J-1 Visa Professional Engineer Jobs
Professional Engineer positions in the U.S. are accessible to international candidates through the J-1 visa under the Trainee or Research Scholar program category, depending on your career stage. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019 and coordinate sponsorship with your host engineering employer.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Type: Internship
Description
Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Geotechnical Co-Op to join our team. The successful job applicant will be part of a dynamic geotechnical engineering team and will assist senior geotechnical staff with project work involving various aspects of geotechnical engineering related to renewable energy and other power-related projects. Work elements may involve some or all the following: geotechnical investigation field work and in-situ testing, laboratory testing coordination, geotechnical analysis and design, report preparation, and construction monitoring/observation. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients. This position offers flexible pathways—join us as a summer intern or commit to a full co-op experience by taking a semester off to work full-time at Westwood. Both options are eligible for college credit, provided your program allows it.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Participate in geotechnical site investigations, assignment and assessment of geotechnical laboratory tests, preparation of investigation reports, and application of site data to analyses and design.
- Interpret and analyze geotechnical data to establish type, classification and engineering characteristics of materials. Complete or assist with geotechnical engineering analyses including, but not limited to, seepage, slope stability, bearing capacity, rotational stiffness, liquefaction, and settlement analyses.
- Keep management advised of work status, workload, problems and progress as related to work assignments.
- Participate in preparation of proposals, bid documents and capital cost estimates, construction drawings and design reports.
Requirements
Required Experience:
- Enrolled in a B.S. or M.S. program in geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, or geological engineering. Related work experience is a plus.
- Knowledge of geotechnical engineering fundamentals, geotechnical testing, and general civil/geotechnical engineering design and construction practices.
- Strong technical, communication and interpersonal skills and works best in a fast-paced environment. Along with detailed documentation focus and sound technical writing skills.
- Flexibility to travel/work in the field for extended periods and have the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and various terrains associated with construction projects.
- Ability to pay close attention to detail and check the quality of own work.
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing in English.
- Ability to use sound judgment.
- Ability to manage time and workload effectively, which includes planning, organizing and prioritizing with attention to details.
- Proficiency in MS Office, familiarity with slope stability software (GeoStudio), pile design software (LPile), and other geotechnical software a plus. Knowledge of Auto CAD Civil3D would also be an asset.
- EIT/FE certification or the ability to obtain certification within one year is preferred.
Job Type: Internship
Description
Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Geotechnical Co-Op to join our team. The successful job applicant will be part of a dynamic geotechnical engineering team and will assist senior geotechnical staff with project work involving various aspects of geotechnical engineering related to renewable energy and other power-related projects. Work elements may involve some or all the following: geotechnical investigation field work and in-situ testing, laboratory testing coordination, geotechnical analysis and design, report preparation, and construction monitoring/observation. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients. This position offers flexible pathways—join us as a summer intern or commit to a full co-op experience by taking a semester off to work full-time at Westwood. Both options are eligible for college credit, provided your program allows it.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Participate in geotechnical site investigations, assignment and assessment of geotechnical laboratory tests, preparation of investigation reports, and application of site data to analyses and design.
- Interpret and analyze geotechnical data to establish type, classification and engineering characteristics of materials. Complete or assist with geotechnical engineering analyses including, but not limited to, seepage, slope stability, bearing capacity, rotational stiffness, liquefaction, and settlement analyses.
- Keep management advised of work status, workload, problems and progress as related to work assignments.
- Participate in preparation of proposals, bid documents and capital cost estimates, construction drawings and design reports.
Requirements
Required Experience:
- Enrolled in a B.S. or M.S. program in geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, or geological engineering. Related work experience is a plus.
- Knowledge of geotechnical engineering fundamentals, geotechnical testing, and general civil/geotechnical engineering design and construction practices.
- Strong technical, communication and interpersonal skills and works best in a fast-paced environment. Along with detailed documentation focus and sound technical writing skills.
- Flexibility to travel/work in the field for extended periods and have the ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and various terrains associated with construction projects.
- Ability to pay close attention to detail and check the quality of own work.
- Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing in English.
- Ability to use sound judgment.
- Ability to manage time and workload effectively, which includes planning, organizing and prioritizing with attention to details.
- Proficiency in MS Office, familiarity with slope stability software (GeoStudio), pile design software (LPile), and other geotechnical software a plus. Knowledge of Auto CAD Civil3D would also be an asset.
- EIT/FE certification or the ability to obtain certification within one year is preferred.
See all 7+ Professional Engineer jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Professional Engineer
Align your PE credentials with J-1 categories
The Trainee category covers engineering graduates within one year of their degree. The Research Scholar category fits licensed engineers joining university labs or research institutes. Confirm which category your experience level and role type satisfy before approaching host employers.
Verify your host employer qualifies
Your engineering employer becomes the J-1 host organization, not the visa sponsor. Confirm they're willing to sign a formal training plan and coordinate with a State Department-designated sponsor before you accept any offer or begin the DS-2019 process.
Request a detailed training plan early
The DS-7002 training plan must specify your engineering activities, supervision structure, and learning objectives. Vague plans are the most common reason designated sponsors reject Trainee applications. Draft it collaboratively with your host employer before submitting to the sponsor.
Search for J-1-ready engineering roles on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to identify U.S. engineering employers whose hiring patterns align with international candidates. Filtering by role and visa type helps you focus outreach on host organizations already familiar with J-1 program requirements.
Check your home-country residency requirement upfront
Engineering roles funded by a government or international organization often trigger the two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e). Confirm whether your funding source or nationality subjects you to this requirement before negotiating a long-term placement.
Benchmark your offered wage against OFLC Wage Search
J-1 Trainee and Research Scholar programs require that you receive wages and benefits comparable to U.S. workers in the same role. Run your job title and location through OFLC Wage Search to verify the offer meets that standard before signing.
Professional Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Professional Engineer JobsProfessional Engineer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Professional Engineer role?
It depends on your career stage. If you completed an engineering degree within the past 12 months, the Trainee category is the standard path. Licensed engineers with several years of post-degree experience conducting collaborative or applied research typically qualify under the Research Scholar category. Both require a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor to issue your DS-2019.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Professional Engineer?
Your visa sponsor is a State Department-designated organization such as IIE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT. They issue your DS-2019, approve your training plan, and remain responsible for program compliance throughout your exchange. Your engineering employer is the host organization and signs the training plan, but they are not your visa sponsor in the legal sense.
How do I find U.S. engineering employers open to J-1 host arrangements?
Many engineering firms are willing to host J-1 exchange visitors but don't advertise it explicitly. Migrate Mate lets you search for U.S. engineering roles and identify employers whose hiring history includes international candidates, helping you focus outreach on organizations already familiar with exchange visitor program requirements.
Does the two-year home residency requirement apply to engineering roles?
It can, depending on your funding source and nationality. If your engineering program or education was funded by your home government or an international organization, or if your home country has designated your field as a skills-shortage area, you'll likely be subject to the INA section 212(e) requirement. This affects your ability to change status or apply for H-1B or immigrant visas afterward, so confirm your situation with your designated sponsor before accepting a placement.
What does the DS-7002 training plan need to cover for an engineering position?
The DS-7002 must document your specific engineering activities by phase, name your direct supervisor, define measurable learning objectives tied to your degree or professional background, and justify why the training requires a U.S. host rather than resources in your home country. Designated sponsors routinely reject plans that list generic tasks. Your host employer's HR or engineering manager typically drafts it, but you should review it carefully before it goes to the sponsor.
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