Structural Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's structural engineering market is anchored by infrastructure, agriculture, and commercial construction. Firms like Shive-Hattery, WHKS, and Bolton & Menk actively hire engineers across Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. Federal projects tied to transportation and water infrastructure create steady demand, and several employers in this sector have a documented history of H-1B visa sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Take Your Design 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! In 2025, we acquired Veenstra & Kimm, a dedicated team of engineers with a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences, dedicated to one goal: Creating a brighter future for your community.
Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Our collaborative, multidisciplinary group spanning architectural, structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, process engineering, pipeline design, and integrity management works together to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions.
ROLE
We are currently seeking a full-time Structural Engineer to join our team. Our team works with private companies on commercial projects, as well as with State and Local Government on bridge and transportation related projects. We are looking for a candidate with excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills to assist our current staff in serving our clients. Our preferred location would be in our West Des Moines office but we will consider strong candidates in our Bolingbrook or Kansas City office. This position will collaborate with our structural team members across our organization.
V& K BENEFITS
Benefits available 30 days following date of employment, includes:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long Term Disability, plus additional supplemental insurances
- Clothing allowance
- 401k with company match
- Paid Time Off and 9 paid holidays
- Paid training and development on and off-site
Responsibilities
- Structural design and detailing for bridge, building and/or treatment plant structures
- Work with teams participating in planning, design and construction of structural projects, with future opportunities to lead project teams
- Client contact including verbal and written communication
- Ability to complete projects on time and within budget
- Periodic on-site construction observation
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
- 5 years or more experience in structural engineering
- Iowa PE license or ability to obtain within 12 months
- Solid written and verbal communication skills
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Experience with Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and/or Illinois DOT projects and procedures
- Knowledge of AASHTO LRFD bridge design code
- Illinois SE license a plus
- Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering
- Experience with hydraulic design for bridges and roadway design
- Experience with MicroStation and/or AutoCAD a plus
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.
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, does 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 reserves 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.
INTRODUCTION
Take Your Design 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! In 2025, we acquired Veenstra & Kimm, a dedicated team of engineers with a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences, dedicated to one goal: Creating a brighter future for your community.
Are you ready to be challenged, make a difference, and experience professional growth in your career? Our collaborative, multidisciplinary group spanning architectural, structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, process engineering, pipeline design, and integrity management works together to deliver integrated, high-impact solutions.
ROLE
We are currently seeking a full-time Structural Engineer to join our team. Our team works with private companies on commercial projects, as well as with State and Local Government on bridge and transportation related projects. We are looking for a candidate with excellent communication, leadership and organizational skills to assist our current staff in serving our clients. Our preferred location would be in our West Des Moines office but we will consider strong candidates in our Bolingbrook or Kansas City office. This position will collaborate with our structural team members across our organization.
V& K BENEFITS
Benefits available 30 days following date of employment, includes:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Short and Long Term Disability, plus additional supplemental insurances
- Clothing allowance
- 401k with company match
- Paid Time Off and 9 paid holidays
- Paid training and development on and off-site
Responsibilities
- Structural design and detailing for bridge, building and/or treatment plant structures
- Work with teams participating in planning, design and construction of structural projects, with future opportunities to lead project teams
- Client contact including verbal and written communication
- Ability to complete projects on time and within budget
- Periodic on-site construction observation
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
- 5 years or more experience in structural engineering
- Iowa PE license or ability to obtain within 12 months
- Solid written and verbal communication skills
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE
- Experience with Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) and/or Illinois DOT projects and procedures
- Knowledge of AASHTO LRFD bridge design code
- Illinois SE license a plus
- Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering
- Experience with hydraulic design for bridges and roadway design
- Experience with MicroStation and/or AutoCAD a plus
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.
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, does 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 reserves 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.
Structural Engineer Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Structural Engineer Jobs in IowaStructural Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for structural engineers in Iowa?
Shive-Hattery, WHKS & Co., and Bolton & Menk are among the Iowa-based engineering firms that have filed H-1B petitions for structural and civil engineering roles. Larger national firms with Iowa offices, including AECOM and HDR, also have sponsorship histories. Iowa DOT-affiliated contractors and university facilities departments occasionally sponsor international engineers as well, particularly for infrastructure and transportation projects.
Which visa types are most common for structural engineer roles in Iowa?
The H-1B is the most common visa category for structural engineers in Iowa, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering. The O-1A is an option for engineers with exceptional achievements. Canadian and Mexican nationals may pursue TN visa status under the engineer classification, which does not require a lottery and can be obtained at a port of entry.
How to find structural engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to identify Iowa employers open to sponsoring structural engineers. Rather than sifting through general postings, you can search directly for structural engineer roles in Iowa where sponsorship is confirmed. Migrate Mate also surfaces firms with prior H-1B filing histories, which is a useful signal when evaluating which employers are realistic options.
Which cities in Iowa have the most structural engineer sponsorship jobs?
Des Moines is Iowa's primary hub for structural engineering employment, home to the largest concentration of engineering firms and active commercial and infrastructure projects. Cedar Rapids and Iowa City also have meaningful demand, particularly tied to university construction, healthcare facility work, and regional transportation projects. Ames sees some activity connected to Iowa State University's campus development and affiliated research infrastructure.
Are there any Iowa-specific considerations for structural engineers seeking visa sponsorship?
Iowa employers sponsoring H-1B structural engineers must pay the prevailing wage as determined by the Department of Labor for the specific county and role level. Iowa State University and the University of Iowa are cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning they can file petitions outside the annual lottery. Engineers with a Professional Engineer (PE) license in Iowa may be viewed more favorably by employers, as licensure signals compliance with state engineering practice requirements.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored structural engineer jobs in Iowa?
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.