Civil Project Manager Jobs for OPT Students
Civil Project Manager roles are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil engineering, construction management, or a related field. Most positions qualify as STEM OPT, giving you up to 36 months of work authorization. Employers in infrastructure, transportation, and municipal sectors actively hire for this role.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Inc. (GMC) is one of the region's largest privately held architecture and engineering firms, with more than 700 employees. We are a regional firm with national experience located in eighteen offices throughout the Southeastern United States. We believe in community, collaboration, and using the power of creativity and hard work to make a difference.
We’re looking for the best and brightest to help us reach and exceed our aggressive goals. We place a high value in being part of our communities and giving back throughout the year supporting various charities and local events. We value employee feedback and use that to shape our annual strategic plans. We offer all of this and more because we are only as strong as our people. Our mission is to create opportunities for our people and the people we serve to create communities that thrive.
GMC is currently seeking a Site/Civil Project Manager to join our team in either Columbia or Greenville, SC. This role is ideal for a motivated professional who brings strong technical expertise in site/civil design, values collaboration, and excels at building meaningful client relationships. In this role, you’ll lead and grow client partnerships while also mentoring and developing a dynamic site/civil team. You’ll have the opportunity to work across a diverse range of projects—including commercial, institutional, municipal, and residential—spanning both public and private sectors. At GMC, that variety allows you to expand your experience, take on new challenges, and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Overseeing site / civil efforts on a variety of projects and having the ability to design and oversee site layout, grading, stormwater / drainage, infrastructure, erosion & sediment control from concept through completion
- Stormwater management design / reports, Hydraulic and Hydrology analysis, SWPPP preparation
- Managing site / civil workflow
- Maintaining understanding of local and state agency requirements
- Meeting with clients, project team members, government agencies and contractors as necessary
- Coordinating with permit and entitlement manager to assure all applicable site related permits submittals are made and following through as-builts and platting through project closeout
- Training and mentoring fellow civil designers and interns
- Performing QA / QC review on civil plans and reports
- Maintaining and building client relationships
- Time management, team management and organizational skills to drive profitability of projects
- Traveling as dictated by projects, clients and company functions. Representing the firm in all aspects of projects and assignments to prospective employees, clients, and the communities we serve.
- Reinforcing GMC standards and Core Values to others
- Participating in local professional society
- Participating in community service activities and understanding implications of involvement
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or tenured professional in the civil engineering field with Bachelor’s in other engineering discipline
- 3+ years of site / civil experience with a variety of projects and evidence of growth / leadership in current role
- Professional Engineering license in North or South Carolina
- Proficiency with Civil 3D and various stormwater software programs
- Proficiency with stormwater design and report drafting
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Attention to detail and aptitude to make design decisions
BENEFITS
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401K retirement plan with company match
- Professional development support
- Flexible work schedule
- Competitive paid time off and holidays
- Bonus pay opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans
ABOUT GMC
We believe in community, collaboration, and using the power of creativity and hard work to make a difference. Whether designing schools, parks, hospitals and other commercial developments, or providing clean water, safe streets and restoring resilient environments, GMC takes great pride in serving our communities through the transformative work we do. Every project is guided by the foundational concept that communities are built by people, not companies, and we strive to serve our communities with quality, integrity, creativity and care. One of the Southeast’s most comprehensive multi-disciplined firms, GMC is equipped to provide all of the services associated with architecture, interior design, civil engineering, environmental services, landscape architecture, planning, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, electrical engineering, surveying and disaster recovery.
INTRODUCTION
Goodwyn Mills and Cawood, Inc. (GMC) is one of the region's largest privately held architecture and engineering firms, with more than 700 employees. We are a regional firm with national experience located in eighteen offices throughout the Southeastern United States. We believe in community, collaboration, and using the power of creativity and hard work to make a difference.
We’re looking for the best and brightest to help us reach and exceed our aggressive goals. We place a high value in being part of our communities and giving back throughout the year supporting various charities and local events. We value employee feedback and use that to shape our annual strategic plans. We offer all of this and more because we are only as strong as our people. Our mission is to create opportunities for our people and the people we serve to create communities that thrive.
