J-1 Visa Material Handler Jobs
Material Handler roles in U.S. warehouses, manufacturing plants, and distribution centers are accessible to international candidates through the J-1 Trainee or Intern program categories, both of which require a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019 and provide formal sponsorship throughout your placement.
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Job Description
Take Your Construction Career to the Next Level!
Kleinfelder, a Forbes' Top Employer for Engineers in North America, is committed to a people-first culture, technical excellence, and creating opportunities where employees can thrive!
Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Kleinfelder's Construction Services team is looking for you! From construction management and observation/inspection services to laboratory testing and materials and forensic engineering, our Construction Services market helps to develop and maintain America's infrastructure and supply chain and is a recognized industry leader with more than 25 accredited laboratories.
About Kleinfelder
Kleinfelder is a leading engineering, design, and environmental solutions firm, dedicated to delivering innovative and reliable services in the construction industry. Our Construction Materials Engineering and Testing (CoMET) team plays a critical role in ensuring the quality and integrity of construction projects through thorough material testing and field inspections. This Summer Internship (typically May-September) is based in Charlotte, NC.
Internship Overview
As CoMET Summer Interning Technician, you will be exposed and trained to perform routine quality control test procedures on commercial, industrial, public and private construction projects from the ground up. This is an excellent opportunity for students majoring in Civil Engineering or Construction Management to gain hands-on field and laboratory experience.
Responsibilities
- Assist in performing routine inspection and testing of construction materials (e.g., soil, concrete, asphalt) to ensure compliance with construction plans and specifications.
- Conduct materials laboratory tests to verify material suitability and adherence to industry standards.
- Prepare daily reports and data sheets, documenting observations and test results.
- Work under the supervision of experienced technicians and engineers to gain field and lab experience.
- Follow safety protocols and assist in maintaining testing equipment.
- Participate in inter-departmental training with Kleinfelder’s Environmental, Geotechnical, and Civil Engineering teams, as requested.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field.
- Basic computer skills, with knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) preferred.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to follow procedures accurately.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to work in various weather conditions and outdoor environments.
- Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation required.
- Interns must be enrolled in school.
Why Join Kleinfelder?
- Gain real-world experience in field and laboratory testing.
- Work alongside industry professionals in a hands-on learning environment.
- Opportunity to explore various disciplines within engineering through inter-departmental training.
- Potential for future career opportunities with Kleinfelder.
- Develop key technical skills.
- Opportunity for career growth and potential full-time employment after graduation.
- A dynamic and collaborative team environment.
Following an offer, candidates will be required to satisfactorily complete employment reference checks, verification of professional licensure and/or educational credentials, a motor vehicle report (MVR), and a comprehensive background check.
Move Forward with Kleinfelder:
Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates have been connecting great people to the best work since 1961. We are engineers, scientists, and construction professionals providing solutions that improve our clients’ transportation, water, energy, and other private infrastructure. As a responsive, cross-disciplinary team of bright, curious, and innovative problem-solvers, we are dedicated to doing the right thing, every day, on every project from over 110 offices in the US, Canada, and Australia. Connecting great people to the best work is our purpose – together, we deliver.
Progress with an Employer that Values You
Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates is an inclusive organization free from discrimination. We are a stronger organization when we are a diverse workforce and believe that through diversity, equity, and inclusion comes creativity, innovation, and unity. We are proud to offer the following:
Career Development: We are committed to investing in the professional development of our staff, offering each employee every opportunity to grow, develop, and take control of their career paths. We support these efforts through reimbursements for continuing education as well as many of the expenses associated with trainings and certifications, and opportunities for career development through our internal Mentoring Program.
Equal Opportunity: Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans. (Compliant with the new VEVRAA and Section 503 rules)
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES
Please note that Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Recruitment Fee Agreement, Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates will not consider or agree to payment for any referral compensation or recruiter fee. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement, Kleinfelder and its subsidiaries and affiliates explicitly reserve the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resume, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of Kleinfelder.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Material Handler
Verify your training plan matches the role
J-1 Trainee and Intern placements require a structured training plan that maps your warehouse or logistics tasks to clear learning objectives. A plan listing only repetitive physical duties without skill progression will get rejected by your designated sponsor.
Confirm the host employer uses E-Verify
Many distribution and fulfillment employers run mandatory E-Verify checks on all workers. Ask your prospective host employer about their I-9 and E-Verify process before accepting an offer, since J-1 status must be confirmed through that system.
Search for J-1 compatible roles on Migrate Mate
Material Handler openings that align with J-1 sponsorship requirements are concentrated in specific industries and employer types. Use Migrate Mate to filter for host employers in logistics, manufacturing, and warehousing who have a history of supporting exchange visitor placements.
Check whether your role triggers the two-year rule
If your home country's government or an exchange program funded your participation, the two-year home residency requirement may apply after your J-1 ends. Review your DS-2019 and consult your designated sponsor before making post-placement U.S. plans.
Document prior materials-handling experience carefully
Designated sponsors evaluate whether your background justifies a Trainee rather than Intern classification. Forklift certifications, inventory system experience, and safety training records from your home country strengthen your training plan and support the sponsoring organization's approval decision.
Time your DS-2019 request around employer onboarding
Your designated sponsor must issue the DS-2019 before you can schedule a consular appointment. Coordinate your start date with both the host employer's onboarding timeline and your sponsor's processing window, which typically runs two to four weeks after a completed application.
Material Handler jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Material Handler JobsMaterial Handler J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Material Handler placement?
Current university students enrolled outside the U.S. typically qualify under the J-1 Intern category. If you have completed your degree and have at least one year of relevant work experience in logistics, warehousing, or manufacturing, the J-1 Trainee category applies. Your designated sponsor organization, not your host employer, determines which category fits your background and issues the DS-2019 accordingly.
Who sponsors my J-1 visa for a Material Handler job?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT, not your host employer. The designated sponsor reviews your training plan, issues the DS-2019 form, monitors your placement for compliance, and serves as your primary point of contact with the State Department throughout your exchange program.
How do I find Material Handler host employers open to J-1 placements?
Most distribution, fulfillment, and manufacturing employers do not advertise J-1 compatibility explicitly, so targeted searching matters. Migrate Mate lets you filter roles by employer type and work authorization context, helping you identify host employers in logistics and warehousing who have supported exchange visitor placements. From there, you confirm J-1 eligibility directly with the employer and your chosen designated sponsor.
Can a Material Handler role qualify as a specialty occupation for J-1 purposes?
J-1 Trainee and Intern categories do not require specialty occupation status the way H-1B does, so Material Handler roles can qualify as long as the position supports a structured, progressive training plan with defined learning objectives. Purely repetitive or unskilled roles without a documented skill-development component will not meet designated sponsor requirements for program approval.
What documents does a J-1 Trainee need before starting a Material Handler placement?
You need a signed DS-7002 training plan agreed to by you, your host employer, and your designated sponsor, plus a valid DS-2019 from the sponsor organization. Your host employer will also require I-9 documentation verifying your J-1 status. Depending on the employer, forklift certifications or prior safety training records from your home country may be required before your first shift.
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