Automation Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Alabama
Alabama's automation engineer job market centers on its manufacturing and aerospace sectors, with major employers like Toyota, Hyundai, and Boeing operating large facilities in Huntsville, Birmingham, and Montgomery. International candidates pursuing visa sponsorship will find the strongest demand in automotive assembly plants, defense contractors, and industrial operations across the state.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
SSAB is one of the largest North American producers of steel plate and coil, serving many industrial markets including energy, construction, agriculture and transportation. SSAB operates five state of the art facilities strategically located in key regions across the U.S. SSAB has nearly 1,200 highly skilled employees in the U.S. Jobs at SSAB range from machine operators and sales people to advanced engineers and corporate professionals in HR, finance and more. SSAB offers challenging careers and comprehensive benefit program designed to keep employees and their families healthy and secure.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
At SSAB, the Level 1.5 Automation Engineer supports and maintains automation systems across the Primary End, including the EAF, LMF, Degasser, Caster, Baghouse, and Refractory areas. This role is responsible for troubleshooting, modifying, and maintaining PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and networked automation systems that directly support production. This role is primarily focused on breakdown response, with secondary involvement in improvement and project work. The Level 1.5 position is part of the maintenance team and works closely with operations to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. This on-site position is hourly non-exempt.
Main Responsibilities / Essential Functions
- Support all automation systems within the Primary End
- Troubleshoot automation-related breakdowns impacting production
- Create, modify, and maintain PLC logic using Allen Bradley platforms with ladder logic and function block programming
- Develop, modify, and maintain HMI screens in Ignition, Wonderware and FactoryTalk
- Utilize IBA Analyzer and Ignition trends to analyze system behavior and diagnose issues
- Install and integrate vendor-supplied automation equipment into existing systems
- Configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot 4-20 mA instrumentation
- Install, configure, and modify parameters for Allen Bradley VFDs
- Troubleshoot Ethernet/IP industrial networks and related communications
- Communicate and collaborate directly with operations and maintenance during troubleshooting and improvements
- Support automation-related project work
- Complete all training within designated timeframes and attend all required meetings
- Understand and support the company’s goals and values and adhere to company, department, safety, quality, environmental, and ethics policies and procedures
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- High school diploma with 5 years of industrial automation experience or an A.S. degree in automation, electrical, or related technical field with 3 years of industrial automation experience
- Experience troubleshooting PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and networked automation systems
- Strong understanding of industrial process control systems
- Ability to work independently and resolve complex technical problems
- Good organizational, interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred
- B.S. degree in automation, electrical, or related technical field with 2 years of industrial automation experience
- Experience in heavy industrial or steel manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with change management, backups, and system documentation
- Strong troubleshooting skills using data, trends, and system analysis
OUR OFFER
At SSAB we use our values – driven, true and ahead – in making everyday decisions, keeping the customer at the heart of what we do. When joining SSAB you will become part of an organization of passionate problem solvers working together on important challenges.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our team members:
- Bonuses
- 401(k) with 5% employer match
- Profit sharing
- 10 paid holidays
- Vacation
- Excellent, affordable benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Opportunities for development
- Friendly and welcoming workplace
- Global company committed to sustainability
SSAB's vision is a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world.
SSAB's values are:
- Driven - Together we create value
- True - Do what is right
- Ahead - Future in mind
INTRODUCTION
SSAB is one of the largest North American producers of steel plate and coil, serving many industrial markets including energy, construction, agriculture and transportation. SSAB operates five state of the art facilities strategically located in key regions across the U.S. SSAB has nearly 1,200 highly skilled employees in the U.S. Jobs at SSAB range from machine operators and sales people to advanced engineers and corporate professionals in HR, finance and more. SSAB offers challenging careers and comprehensive benefit program designed to keep employees and their families healthy and secure.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
At SSAB, the Level 1.5 Automation Engineer supports and maintains automation systems across the Primary End, including the EAF, LMF, Degasser, Caster, Baghouse, and Refractory areas. This role is responsible for troubleshooting, modifying, and maintaining PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and networked automation systems that directly support production. This role is primarily focused on breakdown response, with secondary involvement in improvement and project work. The Level 1.5 position is part of the maintenance team and works closely with operations to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. This on-site position is hourly non-exempt.
