Controls Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Controls engineering is a strong fit for H-1B visa sponsorship since it clearly qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring an engineering degree. Manufacturing companies, automation firms, and industrial tech companies regularly sponsor for these roles. You'll also see L-1 visa transfers at multinational engineering firms. The demand for controls engineers tends to outpace supply, which works in your favor. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Requisition ID # 174327
Job Category: Business Operations / Strategy
Job Level: Individual Contributor
Business Unit: Energy Delivery
Work Type: Onsite
Job Location: San Ramon
Department Overview
Gas Operations is focused on ensuring the safe and reliable flow of natural gas to our customers. As a whole, Gas Operations is responsible for all aspects of PG&E's gas distribution and transmission operations, including planning, engineering, maintenance and construction, restoration and emergency response.
Position Summary
This job is represented by Engineers and Scientists of California (ESC) subject to collective bargaining.
A journey level Analyst position that provides support to Associate to Journey Project Manager level distribution and/or transmission projects (per Project Types table) with minimal guidance of the Project Manager/PCA Supervisor. If assigned, may perform functions in the Project Support Function; the Central Data Management Function; and/or the Central Financial Analysis Functions.
PG&E is providing the monthly rate range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual hourly rate paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity. This position is subject to collectively bargained hourly wage rates. The monthly rate for this position ranges from $8,279.00 to $11,035.00.
Job Responsibilities
Project Support Functions
Schedule Development and Analysis:
- In coordination with Project Manager develop project schedule and cash flow/forecast plans with functional department input.
- Attend Project and Job kickoff and walk down meetings.
- Create, maintain and update schedules.
- Document, monitor and communicate project milestones and risks with appropriate stakeholders.
- Participate in project status meetings, collect progress data and revise project plan as needed.
- Monitor financial progress and maintain Project Manager’s order group. Develop, maintain and control project schedule plans using appropriate software (for ex: SAP Project System, SAP Work Management System, and MS Project).
Cost Plan Development and Analysis:
- Use the cost and schedule plan to determine if project objectives are achievable.
- Create, maintain, and update monthly forecast budgets.
- Prepare various cost reports and maintain forecast accuracy. Prepare project performance analysis, cost, and schedule status reports. Identify cost and schedule variances from objectives and recommend corrective action.
- Assess and report on project performance using established industry standards.
- Ensure that responses to project budget, and GRC or FERC cost requests reflect accurate and current project cost information and stakeholders are in concurrence.
- Provide regular communication on project cost, schedule and risk status to project team members, stakeholders and public.
- Interface with design and planning resources and software systems.
- Review and assist in the preparation of Advance Authorizations, Job Estimates and Re-Authorizations and assist PM in routing for approval.
- Prepare journal entries and coordinate or process goods receipts in current software system.
- Ensure that responses to budget and cost requests reflect correct project cost information and stakeholders are in concurrence.
- Input data into various programs and prepare various cost and forecasting reports.
Project Documentation & Reporting:
- Verify that project cost and schedule milestones were/were not attained and provide input to identify future process or business improvements and work with responsible parties to implement.
- Manage orders from inception through completion and all required documentation is entered in current software system (Ex: EDMS).
- Resolve all open items, ensure compliance requirements are met and settlement rules are entered, and close out order.
- Maintain scope change, contingency release, change order, and journal entry logs.
- Maintain written and electronic project documentation and records for required aspects of the project: Maintain project files in accordance with established guidelines and requirements (Ex: utilizing the electronic document management system or EDMS).
- Document change order requests, project status, key issues, risks and resolution, priority changes and approvals.
- Provide Project Manager with monthly report of project costs and/or schedule information including variance analysis according to an agreed upon level of detail and prioritization.
- Provide Project Team members with current status report containing schedule and cost information. Comply with Utility Operations Policies, Standards and Guidelines.
- Assist PM with Post Job Critique.
Central Data Management Functions
Data Management:
- Maintain Construction Management Databases for tracking Operational Metrics.
Quality and Analysis:
- Prepare various monthly and weekly project management reports and report performance reports to management group including scorecards.
- Ensure quality of reports for the department, to report out to stakeholders.
- Validate weekly and monthly data sets.
- May provide support to project manager(s) as necessary.
System Support:
- Provide technical support for the job status system (e.g. CMP), for the Department.
Special Projects:
- Fulfill ad-hoc requests for cost-related data and analysis.
