Hello everyone,
I’m in the final stretch of my civil engineering degree in the U.S. and I will be graduating in August. I’ve been looking into ways to begin my engineering career in Japan, but so far, it’s been a bit tough to find civil engineering positions that are actually open to applicants who aren’t already based in Japan.
Right now, I’m working as an intern at a civil/structural engineering firm here in the States. My responsibilities include assisting with layout and design coordination, drafting construction documents, and reviewing plans for reinforced concrete and steel structures. I regularly use AutoCAD and STAAD.Pro in my current role, and I’ve been working with CAD since high school. I’ve also done rebar detailing, quantity and cost estimates, and helped assemble design packages for field teams—all under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer.
In terms of language skills, I’m currently around JLPT N3 level and working toward improving that. I know that a lot of companies expect N2 or above, and I’m committed to reaching that level. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit Japan before, and it really solidified my interest in building a life and career there.
While searching job boards and company sites, I’ve come across a handful of roles that look promising. That said, most opportunities either seem geared toward experienced professionals or require candidates to already be living in Japan—even some of the entry-level listings.
I’m hoping to hear some insight into this:
Is it difficult to get hired in Japan as a new civil engineering grad coming from the U.S.?
Does applying from outside the country significantly lower your chances?
Are there companies out there that actively sponsor visas for international new grads?
Any info, suggestions, or personal stories would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!
by Away_Temperature_688