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 JobsIf you like variety and challenge and take satisfaction from knowing your work supports marine sustainability, consider joining the Michels Construction, Inc., Marine Operations team. Marine Operations provides services to include mechanical and hydraulic dredging, certified commercial diving, lock and dam repair, inspection, and debris removal, just to name a few. The end product might not be visible, but it will be essential. Our work improves lives. Find out how a career at Michels Construction, Inc. can change yours.
As a Project Manager, Marine Construction, your key responsibilities will be to manage a phase of a large complex project or manage multiple medium sized marine construction projects that are approximately greater than $1M and are up to $50M. It is also your responsibility to plan, direct and coordinate activities of designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives of the project are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Why Michels Construction, Inc.?
- We support dynamic and growing industries
- We are family owned and operated
- We invest an average of $5,000 per employee on training each year
- We reward hard work and dedication with limitless opportunities
- We are a part of the Michels family of companies – one of North America's largest, most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors
- We offer a comprehensive benefits program, including Health, Dental, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) plan, Legal Plan, and Identity Theft and Monitoring Plan. Depending on your positions and location you may participate in a different benefit plan.
Why you?
- You want to win.
- You thrive in fast-paced environments
- You relish new challenges and evolving technology
- You want your work to be meaningful
- You enjoy collaborating and communicating with your teammates
- You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated
- You are flexible and optimistic
What it takes:
- Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of both
- Project Management experience in Marine Construction or Heavy Civil is desired
- Ability to be on the water performing work in varying conditions
- Position requires extensive travel throughout the United States (50% or more)
- Experience with B2W, Microsoft Project, and AutoCad a plus but not required
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability
If you like variety and challenge and take satisfaction from knowing your work supports marine sustainability, consider joining the Michels Construction, Inc., Marine Operations team. Marine Operations provides services to include mechanical and hydraulic dredging, certified commercial diving, lock and dam repair, inspection, and debris removal, just to name a few. The end product might not be visible, but it will be essential. Our work improves lives. Find out how a career at Michels Construction, Inc. can change yours.
As a Project Manager, Marine Construction, your key responsibilities will be to manage a phase of a large complex project or manage multiple medium sized marine construction projects that are approximately greater than $1M and are up to $50M. It is also your responsibility to plan, direct and coordinate activities of designated projects to ensure that goals or objectives of the project are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Why Michels Construction, Inc.?
- We support dynamic and growing industries
- We are family owned and operated
- We invest an average of $5,000 per employee on training each year
- We reward hard work and dedication with limitless opportunities
- We are a part of the Michels family of companies – one of North America's largest, most diversified energy and infrastructure contractors
- We offer a comprehensive benefits program, including Health, Dental, Life, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, Short Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k) plan, Legal Plan, and Identity Theft and Monitoring Plan. Depending on your positions and location you may participate in a different benefit plan.
Why you?
- You want to win.
- You thrive in fast-paced environments
- You relish new challenges and evolving technology
- You want your work to be meaningful
- You enjoy collaborating and communicating with your teammates
- You like to know your efforts are noticed and appreciated
- You are flexible and optimistic
What it takes:
- Bachelor's degree and 3+ years of related experience or equivalent combination of both
- Project Management experience in Marine Construction or Heavy Civil is desired
- Ability to be on the water performing work in varying conditions
- Position requires extensive travel throughout the United States (50% or more)
- Experience with B2W, Microsoft Project, and AutoCad a plus but not required
AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability
See all 774+ 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.