H-1B Visa Structural Project Engineer Jobs
Structural Project Engineers qualify for H-1B sponsorship because the role meets the specialty occupation standard, a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering is required by definition. Large infrastructure firms, design-build contractors, and AEC consultancies are among the most consistent H-1B sponsors in this discipline.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
We are seeking a Structural Engineer to join our team and contribute to a wide range of projects, including civic and institutional buildings, healthcare facilities, residential construction, and research laboratory structures. The Structural Engineer will be responsible for performing structural analysis and seismic design, developing construction documents, and supporting projects through all phases from planning and permitting to construction. The role involves both technical design and collaboration across disciplines, with opportunities for leadership and mentorship.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Designing gravity, lateral, and foundation systems (shallow and deep foundations) for new buildings and retrofit projects in high seismic hazard zones.
- Performing structural analysis and seismic design using finite element analysis (FEA) software such as ETABS, RISA, SAFE, and RAM Steel.
- Designing main building systems—including columns, beams, footings, diaphragms—and secondary systems such as anchorage, bracing, partitions, and retaining walls.
- Analyzing and designing structural members in concrete, steel, and masonry using hand calculations and software (Enercalc, spCol) in compliance with ACI 318, AISC 360, and TMS 402/602 standards.
- Designing new concrete, steel, and masonry structures in accordance with ASCE 7 and the California Building Code (CBC), and developing retrofit schemes for existing buildings in accordance with ASCE 41 and the California Existing Building Code (CEBC).
- Producing comprehensive calculation packages, structural drawings, and details for permit and construction.
- Supporting Construction Administration activities, including submittal review, RFI coordination, and drawing development.
- Collaborating with the BIM department to maintain organizational standards for drawing production.
- Coordinating with project managers, architects, and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated project delivery.
- Providing technical guidance and oversight to junior engineers to ensure conformance with project design requirements.
- Supervising design engineers in construction administration tasks and ensuring quality control of construction documents.
Salary
Pay Range $100,000-$120,000 salary depending on education, licensure, and applicable experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Five years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- BS in Civil Engineering (with an emphasis in Structures).
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Undergraduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed courses in:
- Structural Analysis
- Mechanics of Materials
- Concrete
- Steel or Wood Design
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Eight years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Five years of experience training and supervising junior engineers.
- Master’s degree in Structural Engineering or in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Structures.
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Graduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed graduate level courses in:
- Structural Design
- Steel or Wood Design
- Concrete
- Seismic
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in California.
- Structural Engineer (SE) License in California.
- Highly qualified candidates have full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Proficiency in FEA and structural design software, including ETABS, RISA, SAFE, RAM Steel, Enercalc, and spCol.
- Strong knowledge of relevant codes and standards, including ACI 318, AISC 360, TMS 402/602, ASCE 7, ASCE 41, CBC, and CEBC.
- Ability to design multiple structural materials (concrete, steel, CMU, wood).
- Experience with HCAI/OSHPD projects and/or DSA projects.
- Experience developing retrofit schemes for existing structures.
- Experience designing healthcare, laboratory, or other highly regulated facilities.
- Solid understanding of seismic design principles and experience working in high seismic hazard zones.
- Skilled in preparing technical documents, structural drawings, and calculation packages.
- Strong coordination and communication skills for cross-team collaboration.
- Ability to supervise and mentor design engineers, and provide quality control oversight.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities to balance multiple projects.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this position, please apply on our careers page. Resumes sent elsewhere will not be considered.
Please provide transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses as well as a cover letter. In your cover letter (PDF) please respond to the following prompts:
- Describe a time when you were assigned a project or task that turned out to be really difficult. How did you work through it, and what was the outcome?
- Who has most influenced you and why?
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Duties are performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table.
- Duties require the ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day.
- May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.
- Duties require in-person attendance, Monday through Friday, during our business hours of 8 AM to 5 PM at our office in Downtown Los Angeles for the training period.
- Following a satisfactory training period a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week in the office may be accommodated.
