H-1B Visa Principal Structural Engineer Jobs
Principal Structural Engineer jobs qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations because the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering. Employers sponsor H-1B status for up to three years, extendable to six, and must file a certified LCA for each worksite where you'll be working.
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Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to be based in either Los Angeles or Orange, CA. This Senior Structural Engineer will support a wide range of projects across industries including entertainment, commercial, industrial, government, detention, and parking structures. This role offers the opportunity to develop analytical and design skills while focusing on seismic design, seismic retrofits, and advanced structural analysis methods.
Join our dynamic team supporting exciting projects! Work independently and make technical decisions based on building code interpretation as well as company, client, and industry standard practices. Mentor and teach junior engineers. Grow your career with us in our Building+ Places group.
LA28 & AECOM: Transforming Los Angeles
We are proud to be the Official Venue Infrastructure Partner for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA. With an unprecedented scope spanning infrastructure architecture, engineering, planning, program management, and construction management, AECOM will support the comprehensive delivery of the venue infrastructure program for the Games. Join us in shaping LA28 and redefining the future of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
About Buildings + Places
AECOM’s Buildings + Places practice includes architecture, interiors, building engineering, workplace strategy, business transformation, asset advisory, economics and development planning, master planning, urban planning, and landscape architecture in a dynamic, interactive, and creative work environment.
With a range of expertise from strategy and design through project realization, we create better outcomes to grow economies, protect natural systems, conserve natural resources, make societies more equitable and connect and engage people through innovative, sustainable design solutions.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Performs specific and moderate portions of a broader assignment of an experienced engineer.
- Gathers and correlates basic engineering data using established and well-defined procedures.
- Works on detailed or routine engineering assignments involving calculations and relatively simple to complex tests.
- Proposes approach to solve new problems encountered using modifications of standard procedures or methods developed in previous assignments.
- Identifies discrepancies in results.
- Provides guidance to entry level engineers.
- Performs work in accordance with agreed upon budget and schedule with little supervision.
- Independently performs all the tasks necessary to complete primary design elements for engineering works.
- Performance at this level requires developmental experience in a professional position.
- Potential projects come from a wide variety of industry sectors including entertainment, commercial, industrial, parking structures, government, and detention.
- Engineer will work collaboratively with more experienced engineers where required on very large projects and will be given the responsibility to lead/work independently on moderately sized structural design projects and tasks.
Daily work includes:
- Perform structural analysis and design
- Coordinate work with other design disciplines and prepare contract documents
- Construction administration
- Author structural reports, assessments, and studies.
Qualifications
Minimum:
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or Architectural Engineering and 8 years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
- US Citizenship due to federal contract/security requirements
Preferred:
- Master of Science (with structural engineering concentration)
- Preferred 12+ years of experience
- Professional License in California (SE)
- Demonstrated experience applying all major structural design codes (IBC, CBC, ASCE 7, etc)
- Demonstrated experience using 3-D structural analysis software (examples include ETABS, SAP, RISA, RAM, and SAFE)
- Experience designing in Steel, Concrete, Masonry, and Timber
- Experience with Wind and Seismic lateral design, including retrofit of existing structures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with performance-based design is highly desirable
- Experience with ASCE 41 for retrofit of existing structures is highly desirable.
Additional Information
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.
We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.
Job Description
AECOM is seeking a Principal Structural Engineer to be based in either Los Angeles or Orange, CA. This Senior Structural Engineer will support a wide range of projects across industries including entertainment, commercial, industrial, government, detention, and parking structures. This role offers the opportunity to develop analytical and design skills while focusing on seismic design, seismic retrofits, and advanced structural analysis methods.
Join our dynamic team supporting exciting projects! Work independently and make technical decisions based on building code interpretation as well as company, client, and industry standard practices. Mentor and teach junior engineers. Grow your career with us in our Building+ Places group.
LA28 & AECOM: Transforming Los Angeles
We are proud to be the Official Venue Infrastructure Partner for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and Team USA. With an unprecedented scope spanning infrastructure architecture, engineering, planning, program management, and construction management, AECOM will support the comprehensive delivery of the venue infrastructure program for the Games. Join us in shaping LA28 and redefining the future of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
About Buildings + Places
AECOM’s Buildings + Places practice includes architecture, interiors, building engineering, workplace strategy, business transformation, asset advisory, economics and development planning, master planning, urban planning, and landscape architecture in a dynamic, interactive, and creative work environment.
With a range of expertise from strategy and design through project realization, we create better outcomes to grow economies, protect natural systems, conserve natural resources, make societies more equitable and connect and engage people through innovative, sustainable design solutions.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Performs specific and moderate portions of a broader assignment of an experienced engineer.
- Gathers and correlates basic engineering data using established and well-defined procedures.
- Works on detailed or routine engineering assignments involving calculations and relatively simple to complex tests.
