H-1B Visa Research Consultant Jobs
Research Consultant jobs at H-1B visa sponsoring employers require a bachelor's degree or higher in a directly related field, qualifying the role as a specialty occupation. Sponsoring employers file a Labor Condition Application with DOL and an I-129 petition with USCIS, covering up to three years of status with extensions to six.
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Do you want to help engineer what’s next?
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is a multidisciplinary, national engineering firm of trusted consultants and technical experts offering services in structures, building enclosures, advanced analysis, performance & code consulting, and applied science & research. We are committed to building long-term client partnerships, creating rewarding careers for our employees, advancing our profession, and giving back to our communities. At SGH, we lean into complex challenges—applying our expertise, curiosity, and collaborative approach to help our clients move forward with confidence.
What makes careers at SGH so special?
The only way to advance is to question and explore. Every member of the SGH team is both a learner and an educator, committed to advancing ourselves, our teams, and our industry. Together we are creating a community that never settles for what is but always seeks what could be.
There are many reasons to love SGH:
* Our Work: Our clients trust us to bring clarity and deliver outstanding solutions for their most complex projects.
* Our People: We are bold thinkers and compassionate teammates, committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
* Our Commitment: We live with integrity and embrace an obligation to give back to our professions and communities.
* Our Contribution: We offer a comprehensive and rich compensation and benefits package with company-paid and voluntary programs to help build healthy lifestyles, strong relationships, and future prosperity.
What You'll Do:
* Perform a wide range of engineering testing and analysis involving building, bridge, and piping projects of many material types (i.e., concrete, composites, polymers & plastics, wood, metals, glass, and masonry & ceramics).
* Develop scope of services and prepare proposals.
* Serve as a Project Manager, assembling and managing the project team, oversee work and serve as the primary client contact.
* Monitor and/or conduct laboratory testing and failure analysis of materials used in construction.
* Analyze research and investigation data to develop well-founded cause-and-effect relationships.
* Design, build, fabricate, and/or subcontract fixtures for testing.
* Conduct on-site inspection/investigation including survey and documentation of distress, field testing, and condition documentation.
* Stay abreast of new scientific methods and developments affecting their technical specialty.
* Actively participate in industry organizations, serve on technical committees, and author papers in area of expertise while developing industry recognition as an expert.
* Develop internally and externally funded research projects related to our core business.
What You'll Need:
* Bachelor's degree or master’s degree in Civil, Structural, Mechanical Engineering, or Materials Science from an ABET-accredited university. Well-qualified candidates with an Associate’s degree will be considered.
* 5-10 years of engineering experience (less considered if MS).
* Professional Engineer License (P.E.) required (or the ability and passion to obtain within 2 years).
* Experience designing, procuring, building, and using custom test set-ups for material and assembly testing in a fast-paced laboratory environment.
* Experience with testing equipment (e.g., Instron, MTS, Forney).
* Very familiar with computer laboratory software (e.g., SolidWorks, MATLAB, LabVIEW).
* Strong communication and writing skills required.
* Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
* Independent problem-solving skills.
* Lifelong learner.
* Ability to work in a team environment and lead younger engineering staff on assignments.
* Must have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.
Benefits Overview:
SGH provides the following benefits to eligible employees:
* Paid Time Off (Vacation time, Sick leave, Holidays).
* Paid Parental Leave.
* Profit Sharing and 401(k) plan with a discretionary company contribution.
* Health Insurance (Medical, Dental & Vision).
* Short and Long-Term Disability (company paid).
* Employee Basic Life and AD&D insurance (company paid).
* Optional Life Insurance.
* Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts.
* Fertility, Family Forming, and Hormonal Health benefit.
* Employee Assistance Program.
* Empathy Bereavement Support.
* Pre-tax Commuter Benefit.
* AFLAC Accident & Cancer Insurance.
* Legal & Identity Theft plans.
* Tuition Reimbursement.
Compensation:
The below range is a good faith estimate pursuant to applicable equal pay and pay transparency laws. The actual salary offered will be based on several factors including the candidate’s experience, qualifications and work location.
