J-1 Visa Civil Project Engineer Jobs
Civil Project Engineer roles in the United States can qualify for J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Intern program category, depending on your career stage. A State Department-designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 and oversees your training plan while the engineering firm or infrastructure company serves as your host.
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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. Learn more at www.kpff.com.
Job Description
KPFF Los Angeles is always on the lookout for motivated and energetic AutoCAD Drafting Interns. Applications should include resume, cover letter, and sample of work if possible.
KPFF proudly takes part in students’ educational and professional development. This is an opportunity for a dynamic candidate to work either full-time or part-time on a wide variety of intriguing projects throughout the local area, while expanding their technical knowledge and experience. We go beyond giving interns a glimpse into the job; we place them in the middle of it. AutoCAD Drafting Interns work in a close knit team environment in a rapidly expanding entrepreneurial company. These teams contribute to the professional growth of our Interns by sharing professional experience.
Qualifications
Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time at a desk working on a computer viewing a screen using Autodesk® AutoCAD® and other design-related software.
Ability to learn new tasks, maintain focus, understand and absorb instructions, and complete tasks independently.
Candidates should have excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a collaborative, team environment. Seeking candidates who have a degree in computer drafting and design, or are currently pursuing their degree. High School Diploma or GED required. Some Civil CAD experience preferred. Applicants must be willing to undergo a test to demonstrate level of CAD knowledge and ability.
Additional Information
Compensation
KPFF values the contributions of our interns and strives to provide fair and competitive compensation based on location and market standards. For this position, compensation includes:
- Hourly Pay: $21 per hour.
- Overtime Eligibility: Interns are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with local labor laws.
- Interns may receive a way we work allowance based on their commuting option.
Culture
At KPFF, interns are valued as key contributors to our success. We cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and supportive work environment that empowers individuals to take ownership of their projects. Interns at KPFF experience a dynamic workplace where autonomy and creativity are encouraged. Our team takes pride in mentoring interns and sharing professional insights to help shape the next generation of civil engineers.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information on the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.kpff.com
How To Apply:
Submit your application online, including a cover letter, resume, and your current unofficial transcripts.
This employer 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.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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. Learn more at www.kpff.com.
Job Description
KPFF Los Angeles is always on the lookout for motivated and energetic AutoCAD Drafting Interns. Applications should include resume, cover letter, and sample of work if possible.
KPFF proudly takes part in students’ educational and professional development. This is an opportunity for a dynamic candidate to work either full-time or part-time on a wide variety of intriguing projects throughout the local area, while expanding their technical knowledge and experience. We go beyond giving interns a glimpse into the job; we place them in the middle of it. AutoCAD Drafting Interns work in a close knit team environment in a rapidly expanding entrepreneurial company. These teams contribute to the professional growth of our Interns by sharing professional experience.
Qualifications
Ability to sit and/or stand for prolonged periods of time at a desk working on a computer viewing a screen using Autodesk® AutoCAD® and other design-related software.
Ability to learn new tasks, maintain focus, understand and absorb instructions, and complete tasks independently.
Candidates should have excellent communication skills and enjoy working in a collaborative, team environment. Seeking candidates who have a degree in computer drafting and design, or are currently pursuing their degree. High School Diploma or GED required. Some Civil CAD experience preferred. Applicants must be willing to undergo a test to demonstrate level of CAD knowledge and ability.
Additional Information
Compensation
KPFF values the contributions of our interns and strives to provide fair and competitive compensation based on location and market standards. For this position, compensation includes:
- Hourly Pay: $21 per hour.
- Overtime Eligibility: Interns are eligible for overtime pay in accordance with local labor laws.
- Interns may receive a way we work allowance based on their commuting option.
Culture
At KPFF, interns are valued as key contributors to our success. We cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and supportive work environment that empowers individuals to take ownership of their projects. Interns at KPFF experience a dynamic workplace where autonomy and creativity are encouraged. Our team takes pride in mentoring interns and sharing professional insights to help shape the next generation of civil engineers.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information on the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.kpff.com
How To Apply:
Submit your application online, including a cover letter, resume, and your current unofficial transcripts.
This employer 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.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
See all J-1 Visa Civil Project Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Civil Project Engineer
Align your credentials with specialty occupation standards
Your civil engineering degree and any professional licensure documentation should match the specific infrastructure or project discipline your U.S. host will train you in. Misalignment between your credentials and the training plan is a common DS-2019 rejection trigger.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee category eligibility
Intern applies if you're currently enrolled in a degree program abroad. Trainee applies if you've graduated within the past year or have a degree plus at least one year of professional civil engineering experience outside the U.S.
Build a structured training plan before contacting hosts
Host employers in civil engineering need a detailed training plan outlining specific technical skills you'll acquire, project phases you'll join, and measurable objectives. Having a draft ready signals seriousness and speeds the designated sponsor's review process significantly.
Search Migrate Mate for J-1-compatible engineering roles
Filter by civil engineering and infrastructure roles on Migrate Mate to find U.S. employers who have hosted J-1 visa exchange visitors before. Targeting hosts with prior J-1 experience reduces the onboarding friction around DS-2019 and training plan paperwork.
Verify the two-year home residency requirement early
If your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List or your training was government-funded, you may face a two-year home residency requirement before changing to H-1B visa or L-1 visa status. Confirm your eligibility for a waiver before accepting a host offer.
Confirm your host can meet prevailing wage obligations
Your host employer must pay wages consistent with similarly employed civil engineers in that geographic area. Use the OFLC Wage Search to verify the prevailing wage for your specific SOC code and work location before the training plan is finalized.
Civil Project Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Civil Project Engineer?
The Trainee category is the most common fit for civil project engineers who have completed their degree and have at least one year of relevant professional experience outside the United States. Current students enrolled in an engineering program who are completing practical components of their education may qualify under the Intern category instead. The designated sponsor determines which category applies based on your specific background and the proposed training plan.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Civil Project Engineer position?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas, AIPT, or IIE, not the engineering firm itself. The firm serves as your host employer and designs your training plan, but the designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form, monitors your program compliance, and remains the legal sponsor throughout your exchange period.
How do I find U.S. engineering firms that have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before?
Searching on Migrate Mate lets you filter civil engineering and infrastructure roles by employers with J-1 hosting history. Targeting firms that have previously worked with a designated sponsor is practical because they already understand training plan requirements, DS-2019 timelines, and the compliance obligations that come with hosting a J-1 Trainee or Intern.
Can a Civil Project Engineer on a J-1 Trainee visa change employers mid-program?
Changing host employers mid-program requires your designated sponsor to amend the DS-2019 and approve a revised training plan reflecting the new organization. The new host must meet the same J-1 hosting requirements as the original. Switching without sponsor approval puts your J-1 status at risk. Start the amendment process with your sponsor before making any employment change, not after.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to civil engineers on J-1 visas?
It depends on three factors: whether your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for civil engineering, whether your training was funded by your home government or a U.S. government agency, and whether your J-1 program is specifically designated as subject to the requirement. If the requirement applies, you must return home for two years before obtaining an H-1B or green card, unless you qualify for a waiver through USCIS.