Program Lead Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Program lead jobs in California draw from the state's concentrated tech, biotech, and entertainment industries. Major employers across San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego regularly sponsor international workers in program management roles. Companies like Google, Apple, Meta, Salesforce, and Genentech have active program lead hiring pipelines with demonstrated visa sponsorship history.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector in Northern California, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In the role of Northern California Power Delivery Program Lead, we'll count on you to:
- Take responsibility for Northern California Area coordination, monitoring and improvement of technical competencies of Power Delivery staff and deliverables to meet client needs and market drivers, in alignment with the direction and goals of HDR's Power Delivery practice, specifically substation, transmission, and distribution.
- Lead and continue building the Power Delivery Program leadership team, including hiring and onboarding additional Section Managers and other technical and project management leaders. Support Section Managers with building out their teams to ensure robust talent pipelines.
- Engage in power delivery professional services to meet client expectations as Program Manager, Project Manager and/or Engineering Manager. Build and maintain trusted client relationships by serving as the single point of contact for key Power Delivery clients.
- Collaborate on Power Delivery engineering efforts while coordinating closely with Area operations, marketing and project managers. This includes successful project delivery with a strong focus on quality, safety and risk management and internal engagement within the Power Delivery practice (nationally and West Region).
- Represent HDR in the marketplace within industry and professional organizations.
- Own quality outcomes for the program and ensure quality is embedded from project startup through closeout. Engage with project teams to continually improve standards and best practices and implement effective quality assurance and quality control reviews.
- Lead and support pursuits, including strategy development, staffing, and interviews in partnership with the West Region Power Delivery Practice Lead and Power Business Development Lead.
- Participate in Power Delivery strategic planning, budgeting and plan implementation. Collaborate with Business Group leadership on financial performance, staffing strategy and workload planning and growth targets.
- Work cooperatively with other Area Power Delivery Program Leads, Business Class Leaders, Operations Managers, Technical Directors and Marketing Managers on efforts for the Power Delivery business classes.
- Perform other duties as needed.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 10 years related experience
- A minimum 5 years project management experience
- Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
- MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience would be plus)
- Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering Degree
- Master's degree
- PMP certification
- Experience in Substation or Transmission Engineering and/or Program Management, ideally in CA or the Southwest
- Experience working in alternative delivery project environments (EPC, Progressive Design Build, CMAR, etc.) as a PM and/or Technical Lead
- Experience leading teams in consulting with a strong collaborative track record. Prior experience working in a matrix environment is a plus.
- Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
- Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
BENEFITS
Employee Stock Ownership, Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, 401(k), Paid time off (PTO), Paid holidays, Paid parental leave, Life insurance, Disability insurance.
COMPENSATION
The expected compensation range for this position is $155,285.00 - $241,125.00 annually depending upon market location, relevant experience, and education.
LOCATION
Primary Location: United States-California-Sacramento
Other Locations: United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Folsom
SCHEDULE
Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Regular
INDUSTRY
Power
JOB POSTING
Nov 5, 2026
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions.
INTRODUCTION
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector in Northern California, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In the role of Northern California Power Delivery Program Lead, we'll count on you to:
- Take responsibility for Northern California Area coordination, monitoring and improvement of technical competencies of Power Delivery staff and deliverables to meet client needs and market drivers, in alignment with the direction and goals of HDR's Power Delivery practice, specifically substation, transmission, and distribution.
- Lead and continue building the Power Delivery Program leadership team, including hiring and onboarding additional Section Managers and other technical and project management leaders. Support Section Managers with building out their teams to ensure robust talent pipelines.
- Engage in power delivery professional services to meet client expectations as Program Manager, Project Manager and/or Engineering Manager. Build and maintain trusted client relationships by serving as the single point of contact for key Power Delivery clients.
- Collaborate on Power Delivery engineering efforts while coordinating closely with Area operations, marketing and project managers. This includes successful project delivery with a strong focus on quality, safety and risk management and internal engagement within the Power Delivery practice (nationally and West Region).
