J-1 Visa Building Engineer Jobs
Building Engineer roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 Trainee or Intern program categories, which require a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and provide sponsorship. No lottery applies, and placements typically run 12 to 18 months.
See All Building Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 23+ Building Engineer jobs


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?


Have you applied for this role?
See all 23+ Building Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Building Engineer roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
JOB SUMMARY
Sundt is looking for committed engineering (Civil, Structural, and Mechanical) and construction management students within accredited Universities/colleges. The internship will provide you with unique experiences on challenging projects throughout the US while providing you the opportunity to participate in several of the activities it takes to successfully build our projects. We're looking for the future leaders of our company and those who are inspired to go beyond the expected. Come internship with one of the best places to work, as voted on by our own employees and where our people make the difference.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
-
Assisting with project record keeping, preparing shop drawings, and assisting with cost control records.
-
Assisting with report preparation, safety inspections, submittal logging and processing.
-
Assisting with surveying, testing, sample collection, drawing correction and filing.
-
Assisting with time keeping and cost control, inventory control, schedule checking, subcontractor monitoring.
-
Attending bid openings, conferences, etc.; taking notes, making records, completing forms.
-
Observing and reporting results of meeting and conducting site tours for visitors.
-
Preparing quantity take-offs, calling vendors and sub-contractors for proposals.
-
Working as a manual laborer, helper, clerk or technician assistant, etc.
MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS
-
A team player, ready and willing to take on whatever challenge is offered.
-
Currently enrolled in a four-year Construction Management or Engineering program.
-
Eager to learn, immensely curious, full of questions, and ready to get their hands dirty.
-
Prefer those who have interest in a construction career for a builder.
-
Proficient use of all Microsoft Office Suite programs.
Note: Job Description is subject to change at any time and may include other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements
-
Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, hardhat, vest, etc.)
-
May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
-
May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
-
May use telephone, computer system, email, or other electronic devices on a limited basis to communicate with internal and external customers or vendors.
-
Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
-
Occasionally will climb stairs, ladders, etc.
-
Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
-
Will interact with people frequently during a shift/work day.
-
Will lift, push or pull objects on an occasional basis.
-
Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift/work day.
SAFETY LEVEL
Safety-Sensitive
Note: Jobs with the Safety-Sensitive designation are those that include tasks or duties that the employer reasonably believes could affect the safety and health of the employee performing the task or others such as operating a vehicle, operating equipment, operating machinery or power tools, repairing/maintaining the operation of any vehicle/equipment, the handling/disposal/transport of hazardous materials, or the handling/treatment/disposal of potentially flammable/combustible materials.
As a 100% employee-owned contractor, when you work at Sundt, you’re not just hiring on at a company, you’re joining a culture. Because everyone at Sundt is part owner, you’ll join a team of people who are deeply invested in their work. From apprentices to managers, we’re passionate about the details and deliberate in everything we do.
At Sundt we focus on building long-term prosperity for our clients, communities and employee-owners. We offer competitive pay, industry-leading benefits including a 401k and employee stock ownership plan, incentive programs for craft and administrative employees as well as training that focuses on your personal and professional growth. We’re driven by skill, grit and purpose. Join us as we strive to be the most skilled builder in America.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT:
Sundt is committed to the equal treatment of all employees, and/or applicants for employment, and prohibits discrimination based on race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, color, age, disability, national origin, covered veteran status, genetic information; or any other classification protected by applicable Federal, state, or local laws.
BENEFIT LIST
-
Market Competitive Salary (paid weekly)
-
Bonus Eligibility based on company, group, and individual performance
-
Employee Stock Ownership Plan & 401K
-
Industry Leading Health Coverage Starting Your First Day
-
Flexible Time Off (FTO)
-
Medical, Health Savings, and Wellness credits
-
Flexible Spending Accounts
-
Employee Assistance Program
-
Workplace Wellness Programs
-
Mental Health Program
-
Life and Disability Insurance
-
Employee-Owner Perks
-
Educational Assistance
-
Sundt Foundation - Charitable Employee-Owner's program
See all 23+ Building Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Building Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Building Engineer
Align your credentials with J-1 categories
The J-1 Intern category applies if you're currently enrolled in a degree program, while the Trainee category fits professionals with a building engineering degree plus at least one year of relevant work experience outside the U.S.
Build a training plan before contacting hosts
Designated sponsors require a detailed Training or Internship Placement Plan before issuing your DS-2019. Draft measurable learning objectives tied to HVAC systems, building automation, or preventive maintenance so host facilities can sign off quickly.
Target host employers with facilities management teams
Corporate campuses, hospital systems, university facilities departments, and large commercial property managers regularly bring in J-1 trainees for building systems work. Search for roles using Migrate Mate to filter by employers open to J-1 exchange visitors.
Verify prevailing wage compliance before accepting an offer
Your host employer must pay at least the prevailing wage for your role and location. Cross-check the offered rate against the OFLC Wage Search using the correct SOC code for building and facilities engineers before you sign any training agreement.
Clarify the two-year home residency requirement early
If your home country government funds your exchange or if your occupation appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, you may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement before changing to H-1B or a green card. Confirm your situation with your designated sponsor before accepting a placement.
Confirm your sponsor's insurance and reporting obligations
Designated sponsors such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT are responsible for health insurance verification, SEVIS reporting, and site visits. Ask specifically who handles compliance monitoring so you're not caught off guard by mid-program check-ins or documentation requests.
Building Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Building Engineer JobsBuilding Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Building Engineer role?
Most Building Engineer candidates qualify under either the Intern or Trainee category. The Intern category applies if you're currently enrolled in a post-secondary degree program in engineering or a related field. The Trainee category applies if you hold a degree in engineering and have at least one year of full-time work experience in building systems, facilities management, or a closely related discipline outside the United States.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a building engineering placement?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your host employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or AIPT issue your DS-2019, register your record in SEVIS, and monitor program compliance. Your host facility, whether a hospital, university, or commercial property manager, is the entity where you perform the actual work but is not your visa sponsor.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting J-1 building engineers?
Use Migrate Mate to search for facilities and engineering roles at employers that have a track record of hosting international exchange visitors. Focus on large institutional employers such as hospital networks, university facilities departments, and commercial real estate operators, where building systems teams are large enough to accommodate a structured training placement.
Does the two-year home residency requirement affect building engineers?
It can. If your home country government funded any part of your education or training, or if your occupation appears on your home country's Exchange Visitor Skills List, the two-year home residency requirement applies. This means you'd need to return home for two years, or obtain a waiver, before switching to an H-1B visa or applying for a green card. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before committing to a placement.
What does the training plan need to include for a building engineering J-1 placement?
Your designated sponsor will require a completed Training or Internship Placement Plan that outlines specific skills you'll develop, the systems you'll work on, and how progress will be evaluated. For Building Engineer placements, this typically covers HVAC operation, building automation systems, energy management, and preventive maintenance scheduling. Vague objectives will delay DS-2019 issuance, so get this document detailed and signed by your host supervisor before your sponsor finalizes enrollment.
See which Building Engineer employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Building Engineer Jobs