Lead Design Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Nebraska
Lead design engineer roles in Nebraska are concentrated in Omaha and Lincoln, where defense contractors like L3Harris, manufacturing firms such as Valmont Industries, and engineering consultancies actively hire for these positions. Nebraska's growing infrastructure and agricultural technology sectors add further demand, making the state a consistent source of visa sponsorship opportunities for qualified engineers.
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What This Role Delivers
At OPPD, we power the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy. As one of the nation's largest public power utilities, we continuously invest in infrastructure, technology, and innovation to ensure long-term energy reliability for our customers.
As a Senior Electrical Design Engineer, you will provide technical leadership for major capital projects and strategic generation fleet modernization initiatives. This role serves as a senior engineering resource responsible for solving complex technical challenges, leading critical infrastructure investments, and driving engineering excellence across OPPD's generation facilities.
You will lead complex electrical design efforts from concept through implementation, providing advanced expertise in power systems, instrumentation, controls, and automation technologies. In addition to owning the technical design, calculations, specifications, and engineering deliverables for major projects, you will oversee project execution activities including cost estimating, budget development, schedule management, procurement strategy, construction oversight, and risk mitigation. Future projects will include large-scale modernization of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and other critical generation control and electrical systems.
This role also serves as a mentor and technical authority within the organization, helping establish engineering standards, guide technical decision-making, and develop engineering talent across the Design Engineering team.
What This Role Will Lead & Own
- Lead electrical design development for major and complex capital projects, providing technical ownership of engineering evaluations, calculations, specifications, drawings, installation packages, testing strategies, and commissioning activities.
- Serve as the lead engineer and technical authority for generation modernization projects involving electrical systems, plant controls, DCS platforms, PLC systems, and related infrastructure.
- Direct project planning and execution activities, including cost estimation, budget development, business case preparation, schedule oversight, resource coordination, and risk management.
- Lead cross-functional teams and provide technical guidance to engineers, project managers, operations personnel, contractors, and external partners.
- Drive technical decision-making for complex engineering challenges and develop long-term solutions that improve reliability, maintainability, and operational performance.
- Oversee procurement strategies, vendor evaluations, equipment selection, and technical review of supplier deliverables.
- Provide senior-level construction management oversight, including contract administration, contractor performance management, field issue resolution, and executive-level project reporting.
- Champion engineering standards, continuous improvement initiatives, and best practices that advance organizational technical capability.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, operational, safety, and project risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Mentor engineers across multiple experience levels and contribute to the development of future technical leaders within the organization.
What You Will Bring
- Demonstrated ability to successfully complete essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Nebraska or ability to obtain Nebraska registration within 6 months through reciprocity and relevant experience.
What Will Help You Stand Out
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
- Eight (8) or more years of engineering experience in power generation, industrial facilities, utilities, manufacturing, or other complex infrastructure environments.
- Demonstrated experience leading major capital projects, multidisciplinary engineering efforts, or large-scale infrastructure upgrades.
- Strong expertise in electrical power systems, industrial controls, instrumentation, automation, DCS, and PLC technologies.
- Experience developing engineering calculations, technical specifications, construction packages, and commissioning plans.
- Proven experience managing project budgets, schedules, business cases, and technical risk.
- Ability to lead technical teams and influence decisions across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Experience leading major DCS migration, PLC modernization, or plant control system replacement projects.
- Experience in utility generation, fossil generation, renewable generation, or other large industrial facilities.
Work Location
- Office: Work will be performed in a modern office environment amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises.
- Field: Work will be performed outside in a wide variety of weather conditions (snow, rain, heat, cold, wind, etc.), terrain, and other natural environmental hazards as well as pollen and other airborne allergens.
- Generation Plant: Work will be performed inside with exposure to industrial building conditions and may include extreme temperatures, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation, and loud noise levels.
- Travel: Must be able to travel throughout the service territory and report to various locations in a timely manner as needed.
Work Environment
- Work will be performed in high traffic environments.
- Will work around energized high voltage electrical equipment.
- Will work in construction areas that present many physical hazards.
- Will work at heights.
- Will work in closed or confined spaces.
- Will work around asbestos and lead.
Strength Factor
Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
Salary/Wage Info
Grade: S6
Minimum: $109,942
Midpoint: $137,428
Apply online at www.oppd.com on or before November 13th.
