Automotive Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California leads the U.S. automotive industry's transformation, with Tesla's Fremont gigafactory, Rivian's Irvine operations, and traditional manufacturers like GM and Ford expanding EV research in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. Major hubs span from San Francisco Bay Area's autonomous vehicle startups to Southern California's design centers, creating visa sponsorship opportunities for international engineers, software developers, and manufacturing specialists.
Find Automotive JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 675+ Automotive Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California










See all 675+ Automotive Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Automotive Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California.
Get Access To All Jobs
At Old Dominion, we don't just move freight—we help businesses keep their promises. As one of the nation's leading LTL carriers, we've earned our reputation by putting people first, delivering premium service, and staying true to the values that have guided us for more than 90 years. Our PROMISES values shape how we work, our family culture shapes how we treat one another, and our commitment to being the Best in the Game drives everything we do. If you're looking for more than just a job, you'll find a career built on trust, teamwork, and opportunity at OD.
Old Dominion is looking for dedicated, detail-oriented, and hardworking individuals to join the OD Family as Combination Driver/Dockworker. This role is essential in supporting our commitment to delivering customer freight safely, accurately, and on time. As a Dockworker, you’ll play a key role in loading and unloading freight efficiently, contributing to our overall warehouse and material handling operations. And, while driving, you'll ensure the timely and safe delivery of freight between service centers and customer locations. This role requires a strong work ethic, commitment to safety, and passion for upholding the highest standards of service. If you thrive in a dynamic environment, excel at meeting deadlines, and take pride in providing exceptional service, we encourage you to apply.
Job Summary
Based on the level of freight available, this position may safely load and unload freight at the service center and deliver freight by tractor-trailer to company service centers or customer facilities/work sites. Successfully load and unload freight during scheduled shifts using a forklift or manually in a safe, efficient manner. When delivering freight, operate various tractor-trailer combinations between company service centers and customer facilities or work sites within the service center's geographic area. May sort, handle, load, and/or unload freight at company and customer locations. Would have flexible scheduling availability to include third shift, evening, weekend, and some holidays.
Primary Responsibilities
Dockworker
- Load and unload freight on trailers using a motorized forklift, pallet jack or manually in compliance with state and federal DOT guidelines. Use various loading techniques, such as loading tight or cross loading.
- Transport self and/or freight continuously throughout the service center on non-forgiving surfaces.
- Utilize Dock Yard Management System to consistently monitor freight shipment locations throughout the service center.
- Read and interpret shipping labels. Familiarity with, and in some cases ability to complete the various forms utilized in freight movement such as shipping orders, city stripping manifests, freight bills, overage/damage movement reports and exception forms.
- Hand load, rewrap or stack freight.
- Insure the quality loading of all trailers.
- Secure freight inside trailers using appropriate tools and supplies (e.g. pallets, straps, rope).
- Frequent contact with service center personnel; fast-paced and deadline oriented.
- This is not an all-inclusive list of job responsibilities and duties. Employees are expected and must be able to perform all duties and tasks assigned.
Driver
- Operate vehicle safely within DOT regulations that govern safe driving, hours of service, inspection, maintenance, and transportation of hazardous materials.
- Meet or exceed the medical standards of the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and satisfactorily pass a drug test and alcohol test.
- Load and unload freight on trailers using a motorized forklift, pallet jack or manually in compliance with state and federal DOT guidelines. Use various loading techniques, such as loading tight or cross loading.
- Transport self and/or freight continuously throughout the service center on non-forgiving surfaces.
- Utilize Dock Yard Management System to consistently monitor freight shipment locations throughout the service center.
- Read and interpret shipping labels. Familiarity with, and in some cases ability to complete the various forms utilized in freight movement such as shipping orders, city stripping manifests, freight bills, overage/damage movement reports and exception forms.
- Hand load, rewrap or stack freight as necessary.
- Insure the quality loading of all trailers.
- Secure freight inside trailers using appropriate tools and supplies (e.g. pallets, straps, rope).
- Frequent contact with service center personnel; fast-paced and deadline oriented.
- Be available for work, to meet customer pickup and delivery schedules.
- This is not an all-inclusive list of job responsibilities and duties. Employees are expected and must be able to perform all duties and tasks as assigned.
Job Qualifications
Education:
- High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
Experience:
- Must have the ability to read, write, speak English and perform simple mathematical calculations with general mental abilities to handle receipts, read maps, road signs, maintain logs, etc.
