Automation Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's automation engineer job market centers on its manufacturing backbone, with major employers like General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, and Magna International actively hiring in Detroit, Warren, and Grand Rapids. The state's deep integration of robotics and industrial automation across automotive and defense sectors makes it one of the more active markets for visa-sponsored automation engineering roles.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Controls Engineer Level 3
Company: General Motors (GM)
Locations: Warren, MI (Hybrid) | Saginaw, MI | Defiance, OH
Duration: 12 Months (Potential Extension/Conversion)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 1st Shift (Core hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Hours: ~40/week + some overtime as needed
Travel: Minimal to moderate (plant support & supplier buy-offs)
Openings: 4
Position Overview
General Motors is seeking Controls Engineers (Level 3) to design, develop, and optimize automation systems supporting the future of automotive manufacturing. This role involves working on cutting-edge automation, robotics, and PLC systems across multiple plant environments. You will play a key role in launching new production systems, improving existing operations, and ensuring reliability, efficiency, and safety across manufacturing lines.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems for manufacturing equipment
- Develop and support automation systems from concept through commissioning
- Integrate and support robotics systems (e.g., Fanuc, cobots)
- Perform debugging, testing, and system optimization during launches
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (mechanical, process, IT, operations)
- Support plant operations, including troubleshooting during live production
- Participate in supplier equipment buy-offs (FAT/SAT)
- Drive continuous improvement in safety, cycle time, and system performance
- Ensure compliance with industrial safety and quality standards
Required Qualifications
- 4+ years of Controls Engineering experience
- Strong experience with:
- PLC programming (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley – Studio 5000, RSLogix)
- HMI development (FactoryTalk or similar)
- Experience working in industrial or manufacturing environments
- Ability to troubleshoot under production pressure
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in automotive manufacturing
- Experience with Siemens PLCs
- Hands-on experience with robotics integration
- Familiarity with MES systems, networking, and data collection
- Prior in-plant launch or commissioning experience
Work Environment
- Mix of office and plant floor settings
- High collaboration with engineering and operations teams
- Exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies
- Hybrid flexibility available for Warren-based roles
Why This Role?
- Work on cutting-edge automation and robotics
- Be part of major system launches in automotive manufacturing
- Gain hands-on experience in high-impact production environments
- Opportunity for extension or full-time conversion
Job Title: Controls Engineer Level 3
Company: General Motors (GM)
Locations: Warren, MI (Hybrid) | Saginaw, MI | Defiance, OH
Duration: 12 Months (Potential Extension/Conversion)
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 1st Shift (Core hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Hours: ~40/week + some overtime as needed
Travel: Minimal to moderate (plant support & supplier buy-offs)
Openings: 4
Position Overview
General Motors is seeking Controls Engineers (Level 3) to design, develop, and optimize automation systems supporting the future of automotive manufacturing. This role involves working on cutting-edge automation, robotics, and PLC systems across multiple plant environments. You will play a key role in launching new production systems, improving existing operations, and ensuring reliability, efficiency, and safety across manufacturing lines.
Key Responsibilities
- Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems for manufacturing equipment
- Develop and support automation systems from concept through commissioning
- Integrate and support robotics systems (e.g., Fanuc, cobots)
- Perform debugging, testing, and system optimization during launches
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (mechanical, process, IT, operations)
- Support plant operations, including troubleshooting during live production
- Participate in supplier equipment buy-offs (FAT/SAT)
- Drive continuous improvement in safety, cycle time, and system performance
- Ensure compliance with industrial safety and quality standards
Required Qualifications
- 4+ years of Controls Engineering experience
- Strong experience with:
- PLC programming (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley – Studio 5000, RSLogix)
- HMI development (FactoryTalk or similar)
- Experience working in industrial or manufacturing environments
- Ability to troubleshoot under production pressure
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to work independently and take initiative
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in automotive manufacturing
- Experience with Siemens PLCs
- Hands-on experience with robotics integration
- Familiarity with MES systems, networking, and data collection
- Prior in-plant launch or commissioning experience
Work Environment
- Mix of office and plant floor settings
- High collaboration with engineering and operations teams
- Exposure to advanced manufacturing technologies
- Hybrid flexibility available for Warren-based roles
Why This Role?
- Work on cutting-edge automation and robotics
- Be part of major system launches in automotive manufacturing
- Gain hands-on experience in high-impact production environments
- Opportunity for extension or full-time conversion
Automation Engineer Job Roles in Michigan
See all 42+ Automation Engineer Jobs in Michigan
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Search Automation Engineer Jobs in MichiganAutomation Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies in Michigan sponsor visas for automation engineers?
Michigan's largest visa sponsors for automation engineers are concentrated in the automotive and manufacturing sectors. General Motors, Ford, Stellantis, Magna International, and Lear Corporation have consistent H-1B filing histories for engineering roles. Automation and robotics suppliers such as Fanuc America and KUKA Systems, both with Michigan operations, also appear in federal labor condition application disclosures as sponsors for engineering positions.
Which visa types are most common for automation engineers in Michigan?
The H-1B is the most commonly used visa for automation engineers in Michigan, as the role generally qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or systems engineering. Some Canadian and Mexican nationals working in automation may enter under TN status using the engineer category. Experienced automation engineers with recognized achievements may also pursue O-1A classification, though this pathway is less common.
How to find automation engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, which removes the guesswork of identifying which Michigan employers are open to sponsoring international candidates. Searching for automation engineer roles on Migrate Mate lets you focus on positions in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Warren where manufacturing and automotive employers are actively filing labor condition applications for engineering hires.
Which cities in Michigan have the most automation engineer sponsorship jobs?
The Detroit metro area, including Warren, Auburn Hills, and Dearborn, accounts for the highest concentration of automation engineer roles tied to automotive OEMs and their supplier networks. Grand Rapids has a growing advanced manufacturing base with employers in food processing automation and medical device production. Ann Arbor also sees demand from automotive technology firms and university-affiliated research operations connected to the University of Michigan.
Are there any Michigan-specific considerations for automation engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
Michigan's automation engineering market is heavily tied to the automotive industry's production cycles, meaning hiring often tracks with model changeovers and plant retooling schedules. The University of Michigan and Michigan State University supply a pipeline of engineering graduates that some employers draw from before sponsoring international hires, so demonstrating specialized experience in PLC programming, robotics integration, or SCADA systems can strengthen a candidate's position with sponsors.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored automation engineer 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.
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