable frequency drives.
- Experience in electrical modeling program (SKM, ETAP, etc.) for use to conduct power studies, short circuit calculation, coordination studies, arc flash calculation, and troubleshooting is required.
- Basic understanding of preventative/predictive maintenance concepts and applications as it applies to electrical equipment.
- Knowledge applicable codes, government regulations, standards, pertaining to electrical systems such as NFPA, NEC, and API.
- Self-motivated and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to interface effectively with wide range of technical, analytical and managerial personnel.
- Knowledge of contracts, proposals, bids and budgeting concepts
- Maintain a valid driver’s license to include a safe driving record satisfactory to the company.
- Regular and reliable attendance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with PLC logic, analog instrumentation and digital control systems processes and selection criteria.
WORK CONDITIONS:
- Ability to work overtime, weekends, holidays, with the ability to respond to call outs as needed to fulfill business objective and the ability to work shifts for plant or field conditions.
- Ability to travel up to 30-40% of time.
- Ability to frequently throughout the work shift, push, pull and lift at least a minimum of 50lbs to a minimum height of 3-4 feet and maneuver equipment or parts as needed.
- Ability to work outdoors in changing climate conditions.
- Able to work in close quarters: i.e., work while kneeling, squatting, sitting, climbing, and standing.
- Ability to climb up and down ladders, stairs and platforms at varying heights.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
Targa Resources provides equal employment opportunities based on merit, experience, and other work-related criteria and without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We also strive to provide reasonable accommodation to employees’ beliefs and practices that do not conflict with Targa’s policies and applicable law. We value the unique contributions that every employee brings to their role with Targa.
JOB FUNCTIONS AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Specify, evaluate and select electrical engineered and specialty equipment for operations and major/complex projects.
- Prepare technical bids and/or proposal evaluations and recommendations.
- Evaluate, prepare and analyze designs of electrical systems including power generation, utility inter-ties, distribution, motor/plant logic, control systems, lighting, emergency power, supplies, grounding, alarm and safety shutdown systems.
- Provide technical assistance in the form of written reports, consultation, research, electrical system studies, National Electrical Code interpretations, recommendations and utility contracts.
- Prepare highly detailed short circuit, motor starting, voltage drop, load shedding and relay coordination studies as needed to ensure plant reliability and personnel safety.
- Ensure that company standards and strategies comply with the latest industry practices, safety, environmental and process safety management requirements.
- Develop and maintain electrical engineering specifications and facility electrical area classification drawings.
- Investigate plant uses for improved energy conservation.
- Direct work and review outside engineering contractors' designs, studies, drawings and material selections to ensure conformance with Targa specifications and standards.
- Investigate and resolve problems associated with new or existing facilities and their electrical design.
- Prepare budgetary and AFE quality cost estimates in addition to technical scopes of work.
- Participate in technical and industry conferences, making presentations when requested.
- Supervise field work and small projects in terms of coordinating activities, monitoring the budget, and ensuring timely and accurate completion of multiple tasks at one time.
- Additional duties as assigned.
MINIMUM ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree from a four-year accredited college or university
- 3+ years related experience and/or training.
- Experience with power system design, power distribution equipment and protective relaying.
- Experience with design and troubleshooting of electric motors and related equipment including motor starters, motor protection relay, and variable frequency drives.
- Experience in electrical modeling program (SKM, ETAP, etc.) for use to conduct power studies, short circuit calculation, coordination studies, arc flash calculation, and troubleshooting is required.
- Basic understanding of preventative/predictive maintenance concepts and applications as it applies to electrical equipment.
- Knowledge applicable codes, government regulations, standards, pertaining to electrical systems such as NFPA, NEC, and API.
- Self-motivated and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to interface effectively with wide range of technical, analytical and managerial personnel.
- Knowledge of contracts, proposals, bids and budgeting concepts
- Maintain a valid driver’s license to include a safe driving record satisfactory to the company.
- Regular and reliable attendance.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with PLC logic, analog instrumentation and digital control systems processes and selection criteria.
WORK CONDITIONS:
- Ability to work overtime, weekends, holidays, with the ability to respond to call outs as needed to fulfill business objective and the ability to work shifts for plant or field conditions.
- Ability to travel up to 30-40% of time.
- Ability to frequently throughout the work shift, push, pull and lift at least a minimum of 50lbs to a minimum height of 3-4 feet and maneuver equipment or parts as needed.
- Ability to work outdoors in changing climate conditions.
- Able to work in close quarters: i.e., work while kneeling, squatting, sitting, climbing, and standing.
- Ability to climb up and down ladders, stairs and platforms at varying heights.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
Targa Resources provides equal employment opportunities based on merit, experience, and other work-related criteria and without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, age, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. We also strive to provide reasonable accommodation to employees’ beliefs and practices that do not conflict with Targa’s policies and applicable law. We value the unique contributions that every employee brings to their role with Targa.
See all STEM OPT Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new STEM OPT Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs.
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.
Frequently 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 visa 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.