OPT Building Engineer Jobs
Building Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in mechanical, electrical, civil, or facilities engineering. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT extensions, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in commercial real estate, healthcare, and property management regularly hire and sponsor international candidates.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Terracon is seeking an experienced Building Enclosure Department Manager to join our Team in the Gulf Coast Region! This person will sit in our Lawrenceville, GA office.
To be successful in this role, you must be able to lead and support projects focused on building enclosure consulting, building enclosure commissioning, enclosure testing, and structural/materials diagnostics. This role oversees project execution, proposal development, staffing, safety, quality, client development, financial performance, and technical delivery for Facilities-related services. The position supports work involving roofing, waterproofing, exterior walls, fenestration, air and water barriers, façade systems, moisture intrusion investigations, condition assessments, field testing, and repair recommendations. The Department Manager also supports staff development, business planning, client relationship management, risk awareness, and continuous improvement of technical quality across the Facilities practice.
Terracon is a 100-percent employee-owned consulting engineering firm providing quality services to clients. Terracon currently has more than 8,000 employees in more than 200 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon’s growth is due to valued employees exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace. Terracon’s vision of “Together, we are best at people” is best demonstrated by offering a flexible work schedule, striving for employees to have a proper work/life balance, and enabling employees to work remotely when appropriate. In addition, Terracon offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan with matching (monetary and company stock), paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, a company stock purchases plan, and various bonus programs. Come explore with us!
ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead and support the growth of building enclosure consulting services, including roofing, waterproofing, exterior wall systems, air barriers, fenestration, façade systems, plaza decks, below-grade waterproofing, and related envelope assemblies.
- Responsible for preparing, reviewing, and supporting proposals and cost estimates for Facilities-related services, including building enclosure consulting, building enclosure commissioning, field testing, structural/materials diagnostics, condition assessments, and repair recommendations.
- Oversee building enclosure testing services, including water infiltration testing, air leakage testing, adhesion testing, roof-related testing, and other field evaluations performed in accordance with applicable ASTM, AAMA, FM, or project-specific requirements.
- Support structural and materials diagnostics services, including existing building assessments, distress evaluations, façade and roof investigations, concrete and masonry evaluations, moisture intrusion investigations, and development of repair or remediation recommendations.
- With support from the Office Manager perform business and client development activities.
- With support from the Office Manager develop and manage employee staffing plans, recruitment, selection and on-boarding.
- With support from the Office Manager prepare and execute annual business plan for the department.
- With support from the Office Manager oversee and manage the success of the key department metrics of revenue growth, staff chargeability, project billing and collections, and project profitability.
- Develop understanding and be aware of project-related risk. Be familiar with what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the Company. Be familiar with company risk policies.
- Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines. Responsible for creating and modeling a safe work environment; demonstrates safety practices. Promote pre-task planning for all projects.
- Responsible for continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects. Monitor and promote quality standards and practices.
- Responsible for providing consistent quality standards on project and proposal delivery.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline practiced by the Firm including Engineering, Environmental Science or Geology and 5 years’ practice experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
- Experience with building enclosure systems, roofing, waterproofing, exterior wall assemblies, fenestration, façade systems, air and water barriers, and/or structural/materials diagnostics is preferred.
- Experience preparing proposals, scopes of service, technical reports, field observation reports, testing reports, repair recommendations, and client-facing deliverables is preferred.
- Experience managing projects, staff, budgets, schedules, client communication, and quality review processes is preferred.
- Certification or licensure in field of expertise.
- A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree or PhD
LI-EK1
EEO Statement
Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
INTRODUCTION
Terracon is seeking an experienced Building Enclosure Department Manager to join our Team in the Gulf Coast Region! This person will sit in our Lawrenceville, GA office.
To be successful in this role, you must be able to lead and support projects focused on building enclosure consulting, building enclosure commissioning, enclosure testing, and structural/materials diagnostics. This role oversees project execution, proposal development, staffing, safety, quality, client development, financial performance, and technical delivery for Facilities-related services. The position supports work involving roofing, waterproofing, exterior walls, fenestration, air and water barriers, façade systems, moisture intrusion investigations, condition assessments, field testing, and repair recommendations. The Department Manager also supports staff development, business planning, client relationship management, risk awareness, and continuous improvement of technical quality across the Facilities practice.
Terracon is a 100-percent employee-owned consulting engineering firm providing quality services to clients. Terracon currently has more than 8,000 employees in more than 200 offices with services available in all 50 states. Terracon’s growth is due to valued employees exceeding expectations in client service and growing their careers with new and exciting opportunities in the marketplace. Terracon’s vision of “Together, we are best at people” is best demonstrated by offering a flexible work schedule, striving for employees to have a proper work/life balance, and enabling employees to work remotely when appropriate. In addition, Terracon offers an excellent compensation and benefits package. Based on eligibility, we offer many programs including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) plan with matching (monetary and company stock), paid time off and holidays, education reimbursement, a company stock purchases plan, and various bonus programs. Come explore with us!
ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Lead and support the growth of building enclosure consulting services, including roofing, waterproofing, exterior wall systems, air barriers, fenestration, façade systems, plaza decks, below-grade waterproofing, and related envelope assemblies.
