Controls Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the strongest states for controls engineer visa sponsorship, with demand concentrated in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Major employers include Chevron, Tesla, Northrop Grumman, and large semiconductor manufacturers. Automation, defense, and energy sectors actively hire internationally and have established H-1B sponsorship pipelines.
See All Controls Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 1,101+ Controls Engineer Jobs in California with Visa Sponsorship jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 1,101+ Controls Engineer Jobs in California with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Controls Engineer Jobs in California with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics, and biotechnology?
At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.
You will thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.
At Cepheid, we are enthusiastic about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you will get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development. Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world.
Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Automation Controls Engineer is an experienced individual contributor responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of PLC‑based automation and machine vision systems used in high‑volume manufacturing. This role independently delivers complex automation solutions, supports production systems, and collaborates closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure reliable, compliant equipment performance.
This position reports to the Manager – Automation and Controls and is part of the Systems Engineering group located in Newark and will be an on-site role.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC‑based control systems, HMIs and user interface software for automated manufacturing equipment
- Implement and integrate vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex In‑Sight, VisionPro, deep learning where applicable)
- Support system commissioning, equipment upgrades, validation (IQ, OQ, PQ) activities and production troubleshooting
- Execute work in accordance with established controls, vision, and validation standards
- Participate in design reviews, electrical design and code reviews, and cross‑functional problem solving
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Bachelor’s degree in field with 5+ years of related work experience OR Master’s degree in field with 3+ years of related work experience OR Doctoral degree in field with related work experience.
- Controls & Automation Expertise: Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming/troubleshooting (Rockwell RS Logix‑5000, FactoryTalk), Cognex Designer (In‑Sight, VisionPro deep learning), and industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, IO‑Link, OPC UA).
- Manufacturing Systems & Standards: Extensive work with high‑speed manufacturing equipment, Fanuc robots, VFDs, servo systems, motion control, and safety/standard I/O; proven ability to develop, maintain, and implement controls standards using IEC 61131‑3–aligned PLC software.
- Integration, Validation & Documentation: Strong background in software validation, equipment qualification, and detailed technical documentation; experience specifying and integrating control panels, including PLCs, I/O, power supplies, safety components, drives, and networks.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at danaherbenefitsinfo.com.
The salary range for this role is $140k-$155k. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determined. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
INTRODUCTION
Are you ready to accelerate your potential and make a real difference within life sciences, diagnostics, and biotechnology?
At Cepheid, one of Danaher’s 15+ operating companies, our work saves lives—and we’re all united by a shared commitment to innovate for tangible impact.
You will thrive in a culture of belonging where you and your unique viewpoint matter. And by harnessing Danaher’s system of continuous improvement, you help turn ideas into impact – innovating at the speed of life.
At Cepheid, we are enthusiastic about improving health care through fast, accurate, molecular diagnostic systems and tests. As a member of our team, you will get to make an immediate, measurable impact on a global scale, within an environment that fosters career growth and development. Our mission drives us to develop groundbreaking solutions for the world’s most complex health challenges. Together, we bring MORE change to the world.
Learn about the Danaher Business System which makes everything possible.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Automation Controls Engineer is an experienced individual contributor responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of PLC‑based automation and machine vision systems used in high‑volume manufacturing. This role independently delivers complex automation solutions, supports production systems, and collaborates closely with cross‑functional teams to ensure reliable, compliant equipment performance.
This position reports to the Manager – Automation and Controls and is part of the Systems Engineering group located in Newark and will be an on-site role.
In this role, you will have the opportunity to:
- Design, program, test, and troubleshoot PLC‑based control systems, HMIs and user interface software for automated manufacturing equipment
- Implement and integrate vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex In‑Sight, VisionPro, deep learning where applicable)
- Support system commissioning, equipment upgrades, validation (IQ, OQ, PQ) activities and production troubleshooting
- Execute work in accordance with established controls, vision, and validation standards
- Participate in design reviews, electrical design and code reviews, and cross‑functional problem solving
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
The essential requirements of the job include:
- Bachelor’s degree in field with 5+ years of related work experience OR Master’s degree in field with 3+ years of related work experience OR Doctoral degree in field with related work experience.
- Controls & Automation Expertise: Hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming/troubleshooting (Rockwell RS Logix‑5000, FactoryTalk), Cognex Designer (In‑Sight, VisionPro deep learning), and industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, IO‑Link, OPC UA).
- Manufacturing Systems & Standards: Extensive work with high‑speed manufacturing equipment, Fanuc robots, VFDs, servo systems, motion control, and safety/standard I/O; proven ability to develop, maintain, and implement controls standards using IEC 61131‑3–aligned PLC software.
- Integration, Validation & Documentation: Strong background in software validation, equipment qualification, and detailed technical documentation; experience specifying and integrating control panels, including PLCs, I/O, power supplies, safety components, drives, and networks.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Cepheid, a Danaher operating company, offers a broad array of comprehensive, competitive benefit programs that add value to our lives. Whether it’s a health care program or paid time off, our programs contribute to life beyond the job. Check out our benefits at danaherbenefitsinfo.com.
The salary range for this role is $140k-$155k. This is the range that we in good faith believe is the range of possible compensation for this role at the time of this posting. We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
This job is also eligible for bonus/incentive pay.
We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
Note: No amount of pay is wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determined. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole discretion, consistent with the law.
Join our winning team today. Together, we’ll accelerate the real-life impact of tomorrow’s science and technology. We partner with customers across the globe to help them solve their most complex challenges, architecting solutions that bring the power of science to life.
Controls Engineer Job Roles in California
See all 1,101+ Controls Engineer Jobs in California
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Controls Engineer Jobs in CaliforniaControls Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for controls engineers in California?
California's largest controls engineer sponsors include Tesla, Chevron, Northrop Grumman, Applied Materials, and Lam Research. Aerospace and defense contractors in the Los Angeles and San Diego areas file H-1B petitions regularly for controls and automation roles. Semiconductor equipment manufacturers in the Bay Area and Sacramento region also have consistent sponsorship track records for this specialty.
Which visa types are most common for controls engineer roles in California?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for controls engineers in California, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify for the TN visa under the engineer category. Candidates with extraordinary ability in automation or advanced manufacturing may explore the O-1A.
Which cities in California have the most controls engineer sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area leads, driven by semiconductor and clean-tech manufacturing in San Jose, Fremont, and Santa Clara. Los Angeles and the South Bay corridor are strong for aerospace and defense controls roles. Sacramento has growing demand tied to utility infrastructure and agricultural automation. San Diego's defense contracting sector also produces consistent sponsorship opportunities for controls engineers.
How to find controls engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa sponsorship, so you can search controls engineer roles in California without sorting through employers who don't sponsor. The platform surfaces positions from aerospace, semiconductor, energy, and industrial automation companies across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Sacramento, saving significant time for candidates on visa timelines who need confirmed sponsorship from the outset.
Are there state-specific factors controls engineers should know about sponsorship in California?
California's high cost of living means prevailing wage requirements under the H-1B can be substantial, and employers are aware of this when budgeting sponsorship. The state's strong engineering university pipeline from UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Davis means employers are accustomed to sponsoring recent graduates. California's strict worker protections also apply to sponsored employees, which most established sponsors already account for in their hiring processes.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored controls 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.
See which controls engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas in California right now.
Search Controls Engineer Jobs in California