Base salary is a part of SGH’s industry leading Total Compensation package. Our Total Compensation package includes base salary, pay for extra hours worked, an annual discretionary bonus program, generous paid time off, and health and wellness benefits with a special emphasis on substantial SGH contributions to medical insurance premiums and SGH’s Profit Sharing & 401(k) Plan.
This position is eligible for a $7,500 sign-on bonus. Consulting Engineer, Consulting Architect or Project Consultant II:
$93,600 to $120,120.
SGH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We consider all qualified applicants and encourage individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply. If the application system is not accessible to you, or you need a reasonable accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email jobs@sgh.com or call 781-907-9000 and ask for Human Resources.
TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: SGH does not accept unsolicited agency resumes or candidate profiles. Please do not forward resumes or profiles for any of our job postings to our career site or to any Simpson Gumpertz & Heger employee. SGH is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
See all 13,614+ H-1B Visa Research Consultant Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Research Consultant
Frame your credentials around specialty occupation
Pull up your O*NET profile for Research Consultant roles and confirm the listed tasks map to your degree field. USCIS scrutinizes whether your specific degree directly relates to the research duties, so document that alignment before applications go out.
Verify prevailing wages before comparing offers
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for Research Consultant at the Level II or III wage tier in each target metro. Your offer must meet or exceed that figure on the certified LCA, so knowing the floor early prevents late-stage surprises.
Target employers with active research infrastructure
Prioritize consulting firms, universities, think tanks, and R&D divisions that employ full research teams rather than isolated consultant roles. These organizations already have established LCA filing processes and in-house or retained immigration counsel familiar with research-track petitions.
Find sponsors using Migrate Mate's verified LCA data
Search Research Consultant roles on Migrate Mate, which lists employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history by role and location. This surfaces active sponsors rather than companies that filed years ago or only occasionally support visa petitions for research positions.
Confirm each worksite gets its own certified LCA
If your role involves client sites or rotating project locations, each distinct worksite address requires its own DOL-certified LCA before work begins there. Raise this with your employer's immigration counsel during the offer stage, not after placement assignments are confirmed.
Use the 60-day grace period strategically between roles
If a research consulting engagement ends before your H-1B period expires, USCIS allows a 60-day grace period to secure a new sponsoring employer and file a transfer petition. Start outreach before the project closes, not after, to keep status continuous.
H-1B Visa Research Consultant: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Consultant role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, Research Consultant typically qualifies as a specialty occupation because the role requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as economics, social sciences, public policy, data science, or a relevant hard science. USCIS evaluates whether the specific duties in the job description demand that theoretical and applied knowledge, so your employer's LCA and I-129 petition must clearly tie the research tasks to your degree discipline.
How do I find employers who sponsor H-1B visas for Research Consultant positions?
Browse Research Consultant listings on Migrate Mate, which shows employers with verified H-1B Labor Condition Application filing history for this type of role. Beyond job boards, look at consulting firms with dedicated research practices, federal contractors, policy institutes, and university-affiliated research centers, all of which routinely sponsor H-1B petitions for research-track professionals.
Can my H-1B transfer to a new research consulting employer mid-project?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for a new sponsoring employer as soon as the transfer petition is filed with USCIS, provided your current status is valid and the new role also qualifies as a specialty occupation. Your new employer must file a fresh I-129 and a separately certified LCA covering the new worksite and wage level before or at the time of filing.
What documentation strengthens an H-1B petition for a Research Consultant?
USCIS looks for evidence that the position requires a specific degree, not just any bachelor's. Useful support documents include the job description explicitly listing degree-level research methodologies, your transcripts and diplomas showing field alignment, any published research or project deliverables, and a detailed employer letter explaining why the role demands specialized academic training rather than general business experience.
How long does H-1B status last for a Research Consultant role?
USCIS initially grants H-1B status for up to three years, with extensions available in three-year increments up to a six-year maximum. If your employer begins sponsoring you for a green card through the PERM labor certification process before the six-year cap, certain extensions beyond six years may be available under AC21 provisions, depending on where your priority date falls in the immigrant visa queue.