Principal Civil Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Principal Civil Engineer roles attract H-1B visa, TN visa, and EB-3 sponsorship from infrastructure firms, municipal agencies, and EPC contractors. A PE license, project leadership experience, and a directly related degree are the credentials employers filing Labor Condition Applications look for at this seniority level.
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Get Access To All JobsDESCRIPTION:
At Toole Design, we’re leading the way in creating safer, more connected communities through sustainable multimodal transportation design. We’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our growing team in Silver Spring, MD, someone who’s excited to lead impactful transportation projects that reflect our mission and values.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE
At Toole Design, you’ll join an employee-owned team of engineers, planners, landscape architects, and urban designers who care deeply about the places we shape. Our colleagues have helped write and implement the national guidance that defines our field, including the AASHTO Bike Guide (5th Edition), the forthcoming AASHTO Pedestrian Guide (3rd Edition), the FHWA Guide for Achieving Multimodal Networks, and numerous NCHRP publications.
Here, you’ll learn directly from those experts. They’ll mentor you, invest in your growth, and help you build a career with lasting impact. And because we’re employee-owned, you’ll have a direct stake in our shared success. We also offer:
- A collaborative, inclusive culture that supports your growth and advancement
- A hybrid schedule with shared team days in office (Tuesday-Thursday)
- 8 paid holidays; and at least 16 days of PTO accrual annually
- Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and transportation perks: Benefits and Supports
- Projects that truly improve lives through safe, comprehensive design rooted in ethics, empathy, and equity
- Employee-ownership, so we all share in the success we build together, and the financial security that comes with it
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As a Principal Civil Engineer at Toole Design, you’ll lead the design and delivery of complex, high-visibility transportation projects, from quick-build and permanent safety improvements and major trail projects to multimodal capacity expansions featuring innovative intersection treatments and major capital investments. As project manager, you’ll own scope, schedule, budget and project financials. You’ll guide civil design teams and collaborate with clients and interdisciplinary partners from concept through construction, turning complex challenges into creative, buildable solutions. You’ll manage a team of engineers who share your commitment to the work, mentoring junior staff, and supporting each person’s growth. As a technical lead, you’ll also perform quality control reviews on projects led by others ahead of major milestones, helping ensure every submittal is accurate, complete, and buildable. You’ll also lead client meetings and help grow our business across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic, building your reputation as a trusted expert at a company that promotes from within.
JOIN US. MAKE AN IMPACT.
We’re proud to be an ENR Top 500 design firm with one of the lowest turnover rates in the industry. If you’re ready to do meaningful work with a supportive, talented team—apply today!
SALARY RANGE
We are targeting a salary range of $155,000 to $185,000 for a candidate with a PE. Candidates with additional experience or qualifications may fall into a different salary range.
REQUIREMENTS
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, or the ability to gain reciprocity within first 6 months of employment
- Proven leadership of multi-discipline infrastructure design and construction teams
- 15+ years of experience in transportation engineering, including at least 10 years managing complex transportation projects
- Strong networks and relationships in the Mid-Atlantic transportation market, including existing clients with the DOT, municipalities, and other consulting firms
- Bonus: Design and project management experience in both multimodal transportation and roadway design projects, and you are comfortable presenting on projects and in pursuit interviews.
Questions, assistance or accommodations? Contact HR@tooledesign.com or call 301-927-1900, press 5.
At Toole Design, we foster a collaborative culture and welcome people of all backgrounds to help build more inclusive communities. We strongly encourage women and applicants from underrepresented communities, people of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, first-generation college students/graduates, those with disabilities and people at all the intersections in between, to apply. We're proud that about half our managers are women and we are committed to diverse leadership that reflects the communities we serve. Toole Design is a woman-owned, equal opportunity employer (EO/AA/VEV/Disabled employer).
At Toole Design, people are at the center of everything we do. We bring this value to our recruitment process and do not use AI, automated filtering algorithms, or bot screening. We believe every candidate deserves a thoughtful review, so every application is read by a member of our team.
DESCRIPTION:
At Toole Design, we’re leading the way in creating safer, more connected communities through sustainable multimodal transportation design. We’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our growing team in Silver Spring, MD, someone who’s excited to lead impactful transportation projects that reflect our mission and values.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE WORKING HERE
At Toole Design, you’ll join an employee-owned team of engineers, planners, landscape architects, and urban designers who care deeply about the places we shape. Our colleagues have helped write and implement the national guidance that defines our field, including the AASHTO Bike Guide (5th Edition), the forthcoming AASHTO Pedestrian Guide (3rd Edition), the FHWA Guide for Achieving Multimodal Networks, and numerous NCHRP publications.
Here, you’ll learn directly from those experts. They’ll mentor you, invest in your growth, and help you build a career with lasting impact. And because we’re employee-owned, you’ll have a direct stake in our shared success. We also offer:
- A collaborative, inclusive culture that supports your growth and advancement
- A hybrid schedule with shared team days in office (Tuesday-Thursday)
- 8 paid holidays; and at least 16 days of PTO accrual annually
- Competitive salary, excellent benefits, and transportation perks: Benefits and Supports
- Projects that truly improve lives through safe, comprehensive design rooted in ethics, empathy, and equity
- Employee-ownership, so we all share in the success we build together, and the financial security that comes with it
WHAT YOU’LL DO
As a Principal Civil Engineer at Toole Design, you’ll lead the design and delivery of complex, high-visibility transportation projects, from quick-build and permanent safety improvements and major trail projects to multimodal capacity expansions featuring innovative intersection treatments and major capital investments. As project manager, you’ll own scope, schedule, budget and project financials. You’ll guide civil design teams and collaborate with clients and interdisciplinary partners from concept through construction, turning complex challenges into creative, buildable solutions. You’ll manage a team of engineers who share your commitment to the work, mentoring junior staff, and supporting each person’s growth. As a technical lead, you’ll also perform quality control reviews on projects led by others ahead of major milestones, helping ensure every submittal is accurate, complete, and buildable. You’ll also lead client meetings and help grow our business across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic, building your reputation as a trusted expert at a company that promotes from within.
