H-1B Visa Structural Drafter Jobs
Structural Drafter roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree in drafting, civil engineering, or a related field. Employers file a Labor Condition Application with DOL before sponsoring, certifying the offered wage meets the prevailing rate for your work location.
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WSP is initiating a search for an Intermediate Structural Drafter to join our Property & Buildings team in Los Angeles, CA.
Provides technical support, under the supervision of a Lead Technician, relating to the modeling and detailing of new and existing structures. Additional tasks may include coordinating with architects, contractors, and clients, and managing projects independently. Ensures high-quality deliverables are produced and distributed on time and in compliance with WSP drafting standards. Demonstrates leadership qualities and a passion for growing within the structural engineering profession.
Your Impact
- Construct comprehensive structural Revit models related to the design and construction of concrete, concrete masonry (CMU), steel, metal stud, light-frame wood, and mass timber structures for residential, institutional, and commercial projects.
- Generate structural drawings from engineering markups and architectural backgrounds.
- Incorporate advanced modeling techniques, concept development, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality of end-users, while also utilizing future-ready solutions with structural engineering design standards.
- Maintain cloud-based BIM models throughout the duration of a project.
- Contribute to project coordination through direct collaboration with structural engineers, remote/in-person meetings, and structural narratives.
- Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, statistical analysis, and reporting.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma
- 5+ years of relevant experience in engineering drafting.
- Experience with Revit and AutoCAD.
- Experience with cloud-based BIM platforms including, but not limited to, BIM360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud/Forma.
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and mechanical drawings.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey technical concepts effectively and professionally to engineering and non-engineering audiences.
- Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate Degree in Drafting or a related technical discipline.
- Prior drafting experience in a structural engineering firm.
WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $37.00-45.00/Hourly
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
This Opportunity
WSP is initiating a search for an Intermediate Structural Drafter to join our Property & Buildings team in Los Angeles, CA.
Provides technical support, under the supervision of a Lead Technician, relating to the modeling and detailing of new and existing structures. Additional tasks may include coordinating with architects, contractors, and clients, and managing projects independently. Ensures high-quality deliverables are produced and distributed on time and in compliance with WSP drafting standards. Demonstrates leadership qualities and a passion for growing within the structural engineering profession.
Your Impact
- Construct comprehensive structural Revit models related to the design and construction of concrete, concrete masonry (CMU), steel, metal stud, light-frame wood, and mass timber structures for residential, institutional, and commercial projects.
- Generate structural drawings from engineering markups and architectural backgrounds.
- Incorporate advanced modeling techniques, concept development, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality of end-users, while also utilizing future-ready solutions with structural engineering design standards.
- Maintain cloud-based BIM models throughout the duration of a project.
- Contribute to project coordination through direct collaboration with structural engineers, remote/in-person meetings, and structural narratives.
- Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, statistical analysis, and reporting.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- High School Diploma
- 5+ years of relevant experience in engineering drafting.
- Experience with Revit and AutoCAD.
- Experience with cloud-based BIM platforms including, but not limited to, BIM360 and Autodesk Construction Cloud/Forma.
- Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and mechanical drawings.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to convey technical concepts effectively and professionally to engineering and non-engineering audiences.
- Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
- Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate Degree in Drafting or a related technical discipline.
- Prior drafting experience in a structural engineering firm.
WSP Benefits:
WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $37.00-45.00/Hourly
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
See all H-1B Visa Structural Drafter Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Structural Drafter
Verify your degree maps to the role
USCIS requires your degree field to align directly with the Structural Drafter position. A civil engineering or architectural technology degree is the strongest match. A general drafting certificate alone may trigger a Request for Evidence.
Check employer LCA filings before applying
Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm a firm has filed Labor Condition Applications for drafting or engineering roles. Active LCA history signals the employer has an established H-1B sponsorship process, not just a willingness in theory.
Target E-Verify enrolled engineering and construction firms
STEM OPT extension employers must enroll in E-Verify, and many carry that compliance culture into H-1B hiring. Engineering consultancies and large construction groups with E-Verify enrollment are more likely to have dedicated HR immigration workflows.
Request the prevailing wage level in your offer negotiation
DOL assigns Structural Drafter positions a wage level from I to IV based on experience and complexity. Ask your employer which level they intend to file under before accepting the offer, since the LCA wage floor binds them for the visa period.
Search Migrate Mate for verified H-1B sponsoring employers
Filter by Structural Drafter roles on Migrate Mate to see employers with confirmed DOL LCA filing history for this occupation. That data lets you skip outreach to firms that have never sponsored drafting positions.
File before April 1 to hit the H-1B cap registration window
USCIS opens H-1B lottery registration in March each year. Your employer must submit your registration before the window closes, so finalize your job offer, degree credentials, and specialty occupation documentation well before February.
H-1B Visa Structural Drafter: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Structural Drafter role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
It can, but it depends on how the employer defines the position. USCIS requires the role to normally require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as civil engineering, architectural technology, or drafting. If the job posting says a degree is preferred rather than required, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence challenging the specialty occupation classification. Ask the employer to confirm the minimum education requirement in the offer letter before filing.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Structural Drafters?
Engineering consultancies, civil infrastructure firms, and large architecture practices are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for drafting roles. You can verify which specific employers have filed Labor Condition Applications for drafting or engineering positions using the OFLC Wage Search. Migrate Mate surfaces this DOL filing data by occupation, so you can identify active sponsors before applying rather than discovering late in the interview process that a firm has never filed for a Structural Drafter.
How does the prevailing wage requirement affect a Structural Drafter offer?
Before your employer can file an H-1B petition, DOL must certify a Labor Condition Application confirming the offered wage meets the prevailing rate for your occupation and work location. DOL uses the OFLC Wage Search data to set wage levels I through IV based on experience and job complexity. Your employer is legally bound to pay at least that certified wage for the full duration of your H-1B status, so the LCA wage level directly affects your offer.
Can a Structural Drafter change employers while on H-1B status?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for a new employer as soon as they file an H-1B transfer petition with USCIS, as long as your previous H-1B approval was valid and you've maintained lawful status. You don't need to wait for USCIS to approve the transfer petition before starting the new role. Make sure the new employer files promptly and that the new position still qualifies as a specialty occupation.
Does the O*NET classification for Structural Drafters support H-1B sponsorship?
O*NET classifies Structural Drafters under a job zone that typically requires postsecondary education, which supports the specialty occupation argument. However, USCIS makes its own independent determination and looks at the actual duties in the petition, not just the O*NET profile. Your employer's petition should document that the specific position requires a degree in a directly related field, using O*NET as supporting evidence alongside the job description and industry standards.