Automation Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa

Iowa's automation sector is concentrated in advanced manufacturing, food processing, and agricultural technology, with employers like John Deere, Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), and Pella Corporation regularly hiring controls engineers, robotics technicians, and automation specialists. The Quad Cities, Des Moines, and Cedar Rapids are the primary hiring hubs for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship in automation roles.

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Overview

Open Jobs21+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type86% On-site
Top LocationCedar Rapids, IA
Most JobsJBS Foods

Showing 5 of 21+ Automation Jobs in Iowa with Visa Sponsorship

Skyworks Solutions
AI Automation & Software Developer Co-op
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Skyworks Solutions
Added 1w ago
AI Automation & Software Developer Co-op
Skyworks Solutions
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Technical Product & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
$22 - $47/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Novaspect
Director of Advanced Automation Solutions
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Novaspect
Added 2w ago
Director of Advanced Automation Solutions
Novaspect
Des Moines, Iowa
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Human Resources
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
Business Development
$155k - $185k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
201-500

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JBS Foods
Automation Tech
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JBS Foods
Added 1mo ago
Automation Tech
JBS Foods
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Electrical Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Maintenance & Repair
$30.85/hr
On-Site
Associate's
10,000+

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Danfoss
Automation Technician
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Danfoss
Added 1mo ago
Automation Technician
Danfoss
Ames, Iowa
On-Site
None
10,000+

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Cargill
Regional Plant Automation & Control Supervisor
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Cargill
Added 2mo ago
Regional Plant Automation & Control Supervisor
Cargill
Eddyville, Iowa
Specialized Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Automation Job Roles in Iowa

Specialized Engineering8 jobs
Engineering (Non-Software)7 jobs
Quality Control6 jobs
Electrical Engineering3 jobs
Manufacturing Operations3 jobs
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)3 jobs
Project Management2 jobs
Maintenance & Repair2 jobs
Robotics Engineering2 jobs
Software Engineering2 jobs

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Automation Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies sponsor visas for automation roles in Iowa?

John Deere is one of Iowa's most active visa sponsors for automation and controls engineering roles, particularly at its Waterloo and Ankeny facilities. Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids sponsors engineers in systems automation. Smaller manufacturers and agricultural equipment firms, including Vermeer Corporation in Pella, have also filed H-1B visa petitions for automation-related positions. Sponsorship activity is concentrated in manufacturing and precision agriculture technology.

Which visa types are most common for automation roles in Iowa?

The H-1B visa is the most common pathway for automation engineers and controls specialists in Iowa, as most roles require at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field, meeting the specialty occupation standard. Candidates with Canadian or Mexican citizenship may qualify for the TN visa under the USMCA, which covers engineers without a lottery. Australians may be eligible for the E-3 visa.

Which cities in Iowa have the most automation sponsorship jobs?

The Quad Cities metro area (including Davenport) has the highest concentration of automation sponsorship activity, driven by John Deere's manufacturing operations. Cedar Rapids is the next strongest market, anchored by Collins Aerospace and several food processing facilities. Des Moines is growing in automation roles tied to logistics and data center infrastructure. Waterloo and Ames also see consistent demand, with Iowa State University nearby supplying engineering talent pipelines.

How to find automation visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?

Migrate Mate filters automation jobs specifically by visa sponsorship, so you can search Iowa postings without sorting through roles that won't support international candidates. The platform surfaces positions from manufacturers, agricultural technology firms, and engineering employers across the state. Focusing your search on the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo will return the highest volume of automation sponsorship openings from Iowa-based employers.

Are there any Iowa-specific considerations for automation job seekers pursuing visa sponsorship?

Iowa's automation hiring is heavily tied to agricultural equipment manufacturing cycles, so demand can be seasonal and tied to industry output. Iowa State University in Ames produces a strong pipeline of engineering graduates, meaning employers are familiar with sponsoring international students on OPT before transitioning to H-1B. Prevailing wage requirements are set at the metropolitan area level, so wages for automation roles differ between the Quad Cities, Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines markets.

What is the prevailing wage for sponsored automation jobs in Iowa?

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.