J-1 Visa Structural Drafter Jobs
Structural Drafter roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through J-1 visa sponsorship, most commonly under the Trainee or Intern program categories. Designated sponsor organizations issue your DS-2019, making it possible to gain hands-on drafting experience at U.S. architecture, engineering, and construction firms.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Do you want to help engineer what’s next?
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is a national engineering firm committed to delivering holistic advice for our clients’ most complex challenges. We leverage our collective and diverse experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge of structures and building enclosures, advanced analysis, performance & code consulting, and applied science & research to deliver unrivaled, comprehensive solutions that drive superior performance. With 800 employees in offices nationwide, SGH’s industry-leading teams constantly seek to advance the meaning of what’s possible.
What makes careers at SGH so special?
The only way to advance is to question and explore. Every member of the SGH team is both a learner and an educator, committed to advancing ourselves, our teams, and our industry. Together we are creating a community that never settles for what is but always seeks what could be.
There are many reasons to love SGH:
- Our Work: Our clients trust us to bring clarity and deliver outstanding solutions for their most complex projects.
- Our People: We are bold thinkers and compassionate teammates, committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
- Our Commitment: We live with integrity and embrace an obligation to give back to our professions and communities.
- Our Contribution: We offer a comprehensive and rich compensation and benefits package with company-paid and voluntary programs to help build healthy lifestyles, strong relationships, and future prosperity.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We want someone passionate about engineering who wants to gain invaluable experience.
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is seeking current students for a 2026 Internship in our Chicago, Illinois office.
As an Intern, you will work side-by-side with industry-leading experts in the office and in the field to gain hands-on experience while applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Assist with construction monitoring, field investigations, condition assessments, construction observations as well as project drafting, structural design and analysis, and site inspections.
- Analyze materials, support our petrography staff, develop test protocols, design and construct testing apparatus, perform tests, and analyze test data.
- Collaborate with SGH engineers to perform reconnaissance on existing structures, conduct field tests, or monitor construction in progress.
- Organize field data and assist with research to facilitate analysis, problem solving, and repair design.
- Perform analysis under the guidance of licensed professionals using a combination of hand calculations and analysis software.
- Assist with preparation of client deliverables, including construction documents, specifications, and written reports.
- Work may include travel and working from heights.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You’ll Need:
- Must be currently enrolled or plan to complete a MS in Civil, Structural, or Architectural engineering.
- Students should have an interest in civil and or structural engineering, materials science, architecture, and architectural engineering.
- Maintain high grades in their studies, interested in learning through hands-on work experience in a consulting engineering environment.
- Enthusiastic about the challenges associated with the development of sophisticated engineering work product in an atmosphere of high professionalism.
- Successful candidates must have strong communication abilities.
BENEFITS
Benefits Overview:
Full-time temporary employees are eligible for medical insurance, paid holidays and sick leave. Part-time temporary employees are eligible for sick leave.
Compensation:
This compensation range is a good faith estimate pursuant to applicable equal pay and pay transparency laws. The pay range is effective for 2026 and is based on enrollment in the applicable degree program as noted below. The actual rate will be dependent upon the candidate’s education level within the degree program.
- Undergraduate: $29.25 - $32.50 per hour
- Graduate: $33.75 - $34.75 per hour
- PhD student: $36.75 per hour
Technical Interns are eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
LOCATION
Location: Chicago, Illinois
SGH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We consider all qualified applicants and encourage individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply. If the application system is not accessible to you, or you need a reasonable accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email jobs@sgh.com or call 781-907-9000 and ask for Human Resources.
INTRODUCTION
Do you want to help engineer what’s next?
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is a national engineering firm committed to delivering holistic advice for our clients’ most complex challenges. We leverage our collective and diverse experience, technical expertise, and industry knowledge of structures and building enclosures, advanced analysis, performance & code consulting, and applied science & research to deliver unrivaled, comprehensive solutions that drive superior performance. With 800 employees in offices nationwide, SGH’s industry-leading teams constantly seek to advance the meaning of what’s possible.
What makes careers at SGH so special?
The only way to advance is to question and explore. Every member of the SGH team is both a learner and an educator, committed to advancing ourselves, our teams, and our industry. Together we are creating a community that never settles for what is but always seeks what could be.
There are many reasons to love SGH:
- Our Work: Our clients trust us to bring clarity and deliver outstanding solutions for their most complex projects.
- Our People: We are bold thinkers and compassionate teammates, committed to lifelong learning and professional growth.
- Our Commitment: We live with integrity and embrace an obligation to give back to our professions and communities.
- Our Contribution: We offer a comprehensive and rich compensation and benefits package with company-paid and voluntary programs to help build healthy lifestyles, strong relationships, and future prosperity.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We want someone passionate about engineering who wants to gain invaluable experience.
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) is seeking current students for a 2026 Internship in our Chicago, Illinois office.
As an Intern, you will work side-by-side with industry-leading experts in the office and in the field to gain hands-on experience while applying classroom knowledge to real-world challenges.
