OPT Civil Project Engineer Jobs
Civil Project Engineer jobs on OPT are available across infrastructure, transportation, and construction sectors. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT work authorization, and STEM OPT extensions apply if your degree is in civil or structural engineering, giving you up to three years of authorized work experience.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Step into a role where your talent drives real-world impact. At AHBL, we’re looking for professionals who thrive in a collaborative environment and see every project as an adventure. If you enjoy working closely with clients and cross-functional teams to bring projects from concept to construction, we want to meet you!
At AHBL, we don’t just shape cities—we help to build vibrant communities where the work is rewarding. Our teams enjoy coming to work and flourish through innovation and creativity.
Since 1969, our multi-discipline firm has delivered innovative solutions in engineering, planning, landscape architecture, and land surveying. Our team is passionate about creative problem-solving, and we take pride in the meaningful, diverse projects we deliver.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for a Civil Project Engineer to help us make a real impact in our Tacoma office. If you enjoy working with a team that values creativity, celebrates successes, and supports each other through challenges, then AHBL is the place for you!
In this role you will work on a wide range of land development projects, including subdivisions, master plan communities, multi-family developments, roadways, K-12 schools, higher education, municipal buildings, stormwater retrofits, parks, and healthcare facilities. You will collaborate with clients and other team members in preparing civil engineering designs, specifications, and calculations for site developments, local roads, stormwater, and utility improvements, including grading, drainage, sanitary sewer, water, and other related work.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A high level of organization and communication to help us drive projects to completion.
- Diligent attention to detail because the details are what make a project successful.
- A desire to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
- Motivation to meet our clients’ deadlines and rise to the occasion when the pressure is on.
Here's our list of must-haves:
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- EIT
- 3+ years of civil engineering site design experience for public and private development projects
- Experience with AutoCAD and Civil 3D
- Proficient in stormwater modeling using WWHM, MGS Flood and other software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivated with the ability and desire to deliver excellent client services
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Actual pay will be based on experience and other job-related factors.
- PE III - $85,000 - $113,500
- Annual discretionary performance-based bonus.
- 100% paid employee medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, life insurance and long-term disability protection. Subsidized dependent coverage.
- Option of PPO health plan or HDHP with Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution.
- Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- Paid Time Off (PTO) Benefits. PTO is accrued at 16.5 days (132 hours) annually for new hires.
- 8 company-paid holidays each calendar year.
- Discretionary company-matched 401(k) plan.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Additional voluntary benefits include voluntary hospital indemnity coverage, voluntary accident insurance, and voluntary critical illness insurance.
WHY AHBL?
- We offer a fun and friendly atmosphere with team outings and ensure that the work is always enjoyable.
- We encourage out of the box thinking and innovative approaches to every project.
- Our teams celebrate successes and support each other through challenges.
- Our projects are primarily in the Pacific Northwest, so our work shapes the communities where we live and work.
- We offer continuous learning and professional development to advance your career.
AHBL is committed to the principles of equal opportunity by providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We provide equal opportunity to all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, mental or physical disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
AHBL will also take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that covered individuals, including protected veterans and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.
AHBL will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us.
INTRODUCTION
Step into a role where your talent drives real-world impact. At AHBL, we’re looking for professionals who thrive in a collaborative environment and see every project as an adventure. If you enjoy working closely with clients and cross-functional teams to bring projects from concept to construction, we want to meet you!
At AHBL, we don’t just shape cities—we help to build vibrant communities where the work is rewarding. Our teams enjoy coming to work and flourish through innovation and creativity.
Since 1969, our multi-discipline firm has delivered innovative solutions in engineering, planning, landscape architecture, and land surveying. Our team is passionate about creative problem-solving, and we take pride in the meaningful, diverse projects we deliver.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
We are looking for a Civil Project Engineer to help us make a real impact in our Tacoma office. If you enjoy working with a team that values creativity, celebrates successes, and supports each other through challenges, then AHBL is the place for you!
In this role you will work on a wide range of land development projects, including subdivisions, master plan communities, multi-family developments, roadways, K-12 schools, higher education, municipal buildings, stormwater retrofits, parks, and healthcare facilities. You will collaborate with clients and other team members in preparing civil engineering designs, specifications, and calculations for site developments, local roads, stormwater, and utility improvements, including grading, drainage, sanitary sewer, water, and other related work.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- A high level of organization and communication to help us drive projects to completion.
- Diligent attention to detail because the details are what make a project successful.
- A desire to make a positive impact in the communities we serve.
- Motivation to meet our clients’ deadlines and rise to the occasion when the pressure is on.
