Automation Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Automation engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California are concentrated in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, driven by demand from semiconductor, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing employers. Companies like Apple, Broadcom, and Northrop Grumman regularly hire automation engineers and have established H-1B visa sponsorship track records across California's major industrial and tech corridors.
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Get Access To All JobsForming Our Future together
FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product life cycle — from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design debug, to qualification and production test. Semiconductor companies rely upon FormFactor’s products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge. The company serves customers through its network of facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Rooted in our core values — Focus on the Customer, Ownership & Accountability, Respectfully & Effectively Communicate, and Motivate & Develop People — we foster an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. Everyone can make an impact here. Whether it's improving products, supporting customers, or positively influencing peers and the community, the contributions of our people matter.
Shift:
The regular hours for this position are day shift.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will be responsible for design and development of control software applications for high precision manufacturing machines, working individually and in teams, supporting our automation initiatives. The candidate has very strong C#/C++ programming and debugging skills, and work experience in machine control and multi-threaded/multi-process environments. Successful candidate is passionate about Machine automation and will be expected to stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends in the field of automation and software development.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and implement robust Machine control software for automated sorting, assembly, and inspection Machines.
- Plans, designs, develops and tests software systems or applications for software enhancements and new products including cloud-based or internet-related tools.
- Work closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to create reliable solutions tailored for high-volume manufacturing.
- Integrate Automation machines with MES Software and process flows.
- Participate in all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle, including Unit Testing and Release.
- Create Technical Design and User level documentation for their development projects.
Software Development Skills:
- Proven experience in designing and hands-on development of large multi-threaded/multi-tasking software systems.
- Programming: Proficiency in C# and C++ and OOD/OOP.
- Experience programming for motion control and data acquisition systems.
- Computer vision and Image processing experience. Experience with Cognex VisionPro and Machine learning desired.
- Operating Systems: Experienced with Windows and Unix development environments.
Skills:
Automation, C++ Programming Language, Computer Vision, C Sharp (Programming Language), Data Acquisition Systems, Image Processing, Machine Learning (ML), Motion Control Systems, Object-Oriented Design (OOD), Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).
Education & Experience:
Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience | Required.
Pay Range:
$136,200.00 - $178,815.00.
Pay Range Explained:
This role in Livermore, California pays between $136,200.00 and $178,815.00 per year, depending on your experience, skills, and background. Pay may vary in other locations. We offer a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), and paid time off. You’ll also be eligible for quarterly profit-sharing bonuses and flexible spending or savings accounts.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
FormFactor is an equal opportunity employer. FormFactor complies with all national, state, and local laws that seek to promote equal opportunities for any applicant or employee without regard to age, race, color, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, military service, or any other legally protected characteristics. These protections apply to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, and compensation.
For roles that are designated as remote-eligible, employees cannot be located in: AL, AK, AR, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, WV, WI, WY. This list is continuously evolving and being updated, please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. A role is remote-eligible only when it is listed as "Remote" in the job location.
Forming Our Future together
FormFactor, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORM), is a leading provider of essential test and measurement technologies along the full semiconductor product life cycle — from characterization, modeling, reliability, and design debug, to qualification and production test. Semiconductor companies rely upon FormFactor’s products and services to accelerate profitability by optimizing device performance and advancing yield knowledge. The company serves customers through its network of facilities in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Rooted in our core values — Focus on the Customer, Ownership & Accountability, Respectfully & Effectively Communicate, and Motivate & Develop People — we foster an environment where diverse perspectives are not only welcomed but celebrated. Everyone can make an impact here. Whether it's improving products, supporting customers, or positively influencing peers and the community, the contributions of our people matter.
Shift:
The regular hours for this position are day shift.
Job Description:
The successful candidate will be responsible for design and development of control software applications for high precision manufacturing machines, working individually and in teams, supporting our automation initiatives. The candidate has very strong C#/C++ programming and debugging skills, and work experience in machine control and multi-threaded/multi-process environments. Successful candidate is passionate about Machine automation and will be expected to stay up to date with the latest technologies and trends in the field of automation and software development.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and implement robust Machine control software for automated sorting, assembly, and inspection Machines.
