Entry Level STEM OPT Jobs
Entry level roles on STEM OPT give you 24 months of E-Verify-backed work authorization without a lottery or cap. Employers file your OPT extension through USCIS, not a sponsorship petition, making early-career hiring faster and lower-risk for them than H-1B. Your degree field must align with your job title.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn is looking for Engineering graduates to join our Roadway team in our Orlando, Florida (FL) office in 2026! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities
- Utilize technical software programs on a regular basis to analyze, produce, and QC deliverables for our clients.
- Contribute to the pre-construction civil engineering design, planning, modification, permitting, and analysis for multiple projects ranging in size and scope.
- Solve complex problems, assist project managers, and collaborate across disciplines to produce our clients’ visions for the future built environment.
- Develop familiarity with the federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Kimley-Horn’s and our client’s practices, procedures, and standards.
- Analysts will learn one or more software programs specific to their disciplines: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Excel, Microstation, VISSIM, Open Roads, Synchro and/or GIS.
QUALIFICATIONS
- An ABET accredited engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2026 in one of the following majors:
- Civil and/or Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical, Electrical, Biological, Biosystems, Chemical, or Agricultural Engineering
- Engineering Technology
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
INTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn is looking for Engineering graduates to join our Roadway team in our Orlando, Florida (FL) office in 2026! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities
- Utilize technical software programs on a regular basis to analyze, produce, and QC deliverables for our clients.
- Contribute to the pre-construction civil engineering design, planning, modification, permitting, and analysis for multiple projects ranging in size and scope.
- Solve complex problems, assist project managers, and collaborate across disciplines to produce our clients’ visions for the future built environment.
- Develop familiarity with the federal, state, and local regulations, as well as Kimley-Horn’s and our client’s practices, procedures, and standards.
- Analysts will learn one or more software programs specific to their disciplines: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Excel, Microstation, VISSIM, Open Roads, Synchro and/or GIS.
QUALIFICATIONS
- An ABET accredited engineering degree (Bachelors or Masters) by Summer 2026 in one of the following majors:
- Civil and/or Environmental Engineering
- Mechanical, Electrical, Biological, Biosystems, Chemical, or Agricultural Engineering
- Engineering Technology
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
See all 12,989+ STEM OPT jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Jobs
Verify your degree matches your role
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your STEM degree field and your job duties. Before applying, confirm your SOC code on O*NET aligns with your degree's CIP code. Mismatches are the most common reason STEM OPT extension requests are denied.
Target E-Verify employers from day one
Only employers enrolled in E-Verify can hire you on STEM OPT. Filter your job search by E-Verify participation before outreach. Employers not enrolled cannot legally extend your work authorization regardless of how much they want to hire you.
File your STEM OPT extension 90 days early
USCIS requires you to apply at least 90 days before your initial OPT end date. Your DSO must recommend the extension in SEVIS first. Missing this window doesn't grant extra time and can result in a gap in your work authorization.
Use Migrate Mate to find STEM OPT-ready employers
Search Migrate Mate to surface employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and STEM hiring history by occupation. This cuts out the guesswork of cold-applying to companies that can't legally authorize your extension.
Negotiate your training plan before signing
Your employer must complete a Form I-983 training plan documenting how the role relates to your STEM degree. Get clarity on who owns this before accepting an offer. Employers unfamiliar with I-983 requirements can delay your extension even after hiring you.
Check prevailing wage before your offer stage
STEM OPT doesn't require DOL wage certification, but your salary must align with industry standards to avoid RFE risk on future H-1B petitions. Use the OFLC Wage Search to confirm your offer falls within the prevailing wage range for your SOC code and location.
STEM OPT jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find STEM OPT JobsFrequently Asked Questions
How do I find entry level jobs that support STEM OPT?
Search Migrate Mate to find entry level roles at employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, which is required for STEM OPT authorization. Applying broadly without checking E-Verify status wastes time. Narrow by your SOC code to ensure the roles you target match your degree field, which USCIS requires for extension approval.
What does an employer actually have to do to hire me on STEM OPT?
Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, sign and co-develop a Form I-983 training plan with you, and report your employment status to your DSO every six months. They don't file a separate visa petition, which makes STEM OPT hires faster to process than H-1B hires. Many mid-size and large tech, engineering, and life sciences employers already have this infrastructure in place.
Is my STEM OPT tied to a specific employer?
Yes, your STEM OPT is employer-specific. If you change jobs, you must update your employment in SEVIS through your DSO and get a new I-983 signed by the new employer. You can change employers on STEM OPT, but the new employer must also be E-Verify enrolled and your role must still align with your STEM degree field.
What if my entry level job title doesn't obviously match my STEM degree?
USCIS evaluates the relationship between your degree's CIP code and your role's SOC code, not just job titles. A computer science graduate in a 'data operations analyst' role can qualify if the SOC code falls within an approved STEM designation. Check your job's SOC code against the DHS STEM OPT designated degree list before filing your extension request.
Can I start working at a new entry level job before my STEM OPT extension is approved?
Yes, if you filed your STEM OPT extension on time, you receive an automatic 180-day cap-gap that lets you keep working while USCIS processes your application. This applies only if you filed before your initial OPT expired. Your new employer must be E-Verify enrolled from day one of your employment, not just after approval.
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