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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Overview

Open Jobs16,749+
Top Visa TypeH-1B
Work Type81% On-site
Salary Range$89K – $120K
Top LocationHouston, TX
Most JobsHDR

Showing 5 of 16,749+ structural engineer jobs

Virginia Department of Transportation
Senior Structural Engineer
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Virginia Department of Transportation
New 14h ago
Senior Structural Engineer
Virginia Department of Transportation
Virginia
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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CHA Consulting, Inc.
Water/Wastewater Structural Engineer
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CHA Consulting, Inc.
New 22h ago
Water/Wastewater Structural Engineer
CHA Consulting, Inc.
Orlando, Florida
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Structural Engineering
$108,000 - $124,500
Hybrid
10+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Thornton Tomasetti
Senior Structural Engineer
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Thornton Tomasetti
New 22h ago
Senior Structural Engineer
Thornton Tomasetti
Austin, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
On-Site
7+ yrs exp.
Master's

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Garver
Structural Engineer
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Garver
Added 1d ago
Structural Engineer
Garver
Fayetteville, Arkansas
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
On-Site
Bachelor's
501-1,000

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Structural Group
Civil/Structural Engineer
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Structural Group
Added 1d ago
Civil/Structural Engineer
Structural Group
Garland, Texas
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Structural Engineering
$70,000/yr
Hybrid
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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How to Get 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.

Explore infrastructure rehabilitation and forensic engineering

Bridge inspection, structural assessment, and forensic analysis of structural failures represent a growing market driven by aging U.S. infrastructure. Engineers with experience in structural health monitoring and retrofit design fill a niche that supports sponsorship justification.

Structural Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.

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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.

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