Automation Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's automation sector spans automotive manufacturing, industrial robotics, and smart factory technology, with major employers like General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, and Bosch actively hiring engineers and specialists in the Detroit metro area, Grand Rapids, and Lansing. International candidates with backgrounds in controls, robotics, or process automation will find consistent visa sponsorship activity here.
Find Automation JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 91+ Automation Jobs in Michigan with Visa Sponsorship










See all 91+ Automation Jobs in Michigan with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Automation Jobs in Michigan with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
The Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, programming, commissioning, and supporting automation and control systems used in the manufacturing of lithium-iron battery and energy storage products. This role requires a hands-on engineer capable of independently troubleshooting complex automation systems in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This role ensures production equipment operates safely, reliably, and efficiently while supporting continuous improvement, new equipment integration, and plant automation initiatives.
The Controls Engineer collaborates with manufacturing engineering, equipment vendors, quality, EHS, and operations teams to implement robust automation solutions that improve throughput, quality, and uptime.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Automation & Controls Development
- Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems for automated manufacturing equipment
- Develop and troubleshoot Mitsubishi HMI systems (GT Designer / GOT)
- Configure HMI / SCADA systems for machine monitoring, diagnostics, and operator interface
- Integrate robotics, vision systems, and automated material handling equipment into production environment processes
Equipment Integration & Commissioning
- Lead controls design, installation, and commissioning of new manufacturing equipment
- Collaborate with equipment vendors and integrators during factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT)
- Develop controls standards and documentation for plant automation systems
Manufacturing Support
- Provide technical troubleshooting support for production equipment downtime related to controls, sensors, drives, and automation
- Work closely with maintenance and production teams to diagnose and resolve automation issues
- Optimize control strategies to improve cycle time, reliability, and equipment uptime
- Support 24/7 production operations and provide rapid troubleshooting of automation issues impacting plant throughput
- Identify root causes of recurring automation issues and implement long-term corrective actions
Safety & Compliance
- Design and validate machine safety systems including safety PLCs, interlocks, emergency stops, and safeguarding systems
- Ensure equipment complies with OSHA, NFPA, NEC, and all relevant machine safety standards
- Support high-voltage and lithium-iron manufacturing safety requirements
Process Optimization
- Analyze equipment performance data to identify automation improvements and efficiency gains
- Implement process automation improvements to increase throughput and reduce scrap
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and plant automation roadmaps
Documentation & Standards
-
Maintain detailed documentation including:
-
PLC, HMI, and Safety code revisions
- Electrical schematics
- Controls Network architecture
-
Automation standards & specifications
-
Support development of plant-wide automation and controls standards
The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:
- Strong hands-on experience with Mitsubishi PLC platforms (GX Works / GX Works 2 & 3 / iQ-R / Q-Series)
- Experience integrating PLC systems with MES / production database systems
- Understanding of PLC–MES handshake protocols, data validation, and traceability systems
-
PLC programming
-
Mitsubishi (GX Works, GT Designer)
-
Allen Bradley (Studio 5000 / RSLogix)
-
Diagnosing and troubleshooting industrial control networks including Ethernet/IP, CC-Link, Profinet, and TCP/IP infrastructure
- HMI/SCADA systems
- Servo systems and VFD drives
- Robotics integration (Fanuc, ABB, Kuka, or similar)
- Machine vision systems
- Electrical schematics and panel design
- Industrial sensors and instrumentation
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following preferred experience:
- EV battery, lithium-iron, semiconductor, or high-tech manufacturing
- Dry-room or clean-room manufacturing environments
- Industrial Manufacturing Production – Automotive, EV, Injection Molding, Food/Beverage, etc.
- High-speed automated production lines
- Safety PLCs and machine safety standards (ISO 13849 / NFPA)
- Six Sigma Leadership
The following competencies are desired:
- Ability to independently diagnose complex automation problems across PLC, HMI, robotics, and industrial networking systems
- Systems integration and commissioning
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Cross-cultural & organizational collaboration
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Strong technical documentation skills
- Ability to support a fast-paced manufacturing environment
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Strong hands-on experience with Mitsubishi PLC platforms (GX Works / GX Works 2 & 3 / iQ-R / Q-Series)
- Experience developing and troubleshooting Mitsubishi HMI systems (GT Designer / GOT)
- Allen-Bradley PLC experience considered a plus
- Experience supporting automated production lines or industrial equipment
- Experience with PLC programming and industrial automation systems
Our Next Energy Inc. (ONE) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to disability or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Automation Job Roles in Michigan
See all 91+ Automation Jobs in Michigan
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Automation Jobs in MichiganAutomation Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for automation roles in Michigan?
Michigan's largest visa sponsors for automation roles are concentrated in the automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors. General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, Bosch, and Magna International have established H-1B visa sponsorship histories. Automation-focused engineering firms and Tier 1 suppliers such as Aptiv and Lear Corporation also regularly sponsor international candidates for controls, robotics, and systems integration roles.
Which visa types are most common for automation roles in Michigan?
The H-1B is the most common visa for automation engineers in Michigan, covering roles like controls engineer, robotics engineer, and automation systems analyst when they require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. Candidates with Canadian or Mexican citizenship may qualify for the TN visa under the engineer category, which does not require a lottery.
Which cities in Michigan have the most automation sponsorship jobs?
The Detroit metropolitan area, including Auburn Hills, Warren, and Dearborn, accounts for the largest share of automation sponsorship activity in Michigan due to the density of automotive OEMs and suppliers headquartered there. Grand Rapids has a growing advanced manufacturing base with automation hiring, and Lansing and Ann Arbor also see consistent demand, particularly from manufacturers and university-affiliated research operations.
How to find automation visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship and lets you filter automation jobs by Michigan location, visa type, and employer sponsorship history. Because Michigan's automation hiring is concentrated among automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, filtering by industry on Migrate Mate helps narrow results to employers with verified H-1B or TN visa sponsorship patterns rather than applying broadly.
Are there any Michigan-specific factors that affect visa sponsorship for automation candidates?
Michigan's Department of Labor and Economic Growth classifies many automation engineering roles under SOC codes that carry prevailing wage requirements, which H-1B sponsors must meet regardless of company size. The state's heavy automotive industry presence means many positions are project-based or tied to specific vehicle programs, which can affect the timing and structure of sponsorship. Candidates with experience in PLC programming, FANUC or KUKA robotics, or automotive assembly systems tend to be most competitive.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored automation jobs in Michigan?
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.