OPT Construction Engineer Jobs
Construction Engineer jobs are a strong fit for F-1 OPT students with degrees in civil, structural, or construction engineering. STEM OPT extension eligibility gives you up to three years of work authorization, and many infrastructure and project management firms actively file H-1B visa petitions for engineering roles.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a Rail Construction Engineer to join our growing team in Brunswick or Biddeford, ME!
Our rail and transit systems efficiently connect people and freight across the country. We offer a full range of rail services to Class I and short-line railroads, transit agencies, Departments of Transportation, and other rail clients. Our expertise spans the entire project lifecycle, from preliminary planning and feasibility studies through final design, construction inspection, and operations.
Responsibilities
- Read and understand plans and specifications to determine information for construction coordination and inspection tasks.
- Review construction work plans for conformance with client standards and prepare letters summarizing comments on those work plans.
- Facilitate communications between owners/project sponsors, contractors, designers, and other involved parties.
- Provide timely responses to internal and external client communications.
- Participate in and/or lead construction progress/coordination meetings with support from supervisor and/or Project Manager.
- Monitor and inspect construction projects, including quality assurance and safety compliance.
- Ensure contractors follow the project plans and specifications in accordance with applicable construction procedures, methods, and codes.
- Collect and record field measurements as needed.
- Observe and/or document workers and equipment on projects.
- Track progress of multiple construction projects.
- Document the construction progress with site reports, photos, etc.
- Create punch lists.
- Monitor construction schedule (Critical Path Method) to ensure project is on schedule.
- May be required to perform basic survey duties.
- May be required to inspect/observe/coordinate a portfolio of several ongoing projects at various locations within a region.
- Travel routinely within the region and may occasionally travel overnight.
- Assist project manager(s) with various budget forecasting and cost control tasks.
- Establish & maintain positive relationships with team members, support and build others on the team and across disciplines/offices.
- Obtain and maintain required certifications for each project as needed as well as complete client specific safety courses.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or engineering technology preferred.
- Prior internship and/or work experience in construction management and/or inspection of civil infrastructure construction is a plus.
- Prior experience in the railroad industry is preferred.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Submit to background check and federally required pre-employment and random Drug & Alcohol Screening as may be required by various clients.
- Ability to read, write and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job-related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Colliers Engineering & Design, our people are our most important resource. That’s why we are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities.
This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid pregnancy disability leave; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; a company-matched 401(k)/Roth; paid time off that includes parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses and a straight time policy that compensates exempt employees for billable hours worked in excess of 40 billable hours within a work week.
We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in-house resource for hundreds of educational and self-enrichment courses; mentorship program; wellness program; Women’s Organization and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.
Apply today to learn how you can join our team of professionals, so we can help you Accelerate Your Success!
INTRODUCTION
Colliers Engineering & Design is seeking a Rail Construction Engineer to join our growing team in Brunswick or Biddeford, ME!
Our rail and transit systems efficiently connect people and freight across the country. We offer a full range of rail services to Class I and short-line railroads, transit agencies, Departments of Transportation, and other rail clients. Our expertise spans the entire project lifecycle, from preliminary planning and feasibility studies through final design, construction inspection, and operations.
Responsibilities
- Read and understand plans and specifications to determine information for construction coordination and inspection tasks.
- Review construction work plans for conformance with client standards and prepare letters summarizing comments on those work plans.
- Facilitate communications between owners/project sponsors, contractors, designers, and other involved parties.
- Provide timely responses to internal and external client communications.
- Participate in and/or lead construction progress/coordination meetings with support from supervisor and/or Project Manager.
- Monitor and inspect construction projects, including quality assurance and safety compliance.
- Ensure contractors follow the project plans and specifications in accordance with applicable construction procedures, methods, and codes.
- Collect and record field measurements as needed.
- Observe and/or document workers and equipment on projects.
- Track progress of multiple construction projects.
- Document the construction progress with site reports, photos, etc.
- Create punch lists.
- Monitor construction schedule (Critical Path Method) to ensure project is on schedule.
- May be required to perform basic survey duties.
- May be required to inspect/observe/coordinate a portfolio of several ongoing projects at various locations within a region.
- Travel routinely within the region and may occasionally travel overnight.
- Assist project manager(s) with various budget forecasting and cost control tasks.
- Establish & maintain positive relationships with team members, support and build others on the team and across disciplines/offices.
