Green Card Civil Designer Jobs
Civil Designer roles in site development, transportation, and infrastructure qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through PERM labor certification. Engineering and design firms regularly sponsor foreign professionals for permanent residency. Your degree field, years of experience, and the employer's prevailing-wage documentation all shape which category fits your credentials.
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At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 65 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,500 professionals across 36 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
KPFF’s Orange County Civil team is seeking a Civil Designer with 1–3 years of experience to join our Newport Beach office. You will contribute to a variety of land development and site design projects while developing hands-on experience in grading, drainage, utility design, permitting, and construction documentation. Working alongside licensed professional engineers and project managers, you will have opportunities to strengthen your Civil 3D skills, participate throughout the project lifecycle, and take on greater responsibility as your experience grows.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to civil design projects: Support the design and preparation of civil engineering plans, drawings, exhibits, and specifications for site planning, grading, drainage, utility, roadway, and infrastructure projects.
- Prepare drawings, calculations, and documentation: Develop detailed drawings and design documents using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and related tools; perform basic to intermediate design calculations; and assist with technical reports and project documentation.
- Support site assessments and data collection: Participate in site visits to collect field data, verify existing conditions, document observations, and support design decisions. Assist with construction observations to confirm general conformance with design plans and specifications.
- Assist with project coordination and permitting: Coordinate with project managers, engineers, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies to support schedules, submittals, permitting, and compliance requirements.
- Apply design standards and regulations: Incorporate applicable codes, local agency standards, accessibility requirements, and construction standards into drawings and design deliverables.
- Collaborate with project teams: Work closely with engineers and design staff to resolve design issues, integrate feedback, and produce accurate, high-quality deliverables.
- Continue technical development: Stay current with Civil 3D workflows, drafting standards, design practices, and emerging tools that improve project efficiency and quality.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
- 1–3 years of relevant experience in civil design, drafting, land development, site development, infrastructure, or related civil engineering projects.
- Working knowledge of civil engineering and design principles, including site planning, grading, drainage, utilities, roadways, and water/wastewater systems.
- Experience using AutoCAD and Civil 3D for civil design and plan production; familiarity with HydroCAD or similar design/modeling tools is preferred.
- Working knowledge of applicable California codes, local regulations, accessibility requirements, agency standards, and design/construction standards for site development projects.
- Ability to prepare accurate drawings, exhibits, calculations, and project documentation with attention to detail.
- Strong communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work both collaboratively with project teams and independently on assigned design tasks.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting land development projects, including residential, commercial, industrial, or public infrastructure sites.
- Familiarity with regulatory agency requirements, permitting processes, and construction documentation.
- EIT certification or interest in pursuing EIT certification is a plus, but not required.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working on a computer, reviewing plans, or conducting site visits.
- Capacity to move around project sites, climb ladders, and navigate uneven terrain.
- Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds of equipment or materials.
- Work in our Newport Beach office 5 days/week, with flexible work hours between 7 am and 5 pm.
Compensation
The base salary for this role is competitive, with a range of $80,000 - $88,000, determined by experience, education, and skills. KPFF also offers performance-based bonuses to recognize outstanding contributions. Additional details about the full compensation package will be provided during the interview process.
Culture and Benefits
At KPFF, we offer a rewarding career path that emphasizes autonomy, innovation, and professional development. Our culture prioritizes employee ownership, teamwork, and shared values, creating an environment where contributions are celebrated and career growth is encouraged. We aren’t just colleagues; we’re a community dedicated to collaborative innovation, providing you the platform to make a lasting impact on meaningful projects.
KPFF Employee Benefits
- Medical Insurance: Choose between a traditional Open Access Plus (OAP) medical plan or a high-deductible OAP plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Health Savings Account Contribution: KPFF contributes $50 per paycheck to the HSA for employees enrolled in the eligible high-deductible medical plan
- Dental and Vision Insurance: KPFF pays the employee premium for dental and vision coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Access to Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs for eligible pre-tax expenses
- Employer-Paid Insurance: KPFF provides short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and travel accident insurance
- Employee Assistance Program: Confidential resources and support for employees
- 401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF automatically contributes 3% of your base salary, with no employee contribution required. Employer contributions are immediately vested, and employees may also make pre-tax or Roth contributions.