GMC is currently seeking a Site/Civil Project Manager to join our team in either Columbia or Greenville, SC. This role is ideal for a motivated professional who brings strong technical expertise in site/civil design, values collaboration, and excels at building meaningful client relationships. In this role, you’ll lead and grow client partnerships while also mentoring and developing a dynamic site/civil team. You’ll have the opportunity to work across a diverse range of projects—including commercial, institutional, municipal, and residential—spanning both public and private sectors. At GMC, that variety allows you to expand your experience, take on new challenges, and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Overseeing site / civil efforts on a variety of projects and having the ability to design and oversee site layout, grading, stormwater / drainage, infrastructure, erosion & sediment control from concept through completion
- Stormwater management design / reports, Hydraulic and Hydrology analysis, SWPPP preparation
- Managing site / civil workflow
- Maintaining understanding of local and state agency requirements
- Meeting with clients, project team members, government agencies and contractors as necessary
- Coordinating with permit and entitlement manager to assure all applicable site related permits submittals are made and following through as-builts and platting through project closeout
- Training and mentoring fellow civil designers and interns
- Performing QA / QC review on civil plans and reports
- Maintaining and building client relationships
- Time management, team management and organizational skills to drive profitability of projects
- Traveling as dictated by projects, clients and company functions. Representing the firm in all aspects of projects and assignments to prospective employees, clients, and the communities we serve.
- Reinforcing GMC standards and Core Values to others
- Participating in local professional society
- Participating in community service activities and understanding implications of involvement
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or tenured professional in the civil engineering field with Bachelor’s in other engineering discipline
- 3+ years of site / civil experience with a variety of projects and evidence of growth / leadership in current role
- Professional Engineering license in North or South Carolina
- Proficiency with Civil 3D and various stormwater software programs
- Proficiency with stormwater design and report drafting
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Attention to detail and aptitude to make design decisions
BENEFITS
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401K retirement plan with company match
- Professional development support
- Flexible work schedule
- Competitive paid time off and holidays
- Bonus pay opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans
ABOUT GMC
We believe in community, collaboration, and using the power of creativity and hard work to make a difference. Whether designing schools, parks, hospitals and other commercial developments, or providing clean water, safe streets and restoring resilient environments, GMC takes great pride in serving our communities through the transformative work we do. Every project is guided by the foundational concept that communities are built by people, not companies, and we strive to serve our communities with quality, integrity, creativity and care. One of the Southeast’s most comprehensive multi-disciplined firms, GMC is equipped to provide all of the services associated with architecture, interior design, civil engineering, environmental services, landscape architecture, planning, transportation engineering, geotechnical engineering, electrical engineering, surveying and disaster recovery.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Civil Project Manager
Lead with your STEM OPT timeline upfront
Civil engineering and construction management are STEM-designated fields, so your OPT period extends to 36 months. Mention this in your cover letter so hiring managers understand your authorization window without having to ask.
Highlight your EIT or PE exam progress
Engineers in Training credentials and active PE exam preparation signal long-term commitment to employers. Mentioning licensure progress reassures hiring managers you're building a career in the U.S., not just filling a short-term gap.
Quantify project delivery experience on your resume
Civil project managers are evaluated on budgets managed, timelines met, and stakeholder coordination. Use specific metrics from internships or thesis projects to demonstrate you can own deliverables, even without full-time PM experience.
Emphasize software proficiency relevant to civil PM roles
Proficiency in tools like Primavera P6, AutoCAD Civil 3D, or Procore strengthens your candidacy. Many employers shortlist candidates who can contribute to project scheduling and documentation workflows immediately without additional training.
Address visa status clearly and early in outreach
Many civil engineering employers have sponsored before but may hesitate if visa status feels ambiguous. A single sentence confirming your current authorization and STEM OPT eligibility removes uncertainty and keeps your application moving forward.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does a Civil Project Manager role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Yes, in most cases. If your degree is in civil engineering, construction management, or another STEM-designated field, you're eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to 36 months total. The role itself doesn't need to be STEM-designated, but your degree does. Confirm your program's CIP code with your DSO before applying for the extension.
How do I find Civil Project Manager jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for F-1 OPT and visa sponsorship candidates, so you're not sifting through postings that exclude international applicants. Civil PM roles in infrastructure, transportation, and environmental sectors appear regularly. Filtering by OPT eligibility saves significant time compared to applying broadly and hitting authorization walls late in the process.
What types of employers hire Civil Project Managers on OPT?
Large engineering and construction firms, municipal public works departments, transportation agencies, and federal contractors are the most active employers. Firms working on federally funded infrastructure projects tend to have more experience with OPT and H-1B sponsorship because they hire engineers internationally at scale and have established immigration support processes in place.
Can I work as a Civil Project Manager while on OPT if my degree is in a related but not identical field?
OPT requires that your employment be directly related to your major field of study, but the connection doesn't have to be exact. A degree in structural engineering, environmental engineering, or construction management can support a Civil PM role. Your DSO can help you confirm whether the position qualifies. Document the connection clearly if the title seems like a stretch from your program.
What should I do if my OPT period is running out before I secure a Civil Project Manager role?
If you're approaching the end of your OPT window without an offer, your two main options are the STEM OPT extension if you qualify or a cap-subject H-1B petition filed by an employer before your OPT expires. The H-1B lottery registration opens in March each year. If you miss the lottery cycle, some employers will bridge your status through other visa categories while you wait for the next cycle.
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