Electrical Controls Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Electrical Controls Engineers design and program automation systems for manufacturing, requiring specialized technical knowledge that qualifies for H-1B visa and other work visa sponsorship. Manufacturing companies, system integrators, and automation firms regularly sponsor these roles due to the specific engineering expertise required for PLC programming, SCADA systems, and industrial control design. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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INTRODUCTION
Take Your Design Career to the Next Level
Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!
Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Our collaborative, multidisciplinary group spanning architectural, structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, process engineering, pipeline design, and integrity management works together to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions.
ROLE
As a Lead Electrical Controls Engineer joining Kleinfelder’s Water Technologies (KWT) team, you will be responsible for the design, implementation, and troubleshooting of electrical, instrumentation, and control systems for industrial, commercial, and municipal water and wastewater treatment systems. In this role, you'll work closely with clients and the project team to analyze and address process treatment requirements, ensuring that control systems meet the necessary standards and perform optimally. This is an excellent opportunity to apply your technical expertise to critical infrastructure projects and contribute to the development of effective solutions. This role is local to Northwest Ohio, with options of reporting to Defiance or Perrysburg, OH. This candidate is expected to perform field visits as needed and will require reliable transportation.
What You’ll Do:
- Design Control Systems: Develop electrical, instrumentation, and control systems for water and wastewater treatment facilities, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and client specifications.
- Create Schematics & Documentation: Use AutoCAD Electrical to design schematics, layouts, and generate bills of materials for control system designs. Ensure all designs are accurate, clearly documented, and easily implemented.
- Develop PLC & SCADA Applications: Write and implement PLC logic and develop HMI/SCADA applications to monitor and control the treatment processes. Ensure reliability and efficient performance of systems.
- Select Instrumentation: Choose appropriate instrumentation for process treatment control and analysis, ensuring the systems provide accurate readings and control for the treatment process.
- Onsite Commissioning & Testing: Conduct onsite commissioning of new systems, ensuring systems are tested and fully functional. Troubleshoot any issues related to system performance, electrical hardware, or software during the commissioning process.
- Troubleshooting & Support: Provide technical support and troubleshooting for electrical, instrumentation, and control system issues, working to resolve any malfunctions and improve system performance.
- Operation & Maintenance Documentation: Assist in developing operation and maintenance manuals, providing detailed technical instructions for system operation and troubleshooting.
- System Maintenance: Oversee the maintenance and functionality of KWT corporate asset electrical equipment to ensure long-term reliability and optimal operation.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience: Solid experience in designing and implementing electrical and control systems, with an emphasis on instrumentation, PLCs, and SCADA applications.
- Technical Expertise: Strong proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical for schematic design, with experience in Allen Bradley RSLogix5000/Studio5000, Allen Bradley FactoryTalk View Studio, or equivalent control system software.
- PLC & SCADA Systems: Extensive hands-on experience developing and troubleshooting PLC logic and designing HMI/SCADA interfaces for process control systems.
- Instrumentation Knowledge: Deep understanding of selecting and configuring instrumentation for process analysis and control, ensuring systems are responsive and precise.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Strong ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues with electrical hardware, software, and process control systems.
- Technical Communication: Ability to effectively document system designs, troubleshoot issues, and communicate technical details clearly to both team members and clients.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Educational Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- Software Proficiency: Proficient in AutoCAD Electrical, Allen Bradley RSLogix5000/Studio5000, and Allen Bradley FactoryTalk View Studio. Experience with AVEVA, Siemens, or Wonderware is an advantage.
- Additional Skills: Experience with AC variable frequency drives, and a strong command of Microsoft Office applications.
- Hands-on Expertise: Strong focus on practical, hands-on engineering work, including designing, testing, and troubleshooting electrical control systems.
COMPENSATION
- Anticipated salary range is $92,986 per year to $115,531 per year.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
BENEFITS
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, offers an excellent compensation and benefits package, including: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan, and paid holidays.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder, and its’ subsidiaries and affiliates, explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Electrical Controls Engineer
Target manufacturing and automation companies
Focus on manufacturers with complex automation needs, system integrators, and industrial equipment companies. These employers understand the specialized nature of controls engineering and regularly sponsor H-1B visas for technical roles.
Emphasize PLC and SCADA expertise
Highlight specific experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Schneider Electric systems. Controls engineering requires specialized software knowledge that demonstrates the specialty occupation requirement for visa sponsorship approval.
Connect degree to automation requirements
Electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering degrees directly support visa applications. The technical nature of designing control systems clearly demonstrates why a specialized engineering education is required.
Research DOL LCA filings for controls roles
Check FLAG.dol.gov for recent Labor Condition Applications filed by automation companies. This reveals which employers actively sponsor visas and their prevailing wage determinations for controls positions.
Consider contract-to-hire opportunities
Many controls projects are contract-based initially. System integrators often convert successful contractors to permanent employees, providing a pathway to visa sponsorship after proving technical capabilities on projects.
Prepare technical portfolio documentation
Document specific automation projects, control system designs, and programming examples. Immigration attorneys need concrete evidence of specialized technical work to strengthen the visa petition for USCIS review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do electrical controls engineers qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, electrical controls engineers typically qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship since the role requires specialized engineering knowledge in automation systems, PLC programming, and industrial controls. The technical nature of designing control systems clearly meets the specialty occupation requirement, especially with an engineering degree in electrical, mechanical, or controls engineering.
How to find Electrical Controls Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Electrical Controls Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in visa-sponsored positions. Focus on manufacturing companies, automation firms, and industrial facilities that commonly hire international talent for these technical roles. H-1B and EB-2/EB-3 visas are typical pathways for electrical engineers. Target employers in automotive, aerospace, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors who frequently sponsor skilled engineers.
What degree do I need for visa sponsorship as a controls engineer?
An electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or controls/automation engineering bachelor's degree is typically required. Some employers accept computer engineering or related technical degrees if combined with relevant controls experience. The degree must directly relate to the technical requirements of designing and programming industrial automation systems.
Which industries sponsor controls engineers most frequently?
Manufacturing companies, system integrators, pharmaceutical plants, food processing facilities, and automotive manufacturers are the most active sponsors. These industries rely heavily on automated production systems and understand the specialized technical expertise required for controls engineering roles, making them more likely to invest in visa sponsorship.
How do contract positions affect visa sponsorship for controls engineers?
Many controls engineers start as contractors since projects are often temporary. However, H-1B sponsorship requires a direct employer-employee relationship, so you'll need conversion to permanent employment. Some system integrators sponsor visas directly, but staffing agencies typically cannot sponsor unless they meet specific requirements for the employer-employee relationship.
What technical skills strengthen a controls engineer's visa application?
Specific PLC platform experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric), SCADA systems, HMI development, and industrial networking protocols demonstrate specialized knowledge. Certifications in specific automation platforms, experience with safety systems, and knowledge of industry standards like ISA-88 or ISA-95 further support the specialty occupation requirement for visa approval.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Electrical Controls Engineer 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.