H-1B Visa Principal Civil Engineer Jobs
Principal Civil Engineer jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship are available at infrastructure firms, public agencies, and large engineering consultancies across the U.S. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation, requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in civil engineering. Employers file a Labor Condition Application and I-129 petition on your behalf before you can begin work.
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At Toole Design, we’re leading the way in creating safer, more connected communities through sustainable multimodal transportation design. We’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our growing team in Silver Spring, MD, someone who’s excited to lead impactful transportation projects that reflect our mission and values.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE
At Toole Design, you’ll join an employee-owned team of engineers, planners, landscape architects, and urban designers who care deeply about the places we shape. Our colleagues have helped write and implement the national guidance that defines our field, including the AASHTO Bike Guide (5th Edition), the forthcoming AASHTO Pedestrian Guide (3rd Edition), the FHWA Guide for Achieving Multimodal Networks, and numerous NCHRP publications.
Here, you’ll learn directly from those experts. They’ll mentor you, invest in your growth, and help you build a career with lasting impact. And because we’re employee-owned, you’ll have a direct stake in our shared success. We also offer:
- A collaborative, inclusive culture that supports your growth and advancement
- A hybrid schedule with shared team days in office (Tuesday-Thursday)
- 8 paid holidays; and at least 16 days of PTO accrual annually
- Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and transportation perks: Benefits and Supports
- Projects that truly improve lives through safe, comprehensive design rooted in ethics, empathy, and equity
- Employee-ownership, so we all share in the success we build together, and the financial security that comes with it
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As a Principal Civil Engineer at Toole Design, you’ll lead the design and delivery of complex, high-visibility transportation projects, from quick-build and permanent safety improvements and major trail projects to multimodal capacity expansions featuring innovative intersection treatments and major capital investments. As project manager, you’ll own scope, schedule, budget and project financials. You’ll guide civil design teams and collaborate with clients and interdisciplinary partners from concept through construction, turning complex challenges into creative, buildable solutions. You’ll manage a team of engineers who share your commitment to the work, mentoring junior staff, and supporting each person’s growth. As a technical lead, you’ll also perform quality control reviews on projects led by others ahead of major milestones, helping ensure every submittal is accurate, complete, and buildable. You’ll also lead client meetings and help grow our business across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic, building your reputation as a trusted expert at a company that promotes from within.
JOIN US. MAKE AN IMPACT.
We’re proud to be an ENR Top 500 design firm with one of the lowest turnover rates in the industry. If you’re ready to do meaningful work with a supportive, talented team—apply today!
SALARY RANGE
We are targeting a salary range of $155,000 to $185,000 for a candidate with a PE. Candidates with additional experience or qualifications may fall into a different salary range.
REQUIREMENTS
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, or the ability to gain reciprocity within first 6 months of employment
- Proven leadership of multi-discipline infrastructure design and construction teams
- 15+ years of experience in transportation engineering, including at least 10 years managing complex transportation projects
- Strong networks and relationships in the Mid-Atlantic transportation market, including existing clients with the DOT, municipalities, and other consulting firms
- Bonus: Design and project management experience in both multimodal transportation and roadway design projects, and you are comfortable presenting on projects and in pursuit interviews.
Questions, assistance or accommodations? Contact HR@tooledesign.com or call 301-927-1900, press 5.
At Toole Design, we foster a collaborative culture and welcome people of all backgrounds to help build more inclusive communities. We strongly encourage women and applicants from underrepresented communities, people of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, first-generation college students/graduates, those with disabilities and people at all the intersections in between, to apply. We're proud that about half our managers are women and we are committed to diverse leadership that reflects the communities we serve. Toole Design is a woman-owned, equal opportunity employer (EO/AA/VEV/Disabled employer).
At Toole Design, people are at the center of everything we do. We bring this value to our recruitment process and do not use AI, automated filtering algorithms, or bot screening. We believe every candidate deserves a thoughtful review, so every application is read by a member of our team.
DESCRIPTION:
At Toole Design, we’re leading the way in creating safer, more connected communities through sustainable multimodal transportation design. We’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our growing team in Silver Spring, MD, someone who’s excited to lead impactful transportation projects that reflect our mission and values.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE
At Toole Design, you’ll join an employee-owned team of engineers, planners, landscape architects, and urban designers who care deeply about the places we shape. Our colleagues have helped write and implement the national guidance that defines our field, including the AASHTO Bike Guide (5th Edition), the forthcoming AASHTO Pedestrian Guide (3rd Edition), the FHWA Guide for Achieving Multimodal Networks, and numerous NCHRP publications.
Here, you’ll learn directly from those experts. They’ll mentor you, invest in your growth, and help you build a career with lasting impact. And because we’re employee-owned, you’ll have a direct stake in our shared success. We also offer:
- A collaborative, inclusive culture that supports your growth and advancement
- A hybrid schedule with shared team days in office (Tuesday-Thursday)
- 8 paid holidays; and at least 16 days of PTO accrual annually
- Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and transportation perks: Benefits and Supports
- Projects that truly improve lives through safe, comprehensive design rooted in ethics, empathy, and equity
- Employee-ownership, so we all share in the success we build together, and the financial security that comes with it
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As a Principal Civil Engineer at Toole Design, you’ll lead the design and delivery of complex, high-visibility transportation projects, from quick-build and permanent safety improvements and major trail projects to multimodal capacity expansions featuring innovative intersection treatments and major capital investments. As project manager, you’ll own scope, schedule, budget and project financials. You’ll guide civil design teams and collaborate with clients and interdisciplinary partners from concept through construction, turning complex challenges into creative, buildable solutions. You’ll manage a team of engineers who share your commitment to the work, mentoring junior staff, and supporting each person’s growth. As a technical lead, you’ll also perform quality control reviews on projects led by others ahead of major milestones, helping ensure every submittal is accurate, complete, and buildable. You’ll also lead client meetings and help grow our business across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic, building your reputation as a trusted expert at a company that promotes from within.