- Plans, designs, develops and tests software systems or applications for software enhancements and new products including cloud-based or internet-related tools.
- Work closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to create reliable solutions tailored for high-volume manufacturing.
- Integrate Automation machines with MES Software and process flows.
- Participate in all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle, including Unit Testing and Release.
- Create Technical Design and User level documentation for their development projects.
Software Development Skills:
- Proven experience in designing and hands-on development of large multi-threaded/multi-tasking software systems.
- Programming: Proficiency in C# and C++ and OOD/OOP.
- Experience programming for motion control and data acquisition systems.
- Computer vision and Image processing experience. Experience with Cognex VisionPro and Machine learning desired.
- Operating Systems: Experienced with Windows and Unix development environments.
Skills:
Automation, C++ Programming Language, Computer Vision, C Sharp (Programming Language), Data Acquisition Systems, Image Processing, Machine Learning (ML), Motion Control Systems, Object-Oriented Design (OOD), Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).
Education & Experience:
Minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years experience; or equivalent experience | Required.
Pay Range:
$136,200.00 - $178,815.00.
Pay Range Explained:
This role in Livermore, California pays between $136,200.00 and $178,815.00 per year, depending on your experience, skills, and background. Pay may vary in other locations. We offer a full benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability coverage, a 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), and paid time off. You’ll also be eligible for quarterly profit-sharing bonuses and flexible spending or savings accounts.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
FormFactor is an equal opportunity employer. FormFactor complies with all national, state, and local laws that seek to promote equal opportunities for any applicant or employee without regard to age, race, color, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability, marital status, pregnancy or related condition, military service, or any other legally protected characteristics. These protections apply to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, and compensation.
For roles that are designated as remote-eligible, employees cannot be located in: AL, AK, AR, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, LA, ME, MD, MS, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, ND, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, WV, WI, WY. This list is continuously evolving and being updated, please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list. A role is remote-eligible only when it is listed as "Remote" in the job location.
Automation Engineer Job Roles in California
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Search Automation Engineer Jobs in CaliforniaAutomation Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for automation engineers in California?
Large tech and manufacturing employers are the most active sponsors for automation engineers in California. Companies like Apple, Intel, Broadcom, Lam Research, Tesla, and Northrop Grumman have consistently filed H-1B petitions for automation-related roles. Defense contractors and semiconductor firms in the Bay Area and Southern California tend to have formal immigration support teams, making the sponsorship process more structured than at smaller employers.
Which visa types are most common for automation engineer roles in California?
The H-1B is the most common visa for automation engineers in California, as the role typically requires at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a closely related field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Candidates from Australia may qualify for the E-3 visa. Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN visa status under the engineer category. Those with extraordinary ability may qualify for the O-1A.
Which cities in California have the most automation engineer sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area, particularly San Jose, Santa Clara, and Fremont, has the highest concentration of automation engineer sponsorship jobs due to the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries based there. Los Angeles and its surrounding areas support aerospace and defense automation roles, while San Diego has a growing cluster tied to biotech manufacturing and defense electronics.
How to find automation engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically to employers willing to sponsor visas, so you can search automation engineer roles in California without having to manually screen each posting for sponsorship. The platform is built for international candidates, making it straightforward to identify which California employers are actively hiring and open to H-1B or other work visa sponsorship for automation engineer positions.
Are there state-specific considerations for automation engineers seeking sponsorship in California?
California's prevailing wage requirements under H-1B rules are generally higher than national averages, reflecting the state's cost of living, particularly in the Bay Area. Employers must certify on the Labor Condition Application that they will pay at least the prevailing wage for the specific location. University pipelines from UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Stanford also feed directly into California's automation engineering talent pool, meaning competition for sponsored roles can be significant.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored automation engineer jobs in California?
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.