HDR OPT Eligible Jobs USA
HDR is an employee-owned engineering and consulting firm that hires OPT students across architecture, civil and structural engineering, environmental services, and transportation planning. Its project-driven structure creates recurring demand for entry-level technical talent, making it a reliable destination for F-1 students seeking OPT-compatible roles in infrastructure and design consulting.
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Get Access To All JobsTransportation Hydraulics Engineer
- (193020)
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 transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
HDR is currently in search of a Transportation Hydraulics Engineer to work in our Transportation Business Group. The Transportation Business Group is active in the aviation, transit, freight railroad, highway and local roads, maritime, federal, and design-build market sectors. Primary responsibilities will include:
- Serving in a technical role under the direction of a Project Manager and Senior Hydraulic Engineers on the engineering development of urban and rural highway/roadway projects, stormwater management plans, and floodplain evaluations.
- Prepare detailed engineering designs for infrastructure projects ranging from small-scale improvements to large, complex, multi-phase programs.
- Participate in activities ranging from drainage feasibility analysis to final design and through the construction phase.
- Assume some project management duties and interact with clients.
- Assist project delivery efforts, including scope development, budgeting, scheduling, and client coordination.
- Preparation and review of hydraulic calculations and design deliverables, including hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, floodplain impact and compensation evaluations, stormwater modelling, bridge hydraulic and scour assessments, roadway drainage design, erosion and sediment control, water quality and attenuation systems, and permitting.
- Guide and monitor the work of designers and junior engineers, fostering professional growth and verifying high-quality work through technical reviews and knowledge sharing.
- Contribute to the advancement of the best internal practices, participate in quality assurance/quality control processes, and represent the organization in professional forums, conferences, and industry committees.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Previous experience in all aspects of roadway engineering design.
- Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
- Hands-on experience with Highways and Roads CAD engineering software such as Bentley ConceptStation and Open Roads Designer and/or Autodesk Infraworks and Civil3d.
- MS Office knowledge.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Experience should include urban and rural highway interchanges, intersection design, traffic management, transportation planning, site planning, preparation of concept alignments, geometrical layout and CAD base alignment plans.
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in civil engineering, environmental, water resources, or other related degree.
- A minimum of 3 years’ licensed experience in stormwater and water resources.
- Strong leadership, planning, mentoring and staff management experience.
- Project experience and existing relationships with local DOT and municipal clients.
- Advanced knowledge of stormwater engineering concepts and H&H modeling programs and ArcGIS.
- Ability to work in the office to allow for collaboration.
- Technical proficiency in hydrologic and hydraulic design and analyses, modelling, permitting, and preparing drainage reports.
Primary Location:
United States-Florida-Tampa
Other Locations:
United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale, United States-Florida-Doral
Industry:
Highway + Road
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Transportation Hydraulics
Job Posting:
May 11, 2026
Transportation Hydraulics Engineer
- (193020)
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 transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.
HDR is currently in search of a Transportation Hydraulics Engineer to work in our Transportation Business Group. The Transportation Business Group is active in the aviation, transit, freight railroad, highway and local roads, maritime, federal, and design-build market sectors. Primary responsibilities will include:
- Serving in a technical role under the direction of a Project Manager and Senior Hydraulic Engineers on the engineering development of urban and rural highway/roadway projects, stormwater management plans, and floodplain evaluations.
- Prepare detailed engineering designs for infrastructure projects ranging from small-scale improvements to large, complex, multi-phase programs.
- Participate in activities ranging from drainage feasibility analysis to final design and through the construction phase.
- Assume some project management duties and interact with clients.
- Assist project delivery efforts, including scope development, budgeting, scheduling, and client coordination.
- Preparation and review of hydraulic calculations and design deliverables, including hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, floodplain impact and compensation evaluations, stormwater modelling, bridge hydraulic and scour assessments, roadway drainage design, erosion and sediment control, water quality and attenuation systems, and permitting.
- Guide and monitor the work of designers and junior engineers, fostering professional growth and verifying high-quality work through technical reviews and knowledge sharing.
- Contribute to the advancement of the best internal practices, participate in quality assurance/quality control processes, and represent the organization in professional forums, conferences, and industry committees.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree.
- Previous experience in all aspects of roadway engineering design.
- Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
- Hands-on experience with Highways and Roads CAD engineering software such as Bentley ConceptStation and Open Roads Designer and/or Autodesk Infraworks and Civil3d.
- MS Office knowledge.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Experience should include urban and rural highway interchanges, intersection design, traffic management, transportation planning, site planning, preparation of concept alignments, geometrical layout and CAD base alignment plans.
