Research Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Michigan
Michigan's research engineer roles are concentrated in automotive innovation, advanced manufacturing, and university research, with major employers like Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, and the University of Michigan actively hiring. Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Dearborn form the core hiring corridors, and many positions come with H-1B visa or O-1 visa sponsorship for qualified international candidates.
Find Research Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 848+ Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan with Visa Sponsorship










See all 848+ Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All Jobs
How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Who We Are
At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement - enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.
Job Summary
The Shea Lab at the University of Michigan invites applications for a dedicated and dynamic Research Laboratory Technician. Led by Dr. Lonnie Shea, our lab operates at the forefront of regenerative medicine, immune engineering, and precision health. Our interdisciplinary approach leverages biomaterials with drug and gene delivery to direct tissue growth or regeneration, including islet transplantation for diabetes therapy and nerve regeneration for treating paralysis. In immune engineering, we aim to modulate unwanted immune responses in conditions such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, inflammation, and allogeneic cell transplantation. Our precision health research focuses on early disease detection strategies, including cancer and autoimmunity, employing novel systems biology methods to understand tissue function and disease progression at the molecular level.
Responsibilities
The successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting the lab's day-to-day operational activities and research projects, including:
- Lab Operations and Maintenance: Ensuring the lab is well-stocked and equipment is maintained, managing chemical waste, and keeping the lab organized and compliant with safety standards.
- Research Support: Assisting with cryosectioning, histological analysis, cell culture, animal work, and maintaining high standards across lab operations through technique training.
- Administrative and Support Tasks: Organizing meetings, coordinating onboarding and offboarding processes for lab members, and enforcing safety training and compliance.
- Additional Duties: Managing scheduling and logistics, preparing aliquots of common stocks, and ensuring a contamination-free environment through regular incubator sterilization and mycoplasma testing.
The technician will also need to demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills, be proficient with lab technology and software, and have the capability to train new members in basic lab techniques. This role is essential for maintaining the operational efficiency of the lab and supporting its cutting-edge research initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences, or equivalent work experience in cellular and molecular biology.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated responsibility and productivity, with a track record of punctuality, organization, and self-motivation.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience in or knowledge of histology and immunostaining, and animal handling and care techniques.
- Experience working with rodents.
- Experience with cell culture.
- Proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and GraphPad Prism.
The Shea Lab is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who share our passion for research and innovation in health sciences.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
- Generous time off
- A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
- Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
- Maternity and Parental Leave
Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.
This is an onsite position-5 days per week.
Additional Information
Note: This is a one year term-limited position with the possibility of extension based on need and funding.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Opening ID
280793
Working Title
Research Laboratory Tech Assoc
Job Title
Research Laboratory Tech Assoc
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Nonexempt
Organizational Group
College Engineering
Department
CoE Biomedical Engineering
Posting Begin/End Date
7/29/2026 - 8/12/2026
Salary
$31,187.00 - $36,384.00
Career Interest
Research
Research Engineer Job Roles in Michigan
See all 848+ Research Engineer Jobs in Michigan
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Research Engineer Jobs in MichiganResearch Engineer Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for research engineers in Michigan?
Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Stellantis, and Toyota Research Institute have all filed H-1B Labor Condition Applications for research engineering roles in Michigan. University of Michigan and Michigan State University also sponsor research engineers through both H-1B and J-1 visa pathways. Large defense and aerospace contractors such as L3Harris and Raytheon have Michigan operations with documented sponsorship histories for technical research positions.
Which visa types are most common for research engineer roles in Michigan?
The H-1B is the most common visa for research engineers in Michigan, as the role typically requires a bachelor's degree or higher in engineering, computer science, or a related field, satisfying the specialty occupation requirement. Researchers with exceptional recognition in their field may qualify for the O-1A. University-affiliated researchers sometimes enter on J-1 exchange visitor status, though J-1 carries a two-year home residency requirement that can affect long-term plans.
Which cities in Michigan have the most research engineer sponsorship jobs?
Ann Arbor leads due to the University of Michigan's research infrastructure and a dense cluster of automotive technology and software spinoffs. Dearborn and Detroit follow closely, driven by Ford and GM headquarters and their affiliated supplier networks. East Lansing has a smaller but active market tied to Michigan State University. Auburn Hills and Troy also host engineering centers for automotive suppliers like BorgWarner and Continental, both with sponsorship track records.
How to find research engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Michigan?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for roles where employers have demonstrated visa sponsorship willingness, saving you the time of manually verifying each company's history. For research engineer roles in Michigan, you can narrow results by location and role type to surface opportunities at automotive OEMs, university research labs, and advanced manufacturing firms. Migrate Mate is designed for international candidates navigating the U.S. job market, so sponsorship context is built into the search experience.
Are there state-specific considerations for research engineers pursuing sponsorship in Michigan?
Michigan's research engineering market is heavily shaped by automotive R&D cycles, meaning hiring often accelerates around major product development phases. University of Michigan and Michigan State generate a significant pipeline of international graduates who compete for the same H-1B cap-subject roles, so early engagement with employers matters. Michigan does not have state-level immigration programs, so federal visa pathways apply. Roles at university research centers may be cap-exempt, which removes H-1B lottery risk entirely.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored research 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.