JOIN US. MAKE AN IMPACT.
We’re proud to be an ENR Top 500 design firm with one of the lowest turnover rates in the industry. If you’re ready to do meaningful work with a supportive, talented team—apply today!
SALARY RANGE
We are targeting a salary range of $155,000 to $185,000 for a candidate with a PE. Candidates with additional experience or qualifications may fall into a different salary range.
REQUIREMENTS
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in DC, Maryland, or Virginia, or the ability to gain reciprocity within first 6 months of employment
- Proven leadership of multi-discipline infrastructure design and construction teams
- 15+ years of experience in transportation engineering, including at least 10 years managing complex transportation projects
- Strong networks and relationships in the Mid-Atlantic transportation market, including existing clients with the DOT, municipalities, and other consulting firms
- Bonus: Design and project management experience in both multimodal transportation and roadway design projects, and you are comfortable presenting on projects and in pursuit interviews.
Questions, assistance or accommodations? Contact HR@tooledesign.com or call 301-927-1900, press 5.
At Toole Design, we foster a collaborative culture and welcome people of all backgrounds to help build more inclusive communities. We strongly encourage women and applicants from underrepresented communities, people of color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, first-generation college students/graduates, those with disabilities and people at all the intersections in between, to apply. We're proud that about half our managers are women and we are committed to diverse leadership that reflects the communities we serve. Toole Design is a woman-owned, equal opportunity employer (EO/AA/VEV/Disabled employer).
At Toole Design, people are at the center of everything we do. We bring this value to our recruitment process and do not use AI, automated filtering algorithms, or bot screening. We believe every candidate deserves a thoughtful review, so every application is read by a member of our team.
See all 213+ Principal Civil Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Principal Civil Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Civil Engineer
Align your PE license strategically
Some states grant reciprocal licensure faster than others. Prioritize obtaining your PE in states with active infrastructure pipelines, since employers filing an LCA need you work-authorized in the specific state listed on the certification.
Target PERM-ready infrastructure employers
EPC firms and large municipal engineering consultancies often run ongoing PERM labor certifications for senior roles. Search DOL OFLC disclosure data to identify which employers have filed PERM applications for civil engineering positions in your target metro.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified sponsors
Filter Principal Civil Engineer roles by employers with confirmed LCA filing history on Migrate Mate. This cuts out firms that list roles without sponsorship intent, letting you focus applications on companies with a documented track record.
Document your PE-equivalent credentials early
If your engineering credentials came from outside the U.S., get a credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization before applying. USCIS specialty occupation reviews for civil engineering roles frequently scrutinize foreign degree equivalency at the principal level.
Negotiate who covers the prevailing wage tier
At the principal level, the LCA prevailing wage is often set at Level III or IV. Confirm with your offer that the salary meets or exceeds the OFLC Wage Search rate for your specific SOC and location before the employer submits the LCA to DOL.
Time TN applications around project start dates
Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN status as civil engineers under the USMCA profession list. Apply at the port of entry with your offer letter and degree documents timed to your project mobilization date, since TN status isn't filed in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Civil Engineer role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS treats civil engineering roles requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in civil engineering or a directly related field as specialty occupations. At the principal level, employers typically document that the role requires advanced technical judgment and project leadership, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument. Generalist roles where any engineering degree suffices can face requests for evidence, so the job description matters.
Can a Principal Civil Engineer use the TN visa?
Yes, civil engineer is an explicitly listed profession on the USMCA TN list, available to Canadian and Mexican nationals. You'll need a bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a closely related field and a valid U.S. job offer. Canadians apply at the port of entry. Mexicans apply at a U.S. consulate. TN status doesn't allow dual intent, so it isn't a path to a green card.
What green card category is typically used for Principal Civil Engineers?
Most Principal Civil Engineers pursue an EB-2 green card, which requires an advanced degree or a bachelor's degree plus five or more years of progressive experience. EB-3 skilled worker is also available if the role requires at least two years of experience. Both categories require PERM labor certification, where the employer must demonstrate through DOL that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.
Does a PE license affect my visa sponsorship eligibility?
A PE license isn't a legal visa requirement, but it significantly strengthens an H-1B or PERM case at the principal level. If the employer's job description lists PE licensure as required, USCIS will expect it. If it's listed as preferred, the absence won't necessarily sink a petition. Some employers hold sponsorship open specifically for candidates who are PE-eligible and working toward licensure.
Where can I find Principal Civil Engineer jobs with confirmed visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists Principal Civil Engineer roles from employers with verified LCA sponsorship history, so you're applying to companies that have already demonstrated willingness to sponsor. This is more reliable than inferring sponsorship from a job posting that mentions it only as a footnote.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Principal Civil Engineer jobs?
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.