Design Engineer Jobs at BKF Engineers with Visa Sponsorship
Design Engineer jobs at BKF Engineers involve civil and infrastructure work that requires both technical depth and project ownership. The firm has an established path for sponsoring employment-based Green Cards, making it a realistic target if you're building a long-term career in U.S. consulting engineering.
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BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. At BKF, you'll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row. We're looking for a Design Engineer with a couple years of experience in civil infrastructure design to join our collaborative onsite team in Sacramento, CA. In this role, you'll support Land Development projects, working alongside seasoned engineers to prepare designs using standard techniques and sound judgment. Contribute to a variety of assignments - from concept through construction documentation - while gaining hands-on experience and growing within a supportive team. Proficiency in AutoCAD/Civil 3D and a California E.I.T. certification are strong assets, along with a proactive mindset and eagerness to learn.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the design and development of site plans for residential, commercial, mixed-use, roadway, highway, and public works projects
- Prepare grading and drainage plans and designs using standard engineering practices and software tools such as AutoCAD/Civil 3D
- Create designs and plans for land development projects, including potable water distribution and wastewater collection systems, in accordance with local standards and permitting requirements
- Participate in internal design reviews and contribute to project scheduling and task prioritization
- Support the preparation of engineering reports, feasibility studies, and master planning documents for various development projects
- Support the develop technical specifications and detailed cost estimates to support project proposals and construction documentation
- Collaborate daily with project engineers and across stakeholders to coordinate design efforts and meet project milestones
- Review plans and calculations for accuracy, completeness, and constructability, incorporating feedback from senior staff and clients
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited curriculum
- 0-3 years of experience and exposure to site development and design of residential/commercial subdivisions, utility systems, roadways, and public works
- Strong verbal and written communication and collaboration skills
- Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D is a plus
- EIT or FE certification preferred
- Familiarity with preparing documents, specifications, and design plans
- Exposure to public agency standards and permitting processes
- Ability to apply standard engineering techniques and judgment to support project
Physical Demands:
Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.
Work Conditions:
Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
BENEFITS
- The typical base salary range for this position is $73,000.00 - $95,000.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly
- Competitive salaries, end of year bonuses, profit sharing, and 401k
- BKF pays multiple of the premiums for medical, dental, and vision coverage and 50% for your dependents
- Generous vacation and sick time packages
- 8 Paid Holidays
- Flexible schedules
- Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations
- BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.
BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.
INTRODUCTION
BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. At BKF, you'll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row. We're looking for a Design Engineer with a couple years of experience in civil infrastructure design to join our collaborative onsite team in Sacramento, CA. In this role, you'll support Land Development projects, working alongside seasoned engineers to prepare designs using standard techniques and sound judgment. Contribute to a variety of assignments - from concept through construction documentation - while gaining hands-on experience and growing within a supportive team. Proficiency in AutoCAD/Civil 3D and a California E.I.T. certification are strong assets, along with a proactive mindset and eagerness to learn.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the design and development of site plans for residential, commercial, mixed-use, roadway, highway, and public works projects
- Prepare grading and drainage plans and designs using standard engineering practices and software tools such as AutoCAD/Civil 3D
- Create designs and plans for land development projects, including potable water distribution and wastewater collection systems, in accordance with local standards and permitting requirements
- Participate in internal design reviews and contribute to project scheduling and task prioritization
- Support the preparation of engineering reports, feasibility studies, and master planning documents for various development projects
- Support the develop technical specifications and detailed cost estimates to support project proposals and construction documentation
- Collaborate daily with project engineers and across stakeholders to coordinate design efforts and meet project milestones
- Review plans and calculations for accuracy, completeness, and constructability, incorporating feedback from senior staff and clients
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited curriculum
- 0-3 years of experience and exposure to site development and design of residential/commercial subdivisions, utility systems, roadways, and public works
- Strong verbal and written communication and collaboration skills
- Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D is a plus
- EIT or FE certification preferred
- Familiarity with preparing documents, specifications, and design plans
- Exposure to public agency standards and permitting processes
- Ability to apply standard engineering techniques and judgment to support project
Physical Demands:
Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.
