Automation Developer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Automation Developer jobs attract strong H-1B visa sponsorship because the role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a directly related bachelor's degree. Employers file a Labor Condition Application before sponsoring, and the annual H-1B cap and lottery mean timing your job search around the April filing window matters.
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INTRODUCTION
Sprague is passionate about delivering diverse products and programs that warm, power and move the world. We keep homes warm through Northeastern winters and hospitals cool through summer. We help small businesses focus on serving their communities, and our renewable fuels keep our country’s infrastructure running. From importing wind energy components to deploying leading-edge solar technology to help power terminal facilities, we are committed to continually evolving to meet our customers’ changing energy needs.
Our Culture
We recently surveyed our employees to ask them their favorite part of the job. They answered, "The people I work with."
In addition to great coworkers, you’ll enjoy perks like medical benefits and retirement contributions that start on your first day. Employees start with three weeks (15 days) of paid vacation time per year! Sprague also provides tuition reimbursement for any employee that would like to further their education. Do you like to get involved where you work? Is giving back important to you? It’s important to us, too! Sprague donates back to the communities in which we live and work every year and provides opportunities for employees to support various charities throughout the year. In addition, Sprague offers paid volunteer time to allow employees to support charities which are meaningful to them in the communities in which they live. Sprague has a range of committees to support varying initiatives (Sustainability, Charitable, Scholarship, Innovation, FunForce, etc.). Sprague is a place that cares about its employees, its community, and about creating a place where people want to come to work every day.
Plus, we have some great benefits!
- 401(k) Traditional and Roth plans with employer match of 100% of the first 6% of the employee’s contribution
- Defined Contribution Plan with an automatic contribution from Sprague
- Paid Volunteer Time
- Flexible Working Policy
- Choice of high deductible and PPO Health Plans to fit your individual needs
- Wellness Program
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are seeking an experienced Industrial Automation Application Developer to support our terminal automation systems and industrial automation solutions, including the back-office database systems that support these applications. This role encompasses software development, engineering, system integration, and vendor management responsibilities.
The position is responsible for ensuring the reliability, security, performance, and continuous improvement of Terminal Automation Systems (TAS), including loading rack controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), tank gauging systems, SCADA integrations, and interfaces with enterprise systems. Our ideal candidate will be able to perform duties in high pressure, time sensitive situations.
This opportunity will be remote and requires you to live within a 1 to 2-hour commute of Portsmouth, NH.
Key Responsibilities:
- Knowledge and familiarity with load rack operations
- Installation, upgrades, maintenance, and support of multiple terminal automation systems, including DTN Guardian G3 and TopTech TMS6/7, and support systems
- Ensure continuous availability of critical systems including terminal automation, tank gauging, PLC, and HMI systems
- Effectively communicate and manage issues with product vendors
- Understanding of general operation, programming, wiring, and communication functions of AccuLoads and Multiloads, Weigh scales, PLC’s, and instrumentation
- Ensure accurate data flow from terminal systems to corporate reporting platforms for inventory, throughput, and compliance metrics
- Develop and maintain documentation and procedures
- Develop and set up distribution of data reports
- Provide 1st and 2nd level 24/7 on-call production support for systems as part of rotation with other team members
- Work as a member of a team to design cost effective technology solutions in support of functional business requirements
- Develop and maintain HMI screens for terminal automation, loading rack control, and industrial weighing systems with a focus on clarity, operator efficiency, and safety
- Design, configure, and troubleshoot PLC logic for loading racks, safety interlocks, permissive, and industrial weighing processes
- Integrate PLCs with terminal automation platforms, and field instrumentation using Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, and serial protocols
- Diagnose PLC communication issues, I/O faults, and network disruptions to restore operational continuity
- Design and maintain industrial control system architectures, including Studio 5000 environments, FactoryTalk, Modbus TCP networks, and Ethernet based instrumentation
- Configure and troubleshoot Modbus TCP communication between PLCs, HMIs, and automation controllers
- Ability to perform duties in high pressure, time sensitive situations
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to apply technical knowledge
- Occasional, but periodically frequent, travel as needed, when needed
- Other projects as assigned
Do you like to solve problems and consider yourself forward thinking? If you are looking for a place to challenge yourself, then Sprague is your place. Sprague employees are dedicated and driven. We work best as a team, knowing that collaboration leads to innovation and the best customer experience. We are looking for hardworking colleagues to join us and help us stay at the forefront of the energy industry, which is where we’ve been for over 150 years.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualified candidates for this role will have the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and a minimum of seven years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully perform the job
- Knowledge of liquid and weigh scale terminal loading operations
- Knowledge and experience with load rack metering devices (AccuLoad, MultiLoad)
- Experience with management of terminal automation system applications including DTN G3 and Toptech TMS6/7
- Experience with PLC/HMI programming, including Allen Bradley
- Extensive database experience (Oracle, SQL Server, MySQL)
- Research and resolve issues independently / strong problem solving skills
- Ability to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team
- Ability to prioritize workload, perform under pressure in a fast-paced environment and relate to customers/outside contacts and fellow employees
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk
- Frequent use of computer keyboard and mouse
- Occasional reaching and stretching
- Occasional lifting and carrying light objects (usually up to 10 pounds)
- Moving within the office environment, including visits to different departments or meeting rooms
- Prolonged periods of computer monitor work, reading documents, and detailed work
- Frequent typing and use of office equipment
- Ability to communicate clearly over the phone, video conferencing and in person
WHO WE ARE
Sprague takes a collaborative, customer-centric approach to providing best-in-class energy products and related services throughout the Northeast. Founded in 1870, we pride ourselves on offering customers the expert solutions and high-quality service that help their businesses thrive in any market landscape. Sprague values innovation, safety, integrity and people. We know that our people are what set us apart from our competition, and we work hard to make sure each employee across our 20+ locations knows how important they are to our community.