- Represent HDR in the marketplace within industry and professional organizations.
- Own quality outcomes for the program and ensure quality is embedded from project startup through closeout. Engage with project teams to continually improve standards and best practices and implement effective quality assurance and quality control reviews.
- Lead and support pursuits, including strategy development, staffing, and interviews in partnership with the West Region Power Delivery Practice Lead and Power Business Development Lead.
- Participate in Power Delivery strategic planning, budgeting and plan implementation. Collaborate with Business Group leadership on financial performance, staffing strategy and workload planning and growth targets.
- Work cooperatively with other Area Power Delivery Program Leads, Business Class Leaders, Operations Managers, Technical Directors and Marketing Managers on efforts for the Power Delivery business classes.
- Perform other duties as needed.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 10 years related experience
- A minimum 5 years project management experience
- Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
- MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience would be plus)
- Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering Degree
- Master's degree
- PMP certification
- Experience in Substation or Transmission Engineering and/or Program Management, ideally in CA or the Southwest
- Experience working in alternative delivery project environments (EPC, Progressive Design Build, CMAR, etc.) as a PM and/or Technical Lead
- Experience leading teams in consulting with a strong collaborative track record. Prior experience working in a matrix environment is a plus.
- Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
- Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
BENEFITS
Employee Stock Ownership, Medical insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, 401(k), Paid time off (PTO), Paid holidays, Paid parental leave, Life insurance, Disability insurance.
COMPENSATION
The expected compensation range for this position is $155,285.00 - $241,125.00 annually depending upon market location, relevant experience, and education.
LOCATION
Primary Location: United States-California-Sacramento
Other Locations: United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Folsom
SCHEDULE
Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Regular
INDUSTRY
Power
JOB POSTING
Nov 5, 2026
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions.
Program Lead Job Roles in California
See all 1,186+ Program Lead Jobs in California
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Search Program Lead Jobs in CaliforniaProgram Lead Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies in California sponsor visas for program leads?
California's largest tech and life sciences employers have consistent program lead sponsorship records. Google, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, Salesforce, Amazon, Genentech, and Gilead Sciences have all filed for program management roles in California. Mid-size software and biotech companies in the Bay Area and San Diego corridor also sponsor regularly, particularly for candidates managing cross-functional product or clinical programs.
What visa types realistically apply to program lead roles in California?
Program lead roles typically qualify as specialty occupations under the H-1B visa, requiring a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as computer science, engineering, or business. The H-1B is subject to an annual cap and selection process. For Australian nationals, the E-3 visa offers an uncapped alternative. EB-2 and EB-3 green card pathways are available through employer-sponsored PERM labor certification for longer-term transitions.
Which California cities have the most program lead sponsorship jobs?
San Francisco and San Jose account for the highest concentration of sponsored program lead roles, driven by the Bay Area's dense cluster of enterprise technology companies. Los Angeles follows, particularly in media tech, entertainment platforms, and aerospace. San Diego is active for program leads in biotech and defense contracting. Smaller but notable markets include Sacramento for state-adjacent tech roles and Irvine for enterprise software firms.
How to find program lead visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate lists California employers with verified visa sponsorship history for program lead roles, so you can focus your search on companies that have already filed for this type of position. Filtering by role and location helps surface active opportunities in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Migrate Mate shows LCA filing history by employer, giving you a concrete signal of sponsorship intent before you apply.
Are there state-specific considerations for program leads seeking sponsorship in California?
California's strong university pipeline from UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCLA, and UCSD feeds directly into program lead roles at Bay Area and Southern California employers, many of whom are experienced with international hiring. F-1 students on OPT can work in program lead roles while employers pursue H-1B sponsorship. California's concentration of large-cap tech and biotech firms means many hiring managers are familiar with the sponsorship process, reducing friction compared to smaller markets.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored program lead jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.