H-1B Visa Marine Engineer Jobs
Marine Engineer jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship sit squarely in specialty occupation territory: the role requires a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, naval architecture, or a closely related field. Sponsoring employers file a certified LCA with DOL before your I-129 petition can move forward with USCIS.
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Requisition ID: 93237
Job Category: Infrastructure; Engineering; Project Management
Location: Houston, TX, United States
Join a company that is passionately committed to the pursuit of a better world through positive change. With more than 65 years of business and technical expertise in mining, energy, and infrastructure, our 10,000 colleagues in 150 countries tirelessly work toward bettering the industries in which we operate. With practical solutions that are safe, innovative and sustainable, we think globally while acting locally. Are you looking for an opportunity to join a diverse group of professionals who are committed to remaining exceptional? We look forward to hearing from you.
Our expertise in infrastructure includes aviation, highways and bridges, planning and advisory services, ports, rail and transit, tunnels, and water. Want to be part of the creation and construction of our cities? Then the infrastructure team is for you!
Hatch is currently seeking an experienced Marine Structural Engineer to be based in Houston, TX as part of our dynamic and growing global Ports & Terminals (P&T) team, and to immediately support several major ongoing engagements with both public and private clients. The successful candidate will be a self-motivated established engineer in the ports, marine and coastal industry with demonstrated hands-on experience delivering for a broad range of clients. We have a number of exciting major projects throughout the US within the container, oil & gas, and dry bulk industries.
The position will involve:
- Accurate needs definition of client requirements
- Overseeing technical teams in the delivery of port and marine studies or design documentation
- Overseeing accurate implementation and adherence to specifications of design solutions delivered to clients including supervision and sign-off of completed work
- Active mentorship and development of graduates in technical fields of port and marine competencies
- Working within virtual teams in other geographies for seamless delivery of clients in any location
- Coordinating with multiple disciplines to deliver integrated project solutions
- Supporting business development initiatives
- Ensuring the delivery of quality work according to Hatch standards and procedures
Functional Tasks
- Definition and accurate planning during the sales cycle by contributing to identifying leads, transitioning these into opportunities, formulating proposals and crafting work and project approaches
- Leverage professional network to develop new opportunities
- Collaboratively engage with clients throughout the project lifecycle process
- Take on applicable project or task leadership roles and being responsible for the on time, on budget and on specification delivery of services and solutions
- Deliver excellence throughout projects and seeking opportunities to improve the client and/or project outcomes
- Take ownership of health, safety and environmental initiatives to “Work Safely Together” and contribute to a culture to minimise impacts on others or the environment
- Actively partake in and regularly connect with the Hatch P&T global practice through communication, activities in sharing of skills and supporting new initiatives
- Coach / Mentor others using a hands-on approach to further develop capabilities in Hatch
- Build a culture of collaboration with peers and partners
- Periodic travel might be required for periods of time
Preferred Experience / Education
- The following indicates specific industry, academic and functional experience/qualifications that are important to the successful achievement of the identified responsibilities and performance deliverables
- Bachelors Degree in a Civil or Mechanical Engineering discipline with Masters Degree preferred in the fields of ports, marine and/or coastal engineering
- Minimum of 7 years of experience including ports and marine engineering projects
- Registered PE in the State of Texas
- Experience with front end study delivery
- Experience in detail design in port and/or marine structures, including development of load cases, detail structural analysis and design according to best practice codes and standards
- Proven business and technical experience having demonstrated client engagement skills that enabled problem synthesis and solution development through targeted interactions
- Experience working with distributed teams of professionals and in managing teams of professionals
Why join us?
- Work with great people to make a difference
- Collaborate on exciting projects to develop innovative solutions
- Top employer
What we offer you?
- Flexible work environment
- Long term career development
- Think globally, work locally
Don't meet every single requirement? You don't need to. At Hatch, we are building a diverse, inclusive workplace that fosters innovation. If you're interested in this role, we encourage you to apply even if your past experiences don't perfectly align with the skills we've listed.
