Electronics OPT Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's electronics industry spans automotive semiconductor suppliers, defense electronics contractors, and consumer hardware firms, with major employers like Aptiv, Gentex, and Bosch hiring in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor. F-1 OPT authorization lets eligible international students work for qualifying electronics employers without a separate visa petition, making Michigan a viable market for engineering and hardware roles.
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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.
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.
OPT Electronics Job Roles in Michigan
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Search Electronics Jobs in MichiganElectronics OPT Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which electronics companies in Michigan sponsor F-1 OPT visas?
Michigan employers known for hiring international students on F-1 OPT in electronics include Aptiv, Gentex, Bosch, Continental, and Magna International, all of which have engineering and hardware divisions in the state. Defense electronics contractors such as L3Harris and Raytheon also maintain Michigan operations. OPT is work authorization tied to your degree, so the employer confirms they can employ you rather than filing a visa petition on your behalf.
Which cities in Michigan have the most electronics F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs?
Detroit and its suburbs, particularly Auburn Hills, Troy, and Dearborn, concentrate the highest density of electronics OPT roles due to the automotive supply chain. Ann Arbor adds significant volume through its university-adjacent tech and semiconductor sector, with companies like Arbor Networks and Applied Physics operating there. Grand Rapids has a smaller but growing electronics manufacturing base worth monitoring for hardware and embedded systems roles.
What types of electronics roles typically qualify for F-1 OPT sponsorship in Michigan?
Roles that commonly qualify include electrical engineering, embedded systems development, hardware design, PCB layout, signal integrity analysis, firmware engineering, and semiconductor process engineering. These positions align with degree programs in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and applied physics, which satisfies the OPT requirement that your job be directly related to your field of study. Quality assurance and test engineering roles in electronics manufacturing also qualify when tied to a relevant degree.
How do I find electronics F-1 OPT sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate lists electronics jobs in Michigan filtered specifically for F-1 OPT candidates, so you can search without sorting through roles that don't support international students. Focus your search on automotive electronics, defense hardware, and semiconductor companies headquartered in Southeast Michigan and Ann Arbor. Confirming OPT eligibility with your Designated School Official before accepting an offer is an important step in the process.
Are there state-specific or industry-specific considerations for F-1 OPT in Michigan's electronics sector?
Michigan's electronics industry is heavily tied to automotive, which means many roles involve ITAR-controlled technology or export-controlled research. U.S. export regulations can restrict access for foreign nationals, including F-1 OPT holders, in certain defense and automotive electronics positions, so it is worth confirming with the employer whether the role has citizenship or export-control requirements before applying. STEM OPT extension eligibility also depends on your degree field, so engineering degrees from Michigan's universities typically qualify.