Electrical Controls Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Kentucky's electrical controls engineer job market is anchored by major manufacturers including Toyota, Ford, and Lexmark, with hiring concentrated in Louisville, Lexington, and the Golden Triangle region. Automotive plants, appliance manufacturers, and bourbon industry facilities all rely on controls engineers, and several of these employers have established H-1B visa sponsorship track records.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Description: Controls and Electrical Engineering Supervisor (OEM)
Position Summary
The Controls and Electrical Engineering Supervisor is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing both the Controls Engineering (CE) and Electrical Engineering (EE) teams. This position combines technical expertise with administrative leadership to drive the development, design, and support of control software and electrical systems for Fives’ composite and metal cutting equipment.
The CE team focuses on the development and maintenance of machine control software, while the EE team is responsible for the design and documentation of electrical hardware. The Supervisor ensures effective team performance through strategic staffing, skill deployment, and continuous development of organizational capability.
Fives is a global industrial engineering group that designs and supplies robotics, process equipment, and production lines for leading industries, including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, semiconductor, and energy.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management:
- Lead, mentor, and develop Controls and Electrical Engineering teams
- Plan and manage staffing, including hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations
- Allocate resources effectively to support project and organizational goals
- Establish, communicate, and enforce departmental policies and procedures
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment
Project & Operational Planning:
- Develop and maintain manpower and project execution plans
- Manage departmental budget and cost controls, including labor rate administration
- Support project planning from order entry through installation and commissioning
Technical Leadership:
- Provide overall technical direction for control systems and electrical system design
- Review, develop, and approve control and electrical specifications
- Oversee the design, implementation, and validation of control features and electrical hardware
- Ensure adherence to industry standards, safety requirements, and internal guidelines
- Maintain control software repositories and build procedures
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Support:
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, and project management
- Interface with customers to support OEM programming products and resolve technical issues
- Partner with internal and external stakeholders to improve system performance and reliability
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned activities
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field required
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in controls or electrical design and project leadership
- At least 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience
- Proven experience building and leading engineering teams
- Strong understanding of full project lifecycle, from order entry through installation
Technical Expertise:
- Experience designing and troubleshooting complex electrical systems, particularly for machine tools or automated systems
- Proficiency with:
- VB.NET (WinForms), C, and C++
- IEC 61131-3 PLC programming languages
- Microsoft Visual Studio and Siemens TIA Portal
- Working knowledge of:
- OPC-UA, Modbus TCP/IP, and industrial communication protocols
- Access databases and data-driven applications
- Experience with:
- Multi-axis servo systems and motion control
- Robotics integration and interfaces
- Sensors, I/O systems, fieldbus networks, and industrial safety systems
Core Competencies:
- Leadership & Relationship Management: Ability to build strong relationships across all organizational levels, as well as with customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts and lead presentations
- Decision-Making: Sound technical judgment with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and priorities
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and mathematical capabilities; familiarity with geometry, vector mathematics, and coordinate transformations preferred
- Process Discipline: Commitment to maintaining and enforcing ISO standards and internal engineering procedures
Benefits
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance, plus high-deductible health plans
- 401(k) and HSA accounts
- Competitive dental, vision, and premium medical plan options
- Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection
- Paid holidays and generous paid time off
- Flexible work environment promoting work-life balance
- Minimal travel requirement (<5%)
Job Description: Controls and Electrical Engineering Supervisor (OEM)
Position Summary
The Controls and Electrical Engineering Supervisor is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing both the Controls Engineering (CE) and Electrical Engineering (EE) teams. This position combines technical expertise with administrative leadership to drive the development, design, and support of control software and electrical systems for Fives’ composite and metal cutting equipment.
The CE team focuses on the development and maintenance of machine control software, while the EE team is responsible for the design and documentation of electrical hardware. The Supervisor ensures effective team performance through strategic staffing, skill deployment, and continuous development of organizational capability.