Our Culture & Mission
At Omaha Public Power District, everything starts with people - our teams, our communities, and the customer owners who count on us. As the 12th largest public power utility in the U.S., we serve more than 900,000 people across 13 counties, and we take that responsibility seriously.
We lead with integrity, support one another, and do what's right, because how we serve matters just as much as what we deliver. Our goal is simple: provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy today and for generations to come.
We create power with purpose. Your work here has real impact; on families, on the environment, and on the future of energy. And we believe great ideas can come from anywhere.
If you want to be part of a team that takes care of the community and the people who serve it, you're in the right place. We back up our mission by taking care of our employees, too; which is why our benefits are among the most comprehensive and competitive in the region.
Ready to apply?
When you apply, be sure your resume highlights the skills and experience that will help you succeed in this role.
EOE: Protected Veterans/Disability
If you would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with OPPD, please email OPPD Talent Acquisition at TalentAcquisition@OPPD.com.
Recruiter Information
Recruiter: Michael Fierro - mrfierro@oppd.com #LI-MF
Opportunity Profile
What This Role Delivers
At OPPD, we power the communities we serve by providing safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible energy. As one of the nation's largest public power utilities, we continuously invest in infrastructure, technology, and innovation to ensure long-term energy reliability for our customers.
As a Senior Electrical Design Engineer, you will provide technical leadership for major capital projects and strategic generation fleet modernization initiatives. This role serves as a senior engineering resource responsible for solving complex technical challenges, leading critical infrastructure investments, and driving engineering excellence across OPPD's generation facilities.
You will lead complex electrical design efforts from concept through implementation, providing advanced expertise in power systems, instrumentation, controls, and automation technologies. In addition to owning the technical design, calculations, specifications, and engineering deliverables for major projects, you will oversee project execution activities including cost estimating, budget development, schedule management, procurement strategy, construction oversight, and risk mitigation. Future projects will include large-scale modernization of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and other critical generation control and electrical systems.
This role also serves as a mentor and technical authority within the organization, helping establish engineering standards, guide technical decision-making, and develop engineering talent across the Design Engineering team.
What This Role Will Lead & Own
- Lead electrical design development for major and complex capital projects, providing technical ownership of engineering evaluations, calculations, specifications, drawings, installation packages, testing strategies, and commissioning activities.
- Serve as the lead engineer and technical authority for generation modernization projects involving electrical systems, plant controls, DCS platforms, PLC systems, and related infrastructure.
- Direct project planning and execution activities, including cost estimation, budget development, business case preparation, schedule oversight, resource coordination, and risk management.
- Lead cross-functional teams and provide technical guidance to engineers, project managers, operations personnel, contractors, and external partners.
- Drive technical decision-making for complex engineering challenges and develop long-term solutions that improve reliability, maintainability, and operational performance.
- Oversee procurement strategies, vendor evaluations, equipment selection, and technical review of supplier deliverables.
- Provide senior-level construction management oversight, including contract administration, contractor performance management, field issue resolution, and executive-level project reporting.
- Champion engineering standards, continuous improvement initiatives, and best practices that advance organizational technical capability.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical, operational, safety, and project risks throughout the project lifecycle.
- Mentor engineers across multiple experience levels and contribute to the development of future technical leaders within the organization.
What You Will Bring
- Demonstrated ability to successfully complete essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Nebraska or ability to obtain Nebraska registration within 6 months through reciprocity and relevant experience.
What Will Help You Stand Out
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution.
- Eight (8) or more years of engineering experience in power generation, industrial facilities, utilities, manufacturing, or other complex infrastructure environments.
- Demonstrated experience leading major capital projects, multidisciplinary engineering efforts, or large-scale infrastructure upgrades.
- Strong expertise in electrical power systems, industrial controls, instrumentation, automation, DCS, and PLC technologies.
- Experience developing engineering calculations, technical specifications, construction packages, and commissioning plans.
- Proven experience managing project budgets, schedules, business cases, and technical risk.
- Ability to lead technical teams and influence decisions across multiple stakeholder groups.
- Experience leading major DCS migration, PLC modernization, or plant control system replacement projects.
- Experience in utility generation, fossil generation, renewable generation, or other large industrial facilities.
Work Location
- Office: Work will be performed in a modern office environment amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises.
