Project Development Manager Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Project Development Manager roles attract H-1B visa and O-1 visa sponsorship when tied to specialized infrastructure, energy, or technology projects. Employers filing Labor Condition Applications must document the role as a specialty occupation requiring at least a bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or a related field. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Overview:
M&J Engineering, D.P.C. (M&J) is a quality provider of multi-disciplined consulting services. Since its inception in 2004, M&J has grown into a diversified provider of construction management, construction inspection, engineering, technology, and environmental services to a broad range of clients, including federal, state and city/local agencies, private owners, architects, engineers, and contractors. M&J is a leader in construction management and inspection, ITS, mechanical, electrical, wastewater, water supply, tunnel airport, port, marine/coastal, environmental engineering, and design-build services for both new infrastructure projects and renovations.
M&J has steadily evolved its business and built a diverse and dedicated employee force, fostered by a culture that serves to attract, retain, and develop a workforce that is inclusive and representative of the communities that we serve. M&J bases its employment and personnel decisions on the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity, with the intent to further the Company’s Affirmative Action commitment. M&J does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, employment status, veteran or military status, or any other category protected by law. M&J vigorously pursues opportunities to recruit and develop job candidates who have the desire and potential for becoming qualified employees through our Affirmative Action Plan.
M&J Engineering is seeking an experienced and entrepreneurial Transportation Project Development Lead to join our growing Texas transportation team.
This is a unique opportunity for a motivated professional who wants to do more than deliver projects. We are looking for someone who wants to help shape strategy, win work, build client relationships, lead technical efforts, and play a meaningful role in the growth of our Texas transportation practice. As part of a rapidly growing organization recognized among the fastest-growing AEC firms in North America, you'll have the opportunity to help build the future of transportation services in Texas while working alongside a team committed to technical excellence, innovation, and client success.
The ideal candidate is a Texas PE with approximately 10-15 years of experience supporting transportation project development for TxDOT, NTTA, municipalities, airports, and other public-sector clients. While our current focus is centered on project development, advanced planning, and schematic services, the successful candidate will also possess the technical depth to support and lead roadway PS&E efforts as market opportunities continue to expand.
Apply for this position through this job post/ATS or email your resume to recruit@mjengineers.com. Third-party recruiters and agencies need not apply. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Any unsolicited resume received will be considered a gift and will not obligate us to pay any referral fee.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and support transportation project development efforts across Texas.
- Manage and prepare schematic designs, feasibility studies, corridor studies, alternatives analyses, and conceptual engineering evaluations.
- Support transportation planning, mobility studies, project prioritization efforts, and funding strategy initiatives.
- Develop conceptual roadway, traffic control, drainage, and multimodal transportation solutions.
- Coordinate with TxDOT districts, NTTA, municipalities, airport sponsors, MPOs, and other transportation stakeholders.
- Collaborate with environmental, planning, traffic, roadway, drainage, and structural professionals to develop integrated project solutions.
- Participate in project pursuits, proposal development, interviews, capture planning, and client presentations.
- Support the transition of projects from planning and schematic development through final design and PS&E delivery.
- Serve as a technical mentor and leader for junior engineering staff.
- Represent M&J at industry events, professional organizations, conferences, and client meetings.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen client relationships and expand transportation services throughout Texas.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited university.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in Texas, or ability to obtain through reciprocity.
- 10-15 years of progressive transportation engineering experience.
- Demonstrated experience supporting transportation projects for TxDOT and/or NTTA.
- Experience leading or contributing to:
- Schematic design
- Corridor studies
- Feasibility studies
- Alternative analyses
- Mobility planning efforts
- Preliminary engineering and project development activities
- Strong understanding of the TxDOT Project Development Process.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and public-sector clients.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience supporting municipal transportation programs and capital improvement initiatives.
- Experience with airport planning, landside transportation, or aviation-related infrastructure projects.
- Experience participating in project pursuits, technical proposals, and shortlisted interviews.
- Existing relationships with TxDOT districts, municipalities, MPOs, airport sponsors, or transportation stakeholders throughout Texas.
- Experience serving as a task lead, deputy project manager, project manager, or technical lead.
- Working knowledge of roadway PS&E development and delivery.
- Experience mentoring and developing engineering staff.
