Senior Control Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Senior Control Engineers are strong H-1B visa and L-1 candidates. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation under USCIS guidelines, requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in electrical, systems, or controls engineering. Employers in automation, energy, and manufacturing sponsor regularly. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsJOB DESCRIPTION
We are seeking a Senior Motion Control Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced robotic and automation systems for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This role requires deep technical expertise in motion control, strong system-level thinking, and the ability to drive solutions from concept through production while collaborating across disciplines and with external partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead motion control system analysis, simulation, and testing to develop robust, high-performance solutions.
- Architect, design, and implement control systems, including requirements definition, schematics, firmware, and cable designs.
- Program, tune, and optimize motion controllers to meet demanding performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
- Define and execute system-level test strategies; design and build test fixtures to qualify, validate, and troubleshoot robots and controllers.
- Troubleshoot complex system-level issues and provide expert technical support to manufacturing and field teams.
- Drive Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and maintain accurate, traceable design documentation.
- Ensure designs meet applicable safety and regulatory standards including UL, IEC, NFPA, and SEMI.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and with external suppliers to resolve technical challenges and improve manufacturability.
- Act as a technical leader and mentor while fostering a positive, results-driven engineering culture.
- Travel domestically and internationally as required (less than 10%).
Requirements
- Senior-level expertise in motion control systems and robotics with a demonstrated ability to execute independently.
- Deep understanding of closed-loop control theory and its application to servo motor systems.
- Extensive experience programming motion controllers and optimizing real-world system performance.
- Strong knowledge of motion feedback devices (encoders) and industrial communication protocols, including Macro Ring, Modbus TCP, and EtherCAT.
- Proven ability to create and review control system schematics and cable design specifications.
- Working knowledge of safety and compliance standards, including UL, IEC, NFPA, and SEMI.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced development environment.
- Ability to work in a cleanroom environment.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience
Minimum 3+ years of hands-on experience developing, documenting, and testing semiconductor manufacturing equipment or similarly complex electromechanical systems, demonstrating increasing technical responsibility and ownership.
Preferred Experience
- SCARA robot control systems.
- Omron PMAC (formerly Delta Tau) controllers and Macro Ring communication.
- Vacuum control systems.
- System-level experience with semiconductor process tools, including EFEM wafer handling systems.
- Ability to work onsite a minimum of three days per week.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.
U.S. BASE SALARY RANGE
$124,050.32 - $186,075.49
This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.
Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as you develop within the role.
Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits package (for regular employees working 20+ hours a week).
JOB DESCRIPTION
We are seeking a Senior Motion Control Engineer to lead the design, development, and deployment of advanced robotic and automation systems for semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This role requires deep technical expertise in motion control, strong system-level thinking, and the ability to drive solutions from concept through production while collaborating across disciplines and with external partners.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead motion control system analysis, simulation, and testing to develop robust, high-performance solutions.
- Architect, design, and implement control systems, including requirements definition, schematics, firmware, and cable designs.
- Program, tune, and optimize motion controllers to meet demanding performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
- Define and execute system-level test strategies; design and build test fixtures to qualify, validate, and troubleshoot robots and controllers.
- Troubleshoot complex system-level issues and provide expert technical support to manufacturing and field teams.
- Drive Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and maintain accurate, traceable design documentation.
- Ensure designs meet applicable safety and regulatory standards including UL, IEC, NFPA, and SEMI.
- Collaborate cross-functionally and with external suppliers to resolve technical challenges and improve manufacturability.
- Act as a technical leader and mentor while fostering a positive, results-driven engineering culture.
- Travel domestically and internationally as required (less than 10%).
Requirements
- Senior-level expertise in motion control systems and robotics with a demonstrated ability to execute independently.
- Deep understanding of closed-loop control theory and its application to servo motor systems.
- Extensive experience programming motion controllers and optimizing real-world system performance.
- Strong knowledge of motion feedback devices (encoders) and industrial communication protocols, including Macro Ring, Modbus TCP, and EtherCAT.
- Proven ability to create and review control system schematics and cable design specifications.
- Working knowledge of safety and compliance standards, including UL, IEC, NFPA, and SEMI.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong cross-functional collaboration capabilities.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced development environment.
- Ability to work in a cleanroom environment.