Work Conditions:
Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
BENEFITS
- The typical base salary range for this position is $73,000.00 - $95,000.00, annualized depending upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location. This is a salary position paid biweekly
- Competitive salaries, end of year bonuses, profit sharing, and 401k
- BKF pays multiple of the premiums for medical, dental, and vision coverage and 50% for your dependents
- Generous vacation and sick time packages
- 8 Paid Holidays
- Flexible schedules
- Education reimbursement, Paid annual dues for professional and societal organizations
- BKF offers competitive and award-winning benefits and perks. To learn more click here.
BKF Engineers provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. BKF Engineers does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF Engineers, BKF Engineers reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.
Tips for Finding Design Engineer Jobs at BKF Engineers
Tailor your portfolio to civil infrastructure projects
BKF Engineers focuses on land development, transportation, and urban infrastructure. Before applying, restructure your portfolio to lead with site design, grading, or utility work so reviewers can immediately connect your experience to active project types.
Pursue PE licensure or document your exam timeline
Design Engineer roles at consulting firms like BKF often require or strongly favor a Professional Engineer license. If you're not yet licensed, documenting your EIT status and exam schedule signals career trajectory and reduces perceived sponsorship risk for the employer.
Target BKF offices in states with active land development pipelines
BKF has offices across California and other high-growth markets. Applying to offices in areas with heavy permitting activity improves your odds because project backlog directly drives Design Engineer hiring in consulting environments.
Clarify Green Card sponsorship eligibility during final interviews
BKF sponsors EB-2 and EB-3 Green Cards rather than H-1B visas. Raise the sponsorship conversation after a verbal offer is signaled, not before. Ask whether the Design Engineer role is classified at a level that supports PERM labor certification filing.
Understand how PERM timelines interact with your current status
PERM labor certification can take 12 to 18 months before an I-140 petition is filed. If you're transitioning from OPT or a cap-gap extension, map your current authorized work period against that timeline and discuss bridging options with the employer early.
Use Migrate Mate to identify open Design Engineer roles at BKF
Filter Migrate Mate's job board by company and role type to surface current Design Engineer openings at BKF Engineers that are tagged for visa sponsorship, so you're applying to positions where sponsorship is already confirmed rather than assumed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does BKF Engineers sponsor H-1B visas for Design Engineers?
BKF Engineers' sponsorship activity for Design Engineers is concentrated in the employment-based Green Card pathway rather than H-1B visa. If you're currently on H-1B status through a different employer, you may still be eligible to transfer to BKF while your Green Card process begins, but you should confirm the firm's current H-1B transfer policy directly during the hiring process.
Which visa types are commonly used for Design Engineer roles at BKF Engineers?
BKF Engineers primarily supports Design Engineers through EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant visa categories, both of which require PERM labor certification filed through the Department of Labor. EB-2 applies to roles requiring an advanced degree or exceptional ability, while EB-3 covers positions requiring a standard bachelor's degree. The right category depends on how the role is classified internally.
What qualifications and experience are expected for Design Engineer roles at BKF Engineers?
BKF typically looks for a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related discipline, with hands-on experience in site design, grading, drainage, or utility systems. Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D is standard for most Design Engineer positions. Candidates pursuing sponsorship should expect that PERM requires the role to have a clearly defined minimum qualification tied to the degree field.
How long does the visa sponsorship process take for a Design Engineer at BKF Engineers?
For an EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card, the process begins with PERM labor certification, which the Department of Labor currently processes in roughly 12 to 18 months. After an approved I-140 petition, your wait for a visa number depends on your country of birth and the State Department's Visa Bulletin. Indian and Chinese nationals typically face multi-year backlogs. USCIS premium processing is not available for PERM or I-140 filings.
How do I apply for Design Engineer jobs at BKF Engineers?
You can browse current Design Engineer openings at BKF Engineers through Migrate Mate, which filters job listings by company and flags roles where visa sponsorship is available. When applying directly, tailor your resume to highlight civil infrastructure projects and include your work authorization status clearly. If a role requires PE licensure, address your licensure timeline in your cover materials.