- Obtain and maintain required certifications for each project as needed as well as complete client specific safety courses.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or engineering technology preferred.
- Prior internship and/or work experience in construction management and/or inspection of civil infrastructure construction is a plus.
- Prior experience in the railroad industry is preferred.
- Valid driver’s license required.
- Submit to background check and federally required pre-employment and random Drug & Alcohol Screening as may be required by various clients.
- Ability to read, write and understand English for purposes of comprehending written job-related communications and verbal instructions and interactions.
WHAT WE OFFER
At Colliers Engineering & Design, our people are our most important resource. That’s why we are committed to providing all our employees with a safe, comfortable work environment, potential for career advancement, and the ability to impact society through their projects as well as Company sponsored activities.
This dedication begins with supporting a work life balance through a generous compensation package that includes: company paid medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid pregnancy disability leave; short- and long-term disability insurance; life insurance; a company-matched 401(k)/Roth; paid time off that includes parental and military leave; employee referral and professional license bonuses and a straight time policy that compensates exempt employees for billable hours worked in excess of 40 billable hours within a work week.
We have also created an internal culture that provides the resources and technology needed to encourage personal and professional growth opportunities through reimbursement for education; a free in-house resource for hundreds of educational and self-enrichment courses; mentorship program; wellness program; Women’s Organization and ongoing philanthropic opportunities.
Apply today to learn how you can join our team of professionals, so we can help you Accelerate Your Success!
See all 1,952+ OPT Construction Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Construction Engineer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Construction Engineer
Target STEM OPT-eligible positions
Construction Engineer roles under CIP codes like Civil Engineering (14.0802) qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree program qualifies before applying so you can accurately communicate your full authorization window to employers.
Lead with your authorization timeline upfront
Tell hiring managers you have up to three years of work authorization before H-1B visa sponsorship is needed. Framing it as a long runway, not an immediate obligation, reduces perceived risk for firms unfamiliar with the OPT process.
Prioritize large general contractors and ENR-ranked firms
Companies like Turner Construction, Bechtel, and Jacobs have established immigration programs and file H-1B petitions regularly. Larger firms have HR infrastructure to manage sponsorship, making them more likely to follow through after your OPT period ends.
Emphasize project delivery and field experience
Construction engineers are hired to manage schedules, costs, and on-site execution. Quantify your experience with specific project types, budgets, and outcomes. Concrete results reduce employer hesitation about the administrative overhead of sponsoring international candidates.
Obtain your EAC or EIT credential before applying
An Engineer-in-Training credential from the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering exam signals long-term commitment to the profession. Many firms sponsoring Construction Engineers for H-1B prefer candidates already on the professional licensure path.
Use Migrate Mate to filter for sponsorship-willing employers
Browse Construction Engineer listings on Migrate Mate to find employers who have a documented history of sponsoring F-1 OPT and H-1B candidates, saving you from applying to firms that will screen you out early in the process.
Construction Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Construction Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your degree, not your job title. If your degree is in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a closely related STEM field listed on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, your role as a Construction Engineer should qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total work authorization.
Do Construction Engineer employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Large general contractors, engineering-procurement-construction firms, and infrastructure consultancies regularly sponsor H-1B visas for Construction Engineers. Smaller regional contractors are less likely to have immigration infrastructure in place. You can browse employers with sponsorship history on Migrate Mate to focus your applications where the path from OPT to H-1B is most realistic.
Can I work on a construction site on OPT, or is my authorization limited to office roles?
OPT authorizes you to work in any capacity that is directly related to your degree field. If your degree is in construction or civil engineering, both site-based and office-based Construction Engineer roles are eligible. The role must use the knowledge and skills from your program, whether you are managing fieldwork, preparing submittals, or overseeing subcontractors.
What happens if my construction project ends before my OPT expires?
Project-based employment is common in construction. If your role ends, you have up to 90 days of unemployment allowance on standard OPT, or 150 days on the STEM OPT extension. You must report changes to your DSO promptly. Starting your next job search before a project closes is important because finding a new employer and updating your OPT record takes time.
Is a professional engineering license required to work as a Construction Engineer on OPT?
A PE license is not required to begin working as a Construction Engineer on OPT. Most entry-level and mid-level Construction Engineer roles involve work under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer. However, earning your EIT certification during your OPT period strengthens your profile significantly with employers considering long-term sponsorship for H-1B or permanent residency.