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in civil engineering, environmental, water resources, or other related degree.
- A minimum of 3 years’ licensed experience in stormwater and water resources.
- Strong leadership, planning, mentoring and staff management experience.
- Project experience and existing relationships with local DOT and municipal clients.
- Advanced knowledge of stormwater engineering concepts and H&H modeling programs and ArcGIS.
- Ability to work in the office to allow for collaboration.
- Technical proficiency in hydrologic and hydraulic design and analyses, modelling, permitting, and preparing drainage reports.
Primary Location:
United States-Florida-Tampa
Other Locations:
United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale, United States-Florida-Doral
Industry:
Highway + Road
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Transportation Hydraulics
Job Posting:
May 11, 2026
Job Roles at HDR
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding HDR OPT Eligible Jobs USA
Target HDR's project-based technical divisions
HDR organizes work around long-term infrastructure projects in transportation, water, and environmental sectors. Focus your applications on these practice groups, where hiring managers expect rotating project staff and are more accustomed to onboarding OPT students than corporate support functions.
Align your degree to HDR's specialty occupation roles
HDR's engineering and consulting roles require a specific degree match, not just a general STEM background. Cross-reference your field of study against the O*NET occupation profile for your target role before applying, so your credentials clearly support the position's requirements from the start.
Confirm HDR's E-Verify enrollment before accepting
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify. Before signing any offer, verify HDR's enrollment status through E-Verify directly. A lapse or delay in enrollment could disrupt your 24-month extension eligibility even after you've already started in the role.
Use Migrate Mate to find HDR's H-1B filing history
HDR's OPT hiring often signals a pipeline into H-1B sponsorship. Use Migrate Mate to review HDR's DOL Labor Condition Application filing history by job title and office location, so you can evaluate whether the specific team you're joining has a track record of sponsoring visa transitions.
Time your application around HDR's project cycle
HDR's hiring peaks align with project award cycles, often in late Q1 and early Q3. Submitting before these windows gives you a better chance of being considered for new project headcount rather than backfilling a role, which typically involves longer approval chains and slower onboarding timelines.
Prepare your I-20 and EAD before your start date
HDR's HR teams process onboarding documentation through E-Verify on day one. Have your I-20 with OPT authorization recommendation, your EAD card, and your offer letter ready before your start date. Gaps in any of these documents can delay your E-Verify case and push back your official start.
HDR OPT Eligibility: Frequently Asked Questions
Does HDR sponsor OPT visas?
HDR doesn't sponsor OPT directly. OPT is work authorization that USCIS grants to F-1 students independently of the employer. What HDR does is hire students who already hold an OPT EAD. HDR is enrolled in E-Verify, which is required for employees seeking the 24-month STEM OPT extension after their initial 12-month OPT period ends.
Which departments at HDR typically hire OPT students?
HDR's highest OPT hiring activity tends to sit in its civil and structural engineering, environmental services, transportation planning, and water resources divisions. These project-heavy groups regularly bring on entry-level and junior engineers who can contribute immediately to active infrastructure projects. Corporate and administrative functions hire OPT students less frequently.
How do I know if HDR will support my STEM OPT extension?
STEM OPT extension requires your employer to be enrolled in E-Verify and to submit a formal training plan through USCIS. HDR participates in E-Verify, which satisfies the enrollment requirement. Confirm with your recruiter or HR contact early in the offer process that HDR can support the extension paperwork before you accept.
How do I find open OPT roles at HDR?
Migrate Mate filters job listings by employers with verified sponsorship and E-Verify history, making it easier to find HDR roles that are realistically accessible to OPT students. You can also search HDR's careers page directly and filter by entry-level or associate-level positions in your engineering discipline to identify openings aligned with your OPT timeline.
Does working at HDR on OPT improve my chances of getting H-1B sponsorship?
HDR has a track record of sponsoring H-1B visas for employees who demonstrate strong performance on project teams. Starting on OPT gives both you and HDR a period to establish that fit before H-1B sponsorship comes up. Roles in billable technical practices tend to move toward H-1B sponsorship more reliably than overhead or support positions.
How does HDR hire OPT students?
OPT is work authorization granted directly to F-1 students after graduation — no employer petition is required. HDR can hire OPT students as soon as their EAD card is approved. STEM degree holders can extend OPT by 24 months when their employer is enrolled in E-Verify. Most companies that hire OPT students also support the transition to H-1B when the student's OPT period is ending. Check HDR's individual postings on Migrate Mate to confirm OPT acceptance per role.