Here's our list of must-haves:
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- EIT
- 3+ years of civil engineering site design experience for public and private development projects
- Experience with AutoCAD and Civil 3D
- Proficient in stormwater modeling using WWHM, MGS Flood and other software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Self-motivated with the ability and desire to deliver excellent client services
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Actual pay will be based on experience and other job-related factors.
- PE III - $85,000 - $113,500
- Annual discretionary performance-based bonus.
- 100% paid employee medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, life insurance and long-term disability protection. Subsidized dependent coverage.
- Option of PPO health plan or HDHP with Health Savings Account (HSA) with company contribution.
- Optional Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
- Paid Time Off (PTO) Benefits. PTO is accrued at 16.5 days (132 hours) annually for new hires.
- 8 company-paid holidays each calendar year.
- Discretionary company-matched 401(k) plan.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Additional voluntary benefits include voluntary hospital indemnity coverage, voluntary accident insurance, and voluntary critical illness insurance.
WHY AHBL?
- We offer a fun and friendly atmosphere with team outings and ensure that the work is always enjoyable.
- We encourage out of the box thinking and innovative approaches to every project.
- Our teams celebrate successes and support each other through challenges.
- Our projects are primarily in the Pacific Northwest, so our work shapes the communities where we live and work.
- We offer continuous learning and professional development to advance your career.
AHBL is committed to the principles of equal opportunity by providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. We provide equal opportunity to all candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, mental or physical disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
AHBL will also take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that covered individuals, including protected veterans and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.
AHBL will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities in the job application and/or interview process. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact us.
See all 99+ OPT Civil Project Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Civil Project Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Civil Project Engineer
Target infrastructure-heavy employers
Large construction firms, transportation agencies, and municipal contractors hire civil engineers at scale and have established visa sponsorship pipelines. These employers file H-1B visa petitions regularly and are more likely to support your transition beyond OPT.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Civil Engineering (CIP 14.0801) and Structural Engineering (CIP 14.1101) are both on the STEM OPT designated degree list. Confirm your exact degree classification with your DSO before applying, since your extension eligibility depends on the recorded CIP code.
Apply to project engineer roles, not just entry-level
Project Engineer is a specialty occupation with clear degree requirements, making H-1B sponsorship more straightforward. Roles with defined engineering responsibilities are easier for employers to justify sponsorship on versus vague or generalist titles.
Highlight licensure progress on your resume
Listing your Engineer-in-Training certification or active FE exam status signals long-term commitment to the profession. Employers sponsoring visas want candidates who are building a career in the U.S., and licensure progress is concrete evidence of that.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before final interview rounds
Raise sponsorship directly after an employer expresses genuine interest, not in the first conversation. Frame it as confirming fit: ask whether they have sponsored H-1B petitions for engineers in similar roles before and what that process looks like.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for sponsoring employers
Migrate Mate surfaces civil engineering roles from employers with verified H-1B sponsorship history, so you spend less time chasing dead ends. Filter by role type and location to find positions where your OPT authorization and future sponsorship needs align.
Civil Project Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Civil Project Engineer role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related STEM field listed on the DHS STEM designated degree list. You can apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12-month OPT period, giving you up to three years total to work in the U.S. while pursuing H-1B sponsorship. Your DSO must verify your degree's CIP code qualifies before you apply.
How do I find Civil Project Engineer jobs where employers will sponsor an H-1B?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. It aggregates civil engineering roles from employers with documented H-1B sponsorship histories, so you can identify which firms have actually sponsored engineers before rather than guessing. Filtering by role and location helps you prioritize applications to employers already comfortable navigating the visa process for positions like yours.
Can I work on federal infrastructure projects as a Civil Project Engineer on OPT?
It depends on the project and contract structure. Private firms working on federally funded projects typically do not require citizenship for civil engineering roles. However, some contracts with direct federal agencies or those involving sensitive infrastructure may require U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. Always ask the employer specifically whether the role has any citizenship or security clearance requirements before accepting an offer.
Is Civil Project Engineer considered a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Civil Project Engineer roles that require a bachelor's degree or higher in civil, structural, or geotechnical engineering meet the specialty occupation standard. USCIS has consistently approved H-1B petitions for engineering roles with specific degree requirements. The key is that the job description must require a degree in a specific engineering discipline, not just any bachelor's degree in any field.
What happens to my OPT authorization if my civil engineering project ends early?
Your OPT authorization remains valid through its expiration date even if a project ends, but you must find new employment within 90 days of unemployment to stay in status. Civil engineers on OPT should track cumulative unemployment carefully, since exceeding 90 days total during the OPT period triggers a status violation. Notify your DSO immediately if your employment situation changes so they can advise on next steps.