Subject Matter Expert Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Subject matter experts are in strong demand from U.S. employers across defense, consulting, healthcare, and technology, and most roles qualify for H-1B visa or O-1A sponsorship. A relevant advanced degree, combined with documented specialized expertise, is typically what separates sponsored candidates from the rest.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Substation BIM Subject Matter Expert (SME) for our Orlando, FL office. The selected candidate may work from any mutually acceptable location within the United States.
Be involved in projects with our Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their challenges.
This Opportunity
The Substation BIM Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as a technical leader responsible for advancing Building Information Modeling (BIM) practices across substation design projects. This role provides BIM production support, develops and maintains standards and workflows, and partners with project teams, clients, and leadership to ensure successful project execution.
The SME applies advanced BIM methodologies, engineering design principles, and industry standards to solve complex project challenges while supporting project delivery, quality assurance, resource planning, and client engagement. This position also serves as a mentor, trainer, and technical resource for designers, drafters, and project teams, helping drive consistency, innovation, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.
Your Impact
BIM Standards, Processes, and Innovation:
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve Substation BIM standards, workflows, and best practices.
- Create and manage BIM content libraries, templates, and reusable project resources.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, software enhancements, and process improvements to increase efficiency and project quality.
- Provide technical leadership for BIM implementation and execution strategies across projects.
Production Support and Quality Assurance:
- Support project teams with BIM modeling, drafting, design integration, and production activities.
- Perform quality control reviews to ensure compliance with company BIM standards, client requirements, and project execution plans.
- Troubleshoot BIM software, application, and workflow issues to minimize impacts on project schedules and deliverables.
- Assist teams in resolving complex technical and coordination challenges.
Client Support and Standards Development:
- Understand and support client-specific BIM, CAD, and digital delivery requirements.
- Collaborate with clients to develop, refine, and implement BIM standards and workflows.
- Serve as a technical point of contact for BIM-related client discussions and project execution planning.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with client counterparts and stakeholders.
Project Execution and Coordination:
- Support project managers in developing technical execution strategies and project delivery approaches.
- Assist with project scoping, scheduling, budgeting, and development of work plans.
- Coordinate BIM activities among internal teams, external partners, and project stakeholders.
- Monitor project requirements related to budget, schedule, scope, and quality objectives.
- Identify and communicate potential scope changes and project risks.
Team Leadership and Mentorship:
- Provide technical direction and guidance to designers, drafters, and BIM professionals.
- Assign, coordinate, and monitor BIM-related tasks and deliverables.
- Mentor and support staff development through coaching, training, and career guidance.
- Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives and promote continuous improvement across the organization.
Training and Knowledge Management:
- Develop and maintain BIM training programs, documentation, user guides, and best practice materials.
- Deliver onboarding and advanced training sessions for BIM users.
- Support adoption of company standards, tools, and workflows.
- Manage project documentation in accordance with corporate document retention policies.
Business Development and Proposal Support:
- Support proposal development, project pursuits, and strategic business development efforts.
- Contribute to project budgets, schedules, work plans, and technical narratives for proposals.
- Participate in client presentations, pursuit strategy discussions, and opportunity planning meetings.
- Support organizational growth by identifying opportunities to expand BIM services and capabilities.
Technical Design Support:
- Perform and review design activities requiring advanced knowledge of engineering design principles, national codes, and industry standards.
- Assist in developing technical requirements, design packages, and project deliverables with minimal oversight.
- Support multidisciplinary coordination and model integration activities.
- Contribute technical expertise during project planning, execution, and closeout phases.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Drafting, Design, BIM, Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related discipline. Candidates with an Associate degree and two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience, or those with equivalent industry experience, are also encouraged to apply.
- 10+ years of experience in BIM, CAD, design, or engineering support roles.
- 2+ years supporting electric utility, power delivery, or substation projects.
- Demonstrated experience leading BIM standards development, implementation, and project execution.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams and mentoring technical staff.
- Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Inventor.
- Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Revit.
- Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and Navisworks.
- Experience with BIM 360, Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) (Forma), or comparable collaboration platforms.
- Strong understanding of model coordination, clash detection, and digital project delivery workflows.
- Experience creating BIM content, families, templates, and standards.