Main Responsibilities / Essential Functions
- Support all automation systems within the Primary End
- Troubleshoot automation-related breakdowns impacting production
- Create, modify, and maintain PLC logic using Allen Bradley platforms with ladder logic and function block programming
- Develop, modify, and maintain HMI screens in Ignition, Wonderware and FactoryTalk
- Utilize IBA Analyzer and Ignition trends to analyze system behavior and diagnose issues
- Install and integrate vendor-supplied automation equipment into existing systems
- Configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot 4-20 mA instrumentation
- Install, configure, and modify parameters for Allen Bradley VFDs
- Troubleshoot Ethernet/IP industrial networks and related communications
- Communicate and collaborate directly with operations and maintenance during troubleshooting and improvements
- Support automation-related project work
- Complete all training within designated timeframes and attend all required meetings
- Understand and support the company’s goals and values and adhere to company, department, safety, quality, environmental, and ethics policies and procedures
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- High school diploma with 5 years of industrial automation experience or an A.S. degree in automation, electrical, or related technical field with 3 years of industrial automation experience
- Experience troubleshooting PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and networked automation systems
- Strong understanding of industrial process control systems
- Ability to work independently and resolve complex technical problems
- Good organizational, interpersonal, communication, collaboration, and teamwork skills
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred
- B.S. degree in automation, electrical, or related technical field with 2 years of industrial automation experience
- Experience in heavy industrial or steel manufacturing environments
- Familiarity with change management, backups, and system documentation
- Strong troubleshooting skills using data, trends, and system analysis
OUR OFFER
At SSAB we use our values – driven, true and ahead – in making everyday decisions, keeping the customer at the heart of what we do. When joining SSAB you will become part of an organization of passionate problem solvers working together on important challenges.
We offer a wide range of benefits to our team members:
- Bonuses
- 401(k) with 5% employer match
- Profit sharing
- 10 paid holidays
- Vacation
- Excellent, affordable benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Opportunities for development
- Friendly and welcoming workplace
- Global company committed to sustainability
SSAB's vision is a stronger, lighter and more sustainable world.
SSAB's values are:
- Driven - Together we create value
- True - Do what is right
- Ahead - Future in mind
Automation Engineer Job Roles in Alabama
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Search Automation Engineer Jobs in AlabamaAutomation Engineer Jobs in Alabama: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for automation engineers in Alabama?
Alabama's largest visa sponsors for automation engineers tend to be its major industrial employers. Toyota's Huntsville engine plant, Hyundai's Montgomery assembly facility, and Boeing's Huntsville operations have all historically filed H-1B petitions for engineering roles. Defense contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, both active in the Huntsville area, also sponsor automation and systems engineers. Smaller advanced manufacturing firms and automotive suppliers across the state occasionally sponsor as well.
Which visa types are most common for automation engineer roles in Alabama?
The H-1B visa is the most common pathway for automation engineers in Alabama, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field. Engineers from Canada or Mexico may qualify for the TN visa under NAFTA's successor agreement. Australians can explore the E-3 visa. Some positions at research institutions affiliated with UAH or UAB may offer J-1 or OPT-supported roles.
How to find automation engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Alabama?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates searching for visa-sponsored roles, including automation engineer positions in Alabama. You can filter by state and job category to surface employers who have a documented history of sponsoring work visas. This is more efficient than browsing general job boards, where sponsorship status is rarely disclosed upfront. Migrate Mate focuses exclusively on roles where visa sponsorship is a realistic possibility, saving significant time in your search.
Which cities in Alabama have the most automation engineer sponsorship jobs?
Huntsville is Alabama's strongest market for automation engineers seeking visa sponsorship, driven by its aerospace and defense industry concentration, including NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and a large cluster of defense contractors. Birmingham follows, with industrial automation demand tied to its manufacturing and healthcare technology sectors. Montgomery's automotive corridor, anchored by Hyundai's assembly plant, generates steady demand for automation and controls engineers. Tuscaloosa, near Mercedes-Benz's manufacturing campus, is also worth targeting.
Are there state-specific considerations for automation engineers pursuing sponsorship in Alabama?
Alabama's automation engineer hiring is heavily tied to the automotive and aerospace manufacturing cycles, meaning demand can shift with production schedules and federal defense contracts. The University of Alabama in Huntsville and Auburn University produce engineering graduates who compete for the same roles, so international candidates benefit from emphasizing specialized skills in PLC programming, robotics integration, or SCADA systems. Employers in Alabama's manufacturing sector tend to require on-site work, which limits remote-only sponsorship options.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored automation engineer jobs in Alabama?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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