Electrical Controls Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the strongest states for electrical controls engineer visa sponsorship, driven by advanced manufacturing in the Bay Area and Los Angeles Basin, semiconductor and defense firms in San Jose and San Diego, and a deep network of automation-focused employers including Tesla, Rockwell Automation partners, and Northrop Grumman that regularly hire internationally.
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Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
Job Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate individual to join our Powertrain and Electronics team as a Senior/Staff Automation Controls Engineer in San Carlos, CA. As part of this team, you will lead the electrical engineering design and development of first-generation manufacturing test equipment used to validate powertrain and electronic systems for the Joby S4 aircraft. This role combines automation controls with deep electrical engineering fundamentals, requiring strong analytical capability in circuit design, precision measurement, sensor selection, and electronics validation. You will architect robust end-of-line (EOL) and electronics test platforms that form the foundation for scalable, automated manufacturing systems. The Joby Aviation team is made up of extremely talented, hardworking, proactive, and hands-on individuals operating in a fast-paced and rewarding environment as we push toward FAA certification, scale manufacturing, and prepare for commercial service.
Responsibilities:
- Lead electrical architecture and controls development for first-generation manufacturing and EOL test equipment from concept through low-volume production
- Apply strong electrical engineering fundamentals (circuit analysis, signal integrity, grounding, noise mitigation, power distribution, precision measurement) to develop robust electronics test systems
- Design and integrate high-precision sensors, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems into Beckhoff-based platform
- Develop full electrical designs, drawing packages, BOMs, and schematics for complex manufacturing test equipment
- Architect test methodologies for validation of electronic assemblies, power electronics, and electromechanical systems
- Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A requirements
- Procure custom and off-the-shelf hardware and manage technical suppliers as needed
- Design, write, and debug PLC software in Structured Text IEC 61131-3 (TwinCAT) to automate test sequences and equipment operation
- Develop HMI and data collection tools using Ignition (Perspective) and integrate results into manufacturing databases
- Lead system integration and commissioning of test equipment, ensuring measurement accuracy, repeatability, and reliability
- Troubleshoot complex electrical and electronic test systems in a production environment
Required
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering (strongly preferred) or related discipline
- 6+ years of experience developing electrical hardware and test equipment in a manufacturing or product development environment
- Strong foundation in analog and digital circuit analysis, instrumentation, and measurement systems
- Experience developing end-of-line (EOL) or electronics manufacturing test equipment
- Proficiency in PLC programming using Structured Text IEC 61131-3 (TwinCAT), Python, and Ignition
- Experience selecting and integrating precision sensors, DAQ hardware, and instrumentation
- Proficiency in electrical schematic creation (AutoCAD Electrical)
- Hands-on experience building and wiring electrical panels and test systems
- Experience architecting data acquisition systems connecting PLCs, SCADA, and MES
- Strong organizational and communication skills with cross-functional engineering teams
Desired
- 8+ years of relevant industry experience
- Experience with Beckhoff hardware and EtherCAT-based measurement systems
- Experience designing high-accuracy electrical test systems for power electronics or aerospace applications
- Knowledge of servo/drive system integration
- Experience with HMI/SCADA development using Ignition (Perspective)
- Familiarity with calibration methods, measurement uncertainty, and statistical analysis for production test
- Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, and UL508A
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $131,700 - $209,030/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
Job Overview
Joby Aviation is seeking a passionate individual to join our Powertrain and Electronics team as a Senior/Staff Automation Controls Engineer in San Carlos, CA. As part of this team, you will lead the electrical engineering design and development of first-generation manufacturing test equipment used to validate powertrain and electronic systems for the Joby S4 aircraft. This role combines automation controls with deep electrical engineering fundamentals, requiring strong analytical capability in circuit design, precision measurement, sensor selection, and electronics validation. You will architect robust end-of-line (EOL) and electronics test platforms that form the foundation for scalable, automated manufacturing systems. The Joby Aviation team is made up of extremely talented, hardworking, proactive, and hands-on individuals operating in a fast-paced and rewarding environment as we push toward FAA certification, scale manufacturing, and prepare for commercial service.
