OPT Civil Designer Jobs
Civil Designer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field. Most roles qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in infrastructure, transportation, and land development regularly hire OPT candidates with CAD and design software proficiency.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
LandDesign is a collection of visionaries and problem solvers who believe in the power of balance, combining creativity and practicality to design what we know will thrive. We leverage our diverse expertise and relentless curiosity to deliver innovative, attainable big ideas — aligning our clients' vision with the culture of the community to delight those who will enjoy the space. We are driven by a boundless desire for better, because we believe that learning is lifelong and growth is infinite. This curiosity and uncommon collaboration fuel our culture and drive ideas that continuously improve our practice and the people who are part of it.
As our firm continues to grow, we continue to be on the lookout for the next great designer; you. We are currently seeking Civil Engineers to provide design, technical, and production support to design studios in our Charlotte office.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for learning key aspects of civil site design which include site layout, sedimentation control analyses, development of grading & storm drainage, domestic water, and sanitary sewer system design.
- Perform design tasks as directed by Project Lead.
- Meet timeframes provided for assigned tasks.
- Self-check work for completeness.
- Develop proficiency in CAD based design & drafting for plan production.
- Collaborate with internal design team including landscape architects and planners and client consultant teams.
- Research regulatory requirements through due diligence.
- Contributes to the team by applying established procedures to solve routine problems.
- Receives detailed instructions on all work.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field of study.
- Basic Knowledge in AutoCAD and Civil 3D/Civil Design Software, Microsoft Office Suite.
- E.I. / E.I.T. certification obtained or in-progress is preferred.
- No prior experience required. Internship experience preferred.
- Passion for land development + design.
Don't ask us if you're the right fit for the position, tell us about it in your cover letter (we do actually read them!) All interested candidates can submit their cover letter and resume directly through our website.
Employees are offered a competitive compensation package and robust benefits package that includes access to wellness programming, 401k retirement plan, paid holidays, paid time off, paid parental leave, paid volunteer hours, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances.
LandDesign is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace.
INTRODUCTION
LandDesign is a collection of visionaries and problem solvers who believe in the power of balance, combining creativity and practicality to design what we know will thrive. We leverage our diverse expertise and relentless curiosity to deliver innovative, attainable big ideas — aligning our clients' vision with the culture of the community to delight those who will enjoy the space. We are driven by a boundless desire for better, because we believe that learning is lifelong and growth is infinite. This curiosity and uncommon collaboration fuel our culture and drive ideas that continuously improve our practice and the people who are part of it.
As our firm continues to grow, we continue to be on the lookout for the next great designer; you. We are currently seeking Civil Engineers to provide design, technical, and production support to design studios in our Charlotte office.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for learning key aspects of civil site design which include site layout, sedimentation control analyses, development of grading & storm drainage, domestic water, and sanitary sewer system design.
- Perform design tasks as directed by Project Lead.
- Meet timeframes provided for assigned tasks.
- Self-check work for completeness.
- Develop proficiency in CAD based design & drafting for plan production.
- Collaborate with internal design team including landscape architects and planners and client consultant teams.
- Research regulatory requirements through due diligence.
- Contributes to the team by applying established procedures to solve routine problems.
- Receives detailed instructions on all work.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field of study.
- Basic Knowledge in AutoCAD and Civil 3D/Civil Design Software, Microsoft Office Suite.
- E.I. / E.I.T. certification obtained or in-progress is preferred.
- No prior experience required. Internship experience preferred.
- Passion for land development + design.
Don't ask us if you're the right fit for the position, tell us about it in your cover letter (we do actually read them!) All interested candidates can submit their cover letter and resume directly through our website.
Employees are offered a competitive compensation package and robust benefits package that includes access to wellness programming, 401k retirement plan, paid holidays, paid time off, paid parental leave, paid volunteer hours, health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurances.
LandDesign is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workplace.
See all 57+ OPT Civil Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Civil Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Civil Designer
Lead with your design software skills
Civil designers live in AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, and similar tools. List every platform you're proficient in prominently on your resume. Employers scanning for OPT candidates want to know you're productive from day one, not a training investment.
Target firms with active infrastructure contracts
Engineering and consulting firms with active DOT, municipal, or federal contracts hire designers consistently and have established OPT sponsorship workflows. These firms need production capacity on project teams, which creates recurring entry-level demand that fits your timeline well.
Clarify your STEM OPT timeline upfront
If your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension, confirm it with your DSO before applying. Communicating a 36-month authorization window rather than 12 months meaningfully reduces employer hesitation and makes you a more viable candidate for longer project cycles.
Highlight project experience with real deliverables
Employers want evidence you can produce construction documents, grading plans, or utility layouts. Reference specific deliverables from coursework, internships, or co-ops. Describing the output, not just the project, signals that you understand professional design production workflows.
Pursue EIT certification before or during your job search
The Engineer-in-Training exam is not required for designer roles, but passing it signals commitment to licensure and long-term career investment. Many firms prefer candidates working toward PE licensure, and it strengthens your case for H-1B visa sponsorship down the road.
Connect with project engineers, not just HR
Civil design teams are small and project-driven. Reaching out directly to project engineers or team leads at target firms, referencing specific project types they work on, is far more effective than submitting through general application portals and waiting for a response.
Civil Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Civil Designer roles qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Most Civil Designer positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension if your degree is in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or another field on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. That gives you up to 36 months total. Confirm your degree's eligibility with your DSO before applying, since some adjacent majors like construction management may not qualify.
How often do civil engineering firms sponsor OPT students?
Mid-size and large civil engineering and consulting firms sponsor OPT students regularly, particularly for production-heavy designer roles where they need consistent output on active projects. Smaller firms with fewer than 20 employees are less likely to have established OPT workflows. Browsing Civil Designer listings on Migrate Mate lets you filter to employers who are actively hiring OPT candidates in this field.
What does a Civil Designer do day-to-day on OPT?
Civil Designers spend most of their time producing design drawings and plans in software like AutoCAD Civil 3D or MicroStation, supporting licensed engineers on grading, drainage, roadway, or utility projects. On OPT, your role must align with your degree field, so positions involving structural, transportation, or site design are all appropriate placements for civil or environmental engineering graduates.
Can I work as a Civil Designer on OPT without a PE license?
Yes. Civil Designer roles are specifically structured for unlicensed engineers working under the supervision of a licensed Professional Engineer. Your stamped deliverables go out under their seal. This is the standard entry-level model in the industry and is fully compatible with OPT work authorization, as long as your job duties align with your degree program.
What should I know about transitioning from OPT to H-1B as a Civil Designer?
Civil Designer roles at established engineering firms are well-suited for H-1B sponsorship because the specialty occupation requirement is clearly satisfied by a civil engineering degree. The H-1B lottery runs annually with an April 1 registration window, so timing matters if your OPT expires before selection. Larger firms and those with federal contracts tend to have more experience managing this transition for design staff.