Principal R&D Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in South Carolina
Principal R&D engineer visa sponsorship jobs in South Carolina are concentrated around Greenville, Spartanburg, and the Research Triangle-adjacent Upstate corridor, where manufacturers like BMW Manufacturing, Michelin, and Bosch have established engineering and innovation centers. Aerospace, automotive, and advanced materials firms drive steady demand for senior research and development engineering talent across the state.
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At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner—and every person here makes that happen. You’ll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.
This position reports to:
Director of R&D - Engineer To Order
The work model for the role is: Onsite #LI-Onsite
Your role and responsibilities:
The R&D Senior Electrical Engineer supports a team of electrical engineers in the development of electric motor technologies and products by identifying and implementing innovative solutions while helping manage motor technologies, platforms, and intellectual property.
Our Team Dynamics
Our teams support each other, collaborate, and never stop learning. Everyone brings something unique, and together we push ideas forward to solve real problems. Being part of our team means your work matters - because the progress we make here creates real impact out there.
You will be mainly accountable for:
- Contributing significantly to effective outcomes in technology development, product development, and support of existing products. Performing detailed cost-benefit analyses to optimize designs.
- Creating electrical designs for industrial motors in accordance with ABB specifications and industry standards. Maintaining an emphasis on electric motor design methodologies, modeling techniques, test standards, and analysis of motor test data.
- Leveraging expertise in motor design to contribute innovative and creative ideas to a variety of complex R&D assignments. Ensuring appropriate protection of newly created intellectual property. Acting as a project leader or senior project member, providing technical skill in the execution and application of supporting engineering tools, processes, and methods.
- Collaborating with Product Management, Manufacturing, Quality, and Supply Chain on product specifications, application support, regulatory and certification requirements, and related processes. Sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues to ensure timely, high-quality results.
Qualifications for the role:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with a minimum of 10 years of experience with Electric Motors.
- Knowledge of electric motor technologies, advanced design methodologies (FEA), manufacturing processes, and customer support experience.
- Working knowledge of UL, CSA, CE, IEEE, IEC, NEMA regulatory compliance.
- Preferred Experience Includes: Master’s Degree / PHD in Engineering, SAP, AutoCAD, and SolidWorks.
- Candidates must already have work authorization that would permit them to work for ABB in the US.
More about us:
ABB’s NEMA Motors Division is the global leading electric NEMA motors manufacturer. With more than 4,500 employees across the globe and seven manufacturing locations that produce more than 1.6 million motors every year, the division powers its customers from many industries with safe, reliable energy-efficient and effective solutions. NEMA Motors Division is a trusted leader with the shortest lead time and the broadest modularized product offering.
What's in it for you
We want you to bring your full self to work—your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You’ll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.
ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer for protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities at ABB.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.
For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf
As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer for Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities, applicants may request to review the plan of a particular ABB facility between the hours of 9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. EST Monday through Friday by contacting an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762.
Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to US-AskHR@abb.com. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.
ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees
[excludes ABB E-mobility, Athens union, Puerto Rico]
Go to MyBenefitsABB.com and click on “Candidate/Guest” to learn more.
Health, Life & Disability
- Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.
- Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus.
- Vision benefit.
- Company paid life insurance (2X base pay).
- Company paid AD&D (1X base pay).
- Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums.
- Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid.
- Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid. Ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay.
- Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance).
- Paid Parental Leave.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption.
- Employee discount program.
Retirement
- 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions.
- Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP).
Time off
ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Salaried exempt positions are provided vacation under a permissive time away policy.
ABBCareers
RunwithABB
Runwhatrunstheworld
Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.
Principal R&D Engineer Job Roles in South Carolina
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Search Principal R&D Engineer Jobs in South CarolinaPrincipal R&D Engineer Jobs in South Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for principal R&D engineers in South Carolina?
BMW Manufacturing in Spartanburg, Michelin North America in Greenville, and Bosch Rexroth in Fountain Inn are among the most active sponsors of engineering roles in South Carolina. GE Gas Power in Greenville and Lockheed Martin's Upstate operations also file sponsorship petitions for senior R&D engineering positions. These large multinational employers have established HR infrastructure for H-1B visa and other work visa processes.
Which visa types realistically fit principal R&D engineer roles in South Carolina?
Principal R&D engineer roles qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B, requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related engineering field. The H-1B is subject to an annual cap and selection process. The E-3 visa applies to Australian nationals, and the H-1B1 visa covers Chilean and Singaporean nationals, both requiring a Labor Condition Application. Canadian and Mexican nationals with an engineering degree may qualify under TN visa status. EB-2 and EB-3 green card pathways are also available for permanent sponsorship.
How to find principal r&d engineer visa sponsorship jobs in South Carolina?
Migrate Mate lists principal R&D engineer roles with verified visa sponsorship history in South Carolina, searchable by city and employer. Because sponsorship intent isn't always stated in job postings, Migrate Mate surfaces employers with documented sponsorship activity in engineering roles, making it easier to target companies in the Greenville-Spartanburg corridor, Charleston, and Columbia that have a track record of filing for senior R&D positions.
Which cities in South Carolina have the most principal R&D engineer sponsorship jobs?
Greenville and Spartanburg together form the state's strongest corridor for R&D engineering sponsorship, anchored by automotive and advanced manufacturing firms. Charleston is a secondary hub driven by aerospace and defense contractors. Columbia, home to the University of South Carolina and several technology-adjacent employers, also generates R&D engineering roles. The Upstate region as a whole accounts for the majority of senior engineering sponsorship filings in the state.
Are there any South Carolina-specific considerations for principal R&D engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
South Carolina's manufacturing base means many principal R&D engineer openings are tied to production-adjacent innovation centers rather than standalone research campuses. Employers like BMW and Michelin often require on-site presence, which affects remote or hybrid arrangements that some visa holders prefer. The University of South Carolina and Clemson University feed engineering talent pipelines and occasionally partner with industry sponsors on sponsored research roles, which can involve J-1 visa exchange visitor arrangements for research-focused positions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored principal r&d engineer jobs in South Carolina?
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.