- Familiarity with Common Information Model (CIM), GIS integration, and data-centric design workflows is preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and project collaboration tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certifications related to BIM, Autodesk software, or engineering design.
- Experience supporting EPC, utility, transmission, or substation design projects.
- Experience developing enterprise BIM standards and governance programs.
- Familiarity with automation tools such as Dynamo, Power Automate, Python, or API-driven workflows.
- Industry participation through organizations such as SDSIC, BIM forums, utility working groups, or standards committees.
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
INTRODUCTION
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Substation BIM Subject Matter Expert (SME) for our Orlando, FL office. The selected candidate may work from any mutually acceptable location within the United States.
Be involved in projects with our Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their challenges.
This Opportunity
The Substation BIM Subject Matter Expert (SME) serves as a technical leader responsible for advancing Building Information Modeling (BIM) practices across substation design projects. This role provides BIM production support, develops and maintains standards and workflows, and partners with project teams, clients, and leadership to ensure successful project execution.
The SME applies advanced BIM methodologies, engineering design principles, and industry standards to solve complex project challenges while supporting project delivery, quality assurance, resource planning, and client engagement. This position also serves as a mentor, trainer, and technical resource for designers, drafters, and project teams, helping drive consistency, innovation, and operational excellence throughout the organization.
WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.
Your Impact
BIM Standards, Processes, and Innovation:
- Develop, maintain, and continuously improve Substation BIM standards, workflows, and best practices.
- Create and manage BIM content libraries, templates, and reusable project resources.
- Evaluate emerging technologies, software enhancements, and process improvements to increase efficiency and project quality.
- Provide technical leadership for BIM implementation and execution strategies across projects.
Production Support and Quality Assurance:
- Support project teams with BIM modeling, drafting, design integration, and production activities.
- Perform quality control reviews to ensure compliance with company BIM standards, client requirements, and project execution plans.
- Troubleshoot BIM software, application, and workflow issues to minimize impacts on project schedules and deliverables.
- Assist teams in resolving complex technical and coordination challenges.
Client Support and Standards Development:
- Understand and support client-specific BIM, CAD, and digital delivery requirements.
- Collaborate with clients to develop, refine, and implement BIM standards and workflows.
- Serve as a technical point of contact for BIM-related client discussions and project execution planning.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with client counterparts and stakeholders.
Project Execution and Coordination:
- Support project managers in developing technical execution strategies and project delivery approaches.
- Assist with project scoping, scheduling, budgeting, and development of work plans.
- Coordinate BIM activities among internal teams, external partners, and project stakeholders.
- Monitor project requirements related to budget, schedule, scope, and quality objectives.
- Identify and communicate potential scope changes and project risks.
Team Leadership and Mentorship:
- Provide technical direction and guidance to designers, drafters, and BIM professionals.
- Assign, coordinate, and monitor BIM-related tasks and deliverables.
- Mentor and support staff development through coaching, training, and career guidance.
- Lead knowledge-sharing initiatives and promote continuous improvement across the organization.
Training and Knowledge Management:
- Develop and maintain BIM training programs, documentation, user guides, and best practice materials.
- Deliver onboarding and advanced training sessions for BIM users.
- Support adoption of company standards, tools, and workflows.
- Manage project documentation in accordance with corporate document retention policies.
Business Development and Proposal Support:
- Support proposal development, project pursuits, and strategic business development efforts.
- Contribute to project budgets, schedules, work plans, and technical narratives for proposals.
- Participate in client presentations, pursuit strategy discussions, and opportunity planning meetings.
- Support organizational growth by identifying opportunities to expand BIM services and capabilities.
Technical Design Support:
- Perform and review design activities requiring advanced knowledge of engineering design principles, national codes, and industry standards.
- Assist in developing technical requirements, design packages, and project deliverables with minimal oversight.
- Support multidisciplinary coordination and model integration activities.
- Contribute technical expertise during project planning, execution, and closeout phases.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Drafting, Design, BIM, Architecture, Construction Management, or a closely related discipline. Candidates with an Associate degree and two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience, or those with equivalent industry experience, are also encouraged to apply.
- 10+ years of experience in BIM, CAD, design, or engineering support roles.
- 2+ years supporting electric utility, power delivery, or substation projects.
- Demonstrated experience leading BIM standards development, implementation, and project execution.