- Proposes approach to solve new problems encountered using modifications of standard procedures or methods developed in previous assignments.
- Identifies discrepancies in results.
- Provides guidance to entry level engineers.
- Performs work in accordance with agreed upon budget and schedule with little supervision.
- Independently performs all the tasks necessary to complete primary design elements for engineering works.
- Performance at this level requires developmental experience in a professional position.
- Potential projects come from a wide variety of industry sectors including entertainment, commercial, industrial, parking structures, government, and detention.
- Engineer will work collaboratively with more experienced engineers where required on very large projects and will be given the responsibility to lead/work independently on moderately sized structural design projects and tasks.
Daily work includes:
- Perform structural analysis and design
- Coordinate work with other design disciplines and prepare contract documents
- Construction administration
- Author structural reports, assessments, and studies.
Qualifications
Minimum:
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or Architectural Engineering and 8 years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
- US Citizenship due to federal contract/security requirements
Preferred:
- Master of Science (with structural engineering concentration)
- Preferred 12+ years of experience
- Professional License in California (SE)
- Demonstrated experience applying all major structural design codes (IBC, CBC, ASCE 7, etc)
- Demonstrated experience using 3-D structural analysis software (examples include ETABS, SAP, RISA, RAM, and SAFE)
- Experience designing in Steel, Concrete, Masonry, and Timber
- Experience with Wind and Seismic lateral design, including retrofit of existing structures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Experience with performance-based design is highly desirable
- Experience with ASCE 41 for retrofit of existing structures is highly desirable.
Additional Information
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
About AECOM
AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.
AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.
What makes AECOM a great place to work
You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
See all 184+ H-1B Visa Principal Structural Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Principal Structural Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Structural Engineer
Verify your credentials match LCA requirements
Your degree must be in civil, structural, or a closely related engineering field. If you hold a foreign credential, get a NACES-member evaluation completed before applying, employers filing your LCA need to confirm the degree equivalency upfront.
Search LCA filings by SOC code
Principal Structural Engineers typically file under SOC 17-2051 (Civil Engineers). Pull DOL OFLC disclosure data filtered to that code to identify which firms certified LCAs in your target metro, this tells you who has actually sponsored the role, not just who posts open positions.
Target AEC firms with multi-state project pipelines
Architecture, engineering, and construction firms with active projects across multiple states file LCAs more routinely than single-office practices. Each worksite requires its own certified LCA, so firms with established multi-site workflows handle the process faster and with fewer delays.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified H-1B sponsors
Filter your job search to employers with confirmed H-1B LCA filing history for structural engineering roles. Migrate Mate surfaces this DOL data by occupation and location, so you're applying to firms that have already navigated the sponsorship process for your role type.
Get your PE license application started early
Many senior Principal Structural Engineer roles require or strongly prefer a Professional Engineer license. State licensure boards have varying processing timelines. Starting your application before accepting an offer keeps your credentials aligned with what the LCA job requirements will specify.
Clarify worksite assignments before I-129 filing
If your role involves work at client sites, construction sites, or multiple office locations, confirm with your employer which addresses will be listed on the LCA. USCIS scrutinizes petitions where the worksite on the I-129 doesn't match where you'll actually perform services.
H-1B Visa Principal Structural Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Structural Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Principal Structural Engineer positions require at minimum a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard USCIS applies. The role involves complex structural analysis, design, and professional engineering judgment that is directly tied to that specific degree field. Employers document the degree requirement in the LCA and I-129 petition.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor H-1B visas for structural engineers?
DOL OFLC disclosure data lists every certified LCA by occupation code, employer name, and worksite location. Migrate Mate organizes this data so you can search directly for firms that have filed LCAs for structural engineering roles in your target city. This approach surfaces active sponsors rather than relying on job postings alone.
Does my employer need a separate LCA for each project site?
Yes. USCIS requires a certified LCA for each worksite where you perform H-1B work. If your role takes you to client sites or multiple office locations not listed on the original LCA, your employer must file an amended I-129 with an updated LCA covering those locations before you begin work there. This is a frequent compliance issue in AEC project environments.
How long does H-1B status last for a Principal Structural Engineer?
USCIS grants H-1B status for an initial period of up to three years. Your employer can file an extension to reach the six-year maximum. Beyond six years, further extensions typically require an approved I-140 immigrant visa petition or a pending PERM labor certification that meets the statutory filing-date thresholds under AC21.
Does holding a Professional Engineer license affect my H-1B petition as a structural engineer?
A PE license strengthens your petition by confirming that your qualifications meet the professional engineering standard that many senior structural engineering roles formally require. While USCIS evaluates the degree requirement rather than licensure, an employer whose job posting lists PE as required should reflect that in the I-129 to avoid a Request for Evidence challenging the specialty occupation classification.