Principal Planner Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Principal Planner roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in urban planning, public policy, or a related field. Many positions sit with government agencies or consulting firms that file LCAs regularly, making verified sponsorship history a practical filter when targeting employers.
Find Principal Planner JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 142+ Principal Planner jobs
See all 142+ Principal Planner Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Principal Planner roles.
Get Access To All JobsJob Posting End Date
11-14-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
Create detailed construction plans and sequences for capital projects by thoroughly researching project scopes and collaborating with project stakeholders including. Manage a comprehensive portfolio of assigned projects to enhance the optimization of outages and streamline construction sequences.
Job Description
What You'll Do:
Principal Accountabilities:
Collaborate with various project stakeholders to develop safe, efficient, and economical construction sequences including but not limited to:
- Energy Delivery Construction Management
- Energy Delivery Project Management
- Transmission & Distribution Operations
- Transmission and Distribution Planning
- Transmission Engineering (Station, T-Line, and P&C)
- Transmission Field Services
Alerting Project management Team to any risks or issues that could delay milestones/in service dates.
Utilize and/or develop an in-depth level of technical knowledge in:
- Construction of Transmission and Distribution Facilities
- Project Management/Project Scheduling
- Station/T-Line/Protection & Control Engineering
- Ability to read P6 schedule to ensure Construction Plan can be executed as scheduled.
- Support the prioritization of projects and identify solutions for conflicting outages to effectively execute the portfolio of capital projects, while addressing the needs of our customers and internal stakeholders
- Manage Construction plans for multiple capital projects simultaneously.
- Participate in periodic reviews with TFS Work Scheduling Teams to ensure outage optimization between Capital Projects and Non-Capital Projects/Maintenance.
- Organize and lead Construction Plan review meetings.
What We're Looking For:
Transmission Construction Planner Senior SG7
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or a related field with eight (8) years of experience in the applicable discipline;
- OR bachelor’s degree in construction technology or ABET accredited Engineering Technology with ten (10) years of relevant experience;
- OR Associate degree in Construction Management Technology or ABET-accredited Electrical or Civil Engineering Technology with twelve (12) years of relevant experience;
- OR high school diploma (or equivalent) with fourteen (14) years of experience in construction, project execution, or field operations within electric utility or infrastructure environments.
Transmission Construction Planner Principal SG8
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Business, or related field and 8 years related experience;
- OR associate’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Business, or related field and 10 years related experience;
- OR High school diploma or GED equivalent and 12 years related experience.
In addition:
- A basic understanding of the Bulk Electric System, from a physical and/or topographical perspective, AND experience within Construction Management, Transmission Engineering, Transmission Operations, or Distribution Operations is needed to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.
- Candidates without a technical background in these areas will not be considered.
- Must have strong computer skills and apply skills to provide business-specific reports.
- Experience in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint/Excel) is strongly preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret one-line station diagrams and transmission line switching diagrams is required.
- Must be a team player, inquisitive, analytical, and be able to interact with and maintain working relationships with diverse teams.
- Aptitude to understand switching and tagging and clearance points.
- Clear understanding of minimum approach distances.
- Capacity to lead in developing and communicating complex outage sequences to project stakeholders.
- Knowledge of P&C zones of protection is strongly preferred.
- Promote an all-inclusive culture of excellence.
In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.
Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do
At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!
American Electric Power (On-Site)
LI-Onsite
AEPCareers
Construction
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade:
SP20-007
Compensation Range:
$87,633.00 - $128,688.00
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Hear about it first! Get job alerts by email. Log in to your Candidate Home Account today! If you don't have an account, you can create one.
It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.
Job Posting End Date
11-14-2026
Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
Create detailed construction plans and sequences for capital projects by thoroughly researching project scopes and collaborating with project stakeholders including. Manage a comprehensive portfolio of assigned projects to enhance the optimization of outages and streamline construction sequences.
Job Description
What You'll Do:
Principal Accountabilities:
Collaborate with various project stakeholders to develop safe, efficient, and economical construction sequences including but not limited to:
- Energy Delivery Construction Management
- Energy Delivery Project Management
- Transmission & Distribution Operations
- Transmission and Distribution Planning
- Transmission Engineering (Station, T-Line, and P&C)
- Transmission Field Services
Alerting Project management Team to any risks or issues that could delay milestones/in service dates.
Utilize and/or develop an in-depth level of technical knowledge in:
- Construction of Transmission and Distribution Facilities
- Project Management/Project Scheduling
- Station/T-Line/Protection & Control Engineering
- Ability to read P6 schedule to ensure Construction Plan can be executed as scheduled.
- Support the prioritization of projects and identify solutions for conflicting outages to effectively execute the portfolio of capital projects, while addressing the needs of our customers and internal stakeholders
- Manage Construction plans for multiple capital projects simultaneously.
- Participate in periodic reviews with TFS Work Scheduling Teams to ensure outage optimization between Capital Projects and Non-Capital Projects/Maintenance.
- Organize and lead Construction Plan review meetings.
What We're Looking For:
Transmission Construction Planner Senior SG7
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, or a related field with eight (8) years of experience in the applicable discipline;
- OR bachelor’s degree in construction technology or ABET accredited Engineering Technology with ten (10) years of relevant experience;
- OR Associate degree in Construction Management Technology or ABET-accredited Electrical or Civil Engineering Technology with twelve (12) years of relevant experience;
- OR high school diploma (or equivalent) with fourteen (14) years of experience in construction, project execution, or field operations within electric utility or infrastructure environments.