- Experience coordinating multidisciplinary project teams and mentoring technical staff.
- Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Inventor.
- Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Revit.
- Advanced proficiency with Autodesk Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and Navisworks.
- Experience with BIM 360, Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) (Forma), or comparable collaboration platforms.
- Strong understanding of model coordination, clash detection, and digital project delivery workflows.
- Experience creating BIM content, families, templates, and standards.
- Familiarity with Common Information Model (CIM), GIS integration, and data-centric design workflows is preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and project collaboration tools.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certifications related to BIM, Autodesk software, or engineering design.
- Experience supporting EPC, utility, transmission, or substation design projects.
- Experience developing enterprise BIM standards and governance programs.
- Familiarity with automation tools such as Dynamo, Power Automate, Python, or API-driven workflows.
- Industry participation through organizations such as SDSIC, BIM forums, utility working groups, or standards committees.
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.
See all 77+ Subject Matter Expert Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Subject Matter Expert roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Subject Matter Expert Jobs
Lead with your specialization, not your job title
Employers sponsoring subject matter experts need to justify specialty occupation status. Frame your application around your specific domain, cybersecurity, clinical research, systems engineering, not a generic SME label that invites scrutiny from USCIS.
Tie your degree directly to the role
H-1B sponsorship requires your degree field to align with the position's knowledge requirements. If your degree is adjacent rather than exact, document how your coursework and experience demonstrate direct theoretical and practical relevance to the SME role.
Build a paper trail of recognized expertise
Publications, patents, conference presentations, and government clearances all strengthen a sponsorship case. Employers and immigration attorneys will use this evidence to argue that your role requires uniquely specialized knowledge unavailable in the general labor market.
Target employers with active sponsorship infrastructure
Defense contractors, federal consultancies, and research institutions sponsor SMEs regularly and have in-house immigration support. These employers understand the process and are far less likely to withdraw an offer over sponsorship complexity than smaller or first-time sponsors.
Address O-1A if H-1B lottery is a concern
Subject matter experts with documented national or international recognition in their field may qualify for O-1A, which has no annual cap or lottery. Published work, expert witness roles, or advisory board positions are the kinds of evidence that support this classification.
Clarify your visa timeline early in the hiring process
Some SME roles, particularly those requiring security clearances, have long lead times before a start date. Raising your sponsorship needs early lets the employer align H-1B filing windows or explore cap-exempt filing through affiliated research institutions or nonprofits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a subject matter expert role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It depends on how the role is defined. USCIS requires that a specialty occupation normally require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field, not just any field. A well-scoped SME role in cybersecurity, biomedical research, or financial risk analysis typically qualifies. Generalist SME titles without a defined disciplinary core are more likely to face a Request for Evidence.
What degree do I need to get sponsored as a subject matter expert?
Most sponsoring employers require at least a bachelor's degree in a field directly related to the domain of expertise, engineering, life sciences, computer science, or a similar discipline. Master's and doctoral degrees significantly strengthen the case, especially for roles in policy, research, or highly technical consulting. USCIS looks for degree-to-job alignment, not just credential level.
Can I get an H-1B as a subject matter expert if I didn't win the lottery?
Yes, if you qualify for a cap-exempt employer or an O-1A visa. Universities, nonprofit research organizations, and government-affiliated institutions are exempt from the H-1B visa cap. Alternatively, subject matter experts with documented exceptional achievement in their field, published research, awards, expert testimony, or leadership in recognized organizations, may be eligible for O-1A, which has no lottery.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor subject matter experts?
The most reliable approach is to focus on sectors with established sponsorship track records: federal consulting firms, defense contractors, healthcare systems, and research universities. Migrate Mate lists visa-sponsoring employers specifically, so you can filter for SME and related roles without guessing which companies are willing to sponsor. This saves significant time compared to applying broadly and asking about sponsorship late in the process.
Does subject matter expert experience outside the U.S. count toward an H-1B or O-1A application?
Yes. USCIS evaluates total qualifying experience regardless of where it was obtained. For H-1B, foreign work experience in the relevant specialty field can satisfy the practical experience component of degree equivalency if needed. For O-1A, recognition earned abroad, international publications, foreign government advisory roles, or overseas awards in your field, directly supports the extraordinary ability standard.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Subject Matter Expert 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.