Chemicals & Materials Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Tennessee's chemicals and materials industry centers on major hubs like Nashville, Memphis, and Kingsport, where companies like Eastman Chemical, DuPont, and International Paper regularly sponsor visas for chemical engineers, materials scientists, and process engineers. The state's strong manufacturing base and research universities create consistent demand for international talent in specialty chemicals, polymers, and advanced materials development.
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Get Access To All JobsElectrical Controls Lead
Department: Maintenance
Reports to: Maintenance Leader
FLSA Status: Exempt; Hourly
Revised Date: 4/2026
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Electrical Controls Lead is responsible for the technical leadership, reliability, and continuous improvement of electrical and automation systems within a high‑technology manufacturing facility. This role serves as the subject‑matter expert for PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, robotics, and process control systems, while leading and developing a team of electrical and controls technicians. The position partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Technical/Quality, Engineering, IT/OT, and Safety to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Leadership & Systems Ownership
- Serve as the site technical authority for electrical power distribution, PLCs, HMIs, motion control, robotics, vision systems, and industrial networks.
- Own standards for controls architecture, programming, documentation, and change management.
- Lead troubleshooting of complex electrical and controls failures to minimize downtime and prevent recurrence.
- Support new equipment installations, commissioning, and acceptance testing.
- Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and company engineering guidelines.
Reliability & Continuous Improvement
- Drive reliability improvements through root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode analysis, and preventive/predictive maintenance strategies.
- Identify and implement control strategies.
- Support and lead kaizen events, 5S activities, and lean manufacturing initiatives across the plant.
- Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance equipment performance, reliability, and maintainability.
- Ensure all control systems operate reliably, effectively, and in alignment with plant safety and quality standards.
- Support TPM, continuous improvement, and digital manufacturing initiatives.
- Maintain accurate electrical schematics, PLC programs, backups, and asset documentation.
Team Leadership & Development
- Provide technical directions and coaching to electrical and controls technicians.
- Support training and skill development in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and automation technologies.
- Participate in staffing assessments, succession planning, and performance feedback.
- Act as escalation support for shift maintenance teams during critical events.
Collaboration & Project Support
- Partner with Operations and Engineering to optimize equipment performance and process control.
- Coordinate with IT/OT resources on network security, system integration, and data reliability.
- Support capital projects, automation expansions, and technology roadmaps.
- Communicate effectively across shifts and departments to ensure alignment and execution.
Safety & Compliance
- Champion electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), arc‑flash mitigation, and safe work practices.
- Ensure controls modifications follow proper management of change (MOC) processes.
- Promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership and accountability.
Job Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Associates Degree in technical field required
- 5 years of experience in electrical/controls maintenance within a manufacturing environment
- Experience in high‑technology, automated, or continuous‑process manufacturing.
- Robotics, vision systems, or advanced motion control experience.
- Familiarity with OT cybersecurity and networked control systems.
- Project leadership or capital project support experience.
- CMMS, TPM, or reliability‑centered maintenance experience.
- High level of competency with Allen-Bradley PLC (Control Logix), HMI.
- Knowledge of National Electrical Code (NEC).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Technical depth and structured problem solving
- Leadership and coaching capability
- On‑call or off‑shift support as required for critical issues or project execution
- Strong communication across technical and non‑technical teams
- Bias for safety, reliability, and continuous improvement
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Planning and organizational skills
- Basic computer skills
- Knowledge of SAP system
- Analyze and interpret the area’s Top Losses
- Adhere to 5S Standard
- Identify abnormalities and write Red/Blue tags
- Create and train on OPL (One-point lessons)
- Adhere to CI Standard
- Identify HTA’s and SOC’s
- Identify safety hazards in work area as part of Step 0
- Understand Problem-Solving/5 Whys
- Understand TPM methodology
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Wear required PPE equipment (safety glasses, bump cap, steel toe boots, ear protection, heat/cut resistant gloves, long sleeve shirt, and face mask)
- Climb and descend stairs
- Manufacturing environment with exposure to industrial equipment and electrical systems
- Lift, push, and pull 50lbs as needed
- Repetitive hand, arm, leg movements
COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE COMPETENCIES
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite
- SAP experience is a plus
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Complete all annual safety and role specific training, as required by the nature of this position
- Must pass all required assessments
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
Electrical Controls Lead
Department: Maintenance
Reports to: Maintenance Leader
FLSA Status: Exempt; Hourly
Revised Date: 4/2026
PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Electrical Controls Lead is responsible for the technical leadership, reliability, and continuous improvement of electrical and automation systems within a high‑technology manufacturing facility. This role serves as the subject‑matter expert for PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, robotics, and process control systems, while leading and developing a team of electrical and controls technicians. The position partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Technical/Quality, Engineering, IT/OT, and Safety to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Leadership & Systems Ownership
- Serve as the site technical authority for electrical power distribution, PLCs, HMIs, motion control, robotics, vision systems, and industrial networks.
- Own standards for controls architecture, programming, documentation, and change management.
- Lead troubleshooting of complex electrical and controls failures to minimize downtime and prevent recurrence.
- Support new equipment installations, commissioning, and acceptance testing.
- Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and company engineering guidelines.
Reliability & Continuous Improvement
- Drive reliability improvements through root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode analysis, and preventive/predictive maintenance strategies.
- Identify and implement control strategies.
- Support and lead kaizen events, 5S activities, and lean manufacturing initiatives across the plant.
- Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance equipment performance, reliability, and maintainability.
- Ensure all control systems operate reliably, effectively, and in alignment with plant safety and quality standards.
- Support TPM, continuous improvement, and digital manufacturing initiatives.
- Maintain accurate electrical schematics, PLC programs, backups, and asset documentation.
Team Leadership & Development
- Provide technical directions and coaching to electrical and controls technicians.
- Support training and skill development in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and automation technologies.
- Participate in staffing assessments, succession planning, and performance feedback.
- Act as escalation support for shift maintenance teams during critical events.
Collaboration & Project Support
- Partner with Operations and Engineering to optimize equipment performance and process control.
- Coordinate with IT/OT resources on network security, system integration, and data reliability.
- Support capital projects, automation expansions, and technology roadmaps.
- Communicate effectively across shifts and departments to ensure alignment and execution.
Safety & Compliance
- Champion electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), arc‑flash mitigation, and safe work practices.
- Ensure controls modifications follow proper management of change (MOC) processes.
- Promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership and accountability.
Job Requirements
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Associates Degree in technical field required
- 5 years of experience in electrical/controls maintenance within a manufacturing environment
- Experience in high‑technology, automated, or continuous‑process manufacturing.
- Robotics, vision systems, or advanced motion control experience.
- Familiarity with OT cybersecurity and networked control systems.
- Project leadership or capital project support experience.
- CMMS, TPM, or reliability‑centered maintenance experience.
- High level of competency with Allen-Bradley PLC (Control Logix), HMI.
- Knowledge of National Electrical Code (NEC).
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Technical depth and structured problem solving
- Leadership and coaching capability
- On‑call or off‑shift support as required for critical issues or project execution
- Strong communication across technical and non‑technical teams
- Bias for safety, reliability, and continuous improvement
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Planning and organizational skills
- Basic computer skills
- Knowledge of SAP system
- Analyze and interpret the area’s Top Losses
- Adhere to 5S Standard
- Identify abnormalities and write Red/Blue tags
- Create and train on OPL (One-point lessons)
- Adhere to CI Standard
- Identify HTA’s and SOC’s
- Identify safety hazards in work area as part of Step 0
- Understand Problem-Solving/5 Whys
- Understand TPM methodology
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Wear required PPE equipment (safety glasses, bump cap, steel toe boots, ear protection, heat/cut resistant gloves, long sleeve shirt, and face mask)
- Climb and descend stairs
- Manufacturing environment with exposure to industrial equipment and electrical systems
- Lift, push, and pull 50lbs as needed
- Repetitive hand, arm, leg movements
COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE COMPETENCIES
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite
- SAP experience is a plus
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Complete all annual safety and role specific training, as required by the nature of this position
- Must pass all required assessments
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
Chemicals & Materials Job Roles in Tennessee
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Search Chemicals & Materials Jobs in TennesseeChemicals & Materials Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which chemicals & materials companies sponsor visas in Tennessee?
Major sponsors include Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, DuPont operations in Nashville area, International Paper with facilities across the state, and Bridgestone Americas in Nashville. Regional chemical manufacturers, specialty materials companies, and pharmaceutical operations also frequently sponsor H-1B visa and other work visas for technical roles requiring specialized degrees in chemistry, chemical engineering, or materials science.
Which visa types are most common for chemicals & materials roles in Tennessee?
H-1B visas dominate for chemical engineers, materials scientists, and research chemists requiring bachelor's degrees. L-1 visas are common for international chemical companies transferring employees to Tennessee operations. O-1 visas may apply for senior researchers or specialists with extraordinary ability in materials innovation. TN visas serve Canadian and Mexican chemical engineers, while E-3 visas are available for Australian professionals.
How to find chemicals & materials visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate specializes in connecting international professionals with Tennessee employers offering visa sponsorship in chemicals and materials. The platform filters opportunities by visa type and location, focusing on companies with proven sponsorship history in chemical engineering, materials science, and related technical roles throughout Tennessee's major industrial centers and research facilities.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most chemicals & materials sponsorship jobs?
Kingsport leads with Eastman Chemical's major operations, followed by Nashville-area chemical and materials companies. Memphis offers opportunities in specialty chemicals and logistics-related materials roles. Chattanooga and Knoxville provide additional options through manufacturing operations and university research partnerships. These cities concentrate the highest volume of visa sponsorship opportunities in the sector.
What makes Tennessee attractive for chemicals & materials professionals seeking sponsorship?
Tennessee offers no state income tax, competitive cost of living, and strong industry clusters around major chemical operations. The state's central location provides logistical advantages for materials distribution. University partnerships with Vanderbilt, University of Tennessee, and others create research collaboration opportunities. Established chemical manufacturing infrastructure and business-friendly environment encourage long-term visa sponsorship commitments from employers.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored chemicals & materials jobs in Tennessee?
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.