OPT Bridge Engineer Jobs
Bridge Engineer jobs are strong OPT fits because the role consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree or higher in civil or structural engineering. Most positions support H-1B visa sponsorship, giving STEM OPT students a clear 3-year runway to pursue long-term status.
See All OPT Bridge Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 213+ Bridge Engineer jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all 213+ Bridge Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Bridge Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsABOUT LOCHNER
Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.
Are you ready to join us on this journey?
As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Entry-Level Structural/Rail-Bridge Engineer supports the planning, analysis, and design of transportation and railroad infrastructure projects including bridges, retaining walls, culverts, rail structures, and related civil systems. This role works closely with senior engineers and multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, cost-effective, and code-compliant infrastructure solutions.
The ideal candidate is motivated to develop technical engineering skills in structural and rail transportation design while contributing to public infrastructure projects throughout Connecticut and surrounding New England states.
Your impact:
- Work on complex rail bridge and transportation design projects in CT, MA, and RI.
- Perform structural design calculations using AASHTO and AREMA codes for bridges, retaining walls, culverts, and other transportation-related structures.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to prepare project deliverables including design drawings, reports, specifications, presentations, and cost estimates.
- Conduct field inspections and site visits for existing bridge and rail structures.
- Use engineering software to perform structural analysis and load ratings.
- Support rail and transportation infrastructure projects from concept through construction.
- Review shop drawings, contractor submittals, and construction documentation.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil/Structural Engineering (preferred).
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certification or ability to obtain within 1 year.
- 0-4 years of relevant experience in structural or transportation engineering.
- Familiarity with OpenRoads/OpenBridge, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and structural analysis software (preferred).
- Strong verbal/written communication skills and ability to collaborate with in-person and remote teams.
- Understanding of structural engineering fundamentals.
- Experience with rail design (preferred).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of transportation agency standards and procedures.
BENEFITS (ELIGIBLE FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES)
Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:
- Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision.
- Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program.
- Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance.
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care.
- Paid Family Leave.
- Retirement Plan with Employer Match.
- Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible).
- Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health.
- Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3.
- Education and Training Assistance.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Employee Discounts.
- Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights.
EQUAL EMPLOYER
Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, a criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug tests. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.
ABOUT LOCHNER
Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.
Are you ready to join us on this journey?
As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Entry-Level Structural/Rail-Bridge Engineer supports the planning, analysis, and design of transportation and railroad infrastructure projects including bridges, retaining walls, culverts, rail structures, and related civil systems. This role works closely with senior engineers and multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, cost-effective, and code-compliant infrastructure solutions.
The ideal candidate is motivated to develop technical engineering skills in structural and rail transportation design while contributing to public infrastructure projects throughout Connecticut and surrounding New England states.
Your impact:
- Work on complex rail bridge and transportation design projects in CT, MA, and RI.
- Perform structural design calculations using AASHTO and AREMA codes for bridges, retaining walls, culverts, and other transportation-related structures.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to prepare project deliverables including design drawings, reports, specifications, presentations, and cost estimates.
- Conduct field inspections and site visits for existing bridge and rail structures.
- Use engineering software to perform structural analysis and load ratings.
- Support rail and transportation infrastructure projects from concept through construction.
- Review shop drawings, contractor submittals, and construction documentation.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- BS in Civil Engineering, MS in Civil/Structural Engineering (preferred).
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) Certification or ability to obtain within 1 year.
- 0-4 years of relevant experience in structural or transportation engineering.
- Familiarity with OpenRoads/OpenBridge, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and structural analysis software (preferred).
- Strong verbal/written communication skills and ability to collaborate with in-person and remote teams.
- Understanding of structural engineering fundamentals.
- Experience with rail design (preferred).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office.
- Knowledge of transportation agency standards and procedures.
BENEFITS (ELIGIBLE FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYEES)
Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:
- Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision.
- Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program.
- Company Paid Disability (includes paid Maternity Leave), and Life Insurance.
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with Employer Contribution.
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical Expenses and/or Dependent Care.