- Paid Time Off: Vacation and personal and sick time, with vacation accrual increasing based on tenure
- Paid Holidays: Company-observed holidays plus two floating holidays each year
- KPFF Paid Family Leave: Up to six weeks of paid family leave per year after meeting eligibility requirements
- Paid Overtime: At KPFF, you are compensated for every hour you work. If you choose to work overtime, you may choose to “bank” your overtime hours for future time off or have them paid out monthly.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
Company Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 65 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,500 professionals across 36 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
KPFF’s Orange County Civil team is seeking a Civil Designer with 1–3 years of experience to join our Newport Beach office. You will contribute to a variety of land development and site design projects while developing hands-on experience in grading, drainage, utility design, permitting, and construction documentation. Working alongside licensed professional engineers and project managers, you will have opportunities to strengthen your Civil 3D skills, participate throughout the project lifecycle, and take on greater responsibility as your experience grows.
Responsibilities
- Contribute to civil design projects: Support the design and preparation of civil engineering plans, drawings, exhibits, and specifications for site planning, grading, drainage, utility, roadway, and infrastructure projects.
- Prepare drawings, calculations, and documentation: Develop detailed drawings and design documents using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and related tools; perform basic to intermediate design calculations; and assist with technical reports and project documentation.
- Support site assessments and data collection: Participate in site visits to collect field data, verify existing conditions, document observations, and support design decisions. Assist with construction observations to confirm general conformance with design plans and specifications.
- Assist with project coordination and permitting: Coordinate with project managers, engineers, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies to support schedules, submittals, permitting, and compliance requirements.
- Apply design standards and regulations: Incorporate applicable codes, local agency standards, accessibility requirements, and construction standards into drawings and design deliverables.
- Collaborate with project teams: Work closely with engineers and design staff to resolve design issues, integrate feedback, and produce accurate, high-quality deliverables.
- Continue technical development: Stay current with Civil 3D workflows, drafting standards, design practices, and emerging tools that improve project efficiency and quality.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
- 1–3 years of relevant experience in civil design, drafting, land development, site development, infrastructure, or related civil engineering projects.
- Working knowledge of civil engineering and design principles, including site planning, grading, drainage, utilities, roadways, and water/wastewater systems.
- Experience using AutoCAD and Civil 3D for civil design and plan production; familiarity with HydroCAD or similar design/modeling tools is preferred.
- Working knowledge of applicable California codes, local regulations, accessibility requirements, agency standards, and design/construction standards for site development projects.
- Ability to prepare accurate drawings, exhibits, calculations, and project documentation with attention to detail.
- Strong communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work both collaboratively with project teams and independently on assigned design tasks.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting land development projects, including residential, commercial, industrial, or public infrastructure sites.
- Familiarity with regulatory agency requirements, permitting processes, and construction documentation.
- EIT certification or interest in pursuing EIT certification is a plus, but not required.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working on a computer, reviewing plans, or conducting site visits.
- Capacity to move around project sites, climb ladders, and navigate uneven terrain.
- Occasionally lift up to 15 pounds of equipment or materials.
- Work in our Newport Beach office 5 days/week, with flexible work hours between 7 am and 5 pm.
Compensation
The base salary for this role is competitive, with a range of $80,000 - $88,000, determined by experience, education, and skills. KPFF also offers performance-based bonuses to recognize outstanding contributions. Additional details about the full compensation package will be provided during the interview process.
Culture and Benefits
At KPFF, we offer a rewarding career path that emphasizes autonomy, innovation, and professional development. Our culture prioritizes employee ownership, teamwork, and shared values, creating an environment where contributions are celebrated and career growth is encouraged. We aren’t just colleagues; we’re a community dedicated to collaborative innovation, providing you the platform to make a lasting impact on meaningful projects.
KPFF Employee Benefits
- Medical Insurance: Choose between a traditional Open Access Plus (OAP) medical plan or a high-deductible OAP plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Health Savings Account Contribution: KPFF contributes $50 per paycheck to the HSA for employees enrolled in the eligible high-deductible medical plan
- Dental and Vision Insurance: KPFF pays the employee premium for dental and vision coverage
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Access to Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs for eligible pre-tax expenses
- Employer-Paid Insurance: KPFF provides short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and travel accident insurance
- Employee Assistance Program: Confidential resources and support for employees
- 401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF automatically contributes 3% of your base salary, with no employee contribution required. Employer contributions are immediately vested, and employees may also make pre-tax or Roth contributions.