We're committed to fostering a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we operate and serve. Hatch is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers applicants without regard to age, race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran, or any other protected status. If you have any accommodation requirements, please let us know. We'll do our best to meet your needs in accordance with applicable local legislation.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Marine Engineer
Verify your degree meets specialty occupation
USCIS requires your degree field to directly relate to marine engineering duties. A naval architecture or mechanical engineering degree typically satisfies this. If your degree is in a broader field, gather coursework transcripts showing marine systems, propulsion, or structural design concentration before applying.
Pull prevailing wage data before negotiating
Your employer's LCA must certify a wage at or above the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and worksite location. Run your role and ZIP code through the OFLC Wage Search so you enter salary conversations knowing the floor USCIS will scrutinize.
Target shipyards and offshore operators with LCA history
Use Migrate Mate to search employers by role and filter to companies with verified H-1B LCA filing history in marine engineering. Shipbuilding contractors and offshore energy operators file more consistently than smaller naval consultancies, giving you a faster path to a petition-ready offer.
Confirm each worksite has its own certified LCA
Marine engineers often rotate across shipyards, drydocks, or offshore platforms. Each distinct worksite requires its own DOL-certified LCA before you can legally work there. Confirm with your employer that every project location is listed on a certified LCA before you travel or report.
Get your credentials evaluated before the I-129 stage
If your marine engineering degree is from outside the U.S., have it formally evaluated by a NACES-member credential evaluation service before your employer files. USCIS adjudicators regularly request equivalency documentation for foreign degrees in technical engineering roles, and delays here push back your start date.
Understand the H-1B status clock on project-based contracts
H-1B status is approved for up to three years and can be extended to a six-year maximum. Project-based contracts common in marine engineering can create gaps between assignments. Confirm your employer will maintain your H-1B status during any bench periods between vessel contracts or deployment cycles.
H-1B Visa Marine Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Marine Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Marine engineering typically qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in marine engineering, naval architecture, or a closely related engineering discipline. USCIS evaluates the specific job duties and degree requirements listed in the I-129 petition, so your employer's offer letter and LCA should clearly tie the daily technical duties to that degree requirement.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Marine Engineers?
The most active H-1B sponsors for marine engineers include commercial shipbuilding contractors, offshore oil and gas operators, federal defense contractors working on naval vessels, and classification societies. Government-owned shipyards and certain academic research institutions may be cap-exempt, meaning they can file outside the annual cap and selection process. Migrate Mate lists employers with verified LCA filing history so you can target companies already familiar with H-1B sponsorship for this role.
How does the H-1B cap and selection process affect Marine Engineers?
Most private-sector marine engineering roles fall under the annual H-1B cap. The selection rules have changed recently, so check USCIS for current registration mechanics. Defense contractors, universities, and nonprofit research organizations are often cap-exempt, meaning petitions filed through those employers bypass the cap entirely. If you're targeting cap-subject employers, your timing needs to align with the USCIS registration window.
What happens to my H-1B status if I move between project sites or vessels?
Each worksite where you perform H-1B duties needs a separately certified LCA on file with DOL. Marine engineers who rotate between shipyards, offshore platforms, or drydock facilities in different metropolitan areas must have their employer file and certify a new LCA before work begins at each location. Short-term placements under ten days may qualify for a short-term placement exception, but your employer's immigration counsel should confirm eligibility before you travel.
Can I switch employers while on H-1B status as a Marine Engineer?
Yes, H-1B portability under AC21 allows you to change employers while a new I-129 petition is pending, provided your original petition was approved and you've been in valid H-1B status. Your new employer must file a fresh I-129 and a certified LCA for your new worksite before or immediately after you start. Project-based roles in marine engineering with multiple clients require careful coordination to avoid unauthorized work between contracts.