Responsibilities:
- Lead electrical architecture and controls development for first-generation manufacturing and EOL test equipment from concept through low-volume production
- Apply strong electrical engineering fundamentals (circuit analysis, signal integrity, grounding, noise mitigation, power distribution, precision measurement) to develop robust electronics test systems
- Design and integrate high-precision sensors, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems into Beckhoff-based platform
- Develop full electrical designs, drawing packages, BOMs, and schematics for complex manufacturing test equipment
- Architect test methodologies for validation of electronic assemblies, power electronics, and electromechanical systems
- Design electrical systems compliant with NEC, NFPA, and UL508A requirements
- Procure custom and off-the-shelf hardware and manage technical suppliers as needed
- Design, write, and debug PLC software in Structured Text IEC 61131-3 (TwinCAT) to automate test sequences and equipment operation
- Develop HMI and data collection tools using Ignition (Perspective) and integrate results into manufacturing databases
- Lead system integration and commissioning of test equipment, ensuring measurement accuracy, repeatability, and reliability
- Troubleshoot complex electrical and electronic test systems in a production environment
Required
- B.S. in Electrical Engineering (strongly preferred) or related discipline
- 6+ years of experience developing electrical hardware and test equipment in a manufacturing or product development environment
- Strong foundation in analog and digital circuit analysis, instrumentation, and measurement systems
- Experience developing end-of-line (EOL) or electronics manufacturing test equipment
- Proficiency in PLC programming using Structured Text IEC 61131-3 (TwinCAT), Python, and Ignition
- Experience selecting and integrating precision sensors, DAQ hardware, and instrumentation
- Proficiency in electrical schematic creation (AutoCAD Electrical)
- Hands-on experience building and wiring electrical panels and test systems
- Experience architecting data acquisition systems connecting PLCs, SCADA, and MES
- Strong organizational and communication skills with cross-functional engineering teams
Desired
- 8+ years of relevant industry experience
- Experience with Beckhoff hardware and EtherCAT-based measurement systems
- Experience designing high-accuracy electrical test systems for power electronics or aerospace applications
- Knowledge of servo/drive system integration
- Experience with HMI/SCADA development using Ignition (Perspective)
- Familiarity with calibration methods, measurement uncertainty, and statistical analysis for production test
- Knowledge of NEC, NFPA, and UL508A
Additional Information
Compensation at Joby is a combination of base pay and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs). The target base pay for this position is $131,700 - $209,030/yr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby also offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan with a company match, an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Roles in California
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Search Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in CaliforniaElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for electrical controls engineers in California?
California employers with consistent H-1B visa sponsorship records for electrical controls engineers include Tesla, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, Applied Materials, and various defense and semiconductor contractors concentrated in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Smaller automation integrators and food and beverage processing firms in the Central Valley also sponsor, though less frequently. Checking DOL LCA disclosure data is the most reliable way to verify a company's sponsorship history.
Which visa types are most common for electrical controls engineer roles in California?
The H-1B is the most common visa for electrical controls engineers in California. The role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires a bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, controls engineering, or a closely related field. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify for TN visa status under the engineer category. Candidates with extraordinary recognition in the field may explore the O-1A, though that standard is demanding.
Which cities in California have the most electrical controls engineer sponsorship jobs?
San Jose and the broader Bay Area lead due to concentration of semiconductor, robotics, and advanced manufacturing companies. Los Angeles and the surrounding basin offer opportunities through aerospace and defense contractors. San Diego has strong demand from defense electronics firms. Fresno and Stockton in the Central Valley are worth monitoring for food processing and agricultural automation roles, which increasingly require controls engineering expertise.
How to find electrical controls engineer visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to find electrical controls engineer roles in California without sorting through positions that don't sponsor. You can filter by state and role type to surface relevant openings from manufacturers, defense contractors, and automation firms across the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Migrate Mate focuses exclusively on international candidates, so listings are sponsorship-confirmed.
Are there state-specific considerations for electrical controls engineer sponsorship in California?
California's prevailing wage requirements under DOL rules tend to reflect the state's higher cost of living, meaning employers must meet wage levels that are generally above the national average for equivalent roles. Many California employers in defense and aerospace also require security clearances, which can affect visa pathways since some clearances are restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. UC Davis and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo produce strong local pipelines in controls and electrical engineering that employers actively recruit from.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored electrical 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.