JOIN US. MAKE AN IMPACT.
We’re proud to be an ENR Top 500 design firm with one of the lowest turnover rates in the industry. If you’re ready to do meaningful work with a supportive, talented team—apply today!
SALARY RANGE
We are targeting a salary range of $155,000 to $185,000 for a candidate with a PE. Candidates with additional experience or qualifications may fall into a different salary range.
REQUIREMENTS
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, or the ability to gain reciprocity within first 6 months of employment
- Proven leadership of multi-discipline infrastructure design and construction teams
- 15+ years of experience in transportation engineering, including at least 10 years managing complex transportation projects
- Strong networks and relationships in the Mid-Atlantic transportation market, including existing clients with the DOT, municipalities, and other consulting firms
- Bonus: Design and project management experience in both multimodal transportation and roadway design projects, and you are comfortable presenting on projects and in pursuit interviews.
Questions, assistance or accommodations? Contact HR@tooledesign.com or call 301-927-1900, press 5.
At Toole Design, we foster a collaborative culture and welcome people of all backgrounds to help build more inclusive communities. We strongly encourage women and applicants from underrepresented communities, people of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, first-generation college students/graduates, those with disabilities and people at all the intersections in between, to apply. We're proud that about half our managers are women and we are committed to diverse leadership that reflects the communities we serve. Toole Design is a woman-owned, equal opportunity employer (EO/AA/VEV/Disabled employer).
At Toole Design, people are at the center of everything we do. We bring this value to our recruitment process and do not use AI, automated filtering algorithms, or bot screening. We believe every candidate deserves a thoughtful review, so every application is read by a member of our team.
See all 182+ H-1B Visa Principal Civil Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Principal Civil Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Civil Engineer
Verify your credentials meet LCA requirements
Your civil engineering degree must align directly with the job duties the employer describes in the LCA. If you hold a three-year degree from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation confirming equivalency to a U.S. bachelor's in civil engineering before applying.
Check prevailing wage tiers before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before salary discussions. Principal Civil Engineers often fall into Level III or IV, and your offer must meet or exceed the certified wage on the LCA.
Target employers with active LCA filing history
Find Principal Civil Engineer roles at employers with verified H-1B sponsorship history by searching Migrate Mate, which lists U.S. employers with confirmed LCA filings by occupation and location, so you're not wasting time on companies that don't sponsor.
Confirm each worksite has its own certified LCA
If your role involves multiple project sites, each location requires its own certified LCA before you work there. Raise this with your employer early, especially on infrastructure or transportation projects where site assignments change frequently.
Account for the H-1B cap and filing timeline
Principal Civil Engineer roles at private firms are subject to the H-1B annual cap, and selection rules have changed recently. Build at least six months of lead time into your job search so your employer can file when the registration window opens.
Use O*NET to frame your specialty occupation case
If your employer needs to document why the role requires a civil engineering degree, the O*NET occupation profile for Principal Civil Engineer lists the core knowledge domains and tasks that support the specialty occupation argument in the I-129 petition.
H-1B Visa Principal Civil Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Civil Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Principal Civil Engineer is a specialty occupation under H-1B rules because it typically requires at least a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field. The role involves engineering judgment, design responsibility, and technical analysis that the degree directly prepares you for. Employers document this connection in the I-129 petition using your job duties and the O*NET occupation profile.
How long does H-1B status last for a Principal Civil Engineer?
H-1B status is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended to a maximum of six years. Extensions beyond six years are possible only if you have an approved immigrant petition or a pending PERM labor certification that has been filed for at least 365 days. After six years, you generally must leave the U.S. and reapply unless one of those conditions applies.
What documents does my employer need to file my H-1B petition?
Your employer must first file a Labor Condition Application with DOL and receive certification before submitting the I-129 petition to USCIS. They'll need your academic transcripts and degree certificates, a copy of any professional engineering license you hold, your resume detailing qualifying experience, and a formal job offer letter describing the specialty occupation duties and the certified LCA wage.
Do I need a Professional Engineer license for H-1B sponsorship as a Principal Civil Engineer?
A PE license is not strictly required by USCIS for H-1B approval, but many employers expect it at the principal level because state licensing laws require licensed engineers to seal design documents. If you hold a PE license from outside the U.S., check whether your state offers a reciprocal licensing pathway, since an active U.S. PE license strengthens both your specialty occupation case and your competitiveness.
How do I find Principal Civil Engineer jobs where employers are open to H-1B sponsorship?
Search Migrate Mate to browse Principal Civil Engineer roles at employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history. Infrastructure consultancies, public transit authorities, and large municipal contractors are among the most active sponsors for this role. Focusing on employers with an established LCA track record cuts down on roles where sponsorship is offered in principle but rarely executed.