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience
Minimum 3+ years of hands-on experience developing, documenting, and testing semiconductor manufacturing equipment or similarly complex electromechanical systems, demonstrating increasing technical responsibility and ownership.
Preferred Experience
- SCARA robot control systems.
- Omron PMAC (formerly Delta Tau) controllers and Macro Ring communication.
- Vacuum control systems.
- System-level experience with semiconductor process tools, including EFEM wafer handling systems.
- Ability to work onsite a minimum of three days per week.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
It is the policy of Axcelis to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment for all persons free from discrimination based on race, sex, religion, age, color, national origin, disability status, medical condition (including pregnancy), veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Axcelis will provide reasonable accommodation necessary to enable a disabled candidate or employee to perform the essential functions of the position, unless the accommodation would create an undue hardship for the Company.
U.S. BASE SALARY RANGE
$124,050.32 - $186,075.49
This base salary range reflects the typical compensation for this role across U.S. locations.
Our salary ranges are determined by role and level; individual pay is determined based on multiple factors, including job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, work location, and internal equity. The range provides the opportunity for growth and progression as you develop within the role.
Base pay is one part of our U.S. total compensation package which includes eligibility in the Axcelis Team Incentive bonus plan, and comprehensive benefits package (for regular employees working 20+ hours a week).
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Senior Control Engineer
Target industries with high sponsorship volume
Automation, oil and gas, semiconductors, and industrial manufacturing sponsor Senior Control Engineers at high rates. These sectors have persistent talent shortages and established immigration pipelines, making them more willing to invest in the H-1B process for qualified candidates.
Match your degree to the role precisely
USCIS requires a direct connection between your degree field and the control engineering role. Electrical engineering, systems engineering, and mechatronics are strong matches. A general mechanical engineering degree may require supporting evidence that your coursework covered control systems specifically.
Document your specialized technical skills
Proficiency in PLC programming, SCADA systems, DCS architecture, or IEC 61511 functional safety strengthens your specialty occupation case. Employers should list these requirements explicitly in the job posting, as they reinforce the degree requirement during USCIS adjudication.
Ask about cap-exempt employers early
Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and certain government entities are exempt from the H-1B annual cap. Control engineers working on research infrastructure, energy systems, or automation projects at these institutions can receive approval year-round without entering the lottery.
Use Migrate Mate to filter sponsorship-ready employers
Not every company that posts a control engineering role will sponsor visas. Migrate Mate filters jobs by verified sponsorship willingness, saving you from applying to employers who will decline at the offer stage when visa requirements come up in negotiation.
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Find Senior Control Engineer JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Senior Control Engineer qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Senior Control Engineer consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation. USCIS looks for roles requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree in a specific technical field. Control engineering requires specialized knowledge in electrical systems, process control, or automation, and the degree requirement is well-established in industry job postings and DOL wage data.
Which visa types are most common for Senior Control Engineers?
H-1B is the primary path for employer-sponsored control engineers. L-1B is available if you're transferring within a multinational company and have specialized knowledge of proprietary control systems or platforms. TN visas cover Canadian and Mexican nationals in engineering roles. O-1 is an option if you have published work, patents, or significant project recognition in the field.
What degree does an employer need to sponsor a Senior Control Engineer?
A bachelor's degree or higher in electrical engineering, systems engineering, controls engineering, or a closely related field is the standard requirement. Some employers accept a mechanical engineering degree if your coursework included control theory or if you have significant documented experience with control systems. A three-year Australian bachelor's degree is generally accepted as equivalent to a U.S. four-year degree for H-1B purposes.
How do I find Senior Control Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is the most efficient option. It lists Senior Control Engineer roles where employers have confirmed they will sponsor H-1B and other work visas, so you are not spending time on applications that will stall at the visa conversation. Filtering by sponsorship status early in your search avoids the common frustration of reaching the offer stage only to learn the employer does not sponsor.
Are Senior Control Engineer H-1B petitions frequently hit with RFEs?
RFEs are possible if the job description uses broad language that does not clearly require a specific degree field, or if the employer lists a bachelor's in any engineering discipline as sufficient. Petitions are stronger when the job posting explicitly requires electrical or controls engineering and lists specialized tools like DCS, PLC, or SCADA. Employers with prior H-1B approval history for the same role have a smoother path.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Senior Control 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.
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