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.

Find H-1B Visa Marine Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs12+
Work Type67% On-site
Top LocationTampa, FL
Most JobsMoffatt & Nichol

Showing 5 of 12+ Marine Engineer jobs

Marine Structural Engineer
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Added 1w ago
Marine Structural Engineer
Hatch
Houston, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Senior Marine Structural Engineer
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Added 2w ago
Senior Marine Structural Engineer
RINA
Houston, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
$135k - $210k/yr
On-Site
None
51-200

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Marine Structural Engineer - Technical Lead
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Added 1mo ago
Marine Structural Engineer - Technical Lead
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson
Charleston, South Carolina
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Ports and Marine Civil Engineer
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Added 2mo ago
Ports and Marine Civil Engineer
WSP
Tampa, Florida
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$83k - $127k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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Project Manager, Senior Marine Structural Engineer
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Added 6mo ago
Project Manager, Senior Marine Structural Engineer
AtkinsRéalis
Tampa, Florida
Project & Program Management
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Project Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
$90k - $150k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips 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.