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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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 hiring a Transportation Design Engineer with a couple years of experience in civil infrastructure design to join our Bay Area offices. You’ll collaborate within a multidisciplinary team on a wide range of transportation projects, contributing from concept through construction documentation. As part of BKF’s Transportation team, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers on assignments spanning roadway, highway, and public infrastructure. You’ll apply standard engineering techniques and judgment while gaining hands-on experience and growing in a supportive environment. 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
- Perform geometric calculations and plotting, including cross-sections, profiles, and alignments for transportation design projects
- Conduct routine hydraulics calculations to support drainage and utility system design
- Prepare site grading calculations and generate grading plans using CAD tools
- Utilize computer and CAD systems, including AutoCAD Civil 3D, to develop and refine design documents
- Gather and analyze data from public agencies to support project planning, permitting, and design decisions
- Collaborate with project engineers and managers to ensure design accuracy and alignment with project goals
- Assist in reviewing plans and calculations for completeness and compliance with applicable standards
Requirements
- B.S. in Civil Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited curriculum (or equivalent) required
- 1-3 years of experience in transportation and site development including design of residential and/or commercial subdivisions, utility systems, roadways, and public works projects
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to apply standard engineering techniques, procedures, and judgment in support of project design
- Familiarity with civil engineering design principles and documentation
- EIT (Engineer-in-Training) or FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) certification preferred
- Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D for grading, drainage, and utility design preferred
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 $86,767 - $106,049 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.
- Generous paid time off packages.
- 9 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.
LI-Hybrid
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.