- Participate on (or lead) various process improvement initiatives, within Project Services.
Central Financial Analysis Functions
Project Budget & Cycle Forecast Monitoring/Reporting:
- Prepare various monthly and weekly project performance reports – budget and cycle forecast reports; and finance status reports, utilizing the financial tracking software (e.g. SAP/BW system and PMD).
- Coordinate and work with all stakeholders, on creating new reports, that best measure and support good business decisions, to meet the Year End Annual Budget target.
- Coordinate and summarize project cycle forecast variance explanations, for the department, to report out to stakeholders.
- Ensure that all responses to budget, quarterly cycle requests reflect accurate and current project cost information and stakeholders are in concurrence.
- Post and update all the project performance; budget and cycle forecast; and status reports on the Project Management website.
Financial and Performance Management:
- Monitor, analyze and report out on the Department’s Forecasting Performance, with weekly performance reports, utilizing the financial tracking tools (e.g. SAP/BW).
- Analyze financial results on a monthly basis, providing explanations of significant cost drivers to PM Leadership – reports such as the Green-Red Scorecard and Lessons Learned Reports.
Qualifications
Minimum:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or its equivalent in education and experience
- 1 year experience in an electric or gas transmission and/or distribution business operations area, business planning, accounting, finance, construction management and/or project management, two years experience if hired externally
Desired:
- Experience with appropriate software tools, currently SAP Work Management, Controlling Orders, Planning Orders, and BW
- Project Management, Project Controls, or Construction Management experience
- Risk Management and Earned Value Analysis experience
- Accounting/budgeting knowledge
- Mathematical skills
- Forecasting skills
- Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Controls Engineer
Highlight PLC and SCADA expertise on your resume
Proficiency in Allen-Bradley (Rockwell), Siemens S7, or Schneider Electric PLCs is the baseline for most controls engineering roles. Adding SCADA platforms like Ignition, Wonderware, or FactoryTalk View strengthens your profile and demonstrates the specialized industrial knowledge that supports an H-1B petition.
Target companies in advanced manufacturing and energy
Tesla, Rivian, and large pharmaceutical manufacturers have sponsored controls engineers for automation and production line roles. Energy companies operating power plants, refineries, and LNG facilities also hire controls engineers and may sponsor for roles requiring DCS (Distributed Control System) expertise.
Use STEM OPT to gain plant commissioning experience
Electrical or mechanical engineering degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Use the full 36 months to participate in at least one plant commissioning or major system retrofit - this type of end-to-end project experience is highly valued and hard to replicate quickly.
Build proficiency in industrial networking protocols
Experience with EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, and OPC UA sets you apart from candidates who only know PLC programming. Controls engineers who understand both the automation logic and the communication infrastructure that connects it are in short supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What industries hire controls engineers with visa sponsorship?
Automotive manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, oil and gas, food and beverage, and power generation are the primary industries. Companies in these sectors need controls engineers for PLC programming, system integration, and automation upgrades. The semiconductor fab expansion in the U.S. has also created new demand for controls engineers in cleanroom automation.
Is a specific degree required for controls engineer visa sponsorship?
Most H-1B visa petitions for controls engineers are filed under electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related engineering discipline. A bachelor's degree in one of these fields is typically the minimum. Some employers accept degrees in mechatronics, automation engineering, or industrial engineering, especially when combined with relevant PLC programming certifications.
Do controls engineering roles require travel that affects visa holders?
Many controls engineering positions, particularly at system integrators, involve travel to client sites for commissioning and troubleshooting. H-1B holders can travel within the U.S. for work-related purposes, though you should carry your I-797 approval notice and a valid passport. International travel requires a valid H-1B visa stamp for re-entry.
What certifications help controls engineers seeking sponsorship?
A Certified Automation Professional (CAP) credential from the International Society of Automation (ISA) is the most recognized industry certification. Vendor-specific certifications from Rockwell Automation, Siemens, or Schneider Electric also demonstrate specialized knowledge that can support your visa petition.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Controls Engineer jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a controls engineer in California will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.
How to find Controls Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
Use Migrate Mate to find Controls Engineer positions with visa sponsorship opportunities. Focus on manufacturing companies, automation firms, and industrial technology businesses that commonly sponsor H-1B, TN visa, and O-1 visas for engineering roles. These employers typically need specialized skills in PLC programming, SCADA systems, and process automation that Controls Engineers provide.