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Assist with construction monitoring, field investigations, condition assessments, construction observations as well as project drafting, structural design and analysis, and site inspections.
- Analyze materials, support our petrography staff, develop test protocols, design and construct testing apparatus, perform tests, and analyze test data.
- Collaborate with SGH engineers to perform reconnaissance on existing structures, conduct field tests, or monitor construction in progress.
- Organize field data and assist with research to facilitate analysis, problem solving, and repair design.
- Perform analysis under the guidance of licensed professionals using a combination of hand calculations and analysis software.
- Assist with preparation of client deliverables, including construction documents, specifications, and written reports.
- Work may include travel and working from heights.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What You’ll Need:
- Must be currently enrolled or plan to complete a MS in Civil, Structural, or Architectural engineering.
- Students should have an interest in civil and or structural engineering, materials science, architecture, and architectural engineering.
- Maintain high grades in their studies, interested in learning through hands-on work experience in a consulting engineering environment.
- Enthusiastic about the challenges associated with the development of sophisticated engineering work product in an atmosphere of high professionalism.
- Successful candidates must have strong communication abilities.
BENEFITS
Benefits Overview:
Full-time temporary employees are eligible for medical insurance, paid holidays and sick leave. Part-time temporary employees are eligible for sick leave.
Compensation:
This compensation range is a good faith estimate pursuant to applicable equal pay and pay transparency laws. The pay range is effective for 2026 and is based on enrollment in the applicable degree program as noted below. The actual rate will be dependent upon the candidate’s education level within the degree program.
- Undergraduate: $29.25 - $32.50 per hour
- Graduate: $33.75 - $34.75 per hour
- PhD student: $36.75 per hour
Technical Interns are eligible for a $1,000 sign-on bonus.
LOCATION
Location: Chicago, Illinois
SGH is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to all job applicants and employees. We consider all qualified applicants and encourage individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to apply. If the application system is not accessible to you, or you need a reasonable accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email jobs@sgh.com or call 781-907-9000 and ask for Human Resources.
See all 113+ J-1 Visa Structural Drafter Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Structural Drafter Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Structural Drafter
Build a portfolio proving specialty occupation fit
Compile CAD drawings, BIM models, and structural details that demonstrate professional-level drafting skills. J-1 visa Trainee sponsors evaluate whether your background substantiates a formal training plan, so documentation of completed projects matters more than a job title.
Target firms with active J-1 host history
Search for structural engineering and architecture firms that have previously hosted J-1 Trainees. Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. employers whose roles align with J-1 sponsorship, narrowing your search before you spend time on outreach.
Clarify Intern versus Trainee eligibility early
If you're currently enrolled in a degree program abroad, the Intern category applies. If you graduated within the past 12 months or have at least one year of professional drafting experience, you qualify for the Trainee category instead. Applying under the wrong category causes delays.
Confirm the host employer will sign your training plan
The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, but the host employer must co-sign a structured Training or Internship Placement Plan. Get written confirmation from a hiring manager or HR contact before submitting your application to the sponsor organization.
Check whether your role triggers the home residency requirement
Some J-1 participants are subject to a two-year home-country residency requirement after their program ends, which affects future U.S. visa eligibility. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer, particularly if you plan to pursue an H-1B visa later.
Verify prevailing wage alignment using OFLC Wage Search
Host employers must compensate J-1 Trainees at wages comparable to U.S. workers in the same role. Cross-check the offered salary against the OFLC Wage Search for your target metro area and occupation before your training plan is submitted.
Structural Drafter J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to Structural Drafter positions?
Most Structural Drafter candidates qualify under the Trainee category, which is designed for foreign nationals with a degree in engineering, architecture, or a related field, or at least one year of relevant professional experience. Current students enrolled in a degree program abroad may qualify under the Intern category instead, but that requires concurrent enrollment.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Structural Drafter role?
The visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, not the employer. The employer acts as a host organization and must agree to a structured training plan. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019, monitors program compliance, and serves as your point of contact with the State Department throughout your program.
How do I find U.S. firms that will host a J-1 Structural Drafter?
Use Migrate Mate to search for Structural Drafter roles at U.S. employers with J-1 sponsorship alignment. Not every employer advertises J-1 openings explicitly, so targeting firms in structural engineering, civil engineering consulting, and architecture that have hosted international professionals previously improves your chances of finding a willing host organization.
Does a Structural Drafter J-1 program carry the two-year home residency requirement?
It depends on your funding source and country of nationality. If your training is funded by your home country government or a U.S. government agency, or if your country is on the State Department's exchange visitor skills list, the two-year requirement applies. Your designated sponsor can confirm your specific status before you commit to a program, which matters significantly if you intend to pursue an H-1B or green card afterward.
What documents do I need before a designated sponsor will issue my DS-2019?
Sponsors typically require proof of your drafting qualifications, a signed training placement plan from the host employer, evidence of English proficiency, health insurance documentation, and proof of sufficient financial support. For Structural Drafter applicants, a portfolio of technical drawings or BIM project samples strengthens your application by demonstrating that the proposed training program is substantive and tied to your existing skill set.