J-1 Visa Engineering Jobs
Engineering roles in the United States are available to exchange visitors under the J-1 Trainee and Intern program categories, depending on whether you've completed your degree. Host employers partner with State Department-designated sponsors to issue your DS-2019 and manage sponsorship compliance throughout your placement.
See All Engineering JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 2,655+ Engineering 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 2,655+ Engineering jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Engineering roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) seeks a professional, innovative and detailed student for our Test Engineering Intern position. The ideal candidate for this position will be able to work part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer. If you are looking for an opportunity to learn about and gain experience in engineering from a test engineering perspective, then this is the position for you!
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a Test Engineering Intern, a typical day might include the following:
- Executing manual and automated test scripts to verify that firmware/software meets requirements.
- Writing and reviewing test scripts in Python or other scripting languages.
- Setting up and wiring test devices while using tools such as DMM’s, oscilloscopes, and power sources.
- Verifying networking and communication protocol functionality.
- Supporting SEL’s firmware/software development processes.
- Providing support to engineering staff as needed.
- Following engineering quality assurance procedures.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
This job might be for you if:
- You are a current student with:
- At least one year of relevant technical coursework or experience.
- The desire to work in a technical career. This typically is those pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering or similar.
- You have a cheerful attitude toward creative problem-solving.
- Have programming experience in Python, C++, C#, Java or equivalent OO programming language.
- You are able to execute and document defined testing procedures.
- You have strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills.
- You are able to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities.
- You are able to work cooperatively in a team environment.
- You simply enjoy working with and on technology.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Practical knowledge of electricity and electrical power systems.
- Knowledge of SQL and database concepts.
- Familiarity with Linux CLI.
- Understanding of TCP/IP networking concepts.
- Experience using revision control and source code management systems such as Git, Mercurial, SVN, and Rational ClearCase.
LOCATION
Location Information - Pullman, WA
SEL’s corporate office is located in Eastern Washington where you'll enjoy an unmatched quality of life. Enjoy the smaller town life: country space, freedom from traffic, easy access to recreational activities in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as great schools and universities.
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $20.50 - $33.00 per hour
Our intern pay is determined based on the internship role (the work you would be doing) and your year in school (when you plan to graduate). Talk to your recruiter if you are curious about the rate for your year in school.
BENEFITS
- School matters. SEL managers work with their interns to arrange flexible schedules that accommodate classes and studying while working part-time during the school year.
- We challenge and rely on our interns to contribute high-quality work that adds value to our company and gives you an advantage with real-world experiences when seeking jobs after graduation.
- We aim to bring great talent to SEL and although not guaranteed, interns are frequently hired for full-time roles upon graduation.
- Ask our team about other intern benefits including wellness resources, community connection, and kickstarting retirement savings.
COMMUNICATION WITH APPLICANTS
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
See all 2,655+ Engineering jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Engineering roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Engineering
Document your engineering degree field precisely
Your DS-2019 training plan must align your degree discipline with the specific engineering subfield of your U.S. placement. A mechanical engineering degree won't support a software engineering training plan without documented justification from your designated sponsor.
Distinguish Intern from Trainee eligibility before applying
Intern status requires current enrollment in a degree program, while Trainee status requires a foreign degree plus at least one year of related work experience. Applying to roles that list the wrong category wastes both your time and the host employer's.
Search Migrate Mate for host employers with J-1 experience
Not every engineering employer understands the DS-2019 process or the host's obligations under federal regulations. Migrate Mate filters roles by J-1 sponsorship alignment so you can target employers already familiar with the exchange visitor program.
Verify the host employer's E-Verify enrollment before accepting
Federal regulations require host organizations to enroll in E-Verify before placing J-1 exchange visitors. Confirm enrollment status directly with the employer during the offer stage, since your designated sponsor will check this before issuing your DS-2019.
Request the training plan template from your designated sponsor early
The DS-7002 training plan must specify your engineering objectives, supervision structure, and skill benchmarks by phase. Getting the template before you finalize your offer lets you co-develop it with the host employer, which reduces back-and-forth delays at the DS-2019 stage.
Check whether your engineering discipline triggers the two-year rule
J-1 exchange visitors funded by their home government or working in fields on the Exchange Visitor Skills List may face a two-year home residency requirement. USCIS tracks this condition on your visa, and it affects future H-1B or green card eligibility.
Engineering jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Engineering JobsEngineering J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category covers engineering positions?
It depends on your status. Current engineering students doing a structured placement use the Intern category. Professionals who have completed a foreign degree and have at least one year of relevant engineering experience use the Trainee category. Research-focused engineers at universities or institutes typically qualify as Research Scholars. The host employer and your designated sponsor jointly determine which category fits your specific situation.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for an engineering role?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not your engineering employer. Organizations such as AIPT or Cultural Vistas issue the DS-2019, approve your training plan, and monitor compliance throughout your program. The engineering company where you work is the host employer. These are two separate entities with distinct legal roles, and confusing them during your job search will slow down your placement.
How do I find engineering host employers that are set up for J-1 placements?
Start your search on Migrate Mate, which surfaces U.S. engineering roles with J-1 sponsorship alignment. Because the J-1 requires host employers to understand DS-2019 obligations, E-Verify enrollment, and training plan requirements, targeting employers already familiar with the program saves significant time. General job boards rarely tag postings with the detail needed to assess J-1 compatibility.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to engineering roles?
It can. The two-year home residency requirement applies if your J-1 is funded by your home country's government, if you're a national of a country that lists your engineering field on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, or if your program is graduate medical education. If the requirement applies, you cannot change to H-1B or most immigrant visa categories until you fulfill it or obtain a waiver from USCIS.
What does the DS-7002 training plan need to include for an engineering placement?
The DS-7002 must outline your engineering learning objectives in phases, identify the supervising engineer by name and title, specify the skills and technologies you'll work with in each phase, and describe how the training builds on your prior education or experience. Your designated sponsor reviews and co-signs the plan before issuing the DS-2019. Vague or generic training plans are a common reason sponsors request revisions, which delays your start date.
See which Engineering employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Engineering Jobs