- Paid Family Leave.
- Retirement Plan with Employer Match.
- Flexible Work Schedules (Hybrid or Remote, when possible).
- Wellness Program for Physical and Mental Health.
- Lochner Cares Non-Profit 501c3.
- Education and Training Assistance.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Employee Discounts.
- Paid Time Off for Charitable Acts of Service.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stoop, crawl, and lifting. The employee must frequently lift and/or move light equipment up to 20 pounds. Must be alert to equipment in the field, occasional need to work near hazardous equipment and machinery, occasional need to walk on uneven ground, exposure to dust, gas or fumes, exposure to noise, extremes in temperature or humidity, and potential work at heights.
EQUAL EMPLOYER
Lochner is proudly committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. Lochner provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
All positions at Lochner require an applicant who has accepted an employment offer to undergo pre-employment screening. Background checks include SSN/SIN validation, motor vehicle verification, education verification, employment verification, a criminal check, search against global sanctions and government watch lists, and drug tests. All employment offers are contingent upon successful results of the pre-employment screening.
See all 213+ OPT Bridge Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Bridge Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Bridge Engineer
Target firms with active federal contracts
Engineering consultancies and state DOT contractors regularly file H-1B visa petitions for bridge engineers. Firms with federal infrastructure work have established sponsorship pipelines and are accustomed to navigating work authorization for international hires.
Verify your STEM OPT eligibility early
Civil and structural engineering degrees from STEM-designated programs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying so you can accurately communicate your full three-year OPT timeline to employers.
Frame your OPT timeline around project cycles
Bridge projects typically run two to five years. Emphasize to employers that your STEM OPT provides three years of authorization, which covers full project delivery. Connecting your timeline to project milestones makes sponsorship feel like an investment, not a risk.
Highlight licensure progress as a retention signal
Enrolling in or passing the FE exam signals long-term commitment to U.S. practice. Employers sponsoring H-1B petitions want engineers who plan to stay. Mentioning active PE licensure pursuit directly addresses concerns about whether sponsoring you is worth the effort.
Prioritize mid-size structural consultancies over large generalists
Mid-size firms specializing in bridge and transportation structures often have faster hiring decisions and more direct access to principals who approve sponsorship. Large generalist firms may have more bureaucracy and slower OPT-to-H-1B processes for specialized engineering roles.
Get comfortable discussing OPT clearly and confidently
Many hiring managers confuse OPT with H-1B sponsorship requirements. Prepare a concise explanation: you have authorization now, STEM extension gives three years total, and H-1B sponsorship would begin in year two. Clarity reduces employer hesitation significantly.
Bridge Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bridge Engineer jobs typically qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Civil engineering, structural engineering, and closely related concentrations are STEM-designated fields under DHS guidelines. If your degree program carries a qualifying CIP code, you're eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12 months, giving you three years total to work and pursue H-1B sponsorship.
How do I find Bridge Engineer employers who sponsor OPT and H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this search. Rather than guessing which firms sponsor, you can browse Bridge Engineer roles from employers who have indicated sponsorship willingness. Firms with active federal transportation contracts and state DOT work tend to have the most established sponsorship processes for structural and civil engineering roles.
Is Bridge Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, consistently. Bridge engineering requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering, which satisfies the specialty occupation standard USCIS applies. Employers and immigration attorneys rarely face challenges establishing specialty occupation status for this role, making it one of the more straightforward engineering titles to sponsor.
Can I work on bridge projects for a state DOT on OPT?
Yes, with an important caveat. State DOT positions are government roles, and some states restrict government employment to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. However, most bridge engineering work for state DOTs is performed through private consulting firms under contract, not as direct state employees. Those private firm positions are fully open to OPT workers.
What happens to my OPT status if my Bridge Engineer employer changes projects or locations?
OPT authorization is tied to your employment in a field related to your degree, not to a specific project or office location. Moving between projects or work sites within the same employer doesn't affect your status. If you change employers, you must update your employer information with your DSO and ensure the new role still aligns with your degree field.