Our Offices
Our Greater Los Angeles Structural office has two locations at the Bloc in Downtown Los Angeles and at the Irvine Towers in Irvine. A warm and friendly environment, we are dedicated to growing with our employees and allowing people to pursue their passions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Our Employees
Are valued and empowered, collaborative and team oriented, innovative in their approach and passionate about their work. They are reliable, trustworthy, and open with a high level of integrity. They value diversity, are inclusive and are committed to critically thinking through problems and finding solutions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
Company Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
We are seeking a Structural Engineer to join our team and contribute to a wide range of projects, including civic and institutional buildings, healthcare facilities, residential construction, and research laboratory structures. The Structural Engineer will be responsible for performing structural analysis and seismic design, developing construction documents, and supporting projects through all phases from planning and permitting to construction. The role involves both technical design and collaboration across disciplines, with opportunities for leadership and mentorship.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Designing gravity, lateral, and foundation systems (shallow and deep foundations) for new buildings and retrofit projects in high seismic hazard zones.
- Performing structural analysis and seismic design using finite element analysis (FEA) software such as ETABS, RISA, SAFE, and RAM Steel.
- Designing main building systems—including columns, beams, footings, diaphragms—and secondary systems such as anchorage, bracing, partitions, and retaining walls.
- Analyzing and designing structural members in concrete, steel, and masonry using hand calculations and software (Enercalc, spCol) in compliance with ACI 318, AISC 360, and TMS 402/602 standards.
- Designing new concrete, steel, and masonry structures in accordance with ASCE 7 and the California Building Code (CBC), and developing retrofit schemes for existing buildings in accordance with ASCE 41 and the California Existing Building Code (CEBC).
- Producing comprehensive calculation packages, structural drawings, and details for permit and construction.
- Supporting Construction Administration activities, including submittal review, RFI coordination, and drawing development.
- Collaborating with the BIM department to maintain organizational standards for drawing production.
- Coordinating with project managers, architects, and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated project delivery.
- Providing technical guidance and oversight to junior engineers to ensure conformance with project design requirements.
- Supervising design engineers in construction administration tasks and ensuring quality control of construction documents.
Salary
Pay Range $100,000-$120,000 salary depending on education, licensure, and applicable experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Five years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- BS in Civil Engineering (with an emphasis in Structures).
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Undergraduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed courses in:
- Structural Analysis
- Mechanics of Materials
- Concrete
- Steel or Wood Design
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Eight years of full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Five years of experience training and supervising junior engineers.
- Master’s degree in Structural Engineering or in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Structures.
- At least a 3.0 cumulative GPA in Graduate coursework.
- Transcripts showing completed graduate level courses in:
- Structural Design
- Steel or Wood Design
- Concrete
- Seismic
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in California.
- Structural Engineer (SE) License in California.
- Highly qualified candidates have full-time work experience as an engineer in a structural consulting organization.
- Proficiency in FEA and structural design software, including ETABS, RISA, SAFE, RAM Steel, Enercalc, and spCol.
- Strong knowledge of relevant codes and standards, including ACI 318, AISC 360, TMS 402/602, ASCE 7, ASCE 41, CBC, and CEBC.
- Ability to design multiple structural materials (concrete, steel, CMU, wood).
- Experience with HCAI/OSHPD projects and/or DSA projects.
- Experience developing retrofit schemes for existing structures.
- Experience designing healthcare, laboratory, or other highly regulated facilities.
- Solid understanding of seismic design principles and experience working in high seismic hazard zones.
- Skilled in preparing technical documents, structural drawings, and calculation packages.
- Strong coordination and communication skills for cross-team collaboration.
- Ability to supervise and mentor design engineers, and provide quality control oversight.
- Strong organizational and time-management abilities to balance multiple projects.
APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in this position, please apply on our careers page. Resumes sent elsewhere will not be considered.
Please provide transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses as well as a cover letter. In your cover letter (PDF) please respond to the following prompts:
- Describe a time when you were assigned a project or task that turned out to be really difficult. How did you work through it, and what was the outcome?
- Who has most influenced you and why?
