Green Card Level Designer Jobs
Level Designer jobs with green card sponsorship require employers to complete PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor before filing an I-140 immigrant petition with USCIS. EB-2 sponsorship suits candidates with advanced degrees in game design or related fields, while EB-3 covers those with a bachelor's degree or two or more years of qualifying experience. Per-country backlogs apply.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Denver office of SmithGroup is looking for a Entry Level Lighting Designer to join our team.
Working with us, you will:
- Provide lighting and daylighting services to all SmithGroup offices and external clients nationally and internationally.
- Perform routine lighting design assignments under supervision.
- Collaborate with Lighting Designers to develop lighting design concepts and design direction.
- Prepare presentation material and otherwise assist in presentations both internally and externally.
- Compile data and prepare design solutions by using appropriate software (3ds Max, Revit, Grasshopper and Excel).
- Prepare documentation, presentations and renderings as instructed.
- Consult with manufacturers, evaluate materials, and select lighting systems.
- Prepare lighting cost mapping to establish project lighting budget.
- Write specifications and check shop drawings under supervision.
- Assist in construction administration including responding to RFI’s, preparing sketches and addendums (CCD’s), visiting the construction site to gather information and/or prepare a punch list under supervision.
- Mentor and train interns.
- Research information and create graphics for inclusion in marketing proposals and materials.
- Join and attend local professional association events/educational sessions.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
An ideal candidate has:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university with a concentration in Lighting Design or equivalent.
- A commitment to design excellence with a high degree of creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Proficiency in current design software (CAD, Revit, 3ds Max, AGi32, Adobe, etc.) as well as Microsoft Office.
- Working knowledge of other disciplines’ concepts and the ability to understand and communicate with professionals of other disciplines.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills with team members, consultants, and clients.
COMPENSATION
- The anticipated salary range for this position is $67,000 to $81,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year.
At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities.
LOCATION
Location: Denver, CO
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to careers@smithgroup.com.
INTRODUCTION
SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Denver office of SmithGroup is looking for a Entry Level Lighting Designer to join our team.
Working with us, you will:
- Provide lighting and daylighting services to all SmithGroup offices and external clients nationally and internationally.
- Perform routine lighting design assignments under supervision.
- Collaborate with Lighting Designers to develop lighting design concepts and design direction.
- Prepare presentation material and otherwise assist in presentations both internally and externally.
- Compile data and prepare design solutions by using appropriate software (3ds Max, Revit, Grasshopper and Excel).
- Prepare documentation, presentations and renderings as instructed.
- Consult with manufacturers, evaluate materials, and select lighting systems.
- Prepare lighting cost mapping to establish project lighting budget.
- Write specifications and check shop drawings under supervision.
- Assist in construction administration including responding to RFI’s, preparing sketches and addendums (CCD’s), visiting the construction site to gather information and/or prepare a punch list under supervision.
- Mentor and train interns.
- Research information and create graphics for inclusion in marketing proposals and materials.
- Join and attend local professional association events/educational sessions.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
An ideal candidate has:
- Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university with a concentration in Lighting Design or equivalent.
- A commitment to design excellence with a high degree of creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Proficiency in current design software (CAD, Revit, 3ds Max, AGi32, Adobe, etc.) as well as Microsoft Office.
- Working knowledge of other disciplines’ concepts and the ability to understand and communicate with professionals of other disciplines.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills with team members, consultants, and clients.
COMPENSATION
- The anticipated salary range for this position is $67,000 to $81,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year.
At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities.
LOCATION
Location: Denver, CO
Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to careers@smithgroup.com.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Level Designer
Document your specialized design portfolio formally
Compile a portfolio that ties each project to quantifiable outcomes, engine proficiency, and design discipline. PERM requires your employer to demonstrate you hold skills beyond what a qualified U.S. worker can easily replicate, so concrete technical evidence strengthens that case.
Verify your degree meets EB-2 requirements
EB-2 requires an advanced degree or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive experience in game or level design. If your degree is from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation done before approaching employers, so sponsorship discussions start on firm ground.
Target studios with dedicated immigration counsel
Use Migrate Mate to identify studios that have sponsored green cards for game design roles. Employers with dedicated immigration counsel move through PERM filings more efficiently, reducing the lag between your offer and your priority date being established.
Confirm the prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Run the O*NET code for your target role against the OFLC Wage Search to find the applicable prevailing wage tier. Your offer must meet or exceed this figure for PERM certification to proceed, so negotiate with that floor in mind from the start.
Ask employers about their PERM recruitment timeline
PERM requires the employer to run a full recruitment test, typically taking several months before DOL accepts the application. Clarify this schedule during offer negotiations so you understand how long before your I-140 can be filed and your priority date established.
Track your priority date against the Visa Bulletin
Once USCIS approves your I-140, your priority date determines when you can file or complete adjustment of status. Nationals from high-demand countries face per-country backlogs, so monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin to anticipate when your date becomes current.
Green Card Level Designer: Frequently Asked Questions
Which green card category fits Level Designer roles?
Most Level Designer roles qualify under EB-3 for professionals with a bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, or a related field, or as skilled workers with at least two years of experience. Candidates with a master's degree or a bachelor's plus five years of progressive level design experience may qualify under EB-2, which carries the same PERM labor certification requirement but can offer an advantage if your degree aligns cleanly with the role.
How is green card sponsorship different from H-1B for this role?
Green card sponsorship via EB-2 or EB-3 leads to lawful permanent residence, not a temporary status tied to employer continuity. The process begins with PERM labor certification filed with the Department of Labor, followed by an I-140 petition with USCIS, and finally adjustment of status or consular processing. There is no lottery, but per-country numerical limits mean nationals from high-demand countries can face significant priority-date backlogs before the final step.
What does PERM labor certification involve for a Level Designer position?
Your employer files the PERM application with the Department of Labor to prove no minimally qualified U.S. worker is available for the role. This requires a prevailing wage determination and a structured recruitment test, including job postings and documented applicant reviews. The job requirements listed in the PERM must match what you genuinely need to perform the role, so employers cannot inflate credentials just to create a barrier for U.S. applicants.
How do I find studios that sponsor employment-based green cards for designers?
Search Migrate Mate to identify studios with verified green card sponsorship history for design and creative roles. Targeting employers who have completed PERM filings before is practical because they already have immigration counsel and established processes, which reduces delays between your offer letter and the start of the PERM recruitment phase.
Can I change studios after my I-140 is approved?
Yes, under AC21 job portability, once your I-485 adjustment of status application has been pending for 180 days or more, you can move to a new employer in the same or a similar occupation without losing your place in line. Your approved priority date can also carry over to a new employer's I-140, but you'll need a new PERM filing and I-140 from the new studio before portability applies.