- Must possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with double/triple trailers, tanker, and hazardous material endorsements.
- Must have an acceptable motor vehicle record.
- Must have 12 months previous tractor-trailer driving experience and/or be a graduate of a State Certified, Licensed and Safety Department approved driving school, and/or have satisfactorily completed the Old Dominion Truck Driver Training program (ODTDT-8/88).
- Must have the ability to properly operate hand held mini-computer when required.
- Must have good oral communications skills.
- Must be able to follow instructions and take directions via two-way radio or by phone.
- Must have working knowledge of vehicle safety and control systems.
- Must have knowledge of DOT regulations governing safe driving, hours of service, inspection and maintenance and transportation of hazardous materials.
- Must meet or exceed the medical standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
- Must satisfactorily pass a drug test.
- Must satisfactorily pass an alcohol test (if applicable).
- Must satisfactorily pass the orientation/training program instructions by an Old Dominion qualified driver trainer.
- Must be at least 22 years of age.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- (Sitting) Must be able to sit and remain alert while driving for an aggregate period of up to 11 hours.
- (Standing/Walking) Must be able to walk and/or remain standing for a up to 8 Hours/shift, 5-7 days per week on non-forgiving surfaces such as concrete, wood, metal that are sometimes wet and slippery.
- (Bending/Stooping/Kneeling) Must be able to perform frequent squatting to handle, position and secure freight. Must be able to perform frequent crouching and kneeling to handle, position and secure freight, and conduct pre-trip inspections of trucks.
- (Climbing) Must be able to enter and exit the forklift seat and the vehicle's cab many times a day. Cab floor level is generally 36 to 66 inches above ground level, with entry and exit achieved with the assistance of various configurations of steps and hand holds; also requires occasional bending, twisting, climbing, squatting, crouching and balancing.
- (Moving Materials) Must be able to perform frequent pushing of freight weighing up to 500 pounds on a dolly or cart as well as occasional pushing of freight weighing more than 300 pounds with or without a mechanical aid. Must be able to perform frequent pulling of freight weighing up to 500 pounds on a dolly or cart as well as occasional pulling of freight weighing more than 300 pounds with or without a mechanical aid. Must be able to frequently perform lifting and carrying freight weighing 1 pound to 100 pounds of varying size and shape a distance of at least 1 foot but usually no more than 100 feet. Must be able to load and unload full trailers of freight weighing as much as 50,000 pounds. This could involve moving 100-pound containers to and from floor level to carts, stacks, conveyors or platforms, over four feet high, balancing 300 pound drums on their rims and rolling them into position or stowing cartons or other merchandise overhead that weigh as much as 100 pounds each. This type of activity could precede or follow as much as 11 hours of driving.
- (Pushing/Pulling) Must be able to perform frequent pulling and pushing of freight with or without the help of freight pulling equipment. Must also be able to push and pull forklift blades, forklift gas tanks, deck bars, and other freight related items.
- (Hearing/Speaking) Must be able to see parts in and on the forklift mechanical equipment for pre and post inspections. Must be able to hearing the horns of other forklifts and shouted instructions and warnings.
- (Visual Acuity) Must be able to see and read bills of lading, tablets for yard management systems, and read printed materials. Must be able to see and scan areas of work for debris and defects.
- (Reaching) Must be able to frequently reach for freight at waist level and occasionally reach for freight above shoulder height or below waist level. Must be able to occasionally reach above shoulder level, at waist level and below waist level for maneuvering and directing the controls to operate the truck. Must be able to reach for forklift controls, pushing deck bars, and placing/strapping airbags/straps/cardboard. Must be able to reach while sweeping work areas clean of debris.
- (Lifting) Must be able to frequently lift and handle objects weighing 1 pound to 100 lbs. of varying sizes or shapes, using OSHA guidelines and lifting techniques, distances of 1 foot but usually no less than 100 feet.
- Must be able to use right, left or both hands to get in and out of forklift, wrapping and unwrapping shrink wrap, securing and unsecuring pallets, using pallet jack or hand truck, using the steering wheel, buttons on lift gates, etc.
- Must be able to grip with right, left or both hands to use handles to get in and out of the forklift, holding tablet, using pallet jacks or hand trucks, controlling and pushing the buttons on the forklift, holding the steering wheel, securing straps, cardboard, airbags, etc.
- Must be able to pinch fingers on the right, left or both hands to shrink wrap, secure and unsecure straps, utilize clip boards, utilize tablets, etc.
