Operations Technician Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee
Operations technician jobs in Tennessee span manufacturing, utilities, and chemical processing, with major employers like Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, Volkswagen in Chattanooga, and Tennessee Valley Authority facilities across the state. Memphis, Nashville, and the Tri-Cities region are the primary hiring hubs for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship in this field.
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Get Access To All JobsAbout xAI
xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All engineers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
About the Role
The O&M Technician is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of a 1.2 GW behind-the-meter simple-cycle load following facility consisting of multiple LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine generators, balance-of-plant systems, and associated electrical distribution. This is a true multi-skilled “hybrid” position requiring proven hands-on expertise in control room operations, mechanical maintenance, electrical, instrumentation & controls (I&C), and water treatment/chemistry for the LM6000 platform.
Responsibilities
- Perform Control Room Operator duties:
- Safely start, operate, monitor, and shut down LM6000 gas turbines and BOP systems.
- Execute fast-start dispatches, respond to alarms, and provide effective communication to the facility operations team.
- Maintain shift logs, LOTO records, and regulatory compliance documentation.
- Perform Mechanical maintenance specific to LM6000:
- Perform Level 1–2 maintenance, borescope inspections, combustor/TBC inspections, and unit alignment.
-
Replace VBV/IGV actuators, perform lube oil system maintenance, and service starters/clutches.
-
Perform Electrical maintenance:
- Test and maintain 13.8 kV switchgear, generator breakers, and MODs.
- Test exciter, and AVR; calibrate protective relays; support black-start diesel.
-
Troubleshoot 480 V MCCs, test motors, and perform infrared thermography.
-
Perform Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) duties:
- Calibrate and troubleshoot vibration, temperature, pressure, and speed sensors.
-
Test fire & gas systems (Det-Tronics, etc.) and perform loop checks.
-
Perform Water Treatment & Chemistry duties:
- Operate Reverse Osmosis/demineralized water system daily for NOx water, SPRINT, fogging, and water wash system.
-
Test water purity (conductivity, silica, TDS, pH), dose chemicals, and regenerate resin beds.
-
Execute LOTO, hot work, confined-space permits.
- Lead or support scheduled LM6000 borescope, combustion, and hot section outages.
- Maintain critical spares inventory and CMMS records.
- Mentor apprentices and contractors.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 2–5 years of direct hands-on experience on LM 6000 aeroderivative turbines (Level 1/2/3 maintenance qualified strongly preferred).
- Demonstrated competency in at least three of the five core disciplines: Control Room Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, I&C, and Water Treatment/Chemistry.
- Ability to read and interpret LM6000-specific P&IDs, electrical one-line diagrams; Medium-voltage experience is a plus.
- Strong computer skills.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background check, drug screen, respiratory fit test, and physical.
- Physical Requirements:
- Work at heights, in confined spaces, and around high-voltage equipment.
- Lift 50+ lbs repeatedly, climb turbine enclosures, and wear full PPE including respirator.
- Tolerate high heat and humidity inside LM6000 enclosures and outdoor extreme weather conditions.
Preferred Qualifications
- LM6000 Level 1, 2, or 3 Maintenance Certification.
- DCS Maintenance & Troubleshooting.
- NFPA 70E Electrical Safety.
- Vibration Analyst Category II or higher.
xAI is an equal opportunity employer.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Notice
About xAI
xAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All engineers are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
About the Role
The O&M Technician is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of a 1.2 GW behind-the-meter simple-cycle load following facility consisting of multiple LM6000 aeroderivative gas turbine generators, balance-of-plant systems, and associated electrical distribution. This is a true multi-skilled “hybrid” position requiring proven hands-on expertise in control room operations, mechanical maintenance, electrical, instrumentation & controls (I&C), and water treatment/chemistry for the LM6000 platform.
Responsibilities
- Perform Control Room Operator duties:
- Safely start, operate, monitor, and shut down LM6000 gas turbines and BOP systems.
- Execute fast-start dispatches, respond to alarms, and provide effective communication to the facility operations team.
- Maintain shift logs, LOTO records, and regulatory compliance documentation.
- Perform Mechanical maintenance specific to LM6000:
- Perform Level 1–2 maintenance, borescope inspections, combustor/TBC inspections, and unit alignment.
-
Replace VBV/IGV actuators, perform lube oil system maintenance, and service starters/clutches.