Transmission Construction Planner Principal SG8
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Business, or related field and 8 years related experience;
- OR associate’s degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Construction Management, Business, or related field and 10 years related experience;
- OR High school diploma or GED equivalent and 12 years related experience.
In addition:
- A basic understanding of the Bulk Electric System, from a physical and/or topographical perspective, AND experience within Construction Management, Transmission Engineering, Transmission Operations, or Distribution Operations is needed to fulfill the responsibilities of this position.
- Candidates without a technical background in these areas will not be considered.
- Must have strong computer skills and apply skills to provide business-specific reports.
- Experience in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint/Excel) is strongly preferred.
- Ability to read and interpret one-line station diagrams and transmission line switching diagrams is required.
- Must be a team player, inquisitive, analytical, and be able to interact with and maintain working relationships with diverse teams.
- Aptitude to understand switching and tagging and clearance points.
- Clear understanding of minimum approach distances.
- Capacity to lead in developing and communicating complex outage sequences to project stakeholders.
- Knowledge of P&C zones of protection is strongly preferred.
- Promote an all-inclusive culture of excellence.
In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.
Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do
At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!
American Electric Power (On-Site)
LI-Onsite
AEPCareers
Construction
Compensation Data
Compensation Grade:
SP20-007
Compensation Range:
$87,633.00 - $128,688.00
The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
Hear about it first! Get job alerts by email. Log in to your Candidate Home Account today! If you don't have an account, you can create one.
It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.
See all 142+ Principal Planner Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Principal Planner roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Principal Planner
Align your AICP credentials with LCA documentation
AICP certification signals professional standing but doesn't substitute for the degree requirement on an LCA. Confirm your credential record shows the underlying bachelor's or master's degree in a directly related field, since that's what satisfies the specialty occupation definition.
Target planning consultancies over municipal employers
Municipal governments are often cap-exempt for H-1B purposes if they qualify as nonprofits or government entities, but many city agencies move slowly on sponsorship decisions. Regional planning consultancies and engineering firms frequently have established LCA filing workflows and shorter decision timelines.
Search verified LCA sponsors on Migrate Mate
Principal Planner sponsorship history isn't evenly distributed across employers. Use Migrate Mate to identify firms with confirmed LCA filings for planning roles, so you're applying where sponsorship is already a standard practice rather than a conversation you're initiating from scratch.
Use OFLC Wage Search to anchor your salary expectations
The prevailing wage on your LCA is determined by DOL, not your employer's pay scale. Pull the Level II or Level III wage for your metropolitan area using OFLC Wage Search before negotiations so you understand the floor the employer must certify before filing.
Clarify NEPA and CEQA project experience in your materials
Federal and state environmental review experience directly supports the specialty occupation argument because it ties your planning work to regulated technical processes. Spell out your NEPA or CEQA project roles explicitly in your resume and cover letter so they appear in the employer's LCA supporting documentation.
Confirm cap-exempt status before accepting an offer
If a planning agency or university-affiliated research center qualifies as a cap-exempt employer, your H-1B petition can be filed at any time without entering the annual lottery. Ask HR directly whether the organization has filed cap-exempt petitions before, since your ability to start work quickly depends on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Principal Planner role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Principal Planner positions typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in urban planning, public policy, environmental science, or a closely related field, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard USCIS applies. Roles that accept any degree regardless of field, or that list a degree as preferred rather than required, can face challenges at adjudication, so the job posting language matters.
Which visa types are realistic for a Principal Planner seeking U.S. sponsorship?
H-1B is the most common path for Principal Planners, covering specialty occupation roles and offering initial status up to three years, extendable to six. TN visa status is available to Canadian and Mexican nationals if the role fits the USMCA engineer or scientist category, though the fit is narrow for pure planning titles. EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship is an option for longer-term candidates, requiring PERM labor certification from DOL.
Do government agencies sponsor Principal Planners for visas?
Some do, but it varies significantly. Regional planning commissions, metropolitan planning organizations, and federally funded infrastructure agencies have sponsored planning roles, and many qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, which removes the lottery barrier. County and municipal agencies are slower to initiate sponsorship, often requiring internal procurement approvals before HR can commit. Use Migrate Mate to identify agencies with an active sponsorship track record.
Does AICP certification affect my H-1B eligibility as a Principal Planner?
AICP certification strengthens your specialty occupation argument by demonstrating professional standing in a formally recognized discipline, but USCIS adjudicators focus on degree requirements, not professional licenses. Your bachelor's or master's degree in a directly related field carries the most weight. AICP can appear as supporting evidence in an RFE response but won't substitute for the underlying academic credential.
How does the H-1B lottery affect Principal Planners applying to private employers?
Cap-subject H-1B petitions for private planning firms are entered into an annual lottery, with 65,000 regular slots and 20,000 reserved for advanced-degree holders. Selection rules have changed recently, so check current USCIS guidance for the latest mechanics. Cap-exempt employers, including certain nonprofits and government entities, can file year-round outside the lottery, which is why employer type matters when you're evaluating sponsorship timelines.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Principal Planner 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.