Come join us to learn why we are consistently celebrating 20-, 30-, and even 40-year anniversaries here at Sprague!
Sprague is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We strive to create a respectful and inclusive environment which welcomes people from all backgrounds and experiences.
As a federal contractor we adhere to OFCCP employment regulations. Click here for OFCCP compliance information
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Automation Developer
Frame your degree for specialty occupation
Automation Developer roles require a degree directly related to the position, not just any technical field. A computer science or electrical engineering degree maps cleanly, but software engineering or mechatronics can work too if you document how your coursework aligns with automation systems.
Search LCA filings by job code
Use Migrate Mate to browse employers with verified LCA filing history for automation and controls roles. Employers who have filed before understand the process and are far less likely to withdraw an offer mid-sponsorship than first-time sponsors.
Target companies with PLC and SCADA projects
Manufacturers, utilities, and defense contractors running PLC, SCADA, or robotics programs file H-1B petitions for Automation Developers regularly. Identifying employers by their industrial automation footprint, not just their job postings, surfaces sponsors that generic tech job searches miss.
Verify prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Your employer must certify your salary meets the prevailing wage on the LCA. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the Level I through Level IV wage for your occupation and location before salary discussions, so you can confirm the offer will pass DOL review.
Clarify visa type eligibility with your nationality
If you're Australian, the E-3 visa gives you an uncapped path with no lottery and a 10,500 annual limit that's never been exhausted. If you're from Chile or Singapore, the H-1B1 visa offers a similar lottery-free route. Both require employer LCA filing just like the H-1B.
Get your PERM documentation ready early
If your employer plans to sponsor a green card after your H-1B, the PERM labor certification requires proof that no qualified U.S. worker was available. For Automation Developer roles, your certifications in tools like Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Rockwell Automation strengthen your unique-qualification argument in that process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Automation Developer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, Automation Developer roles typically qualify because they require theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge, and a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field such as computer science, electrical engineering, or systems engineering is a standard entry requirement. USCIS reviews the job duties and degree requirement on a case-by-case basis, so your employer's job description needs to reflect that a specific technical degree is a minimum, not just a preference.
Which visa types can Automation Developers use to work in the U.S.?
H-1B is the most common path, subject to the annual cap and lottery. Australian nationals can use the E-3 visa, which has no lottery and is rarely oversubscribed. Chilean nationals have access to the H-1B1 visa with a 1,400-slot annual cap, and Singapore nationals have an 5,400-slot H-1B1 allocation. All three require employer LCA filing with DOL before the visa application.
What degree does an Automation Developer need to get sponsored?
A bachelor's degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mechatronics, systems engineering, or a closely related technical field generally satisfies the specialty occupation requirement. A general business or unrelated STEM degree is unlikely to pass USCIS scrutiny unless you can document coursework directly applicable to automation systems. O*NET classifies this occupation in a high-skill job zone requiring substantial preparation in a related discipline.
How do I find Automation Developer jobs where the employer will sponsor a visa?
Browse Automation Developer roles on Migrate Mate, which lists employers with verified visa sponsorship history for this type of role. That cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that have never sponsored before and reduces the risk of an offer falling through when HR discovers the complexity of the process.
Does having PLC or SCADA certification help with H-1B sponsorship approval?
Certifications in platforms like Allen-Bradley, Siemens TIA Portal, or Ignition don't directly affect H-1B approval, which turns on degree relevance and specialty occupation status. They do matter indirectly: if your employer later pursues PERM green card sponsorship, documented specialized skills that U.S. workers don't commonly hold can support the argument that you have unique qualifications the job genuinely requires.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Automation Developer jobs?
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.