- Field: Work will be performed outside in a wide variety of weather conditions (snow, rain, heat, cold, wind, etc.), terrain, and other natural environmental hazards as well as pollen and other airborne allergens.
- Generation Plant: Work will be performed inside with exposure to industrial building conditions and may include extreme temperatures, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation, and loud noise levels.
- Travel: Must be able to travel throughout the service territory and report to various locations in a timely manner as needed.
Work Environment
- Work will be performed in high traffic environments.
- Will work around energized high voltage electrical equipment.
- Will work in construction areas that present many physical hazards.
- Will work at heights.
- Will work in closed or confined spaces.
- Will work around asbestos and lead.
Strength Factor
Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.
Salary/Wage Info
Grade: S6
Minimum: $109,942
Midpoint: $137,428
Apply online at www.oppd.com on or before November 13th.
Our Culture & Mission
At Omaha Public Power District, everything starts with people - our teams, our communities, and the customer owners who count on us. As the 12th largest public power utility in the U.S., we serve more than 900,000 people across 13 counties, and we take that responsibility seriously.
We lead with integrity, support one another, and do what's right, because how we serve matters just as much as what we deliver. Our goal is simple: provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy today and for generations to come.
We create power with purpose. Your work here has real impact; on families, on the environment, and on the future of energy. And we believe great ideas can come from anywhere.
If you want to be part of a team that takes care of the community and the people who serve it, you're in the right place. We back up our mission by taking care of our employees, too; which is why our benefits are among the most comprehensive and competitive in the region.
Ready to apply?
When you apply, be sure your resume highlights the skills and experience that will help you succeed in this role.
EOE: Protected Veterans/Disability
If you would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with OPPD, please email OPPD Talent Acquisition at TalentAcquisition@OPPD.com.
Recruiter Information
Recruiter: Michael Fierro - mrfierro@oppd.com #LI-MF
Lead Design Engineer Job Roles in Nebraska
See all Lead Design Engineer Jobs in Nebraska
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Search Lead Design Engineer Jobs in NebraskaLead Design Engineer Jobs in Nebraska: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for lead design engineers in Nebraska?
Defense and manufacturing employers are among the most active sponsors for lead design engineers in Nebraska. Companies such as L3Harris Technologies and Valmont Industries in Omaha, along with engineering and construction firms operating across Lincoln and Omaha, have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering roles. Infrastructure, agricultural technology, and power systems companies also appear regularly in federal sponsorship records for this occupation.
Which visa types realistically fit lead design engineer roles in Nebraska?
Lead design engineer is a specialty occupation requiring a relevant engineering degree, so H-1B visa is the primary option for most international candidates. Canadian and Mexican nationals with an engineering degree may qualify under the TN visa through the USMCA Engineer category. E-3 visa covers Australian nationals in specialty occupations, and H-1B1 visa applies to Chilean and Singaporean nationals. Employers file a Labor Condition Application for H-1B visa, E-3 visa, and H-1B1 petitions.
Which cities in Nebraska have the most lead design engineer sponsorship jobs?
Omaha generates the highest volume of lead design engineer sponsorship activity in Nebraska, driven by its concentration of defense, manufacturing, and utilities employers. Lincoln is the second-largest market, supported by university-affiliated research, state government engineering projects, and growing technology firms. Smaller cities like Grand Island and Kearney occasionally post openings tied to agricultural equipment and infrastructure engineering, though sponsorship activity there is less frequent.
How to find lead design engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Nebraska?
Migrate Mate lists Nebraska employers with verified visa sponsorship history for engineering roles, including lead design engineer positions in Omaha, Lincoln, and beyond. Searching by role and state on Migrate Mate surfaces companies that have previously filed for sponsored engineers, helping you focus your applications on employers already familiar with the sponsorship process rather than those encountering it for the first time.
Are there state-specific factors that affect lead design engineer sponsorship in Nebraska?
Nebraska's economy leans heavily on defense contracting, agricultural technology, power infrastructure, and manufacturing, so lead design engineers with backgrounds in mechanical, electrical, or systems engineering are well positioned. The University of Nebraska system produces engineering graduates who feed local employer pipelines, and many Nebraska employers are experienced with H-1B and TN visa sponsorship as a result of recruiting nationally and internationally for specialized engineering talent.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored lead design engineer jobs in Nebraska?
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.