Structural Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Structural engineering is one of the strongest paths to visa sponsorship since it's a textbook specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering. Large engineering firms, construction companies, and infrastructure developers sponsor regularly. TN visas are available for Canadian and Mexican engineers, and PE licensure significantly strengthens both your career prospects and your visa case. EB-2 green card sponsorship is common for experienced structural engineers. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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INTRODUCTION
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In the role of Substation Civil Structural Sub-Business Class Leader, we'll count on you to:
- Take responsibility for area coordination, monitoring and improvement of technical competencies of business class staff and products to meet client needs and market drivers, all within direction and goals of business class plans
- Collaborate on business class efforts with area operations, marketing and project management
- Participate in business class practice and professional discipline groups, project teams and activities to continually improve standards and best practices
- Participate in regional business class strategic planning, budgeting and plan implementation
- Perform other duties as needed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
- 10 years experience in related field
- Maintains a professional or Engineering registration and has related technical experience
- Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
- Works cooperatively with other business class regional directors, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
- Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Actively engaged in professional or industry associations to enhance HDR technical expertise and brand
WHAT WE BELIEVE
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
OUR COMMITMENT
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)
COMPENSATION
- Minnesota: $168,095 - $240,135
LOCATION
Primary Location: United States-Minnesota-Saint Louis Park
Other Locations: United States-Wisconsin-Madison
INDUSTRY
Power
SCHEDULE
Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Regular
BUSINESS CLASS
Substation Engineering
JOB POSTING
Oct 26, 2026
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Structural Engineer
Pursue the SE license in states that offer it
Several U.S. states, including California and Illinois, offer a separate Structural Engineer (SE) license beyond the standard PE. This credential is required for designing hospitals, schools, and other essential structures in seismic zones. Holding or pursuing an SE license significantly strengthens your value and your visa petition.
Target structural engineering firms in seismic regions
Firms in California, the Pacific Northwest, and other seismic zones have strong demand for structural engineers with earthquake-resistant design expertise. Companies like Thornton Tomasetti, Degenkolb Engineers, and Walter P Moore have offices in these regions and have sponsored engineers with specialized seismic design skills.
Leverage STEM OPT to gain project licensure experience
Civil and structural engineering degrees qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Use the 36-month OPT period to gain the supervised experience hours required for PE and SE licensure while contributing to real projects under a licensed engineer's supervision.
Develop expertise in performance-based seismic design
Performance-based design methods, including nonlinear analysis using tools like ETABS, SAP2000, and Perform-3D, are increasingly required for complex structures. This advanced skill set is not widely taught at the undergraduate level and helps justify the specialized nature of the H-1B role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do structural engineering firms sponsor H-1B visas?
Large structural engineering firms and multidisciplinary companies do sponsor H-1B visas, particularly for engineers with specialized skills in seismic design, complex geometry structures, or advanced analysis methods. Firms like Thornton Tomasetti, Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), and ARUP have sponsored structural engineers. Smaller boutique structural firms may sponsor as well but less frequently.
How is structural engineer sponsorship different from civil engineer sponsorship?
Structural engineering is a sub-discipline of civil engineering, and H-1B petitions are often filed under the same SOC code (17-2051). However, structural engineering roles typically involve more specialized analysis and design work, which can make it easier to demonstrate the specialty occupation requirement. In states with a separate SE license, the additional credentialing further supports the petition.
What structural engineering software should I learn for U.S. jobs?
ETABS and SAP2000 by Computers and Structures Inc. are the most widely used in U.S. building design. RAM Structural System (Bentley) is common for steel and concrete buildings. For advanced analysis, Perform-3D and LS-DYNA are used for performance-based and blast-resistant design. Familiarity with U.S. building codes (IBC, ASCE 7, ACI 318, AISC 360) is equally important.
Can structural engineers work on infrastructure projects as visa holders?
Yes. Most bridge, highway, and building structural projects funded by state and federal agencies do not have citizenship requirements for engineering staff. However, some projects near military installations or classified facilities may have access restrictions. Structural engineers on H-1B visas regularly work on public infrastructure projects across the U.S.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Structural Engineer jobs?
When a U.S. employer sponsors a foreign worker for a work visa, they are legally required to pay at least the "prevailing wage" — the average wage paid to workers in the same occupation, in the same geographic area, with similar experience. This is set by the Department of Labor to prevent employers from hiring foreign workers at below-market rates. The prevailing wage varies significantly by role, location, and experience level — for example, a structural engineer in Texas will have a different prevailing wage than the same role in a smaller state. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search.
How to find Structural Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Structural Engineer jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in visa-sponsored positions. Focus on construction companies, engineering consultancies, and infrastructure firms that commonly sponsor H-1B, TN, or skilled worker visas. Target roles in bridge design, building structures, and civil infrastructure projects where companies actively seek international engineering talent to fill specialized positions.