Desired TxDOT Precertification Experience:
Experience supporting projects within one or more of the following TxDOT precertification categories is highly desirable:
Primary Categories:
- 1.5.1 Feasibility Studies
- 1.8.1 Public Involvement
- 3.2.1 Route Studies and Schematic Design
- 4.2.1 Roadway Design
- 8.1.1 Signing, Pavement Marking, and Channelization
Bonus Categories:
- 5.X.X Bridge Design Categories
- 6.X.X Bridge Inspection Categories
- 7.X.X Traffic Categories
- 10.X.X Hydraulics Categories
Experience serving as a responsible charge engineer, project lead, or key technical contributor in these categories is strongly preferred.
Benefits:
M&J is a leader in providing quality engineering consulting services to a diverse and exciting client base. We attract experienced professionals who understand proactive client service, safety, risk management and loss prevention practices, quality control, teamwork, and the development of younger staff. We seek employees who enjoy their work, desire continuous improvement, and want to contribute to the vision and growth of a quality, employee-owned, professional firm. To all full-time employees we provide a comprehensive package of benefits, including medical, dental and eye insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, etc. Salary will depend on experience and credentials.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Project Development Manager
Frame the role as a specialty occupation
USCIS requires project development managers to demonstrate their position demands a specific degree field, not just any bachelor's degree. Emphasize your engineering, project management, or domain-specific technical background over general business experience.
Target employers with active LCA filings
Companies that have previously filed Labor Condition Applications for project development roles are far more likely to sponsor again. Infrastructure firms, renewable energy developers, and large construction contractors consistently appear in DOL disclosure data for this title.
Pair your application with a PMP or relevant credential
Professional certifications like the PMP signal specialized expertise beyond a generalist manager. They strengthen the specialty occupation argument with USCIS and differentiate you from candidates whose backgrounds overlap with non-sponsoring generalist roles.
Apply early relative to the H-1B cap cycle
Cap-subject H-1B petitions for project development roles must be registered in March for an October start. Missing the registration window means waiting a full year, so begin conversations with potential sponsors well before February.
Highlight project scope and dollar complexity
Employers build a stronger specialty occupation case when the role involves managing multi-phase capital projects with technical complexity. Quantify the scale of projects you have led in your resume to help attorneys document the degree requirement clearly.
Explore O-1A sponsorship if you have notable achievements
Project development managers with published work, awards, or leadership on nationally recognized projects may qualify for the O-1A extraordinary ability visa. It has no annual cap and no lottery, making it a reliable path when H-1B odds are unfavorable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Project Development Manager role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but it requires careful documentation. USCIS looks for evidence that the position normally requires a bachelor's degree in a specific field, such as civil engineering, energy systems, or construction management, rather than any generic business degree. Roles tied to technical infrastructure or regulated industries tend to have stronger cases than general program management positions.
What visa types are commonly sponsored for Project Development Manager positions?
The H-1B visa is the most common path, followed by the L-1A for managers transferring within a multinational company. Candidates with exceptional track records in large-scale development projects occasionally qualify for O-1A visas. Australians may also consider the E-3 visa, which skips the H-1B lottery entirely and allows two-year renewable status.
Which industries are most likely to sponsor a Project Development Manager?
Renewable energy developers, utility companies, large-scale infrastructure contractors, and technology hardware firms appear most frequently in DOL LCA filings for this title. These industries require specialized technical oversight on capital projects, which strengthens the specialty occupation argument. Browse Migrate Mate to find open roles at employers actively filing sponsorship paperwork.
Does my degree field affect my chances of getting sponsored as a Project Development Manager?
Yes, significantly. A degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, construction management, or a closely related technical field makes the specialty occupation case straightforward. A degree in general business or unrelated fields creates risk because USCIS may argue the position does not require a specific body of knowledge, which can result in a Request for Evidence or denial.
How do approval rates for H-1B petitions in project development and construction management compare to other fields?
Approval rates for project management roles are generally lower than for software engineering or life sciences positions because USCIS scrutinizes whether the duties are sufficiently specialized. Petitions with detailed job descriptions that tie every core duty to a specific degree requirement, supported by expert opinion letters, perform significantly better than generic filings. Selecting an employer with prior approval history for this title helps.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Project Development Manager 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.