Controls Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky's controls engineer job market centers on Louisville's advanced manufacturing corridor, Lexington's automotive suppliers, and the Toyota Georgetown plant, one of the state's largest industrial employers. Companies like Toyota, Lexington-based Tempur Sealy, and numerous Tier 1 automotive suppliers regularly hire controls engineers and have established pathways for visa sponsorship.
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Job Description: PLC/Controls Engineer
About Packsize
Packsize is an automation company that enables more efficient and sustainable packaging process flows from packing to unboxing. We’re propelling our customers and the industry forward, always looking to innovate and improve. Because, to us, packaging is about much more than a box; it’s about delivering what’s right, for our customers, for their customers and our planet.
The Role
Packsize is seeking to hire a PLC/Controls engineer in Louisville, KY. The focus of this role will primarily be to manage and sustain complex PLC OOP code bases, developed in Codesys and B&R, currently running on multiple Packsize machine platforms. Secondary responsibilities will be to maintain the code on a machine built around a Siemens PLC. There will also be some development of new code based on part obsolescence, safety issues, customer requirements and code restructures.
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor's degree (BS) from four-year college or university in Mechanical Engineering (ME), Electrical Engineering (EE), Computer Science (CS) or similar.
- Motion physics and advanced motion control programming
- Application and/or firmware development experience in a high-level (OOP) language (Python, C, C++, C#)
- IEC 61131-2/PLCopen programming languages (structured text is a must, FBD is a plus)
- Experience with Git/SVN including commit, branching, merging, debug and related functions for code development and management
- Industrial Ethernet (EtherCAT, PowerLink etc.)
- Familiar with various closed-loop feedback control strategies
- Programmable safety expertise
- Experience in Codesys, Siemens, and B&R Automation Studio (TwinCAT a plus)
- Familiar with agile approaches to product development (both participant and leader)
- Ability to read electrical schematics
- Ability to troubleshoot electrical and mechanical issues
- Curious with a continuous improvement mindset
- Experience with an Engineering Change Process (ECO/ECN)
- Manage and sustain PLC code bases for various industrial controls platforms
- Develop high level OOP structured text code in Codesys, B&R Automation and Siemens
- Commission new machines (machines contain servo drives, various sensors, pneumatic actuators and gluers)
- Help architect code
- Maintain code in repositories
- Document control application designs
- Program automation applications
- Develop formal test plans and scripts, then work with a testing team to execute the test
- Estimate implementation effort to develop automation applications
- Troubleshoot and resolve application issues
- Track and report project status (using Azure DevOps, Confluence etc.)
- Travel to customer locations to resolve technical problems
- Participate in brainstorming and ideation sessions around product development and improvement
- Support machines during development, production and operation (remote and on-site support)
- Assist in creating project plan
- Provide input on resource allocation
- Assess skill sets and resource strengths/weaknesses for staffing projects
- Mentor other engineers
A few other things
- Up to 10% travel as needed
- Ability to do the physical work necessary to fabricate prototypes (using machine shop tools, turning wrenches etc.) and building machines
What we offer
Packsize offers a competitive benefits package including paid time off, Health, Dental, Short Term/Long Term Disability, Life, 401(k) matching, and a bonus program. Salary will be commensurate with experience. Packsize is an Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in its workforce. In compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Packsize policy of equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, veteran’s status, status as a qualified person with a disability, or genetic information. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation in the application process will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Packsize considers several factors when determining compensation when extending a job offer, including but not limited to, the role being offered, the associated responsibilities, the candidate's prior work experience, education/training, and any special skills. At Packsize, we’re committed to supporting the health, well-being, and financial security of our team members. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) retirement plan; Paid Time Off; Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA/FSA); and life and disability insurance. Additional voluntary benefits include critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident, and legal/ID theft protection. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your overall well-being.
Packsize is an Equal Opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in its workforce. In compliance with applicable federal and state laws, Packsize policy of equal employment opportunity prohibits discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, veteran’s status, status as a qualified person with a disability, or genetic information. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Controls Engineer Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Controls Engineer Jobs in KentuckyControls Engineer Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for controls engineers in Kentucky?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown is among the most prominent sponsors, given its scale and continuous automation investment. Lexington and Louisville attract Tier 1 automotive suppliers and food and beverage manufacturers who regularly hire controls engineers. Companies with large, established engineering teams, particularly in automotive assembly and discrete manufacturing, are the most consistent sponsors because they have in-house HR infrastructure to manage the process.
Which visa types are most common for controls engineer roles in Kentucky?
The H-1B visa is the most widely used visa for controls engineers in Kentucky, as the role generally qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls-related engineering. Candidates from Canada or Mexico may also be eligible for TN visa status under the USMCA, which can be faster to obtain. Engineers from Australia can explore the E-3 visa as an alternative to H-1B visa.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most controls engineer sponsorship jobs?
Louisville and Lexington account for the majority of controls engineer openings in Kentucky, driven by their concentration of automotive manufacturers, food processing facilities, and industrial automation firms. Georgetown stands out due to the Toyota plant and its supplier ecosystem. Bowling Green has grown as an automotive hub following the GM Corvette assembly plant expansion, adding demand for automation and controls expertise in that region as well.
How to find controls engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, so you can search for controls engineer roles in Kentucky without sorting through positions that won't support international candidates. The platform focuses on engineering and technical roles with documented sponsorship history. Filtering by state and role on Migrate Mate is a practical starting point given how spread out Kentucky's manufacturing employers are across Louisville, Lexington, Georgetown, and Bowling Green.
Are there state-specific factors controls engineers should know about the Kentucky job market?
Kentucky's heavy reliance on automotive manufacturing means controls engineers with PLC programming experience, particularly in Allen-Bradley or Siemens platforms, are in consistent demand. The University of Kentucky and University of Louisville produce engineering graduates who feed local industry pipelines, so international candidates often benefit from prior co-op or internship experience with Kentucky employers. Prevailing wage requirements under H-1B rules apply statewide, and employers in manufacturing hubs tend to be familiar with the sponsorship process.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored controls engineer jobs in Kentucky?
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.