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Duties are performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table.
- Duties require the ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day.
- May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.
- Duties require in-person attendance, Monday through Friday, during our business hours of 8 AM to 5 PM at our office in Downtown Los Angeles for the training period.
- Following a satisfactory training period a hybrid schedule of 2 days per week in the office may be accommodated.
Our Offices
Our Greater Los Angeles Structural office has two locations at the Bloc in Downtown Los Angeles and at the Irvine Towers in Irvine. A warm and friendly environment, we are dedicated to growing with our employees and allowing people to pursue their passions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
Our Employees
Are valued and empowered, collaborative and team oriented, innovative in their approach and passionate about their work. They are reliable, trustworthy, and open with a high level of integrity. They value diversity, are inclusive and are committed to critically thinking through problems and finding solutions.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
See all 3,582+ Structural Project Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Structural Project Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Structural Project Engineer
Verify your PE license transfers across states
Many structural engineering roles require a Professional Engineer license, but H-1B status doesn't automatically mean your home-country credentials are recognized. Check NCEES reciprocity rules before applying to roles in states where PE licensure is mandatory for project sign-off.
Use OFLC Wage Search to set salary expectations
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your specific SOC code and work location. Pull the Level II or III wage for Civil Engineers or Structural Engineers in your target metro before negotiating, so you know the floor USCIS will scrutinize.
Target AEC firms with recurring H-1B LCA filings
Use Migrate Mate to filter Structural Project Engineer roles by employers with verified H-1B filing history. Firms that file LCAs regularly have established processes and legal counsel, which reduces your risk of delays or denials tied to employer inexperience.
Document your specialty occupation case clearly
USCIS scrutinizes structural engineering roles when job descriptions use broad language like 'engineering support.' Ask your employer to write the offer letter around degree-specific duties, finite element analysis, load calculations, connection design, not generalist project coordination tasks.
Time your application around project award cycles
Design-build and infrastructure firms typically staff up after contract awards, often in Q1 and Q3. Approaching employers during active project ramp-up improves your chances of finding a sponsor who needs to hire quickly enough to justify H-1B filing costs.
Request premium processing if your start date is firm
If you have a project start date tied to a contract milestone, ask your employer to file Form I-907 for premium processing. USCIS adjudicates premium H-1B petitions within 15 business days, which matters when a project kickoff or client deadline is locked in.
Structural Project Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Structural Project Engineer JobsStructural Project Engineer H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Structural Project Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. USCIS treats structural engineering as a specialty occupation because the role typically requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering. The key is that your employer's job description must reflect duties that specifically require that degree, tasks like structural analysis, load path design, or code-compliance review, rather than general project management.
How do I find employers that actually sponsor H-1B visas for structural engineering roles?
Search Migrate Mate to browse Structural Project Engineer openings filtered by employers with verified H-1B filing history. Firms in the AEC sector, particularly those with federal infrastructure contracts or multi-state portfolios, tend to sponsor most consistently because project staffing needs outpace the available local talent pool in many markets.
Will my foreign engineering degree satisfy USCIS requirements for an H-1B petition?
A foreign bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering is generally accepted, but USCIS requires a credential evaluation from a NACES-recognized agency confirming U.S. equivalency. If your degree is a three-year program, the evaluator's analysis matters because some three-year degrees are accepted as equivalent to a U.S. four-year bachelor's, while others require supplementary coursework or experience to reach that threshold.
Does my employer need to file a PERM labor certification before sponsoring my H-1B?
No. PERM is required for green card sponsorship under EB-2 or EB-3, not for an H-1B petition. Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with the DOL, which certifies the prevailing wage and working conditions, but this is a faster administrative step, typically certified within seven business days, not the full PERM recruitment process.
Can I change employers mid-project while on H-1B status as a structural engineer?
Yes, under AC21 portability you can transfer your H-1B to a new employer once your petition has been approved and you've been in valid H-1B status. Your new employer must file an H-1B transfer petition before you start work. Changing mid-project doesn't invalidate your status, but you cannot begin work for the new employer until the transfer petition is filed.
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