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.
Find Controls Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 3,555+ Controls Engineer jobs










See all 3,555+ Controls Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Controls Engineer roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Johnson Controls, a global leader in thermal management, mission-critical building systems, energy efficiency, and decarbonization, helps customers use energy more productively, reduce carbon emissions, and operate with the precision and resilience required in rapidly expanding industries such as data centers, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, and higher education.
For more than 140 years, Johnson Controls has delivered performance where it really matters. Backed by advanced technology, lifecycle services and an industry-leading field organization, we elevate customer performance, turn goals into real-world results and help move society forward.
What we offer:
- Competitive Starting Pay
- On the Job Paid Training
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Global Advancement Opportunities with Unlimited Career Path
- Company Vehicle (as applicable)
- Referral Bonuses
- Comprehensive Benefits
- Medical/Dental/Vision insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) savings plan with company match
- Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Wellness Program
- And more!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What you will do
Under direct supervision and using established standards, responsible for hardware designs and software programming for HVAC control systems to meet the intent of the project requirements.
Provides detailed information and submittals to communicate design and operation to customers, consultants, Johnson Controls field installation team and subcontractors. Responds to basic warranty calls.
How you will do it
- Selects hardware designs from standard design library for flow diagrams, sequence of operations, bill of material, network layouts and electrical schematics as required.
- Performs software programming using established standards as a basis of design.
- Coordinates the creation of necessary drawings and equipment schedules for submittals and installation.
- Selects, orders, and tracks the delivery of materials for assigned projects. Coordinates factory-mounting processes to meet factory and project schedule.
- Assists in the loading and commissioning of all system and network-level controllers as required. Assists in validation of complete system functionality and troubleshoots problems with subcontractors and other trades to ensure proper operation.
- Gathers field changes from the project team and creates as-built drawings and software. Prepares proper documentation and/or manuals for system operation.
- Keeps management and JCI contractor or customer informed of job progress and issues.
- Coordinates with project owners to determine engineering & field execution task responsibilities.
- Assists in performing site-specific training for owner/operator on the total system.
- Completes paperwork including but not limited to time sheets, expense reports, and on-site documentation.
- Adheres to safety standards. High degree of regard to employee and subcontractor safety.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Demonstrated knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
- Demonstrated technical aptitude.
- Demonstrated advanced computer skills required.
Preferred
- Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or Computer Science or 5+ years in the HVAC field.
- Experience with installing and/or commissioning controls systems including system-level controllers – or – experience designing or evaluating mechanical/electrical building systems or control systems.
COMPENSATION
HIRING HOURLY RANGE: $28.65 - 39.42 Hourly rate to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with market data. This position includes a competitive benefits package. The posted salary range reflects the target compensation for this role. However, we recognize that exceptional candidates may bring unique skills and experiences that exceed the typical profile. If you believe your background warrants consideration beyond the stated range, we encourage you to apply. To support an efficient and fair hiring process, we may use technology assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to help identify and evaluate candidates. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by human reviewers. For details, please visit the About Us tab on the Johnson Controls Careers site.
See all 3,555+ Controls Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Controls Engineer roles.
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.