- Paid Time Off: Vacation and personal and sick time, with vacation accrual increasing based on tenure
- Paid Holidays: Company-observed holidays plus two floating holidays each year
- KPFF Paid Family Leave: Up to six weeks of paid family leave per year after meeting eligibility requirements
- Paid Overtime: At KPFF, you are compensated for every hour you work. If you choose to work overtime, you may choose to “bank” your overtime hours for future time off or have them paid out monthly.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
See all 88+ Green Card Civil Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Green Card Civil Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Civil Designer
Match your credentials to the right EB category
Civil Designer roles typically file under EB-3 for bachelor's-level candidates or EB-2 for advanced-degree professionals with a master's or equivalent. Your degree field must align with the PERM job description, so gather official transcripts and any credential evaluation before targeting employers.
Target firms with active PERM filing history
Engineering and infrastructure firms that regularly file PERM applications for Civil Designers have existing workflows for sponsorship. Search the DOL's OFLC disclosure data by occupation title and employer to identify companies that have sponsored this exact role before, not just engineering positions broadly.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsoring employers
Searching general job boards surfaces many Civil Designer roles, but few flag green card sponsorship clearly. Migrate Mate filters specifically for employers with EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship history, saving you the step of researching each company's PERM filing record manually.
Verify prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
PERM requires your employer to pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your Civil Designer role in the specific work location. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your job title and county before salary discussions so you know the floor and can flag any offer that could jeopardize the filing.
Confirm your job duties match O*NET before PERM filing
USCIS and DOL cross-reference Civil Designer duties against the O*NET occupation profile during adjudication. If your actual responsibilities include significant project management or construction oversight beyond the standard definition, work with your employer to draft a PERM job description that accurately reflects your role without triggering an audit.
Start the PERM process as early as your offer allows
PERM labor certification alone can take six to twelve months before the I-140 petition even begins. Civil Designers from high-demand countries face priority date backlogs at the I-485 stage, so the earlier your employer initiates the DOL recruitment steps, the sooner your place in line is secured.
Green Card Civil Designer: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Civil Designer roles qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Most Civil Designer positions qualify for EB-3 sponsorship, which covers skilled workers and professionals with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering, civil design, or a closely related field. If you hold a master's degree or your employer can demonstrate the role requires an advanced degree, EB-2 may apply. Your employer's PERM job description must specify the educational and experience requirements that match your credentials.
How does PERM green card sponsorship differ from H-1B sponsorship for Civil Designers?
H-1B visa is a temporary status with a three-year initial period and an annual lottery, while PERM sponsorship leads to lawful permanent residency with no renewal cycle. There is no cap on EB-3 PERM petitions, so your employer can file at any time without lottery risk. The tradeoff is timeline: PERM plus I-140 plus adjustment of status typically takes two to four years for most countries, longer for nationals of India and China due to priority date backlogs.
What does the PERM labor certification process require from my employer?
Your employer must conduct a DOL-prescribed recruitment campaign to demonstrate no qualified U.S. workers are available for the Civil Designer role. This includes job postings, newspaper advertisements, and internal notices held for a defined period. DOL then reviews the recruitment results before certifying the application. The employer, not you, drives this process and bears the filing costs.
How can I find Civil Designer jobs that include green card sponsorship?
Standard job postings rarely specify PERM sponsorship directly. Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search, filtering for employers with documented EB-2 and EB-3 sponsorship history in civil design and related engineering roles. Targeting companies that have completed the PERM process before significantly increases the likelihood your offer will include sponsorship without you having to negotiate it from scratch.
Can my Civil Designer green card application continue if I change employers after PERM is filed?
Yes, with conditions. If your I-140 has been approved and pending for at least 180 days, portability rules under AC21 allow you to transfer the petition to a new employer in the same or similar occupational classification. Civil design roles within the same SOC code family generally qualify. You must be moving to a comparable role, and your new employer takes over sponsorship responsibility going forward.