- Responsible for preparing, reviewing, and supporting proposals and cost estimates for Facilities-related services, including building enclosure consulting, building enclosure commissioning, field testing, structural/materials diagnostics, condition assessments, and repair recommendations.
- Oversee building enclosure testing services, including water infiltration testing, air leakage testing, adhesion testing, roof-related testing, and other field evaluations performed in accordance with applicable ASTM, AAMA, FM, or project-specific requirements.
- Support structural and materials diagnostics services, including existing building assessments, distress evaluations, façade and roof investigations, concrete and masonry evaluations, moisture intrusion investigations, and development of repair or remediation recommendations.
- With support from the Office Manager perform business and client development activities.
- With support from the Office Manager develop and manage employee staffing plans, recruitment, selection and on-boarding.
- With support from the Office Manager prepare and execute annual business plan for the department.
- With support from the Office Manager oversee and manage the success of the key department metrics of revenue growth, staff chargeability, project billing and collections, and project profitability.
- Develop understanding and be aware of project-related risk. Be familiar with what could go wrong on a project and how to protect the Company. Be familiar with company risk policies.
- Lead safety efforts for team and ensure team follows safety rules and guidelines. Responsible for creating and modeling a safe work environment; demonstrates safety practices. Promote pre-task planning for all projects.
- Responsible for continuous quality monitoring and improvement on projects. Monitor and promote quality standards and practices.
- Responsible for providing consistent quality standards on project and proposal delivery.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in technical discipline practiced by the Firm including Engineering, Environmental Science or Geology and 5 years’ practice experience. Or, in lieu of a degree, a minimum of 9 years’ related experience.
- Experience with building enclosure systems, roofing, waterproofing, exterior wall assemblies, fenestration, façade systems, air and water barriers, and/or structural/materials diagnostics is preferred.
- Experience preparing proposals, scopes of service, technical reports, field observation reports, testing reports, repair recommendations, and client-facing deliverables is preferred.
- Experience managing projects, staff, budgets, schedules, client communication, and quality review processes is preferred.
- Certification or licensure in field of expertise.
- A valid driver’s license with acceptable violation history may be required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master’s degree or PhD
LI-EK1
EEO Statement
Terracon is an EEO employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, or military status.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Building Engineer
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Building Engineer roles typically qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering. Verify your program CIP code with your DSO before applying to maximize your work authorization window.
Target employers with facilities management operations
Large commercial property owners, hospital systems, and university facilities departments hire Building Engineers year-round and are more accustomed to OPT paperwork. Smaller landlords often lack HR infrastructure to handle work authorization documentation efficiently.
Lead with your technical certifications
Certifications like EPA 608, OSHA 30, or LEED Green Associate signal job-readiness to employers who may be uncertain about OPT timelines. Credentials reduce perceived hiring risk and make your application competitive against locally authorized candidates.
Apply early relative to your OPT start date
Building Engineer roles often have 30-to-60-day onboarding timelines for background checks and access credentialing. Apply at least two months before your OPT authorization begins to avoid gaps between your start date and the employer's readiness.
Clarify OPT authorization confidently in interviews
Many facilities employers confuse OPT with H-1B visa sponsorship. Prepare a clear one-minute explanation that OPT is your existing work authorization, requires no employer petition, and costs the employer nothing to initiate during your authorized period.
Use Migrate Mate to find OPT-friendly employers
Browse Building Engineer listings on Migrate Mate to identify employers who have previously hired OPT students. Focusing your applications on these companies significantly improves your chances of finding a role before your OPT window closes.
Building Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Building Engineer jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Most Building Engineer positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in a STEM-designated field such as mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or civil engineering. Your DSO can confirm eligibility by checking your program's CIP code against the official STEM designation list. If you qualify, you can work up to 36 months total on OPT, which gives employers a meaningful runway before any H-1B sponsorship decision is necessary.
Do employers need to do anything to hire me on OPT as a Building Engineer?
During initial OPT, your employer does not file any petition or pay any government fees. You provide your EAD card as proof of work authorization, and the employer records it on your I-9. For the STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan with your DSO. This is a straightforward administrative step that most property management companies and building operators can complete without legal counsel.
What types of employers hire Building Engineers on OPT?
Commercial real estate firms, hospital systems, university facilities departments, hotel operators, and large property management companies are the most active hirers. These organizations maintain engineering staff year-round and have established HR processes for work authorization documentation. You can find employers actively open to OPT candidates by browsing Building Engineer listings on Migrate Mate, which focuses specifically on roles accessible to international students.
Can I work on-site at a client building as an OPT Building Engineer?
Yes, OPT authorizes you to work at your employer's client sites as long as your employer of record remains the company on your EAD and your I-9. Third-party placement arrangements where a staffing agency places you with an end client can create compliance complications, so confirm the employment structure before accepting an offer. Your DSO can review any unusual arrangements to ensure your OPT authorization remains valid.
How much time do I realistically have to find sponsorship as a Building Engineer on OPT?
If you qualify for the STEM extension, you have up to 36 months of OPT work authorization, which typically covers two to three H-1B lottery cycles. Building Engineer roles in commercial real estate and facilities management are sponsored under the H-1B regularly, as the job requires a specific engineering degree. Starting conversations about long-term sponsorship with your employer around the 18-month mark gives both sides enough time to plan without pressure.