- Must be able to use cognitive skills for:
- paying attention to surroundings, including cross-dock traffic, forklift inspections, freight, gates, etc.
- long-term and short-term memory for inspecting areas, breaking down pallets, carrying products, driving in cross-dock traffic and for safety
- logic and reasoning in reading manifests, tablets, reading boxes and order numbers
- Auditory and visual processing to inspect forklifts, driving, reading, listening for horns and/or other cross-dock traffic and speaking with other dock workers.
- (Other) Must be able to work a variety of times and shifts in order to meet customer pick up and delivery schedules. Must be able to install and remove tire chains when required due to inclement weather.
- Ability to work in extremely hot or cold climates, ability to work in an environment where noise and odors may be present.
- Attendance is a requirement.
- Must be able to shift manual transmission and operate foot pedals.
- Must satisfactorily pass any physical testing requirements which is consistent with the job requirements discussed above.
- Must be able to read, write and speak English.
Work Environment
The work environment described below represents those that an employee would encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of the job.
While performing the duties of the job, the employees will be exposed to various work environments which may include working with or around others while loading and unloading, working in an enclosed vehicle while driving, loading and unloading in an enclosed trailer, exposure to all weather conditions, noise levels that vary from quiet to loud and with lighting conditions that could be extremely bright or low light.
This list of duties and responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties or responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.
Working Days:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Working Shift:
Afternoon
Work days/shifts may change based on scheduling and business needs and are provided as guidelines at the time of posting.
Compensation Range:
The referenced salary range is based on the Company's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level, and state/local wage requirements.
$21.45 - $40.25
Join the OD Family Today!
As a Full Time member of our Family, you and your family are eligible to receive:
- Great Health Benefits including a Zero premium medical plan for employee only coverage.
- Vision & Dental.
- Short Term & Long Term Disability.
- Flex Spending Accounts.
- 401k Retirement plan with company match and additional company annual discretionary match opportunity.
- Life Insurance.
- Wellness Program.
- 15 Days Paid Time Off (includes vacation and state Sick Leave).
- 9 Paid Holidays including a birthday holiday.
- Tuition Reimbursement for Drivers and Technicians.
- Training and growth opportunities to build a career.
- We prioritize our OD family of employees.
- Ability to advance through our promote from within philosophy.
- National Career Opportunities Available at our 260+ service centers.
- Bonus eligible.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, and/or gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, military status, Vietnam Era and/or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law(s).
California Employee and Job Applicant Privacy Notice/Policy
If you have questions regarding this posting or require assistance with the application process, please click here for contact information.
Automotive Job Roles in California
See all 675+ Automotive Jobs in California
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Automotive Jobs in CaliforniaAutomotive Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which automotive companies sponsor visas in California?
Tesla sponsors the most H-1B visas among California automotive employers, followed by Rivian, Lucid Motors, and Ford's Palo Alto research center. Traditional manufacturers like GM, Honda, and Toyota maintain significant California operations sponsoring engineers and researchers. Autonomous vehicle companies including Waymo, Cruise, and Aurora also frequently sponsor technical roles.
What visa types are most common for automotive jobs in California?
H-1B visas dominate for engineering and software development roles in California's automotive sector. O-1 visas are increasingly common for AI researchers and autonomous vehicle specialists. TN visas serve Canadian and Mexican engineers, while L-1 visas facilitate transfers from international automotive companies establishing California operations.
Which California cities have the most automotive visa sponsorship jobs?
Fremont and Palo Alto lead due to Tesla and major tech companies' automotive divisions. Irvine hosts Rivian and other EV startups. Los Angeles offers design and engineering roles at traditional manufacturers' California centers. Mountain View and San Jose concentrate autonomous vehicle companies, while Torrance houses several automotive headquarters.
How to find automotive visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Browse automotive positions on Migrate Mate, which filters for visa sponsorship opportunities and shows California-specific openings. Focus on EV manufacturers, autonomous vehicle companies, and traditional automakers' California research centers. Target engineering, software, and manufacturing roles where international talent is in high demand.
Are there special considerations for automotive visa sponsorship in California?
California's high prevailing wages benefit H-1B applications, particularly in San Francisco Bay Area automotive roles. The state's university partnerships create strong pipelines from UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Caltech for automotive research positions. Competition is intense, but California's automotive innovation focus creates consistent demand for international engineering talent.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored automotive 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.