H-1B Visa Civil Engineer Jobs
Civil Engineer roles in infrastructure, transportation, and construction qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field is required. Many large public agencies and private contractors sponsor H-1B workers, and project-based roles with multi-year timelines give employers a clear incentive to file.
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ICF is seeking a Substation Civil Structural Engineer with experience performing electric utility substation design engineering and reviews. This individual will be a senior member of a design team comprised of engineers, designers, and drafting technicians and will involve collaboration with physical electrical engineering in the furtherance of designs for utility-level substation and renewable energy projects.
Why you’ll love working here:
- Quality of life: Fully remote, flexible schedule, work-life balance
- Investment of the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities
- Investment in you: Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- And many, many more (Ask your recruiter for more details!)
What you will be doing:
- Develop engineering design drawing and calculation packages from conceptual phase through detailed design and perform design reviews of the aforementioned civil/structural design components in support of the development of bid/construction packages for substation projects.
- Ensure that the substation facility meets all applicable safety and environmental regulations, including storm water and Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements.
- Perform site design activities such as determining cut/fill for a grading plan, determining impervious additions and calculating water flow for erosion control and storm water control.
- Perform design reviews on a regular basis, as well as developing junior staff members, and contributing to bids and proposal development.
- Occasional site-visits to client substation facilities are expected to be part of the work, along with occasional travel for client meetings and industry-related events.
- Provide design support to field personnel during project construction.
What you need to have (minimum qualifications):
- Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering
- 5+ years of experience performing electric utility substation design engineering and reviews
- PE License in the State of California
What we would like you to have (professional skills):
- Strong background in design of steel structures, concrete structures, site grading, geotechnical engineering, foundations, and substation access roads, including knowledge of relevant codes and standards.
- Experience designing and reviewing substation civil & structure design in seismic areas for both new and existing structures, including transmission dead ends, rigid and strain bus, foundations, oil spill containment, retaining walls, masonry control shelters, pre-engineered and prefabricated buildings, and firewalls
- Familiarity with surveying, geotechnical, and construction specifications, including development and review of same
- Compliance with quality control and safe work practices and maintain compliance with project scope, schedule and budget expectations
- Experience with STAAD.Pro, RISA 3D, FAD Tools, SAFE, SAG10, and LPile software
- Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D and MicroStation, as well as working with georeferenced drawings. CAD operation will generally be performed by Designers/Drafters but skill in these programs is a plus
- Strong analytical and technical writing skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/Powerpoint)
- Team player with ability to communicate with clients and staff. Experience in front-facing client operations such as lunch and learns, and kick-off meetings
To learn more about this team and how our grid engineering solutions help electric utilities balance cutting-edge technology with cost-efficiency and reliability> ICF Power Delivery Services
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Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration. Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact Candidateaccommodation@icf.com for assistance.
Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future. We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.
However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$130,687.00 - $222,169.00
Location: California Remote Office (CA99)
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Civil Engineer
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
USCIS scrutinizes civil engineering petitions when your degree field doesn't directly match the role. A structural engineering degree supporting a geotechnical position can trigger an RFE, so prepare a credential evaluation before you start applying.
Target contractors with federal project portfolios
Firms holding federal infrastructure contracts often have established H-1B filing processes and dedicated immigration counsel. Search DOL LCA disclosure data on Migrate Mate to identify which civil engineering employers have active H-1B filing history by role and location.
Check prevailing wage before accepting an offer
Your offered salary must meet the DOL prevailing wage for your exact SOC code and work location. Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up Level I through Level IV wages for civil engineers in your metro area before negotiating your offer.
Ask employers about PE licensure and cap-exempt status
Some civil engineering roles at universities or nonprofit research institutions qualify for cap-exempt H-1B filing, bypassing the annual lottery. If you hold or are pursuing a Professional Engineer license, ask whether the employer has affiliations that enable cap-exempt petitions.
File for premium processing on project-start deadlines
Civil engineering roles tied to project kickoff dates can't afford a six-month standard processing window. Confirm your employer will request premium processing through USCIS, which guarantees a 15-business-day adjudication decision for time-sensitive project assignments.
Clarify worksite changes before your I-129 is filed
Civil engineers frequently rotate across job sites, and each new worksite in a different metropolitan statistical area may require a new LCA. Confirm with your employer how they handle multi-site LCA compliance before your H-1B petition is submitted to USCIS.
H-1B Visa Civil Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a civil engineering role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, civil engineering roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations when the position normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a directly related field. USCIS evaluates whether the degree requirement is specific to the role, so positions requiring any bachelor's degree regardless of field can face additional scrutiny and may receive a Request for Evidence.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for civil engineers?
Private engineering and construction firms, transportation authorities, environmental consultancies, and public works agencies all sponsor H-1B visas for civil engineers. Employers with long-term infrastructure projects have stronger incentives to sponsor because project timelines exceed the duration of OPT. You can search employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history for civil engineering roles on Migrate Mate.
How does working across multiple construction sites affect my H-1B status?
Each metropolitan statistical area where you work for more than 90 consecutive days requires a separate Labor Condition Application certified by DOL. Your employer must post LCA notices at each worksite and maintain a public access file. If your employer hasn't set up a blanket LCA or place-of-employment process for field engineers, unplanned site assignments can create compliance gaps that affect your H-1B validity.
Does holding a Professional Engineer license strengthen an H-1B petition?
A PE license supports the specialty occupation argument because state licensure bodies require a bachelor's degree in engineering as a prerequisite. USCIS treats PE licensure as evidence that the profession itself demands a specific academic background. It doesn't guarantee approval, but it directly addresses the specialty occupation requirement and reduces the likelihood of an RFE on that basis.
Can a civil engineer on H-1B work for a public agency like a city or county?
Yes, government agencies can sponsor H-1B visas, and some state and local government employers qualify as cap-exempt if they meet the nonprofit or governmental research institution criteria under USCIS rules. Standard city and county public works departments are cap-subject, meaning your petition enters the annual lottery. Confirm the agency's cap status with their HR or legal team before counting on a cap-exempt filing.