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 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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Get Access To All JobsOverview
We are seeking a highly skilled Controls Engineer to support and enhance automation, electrical, and control systems within a fast-paced, highly automated manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for driving productivity, quality, and capacity improvements through control systems optimization, capital project execution, and advanced automation solutions. The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of hands-on technical expertise and continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to optimize plant performance, implement emerging technologies, and ensure adherence to engineering, safety, and quality standards.
Location
* On-site role based in Monett, Missouri
Relocation Support
$10,000 relocation bonus
Comprehensive relocation assistance for candidates relocating more than 50 miles
Key Responsibilities
Controls & Automation Engineering
- Design, develop, and optimize electrical, instrumentation, and control systems to improve production efficiency, reliability, and uptime
- Develop and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and MES systems, including programming, configuration, and troubleshooting
- Proactively monitor and maintain plant control systems, including network health, controller performance, and obsolescence management
- Implement data collection, reporting, and dashboard solutions to enable real-time operational insights
Project Execution & Capital Delivery
- Lead and execute controls and automation projects, ensuring delivery against cost, schedule, and performance objectives
- Support equipment installations, upgrades, and system integrations from concept through commissioning
- Manage and oversee external contractors and vendors to ensure quality execution and alignment with project goals
Continuous Improvement & Operational Support
- Identify and implement controls optimization opportunities to improve throughput, reduce downtime, and enhance process capability
- Provide day-to-day technical support to production and maintenance teams to resolve system issues and improve reliability
- Drive standardization of control systems, electrical design, and automation best practices across the plant
Training & Capability Development
- Train and coach maintenance and operations teams on automation systems, electrical fundamentals, and troubleshooting techniques
- Develop documentation, training materials, and standard procedures to support knowledge transfer and system sustainability
Compliance, Safety & Quality
- Ensure compliance with all applicable electrical, safety, and regulatory standards, including NEC and NFPA70E
- Partner with leadership to support Food Safety and Quality programs, including:
+ Process Control Plans (PCPs)
+ Critical Control Points (CCPs)
+ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Investigate system-related incidents and implement corrective actions to maintain compliance and operational integrity
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 3+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation, or electrical systems within a manufacturing environment
- Experience with PLC programming, electrical system design, power distribution, and equipment installation
- Strong understanding of electrical theory, NEC, and NFPA70E standards
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings
- Proficiency in automation programming and computer-based control systems
- Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of identifying and implementing practical solutions
- Effective communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a team-based environment
- Flexibility to support operations during off-hours when needed (nights, weekends, holidays)
Preferred
- 10+ years of experience in controls engineering or related discipline
- Experience in food or dairy manufacturing environments
- Hands-on experience with:
+ Rockwell Logix 5000 PLCs
+ Motion control systems
+ PanelView HMIs
+ Ignition SCADA
- Experience with MES systems and data integration
- Proven leadership experience or experience leading projects and contractors
- Ability to guide technical direction across multiple systems and technologies
What Makes This Role Unique
This role offers the opportunity to directly impact plant performance by leading automation and controls initiatives that drive efficiency, reliability, and innovation. You will work at the intersection of engineering, operations, and technology, playing a critical role in advancing manufacturing capabilities through modern control systems and data-driven solutions.
Benefits
- 401(k) with strong employer match
- Employee stock ownership program (ESOP)
- Performance-based incentive opportunities
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage (no waiting period)
- Wellness and fitness reimbursement programs
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Relocation assistance
- Professional development and education support
Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Controls Engineer to support and enhance automation, electrical, and control systems within a fast-paced, highly automated manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for driving productivity, quality, and capacity improvements through control systems optimization, capital project execution, and advanced automation solutions. The ideal candidate will bring a strong combination of hands-on technical expertise and continuous improvement mindset, with the ability to optimize plant performance, implement emerging technologies, and ensure adherence to engineering, safety, and quality standards.
Location
* On-site role based in Monett, Missouri
Relocation Support
$10,000 relocation bonus
Comprehensive relocation assistance for candidates relocating more than 50 miles
Key Responsibilities
Controls & Automation Engineering
- Design, develop, and optimize electrical, instrumentation, and control systems to improve production efficiency, reliability, and uptime
- Develop and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and MES systems, including programming, configuration, and troubleshooting
- Proactively monitor and maintain plant control systems, including network health, controller performance, and obsolescence management
- Implement data collection, reporting, and dashboard solutions to enable real-time operational insights
Project Execution & Capital Delivery
- Lead and execute controls and automation projects, ensuring delivery against cost, schedule, and performance objectives
- Support equipment installations, upgrades, and system integrations from concept through commissioning
- Manage and oversee external contractors and vendors to ensure quality execution and alignment with project goals
Continuous Improvement & Operational Support
- Identify and implement controls optimization opportunities to improve throughput, reduce downtime, and enhance process capability
- Provide day-to-day technical support to production and maintenance teams to resolve system issues and improve reliability
- Drive standardization of control systems, electrical design, and automation best practices across the plant
Training & Capability Development
- Train and coach maintenance and operations teams on automation systems, electrical fundamentals, and troubleshooting techniques
- Develop documentation, training materials, and standard procedures to support knowledge transfer and system sustainability
Compliance, Safety & Quality
- Ensure compliance with all applicable electrical, safety, and regulatory standards, including NEC and NFPA70E
- Partner with leadership to support Food Safety and Quality programs, including:
+ Process Control Plans (PCPs)
+ Critical Control Points (CCPs)
+ Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Investigate system-related incidents and implement corrective actions to maintain compliance and operational integrity
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
- 3+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation, or electrical systems within a manufacturing environment
- Experience with PLC programming, electrical system design, power distribution, and equipment installation
- Strong understanding of electrical theory, NEC, and NFPA70E standards
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings
- Proficiency in automation programming and computer-based control systems
- Strong problem-solving skills with a track record of identifying and implementing practical solutions
- Effective communication skills with the ability to translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to work cross-functionally in a team-based environment
- Flexibility to support operations during off-hours when needed (nights, weekends, holidays)
Preferred
- 10+ years of experience in controls engineering or related discipline
- Experience in food or dairy manufacturing environments
- Hands-on experience with:
+ Rockwell Logix 5000 PLCs
+ Motion control systems
+ PanelView HMIs
+ Ignition SCADA
- Experience with MES systems and data integration
- Proven leadership experience or experience leading projects and contractors
- Ability to guide technical direction across multiple systems and technologies
What Makes This Role Unique
This role offers the opportunity to directly impact plant performance by leading automation and controls initiatives that drive efficiency, reliability, and innovation. You will work at the intersection of engineering, operations, and technology, playing a critical role in advancing manufacturing capabilities through modern control systems and data-driven solutions.
Benefits
- 401(k) with strong employer match
- Employee stock ownership program (ESOP)
- Performance-based incentive opportunities
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage (no waiting period)
- Wellness and fitness reimbursement programs
- Paid vacation and holidays
- Relocation assistance
- Professional development and education support
See all 8,031+ 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.
Consider system integrator firms as a path to sponsorship
Companies like Rockwell Automation, Emerson, and Honeywell employ controls engineers and have H-1B sponsorship histories. Smaller system integrators certified as Rockwell or Siemens Solution Partners may also sponsor, especially for candidates with multi-platform PLC experience.
Controls Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Controls Engineer JobsFrequently 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 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, 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.
See which Controls Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
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