-
Perform Electrical maintenance:
- Test and maintain 13.8 kV switchgear, generator breakers, and MODs.
- Test exciter, and AVR; calibrate protective relays; support black-start diesel.
-
Troubleshoot 480 V MCCs, test motors, and perform infrared thermography.
-
Perform Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) duties:
- Calibrate and troubleshoot vibration, temperature, pressure, and speed sensors.
-
Test fire & gas systems (Det-Tronics, etc.) and perform loop checks.
-
Perform Water Treatment & Chemistry duties:
- Operate Reverse Osmosis/demineralized water system daily for NOx water, SPRINT, fogging, and water wash system.
-
Test water purity (conductivity, silica, TDS, pH), dose chemicals, and regenerate resin beds.
-
Execute LOTO, hot work, confined-space permits.
- Lead or support scheduled LM6000 borescope, combustion, and hot section outages.
- Maintain critical spares inventory and CMMS records.
- Mentor apprentices and contractors.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum 2–5 years of direct hands-on experience on LM 6000 aeroderivative turbines (Level 1/2/3 maintenance qualified strongly preferred).
- Demonstrated competency in at least three of the five core disciplines: Control Room Operations, Mechanical, Electrical, I&C, and Water Treatment/Chemistry.
- Ability to read and interpret LM6000-specific P&IDs, electrical one-line diagrams; Medium-voltage experience is a plus.
- Strong computer skills.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background check, drug screen, respiratory fit test, and physical.
- Physical Requirements:
- Work at heights, in confined spaces, and around high-voltage equipment.
- Lift 50+ lbs repeatedly, climb turbine enclosures, and wear full PPE including respirator.
- Tolerate high heat and humidity inside LM6000 enclosures and outdoor extreme weather conditions.
Preferred Qualifications
- LM6000 Level 1, 2, or 3 Maintenance Certification.
- DCS Maintenance & Troubleshooting.
- NFPA 70E Electrical Safety.
- Vibration Analyst Category II or higher.
xAI is an equal opportunity employer.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Notice
Operations Technician Job Roles in Tennessee
See all 422+ Operations Technician Jobs in Tennessee
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Search Operations Technician Jobs in TennesseeOperations Technician Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for operations technicians in Tennessee?
Large industrial and manufacturing employers are the most consistent sponsors. Eastman Chemical in Kingsport, Volkswagen Group of America in Chattanooga, and Tennessee Valley Authority have all filed H-1B Labor Condition Applications for technical operations roles. Chemical plants along the Tennessee River corridor and automotive suppliers near Smyrna also appear in Department of Labor disclosure data as sponsoring employers for this role category.
Which visa types are most common for operations technician roles in Tennessee?
The H-1B is the most commonly used visa for operations technicians, provided the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field such as chemical engineering or industrial technology. TN visa status is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals if the role fits a qualifying USMCA occupation. Some positions in utilities or defense-adjacent industries may also support L-1 transfers for internal company moves.
How to find operations technician visa sponsorship jobs in Tennessee?
Migrate Mate filters operations technician jobs specifically by visa sponsorship history, so you can browse Tennessee openings without sorting through employers unlikely to sponsor. The platform is particularly useful for identifying which Chattanooga, Memphis, and Kingsport-area employers have an active track record of sponsoring international candidates, rather than applying broadly and following up on sponsorship availability later.
Which cities in Tennessee have the most operations technician sponsorship jobs?
Chattanooga leads due to its concentration of advanced manufacturing, including the Volkswagen plant and a growing network of automotive suppliers. Kingsport and Johnson City in the Tri-Cities area are significant hubs for chemical and industrial operations roles, anchored by Eastman Chemical. Memphis supports operations technician hiring in logistics and distribution. Nashville is a smaller but growing market as life sciences and manufacturing investment increases in Middle Tennessee.
Are there state-specific considerations for operations technician visa sponsorship in Tennessee?
Tennessee's strong manufacturing base means many operations technician roles are tied to production environments where in-person presence is required from day one, which affects how quickly employers need to complete the sponsorship process. The state has no income tax on wages, which can factor into prevailing wage calculations that employers must meet under Department of Labor rules. University programs at Tennessee Tech and the University of Tennessee also supply domestic talent pipelines, so international candidates tend to be more competitive when they bring specialized process or systems experience.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored operations technician 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.
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