Fives is a global industrial engineering group that designs and supplies robotics, process equipment, and production lines for leading industries, including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, semiconductor, and energy.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Team Management:
- Lead, mentor, and develop Controls and Electrical Engineering teams
- Plan and manage staffing, including hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations
- Allocate resources effectively to support project and organizational goals
- Establish, communicate, and enforce departmental policies and procedures
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment
Project & Operational Planning:
- Develop and maintain manpower and project execution plans
- Manage departmental budget and cost controls, including labor rate administration
- Support project planning from order entry through installation and commissioning
Technical Leadership:
- Provide overall technical direction for control systems and electrical system design
- Review, develop, and approve control and electrical specifications
- Oversee the design, implementation, and validation of control features and electrical hardware
- Ensure adherence to industry standards, safety requirements, and internal guidelines
- Maintain control software repositories and build procedures
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Support:
- Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, and project management
- Interface with customers to support OEM programming products and resolve technical issues
- Partner with internal and external stakeholders to improve system performance and reliability
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned activities
Qualifications
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field required
- Master’s degree or MBA preferred
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in controls or electrical design and project leadership
- At least 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience
- Proven experience building and leading engineering teams
- Strong understanding of full project lifecycle, from order entry through installation
Technical Expertise:
- Experience designing and troubleshooting complex electrical systems, particularly for machine tools or automated systems
- Proficiency with:
- VB.NET (WinForms), C, and C++
- IEC 61131-3 PLC programming languages
- Microsoft Visual Studio and Siemens TIA Portal
- Working knowledge of:
- OPC-UA, Modbus TCP/IP, and industrial communication protocols
- Access databases and data-driven applications
- Experience with:
- Multi-axis servo systems and motion control
- Robotics integration and interfaces
- Sensors, I/O systems, fieldbus networks, and industrial safety systems
Core Competencies:
- Leadership & Relationship Management: Ability to build strong relationships across all organizational levels, as well as with customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts and lead presentations
- Decision-Making: Sound technical judgment with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and priorities
- Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and mathematical capabilities; familiarity with geometry, vector mathematics, and coordinate transformations preferred
- Process Discipline: Commitment to maintaining and enforcing ISO standards and internal engineering procedures
Benefits
- Employer-paid life and disability insurance, plus high-deductible health plans
- 401(k) and HSA accounts
- Competitive dental, vision, and premium medical plan options
- Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection
- Paid holidays and generous paid time off
- Flexible work environment promoting work-life balance
- Minimal travel requirement (<5%)
Electrical Controls Engineer Job Roles in Kentucky
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Search Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in KentuckyElectrical Controls Engineer Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for electrical controls engineers in Kentucky?
Toyota's Georgetown and Princeton assembly plants, Ford's Louisville operations, and GE Appliances have sponsored H-1B workers in engineering roles. Automotive suppliers along the I-75 corridor, including several Tier 1 manufacturers, also have sponsorship histories. Larger industrial automation firms operating in the state are generally more likely to sponsor than smaller regional contractors or independent engineering firms.
Which visa types are most common for electrical controls engineer roles in Kentucky?
The H-1B is the most common visa for electrical controls engineers, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field. Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify for TN visa status under the NAFTA successor agreement. Engineers with extraordinary achievements in their field may also explore the O-1A, though this requires substantial documented recognition.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most electrical controls engineer sponsorship jobs?
Louisville has the highest concentration, driven by GE Appliances, Ford, and a dense network of manufacturing suppliers. Lexington and Georgetown benefit from Toyota's large footprint and supporting Tier 1 suppliers. Bowling Green sees demand tied to the Corvette Assembly Plant and related manufacturers. The Golden Triangle corridor connecting Louisville, Lexington, and Cincinnati is where most sponsorship-eligible roles are posted.
How to find electrical controls engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it easier to identify Kentucky employers actively open to sponsoring electrical controls engineers rather than sifting through general job postings. You can search by role and state to surface relevant openings at manufacturers, automotive plants, and industrial automation companies across Louisville, Lexington, and surrounding regions.
Are there any Kentucky-specific considerations for electrical controls engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
Kentucky's manufacturing-heavy economy means most sponsoring employers are large industrial or automotive companies, which tend to have established HR and legal infrastructure for sponsorship. The state's strong ties to automotive manufacturing create recurring demand for PLC programming, SCADA systems, and automation expertise. Engineers with experience in automotive or food and beverage processing align well with the industries most actively hiring in Kentucky.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored electrical 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.