Architectural Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois architectural engineer roles span transit authorities, hospital systems, and skyscraper-dense Chicago firms like Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and HOK. The state's deep infrastructure investment and active building market create consistent demand, with most sponsorship concentrated in Chicago, Evanston, and Champaign near major university pipelines feeding technical talent.
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Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.
About LJC
LJC is a growing architecture, design and planning firm committed to creating and delivering design solutions that improve and enhance the human experience of the built environment. Youthful in outlook, seasoned in experience, LJC offers a diverse portfolio of expertise across a range of project scales and typologies, including commercial, mixed use and residential. We believe our work is a fundamental expression of optimism in the future, and that design is a means to effect positive, enduring change.
The Role We Want You For
LJC is looking to hire a Lab Planner to join our team and serve as a key technical resource within the Life Sciences market sector. The Lab Planner will support the planning, programming, and design of complex laboratory and research facilities, working closely with clients, scientists, and multidisciplinary design teams to deliver high-performance, flexible, and compliant environments.
This role requires strong laboratory planning expertise, knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements, and the ability to translate operational workflows into thoughtful planning solutions. The Lab Planner will collaborate across LJC offices and disciplines, mentor junior staff, and contribute to the continued growth of LJC’s Life Sciences practice.
The Specifics of the Role
- Lead the planning, programming, and design of laboratory and research facilities across a range of life sciences project types.
- Develop laboratory layouts, workflows, and spatial requirements that optimize functionality, flexibility, safety, and long-term adaptability. (develop or support senior lab planner)
- Integrate technical, operational, regulatory, and sustainability considerations into laboratory planning and design solutions.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants to develop innovative, efficient, and buildable laboratory designs.
- Support compliance with applicable health, safety, and regulatory standards, including NIH, CDC, BSL, GMP, ISO, and LEED requirements.
- Support planning and coordination Plan and coordinate laboratory casework, furniture, equipment, and utility requirements in alignment with user needs and design intent.
- Work closely with scientists, researchers, and facility stakeholders to understand workflows and translate them into clear planning and design solutions.
- Facilitate or support user group meetings, workshops, and presentations to communicate planning concepts and gather feedback.
- Support or manage multiple lab planning efforts from concept through design development, coordinating scope, budget, and schedule expectations.
- Mentor junior lab planners, architects, and designers, supporting professional development and technical growth.
- Support business development efforts through proposal contributions, planning concepts, and participation in client interviews and presentations.
- Promote a culture of one-team collaboration across disciplines and offices.
- Travel, as required, to support client engagement, project pursuits, and planning efforts.
Requirements
Lab Planners at LJC possess:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Laboratory Planning, Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in laboratory planning and design within life sciences.
- Professional licensure (RA) preferred but not required.
- Strong understanding of laboratory typologies, equipment, operational needs, and planning strategies.
- Knowledge of building codes, laboratory safety guidelines, and industry regulations.
- Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and other relevant planning and design tools.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
- Strong communication and presentation abilities, including client-facing presentations.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and clients.
- LEED accreditation or demonstrated knowledge of sustainable laboratory design preferred.
- Experience with biosafety level (BSL) laboratories and/or cleanroom environments preferred.
Some Things You Should Know
- Our clients and projects are nationwide
- No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
- We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
- The pace is fast!
Why Clayco and LJC?
- 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
- 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
- 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Compensation
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $120,000 - $155,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).
About us
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential related building projects.
About LJC
LJC is a growing architecture, design and planning firm committed to creating and delivering design solutions that improve and enhance the human experience of the built environment. Youthful in outlook, seasoned in experience, LJC offers a diverse portfolio of expertise across a range of project scales and typologies, including commercial, mixed use and residential. We believe our work is a fundamental expression of optimism in the future, and that design is a means to effect positive, enduring change.
The Role We Want You For
LJC is looking to hire a Lab Planner to join our team and serve as a key technical resource within the Life Sciences market sector. The Lab Planner will support the planning, programming, and design of complex laboratory and research facilities, working closely with clients, scientists, and multidisciplinary design teams to deliver high-performance, flexible, and compliant environments.
This role requires strong laboratory planning expertise, knowledge of technical and regulatory requirements, and the ability to translate operational workflows into thoughtful planning solutions. The Lab Planner will collaborate across LJC offices and disciplines, mentor junior staff, and contribute to the continued growth of LJC’s Life Sciences practice.
