Structural Design Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Kentucky
Structural design engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky are concentrated with infrastructure firms, defense contractors, and civil engineering consultancies in Louisville, Lexington, and the greater Cincinnati border region. Major employers include HDR, HNTB, Jacobs Engineering, and state-agency project contractors serving Kentucky's expanding bridge rehabilitation and transportation programs.
Find Structural Design Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 4 of 6+ Structural Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
See all Structural Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Structural Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsSchnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in over 30 offices throughout the United States.
Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.
Benefit options include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
- Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
- Long-term disability
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
- Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
- Bonus program
- Paid time off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Wellness program
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Job Description:
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. The Lexington, KY office is seeking a mid-level Structural Engineer to support our engineering group. We are looking for a motivated candidate with attention to detail, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong growing team.
Job Responsibilities:
Perform the following structural engineering tasks:
- Perform engineering activities throughout all phases of a project lifecycle, including investigation, evaluation, analysis, design, and engineering services during construction.
- Perform structural analysis and prepare detailed design calculations.
- Quality control reviews of other team member’s work.
- Prepare and review construction drawings and technical specifications.
- Develop structural model using finite element modeling program (SAP2000 or equivalent).
- Refer to applicable building codes for appropriate loads, analysis procedures, and requirements (ASCE 7, ACI 318, ACI 350, Steel Design Manual, IBC, USACE Engineering Manuals, etc.)
- Preparation of responses to contractor’s submittals and questions during construction.
- Collaborate with architects, contractors, and other design disciplines.
- Occasional travel may be required.
- Work as a team member within the Lexington, KY office and across other Schnabel offices to effectively balance workload among available resources.
Required Skills/Experience:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a focus in structural engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- 4+ years of engineering experience with proficiency in concrete and steel design including hydraulic structures, industrial buildings, and heavy civil structures.
- Ability to manage simultaneous tasks and multi-discipline projects throughout the project lifecycle.
- PE licensed or ability to become a Licensed Professional Engineer within a year of hiring.
- Experience/proficiency with common computer-aided analysis and finite element modeling programs applicable to structural engineering.
- Experience preparing and reviewing construction drawings and technical specifications.
- Experience working with owners and contractors during the construction phases of a project.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- A strong work ethic and the desire to perform professionally at a high level.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Experience with Bluebeam, Mathcad, SAP2000, AutoCAD, and Revit.
- Proficiency with wood and masonry design.
- Licensed Structural Engineer or willingness to work towards an SE license.
- Experience in consulting engineering.
- Experience with dams, fish facilities, gate design, and/or intakes and pump stations.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record, and credit check
- Ability to pass a pre-employment screening
The compensation range for this position is between $85,000 to $135,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in over 30 offices throughout the United States.
Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.
Benefit options include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
- Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
- Long-term disability
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
- Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
- Bonus program
- Paid time off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Wellness program
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Job Description:
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. The Lexington, KY office is seeking a mid-level Structural Engineer to support our engineering group. We are looking for a motivated candidate with attention to detail, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong growing team.
Job Responsibilities:
Perform the following structural engineering tasks:
- Perform engineering activities throughout all phases of a project lifecycle, including investigation, evaluation, analysis, design, and engineering services during construction.
- Perform structural analysis and prepare detailed design calculations.
- Quality control reviews of other team member’s work.
- Prepare and review construction drawings and technical specifications.
- Develop structural model using finite element modeling program (SAP2000 or equivalent).
- Refer to applicable building codes for appropriate loads, analysis procedures, and requirements (ASCE 7, ACI 318, ACI 350, Steel Design Manual, IBC, USACE Engineering Manuals, etc.)
- Preparation of responses to contractor’s submittals and questions during construction.
- Collaborate with architects, contractors, and other design disciplines.
- Occasional travel may be required.
- Work as a team member within the Lexington, KY office and across other Schnabel offices to effectively balance workload among available resources.
Required Skills/Experience:
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a focus in structural engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- 4+ years of engineering experience with proficiency in concrete and steel design including hydraulic structures, industrial buildings, and heavy civil structures.
- Ability to manage simultaneous tasks and multi-discipline projects throughout the project lifecycle.
- PE licensed or ability to become a Licensed Professional Engineer within a year of hiring.
- Experience/proficiency with common computer-aided analysis and finite element modeling programs applicable to structural engineering.
- Experience preparing and reviewing construction drawings and technical specifications.
- Experience working with owners and contractors during the construction phases of a project.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- A strong work ethic and the desire to perform professionally at a high level.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Experience with Bluebeam, Mathcad, SAP2000, AutoCAD, and Revit.
- Proficiency with wood and masonry design.
- Licensed Structural Engineer or willingness to work towards an SE license.
- Experience in consulting engineering.
- Experience with dams, fish facilities, gate design, and/or intakes and pump stations.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record, and credit check
- Ability to pass a pre-employment screening
The compensation range for this position is between $85,000 to $135,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Structural Design Engineer Job Roles in Kentucky
See all Structural Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Structural Design Engineer Jobs in KentuckyStructural Design Engineer Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for structural design engineers in Kentucky?
Engineering and infrastructure firms with active Kentucky operations are the most consistent sponsors for structural design engineers. HDR, HNTB, Jacobs Engineering, and Stantec have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering roles in the state. Large construction management firms supporting Kentucky Transportation Cabinet projects and federal highway work also appear regularly in DOL sponsorship records for specialty occupation engineering positions.
Which visa types realistically fit structural design engineer roles in Kentucky?
Structural design engineering qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering, making H-1B visa the primary path for most international candidates. Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN visa status under the USMCA Engineer category, which requires the same degree standard and has no numerical cap. Australian nationals may apply for the E-3 visa. Qualified candidates pursuing permanent residence typically use the EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green card categories through PERM labor certification.
Which cities in Kentucky have the most structural design engineer sponsorship jobs?
Louisville is the dominant market, home to the largest share of engineering firms and infrastructure consultancies active in Kentucky. Lexington is a secondary hub, particularly for firms tied to University of Kentucky research partnerships and regional transportation projects. The northern Kentucky corridor near Covington and Florence benefits from proximity to Cincinnati's larger engineering market, with several multi-state firms maintaining offices that file for Kentucky-based positions.
How to find structural design engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Kentucky?
Migrate Mate lists structural design engineer roles from Kentucky employers with verified visa sponsorship history, letting you search specifically within the state rather than sorting through national postings manually. Filtering by role and location on Migrate Mate surfaces firms that have previously filed for engineering positions in Kentucky, which is a practical starting point for identifying employers already familiar with the H-1B or TN sponsorship process for structural engineering candidates.
Are there state-specific factors that affect structural design engineer sponsorship in Kentucky?
Kentucky's major infrastructure investment programs, including bridge replacement on the aging I-64 and I-71 corridors and the Brent Spence Bridge rehabilitation, have driven sustained demand for structural engineers from both public agencies and private consultancies. The University of Kentucky and University of Louisville produce engineering graduates but do not fully meet regional demand, which keeps employer openness to international candidates relatively stable. Firms holding state transportation contracts frequently sponsor engineers across multiple visa categories to meet project staffing needs.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored structural design engineer jobs in Kentucky?
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.