Water Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Ohio
Water engineer jobs in Ohio draw strong demand from municipal utilities, consulting firms, and infrastructure agencies across Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Major employers like AECOM, Stantec, and the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regularly hire water engineers. International candidates with the right credentials can pursue visa sponsorship through several pathways suited to this engineering discipline.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #45 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.
Position Summary
JMT is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to join its Water Resources team in the Columbus, OH office. This role will lead and perform advanced water resources design for infrastructure projects throughout the region. A key focus will be supporting drainage design for transportation clients, while also contributing to projects that implement green stormwater infrastructure in highly urbanized areas. Working with limited supervision, the successful candidate will plan and coordinate design assignments, serve as a technical advisor, support client coordination, perform quality reviews, and mentor less experienced engineers. The position offers a clear path toward broader technical and project leadership.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Lead the water resources design for multiple concurrent projects and tasks
- Plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of engineering work for a major project or a total project of moderate scope
- Serve as a technical advisor for drainage, stormwater management, green stormwater infrastructure, erosion and sediment control, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, permitting, and utility coordination
- Identify watersheds and drainage patterns; delineate drainage areas; evaluate soil and land-cover conditions; and complete time-of-concentration and runoff calculations
- Design stormwater management practices, drainage networks, pipes, inlets, channels, outfalls, and related green infrastructure improvements
- Perform and review hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using TR-55/TR-20, Rational Method, HEC-RAS, SWMM, or comparable tools
- Lead the preparation of post-construction stormwater management plans, erosion and sediment control plans, permit applications, technical reports, plans, specifications, quantity takeoffs, and construction cost estimates
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and local design standards, regulatory requirements, client specifications, and permitting criteria
- Define design parameters, develop and present alternatives, solve complex technical problems, and provide cross-disciplinary and constructability reviews
- Assist project managers and section leadership with scope development, task work-hour estimates, schedules, technical risk identification, and resource planning
- Lead assigned work to meet task-level schedules and budgets, and communicate progress, risks, and needed corrective actions to the project manager
- Coordinate with clients, contractors, outside consultants, utility companies, government agencies, and JMT staff from multiple locations and technical disciplines
- Participate in client meetings, presentations, and interviews in support of the project manager and project team
- Delegate work to engineers, coordinate project requirements, perform and check design computations, and complete quality reviews in accordance with the Project Management Plan
- Mentor and coach less experienced engineers, share technical knowledge and lessons learned, and help improve discipline workflows and standard operating procedures
Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Required Skills
- Proficiency with water resources design and modeling software, including HEC-RAS and OpenRoads Designer Drainage and Utilities; familiarity with Civil 3D and SWMM or comparable tools
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- Strong technical writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills
- Ability to organize and lead multiple assignments in a dynamic, team-oriented environment
- Working knowledge of related engineering disciplines and constructability considerations
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from an ABET accredited engineering program
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in Ohio or the ability to obtain Ohio licensure within 6 months of hire
- 10-12+ years of related experience
- Experience supporting Ohio Department of Transportation, municipal, county, or other regional public-agency projects
- Experience designing green stormwater infrastructure in highly urbanized environments
- Two-dimensional modeling experience using HEC-RAS, SWMM, or a comparable model
- Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), ENV SP, or other relevant discipline certification
Working Conditions
Work is performed within a general office environment 75% of the time. Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. within the office environment.
Field work is required on occasions where work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Some lifting (up to 25 lbs.) may be required as needed.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
INTRODUCTION
Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #45 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.