The Specifics of the Role
- Lead the planning, programming, and design of laboratory and research facilities across a range of life sciences project types.
- Develop laboratory layouts, workflows, and spatial requirements that optimize functionality, flexibility, safety, and long-term adaptability. (develop or support senior lab planner)
- Integrate technical, operational, regulatory, and sustainability considerations into laboratory planning and design solutions.
- Collaborate with architects, engineers, and consultants to develop innovative, efficient, and buildable laboratory designs.
- Support compliance with applicable health, safety, and regulatory standards, including NIH, CDC, BSL, GMP, ISO, and LEED requirements.
- Support planning and coordination Plan and coordinate laboratory casework, furniture, equipment, and utility requirements in alignment with user needs and design intent.
- Work closely with scientists, researchers, and facility stakeholders to understand workflows and translate them into clear planning and design solutions.
- Facilitate or support user group meetings, workshops, and presentations to communicate planning concepts and gather feedback.
- Support or manage multiple lab planning efforts from concept through design development, coordinating scope, budget, and schedule expectations.
- Mentor junior lab planners, architects, and designers, supporting professional development and technical growth.
- Support business development efforts through proposal contributions, planning concepts, and participation in client interviews and presentations.
- Promote a culture of one-team collaboration across disciplines and offices.
- Travel, as required, to support client engagement, project pursuits, and planning efforts.
Requirements
Lab Planners at LJC possess:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Laboratory Planning, Engineering, or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in laboratory planning and design within life sciences.
- Professional licensure (RA) preferred but not required.
- Strong understanding of laboratory typologies, equipment, operational needs, and planning strategies.
- Knowledge of building codes, laboratory safety guidelines, and industry regulations.
- Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and other relevant planning and design tools.
- Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
- Strong communication and presentation abilities, including client-facing presentations.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and clients.
- LEED accreditation or demonstrated knowledge of sustainable laboratory design preferred.
- Experience with biosafety level (BSL) laboratories and/or cleanroom environments preferred.
Some Things You Should Know
- Our clients and projects are nationwide
- No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
- We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile jobs.
- The pace is fast!
Why Clayco and LJC?
- 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
- 2025 ENR Midwest – Midwest Contractor (#1).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
- 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).
- 2025 ENR Top 25 Data Center Builders – Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
Benefits
- Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
- Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
Compensation
- The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. The Clayco Nationwide salary range for this position is approximately $120,000 - $155,000 +/- annually (not adjusted for location).
Architectural Engineer Job Roles in Illinois
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Search Architectural Engineer Jobs in IllinoisArchitectural Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for architectural engineers in Illinois?
Large engineering and design firms headquartered or with significant Illinois operations have historically sponsored architectural engineers, including Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, HOK, Wiss Janney Elstner Associates, and Burns and McDonnell. Major infrastructure clients like the Chicago Transit Authority also drive sponsorship through their contracted engineering partners. Sponsorship activity is concentrated among firms large enough to absorb the administrative and legal costs of the H-1B visa process.
Which visa types are most common for architectural engineer roles in Illinois?
The H-1B is the most common visa for architectural engineers in Illinois, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering or a closely related field. Candidates from Australia may pursue the E-3 visa, and Canadian and Mexican nationals may qualify under TN visa status. Those with extraordinary ability in the field may also explore the O-1A, though it carries a higher evidentiary bar.
Which cities in Illinois have the most architectural engineer sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of architectural engineer sponsorship opportunities in Illinois, given its concentration of large AEC firms, hospital construction pipelines, and high-rise commercial development. Evanston and Champaign see smaller but notable activity, partly driven by proximity to Northwestern University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, both of which produce architectural engineering graduates who attract local employer attention.
How to find architectural engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, so you can search architectural engineer roles in Illinois without sorting through positions that won't support international candidates. The platform surfaces employers with active sponsorship histories in the state, which is particularly useful given that Chicago-area firms vary significantly in their willingness to sponsor. Filtering by location and role on Migrate Mate narrows the field to actionable opportunities.
Are there state-specific considerations for architectural engineers seeking sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois does not impose state-level licensing requirements that uniquely affect visa sponsorship, but employers must meet Department of Labor prevailing wage standards for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin metropolitan area when filing H-1B Labor Condition Applications. The University of Illinois system also functions as a notable pipeline, with several firms actively recruiting international graduates from its architectural engineering program. Candidates should confirm that their specific role meets the specialty occupation definition before assuming H-1B eligibility.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored architectural engineer jobs in Illinois?
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.