Position Summary
JMT is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to join its Water Resources team in the Columbus, OH office. This role will lead and perform advanced water resources design for infrastructure projects throughout the region. A key focus will be supporting drainage design for transportation clients, while also contributing to projects that implement green stormwater infrastructure in highly urbanized areas. Working with limited supervision, the successful candidate will plan and coordinate design assignments, serve as a technical advisor, support client coordination, perform quality reviews, and mentor less experienced engineers. The position offers a clear path toward broader technical and project leadership.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Lead the water resources design for multiple concurrent projects and tasks
- Plan, schedule, conduct, or coordinate detailed phases of engineering work for a major project or a total project of moderate scope
- Serve as a technical advisor for drainage, stormwater management, green stormwater infrastructure, erosion and sediment control, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, permitting, and utility coordination
- Identify watersheds and drainage patterns; delineate drainage areas; evaluate soil and land-cover conditions; and complete time-of-concentration and runoff calculations
- Design stormwater management practices, drainage networks, pipes, inlets, channels, outfalls, and related green infrastructure improvements
- Perform and review hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using TR-55/TR-20, Rational Method, HEC-RAS, SWMM, or comparable tools
- Lead the preparation of post-construction stormwater management plans, erosion and sediment control plans, permit applications, technical reports, plans, specifications, quantity takeoffs, and construction cost estimates
- Interpret and apply federal, state, and local design standards, regulatory requirements, client specifications, and permitting criteria
- Define design parameters, develop and present alternatives, solve complex technical problems, and provide cross-disciplinary and constructability reviews
- Assist project managers and section leadership with scope development, task work-hour estimates, schedules, technical risk identification, and resource planning
- Lead assigned work to meet task-level schedules and budgets, and communicate progress, risks, and needed corrective actions to the project manager
- Coordinate with clients, contractors, outside consultants, utility companies, government agencies, and JMT staff from multiple locations and technical disciplines
- Participate in client meetings, presentations, and interviews in support of the project manager and project team
- Delegate work to engineers, coordinate project requirements, perform and check design computations, and complete quality reviews in accordance with the Project Management Plan
- Mentor and coach less experienced engineers, share technical knowledge and lessons learned, and help improve discipline workflows and standard operating procedures
Nonessential Functions and Responsibilities
- Perform other related duties as assigned
Required Skills
- Proficiency with water resources design and modeling software, including HEC-RAS and OpenRoads Designer Drainage and Utilities; familiarity with Civil 3D and SWMM or comparable tools
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- Strong technical writing, verbal communication, and presentation skills
- Ability to organize and lead multiple assignments in a dynamic, team-oriented environment
- Working knowledge of related engineering disciplines and constructability considerations
Required Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from an ABET accredited engineering program
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in Ohio or the ability to obtain Ohio licensure within 6 months of hire
- 10-12+ years of related experience
- Experience supporting Ohio Department of Transportation, municipal, county, or other regional public-agency projects
- Experience designing green stormwater infrastructure in highly urbanized environments
- Two-dimensional modeling experience using HEC-RAS, SWMM, or a comparable model
- Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), ENV SP, or other relevant discipline certification
Working Conditions
Work is performed within a general office environment 75% of the time. Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. within the office environment.
Field work is required on occasions where work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Some lifting (up to 25 lbs.) may be required as needed.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.
Water Engineer Job Roles in Ohio
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Search Water Engineer Jobs in OhioWater Engineer Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for water engineers in Ohio?
Engineering and environmental consulting firms are among the most active sponsors for water engineers in Ohio. Companies like AECOM, Stantec, Jacobs, and Brown and Caldwell have filed Labor Condition Applications for engineering roles in the state. Municipal utilities such as the Cleveland Water Department and Columbus Water and Pure Cycle also hire water engineers, though sponsorship activity varies by budget cycle and project need.
What visa types are available for water engineers seeking sponsorship in Ohio?
Water engineering is a specialty occupation, making the H-1B visa the most common path for international candidates. It requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field, is subject to an annual cap and selection process, and grants initial status for up to three years. Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN visa status under the USMCA Engineer category. The EB-2 and EB-3 green card categories also apply for longer-term permanent residence.
How to find water engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Ohio?
Migrate Mate lists water engineer roles in Ohio filtered to employers with verified visa sponsorship history, so you can focus on companies that have actively filed for engineering positions rather than applying broadly and hoping. Ohio's market spans municipal utilities, state agencies, and private consultancies, so filtering by role and geography on Migrate Mate helps narrow to realistic opportunities in cities like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
Which cities in Ohio have the most water engineer sponsorship jobs?
Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati concentrate the highest volume of water engineering roles in Ohio. Columbus benefits from state agency headquarters and growing infrastructure investment. Cleveland's proximity to Lake Erie drives significant water treatment and supply project activity. Cincinnati hosts several large environmental engineering consultancies. Dayton and Akron also see periodic demand tied to municipal infrastructure upgrades and regional water authority projects.
Are there any Ohio-specific considerations for water engineers pursuing visa sponsorship?
Ohio's heavy investment in Lake Erie water quality, combined with aging municipal infrastructure across the state, sustains consistent demand for water engineers. The Ohio EPA and large municipal utilities often partner with engineering consultancies on long-term projects, which can support multi-year sponsorship arrangements. Ohio State University and Case Western Reserve University produce engineering graduates who sometimes transition through OPT before seeking H-1B sponsorship with Ohio-based employers.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored water engineer jobs in Ohio?
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.