Engineering Project Manager Jobs for OPT Students
Engineering Project Manager jobs on OPT require employers to sponsor your work authorization before or shortly after your start date. Most roles in this field qualify as specialty occupations under STEM or engineering classifications, which matters for your 24-month STEM OPT extension eligibility. Start your search with remaining OPT time in mind.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson is seeking a Project Manager III (Engineer-Project Manager) to join our Substation and Power Generation team. This role is ideal for a technically strong professional who has been leading electrical design efforts and is ready to take full ownership of project execution while continuing to contribute technically. The Engineer-Project Manager serves as both a technical leader and project manager, guiding design decisions, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and managing scope, schedule, and budget. This role emphasizes technical fluency combined with strong project leadership to support the successful delivery of complex power infrastructure projects.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the delivery of complex substation and power generation projects from planning through completion.
- Serve as the technical point of coordination on assigned projects, guiding design approach, reviewing technical content, and contributing directly to design as needed.
- Apply hands-on electrical and power systems knowledge to support project planning, execution, and problem-solving.
- Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
- Coordinate closely with engineers, designers, commissioning staff, and other disciplines to ensure technical alignment and quality.
- Translate technical decisions into clear project direction for internal teams and clients.
- Proactively manage project risks, scope changes, and financial performance.
- Serve as the primary client contact on assigned projects, fostering trust through technical understanding and clear communication.
- Support consistent project delivery standards, documentation, and quality practices across the team.
- Mentor and support engineers and project team members through technical guidance and project leadership.
- Collaborate with Group Leaders and technical leadership to align project needs with team priorities and long-term goals.
- Support proposal development and project planning efforts where technical insight is needed.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to contribute and work well with a team.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- 8–12 years of experience supporting substation, power generation, or related electrical infrastructure projects.
- Strong background in technical design leadership, with the ability to contribute directly to electrical design and review.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical project teams and coordinating multidisciplinary efforts.
- Solid understanding of project management fundamentals, including scope, schedule, budget, and risk management.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to clients and project teams.
- Experience in a consulting or professional services environment preferred.
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
Company Description
We are Olsson. We engineer and design solutions that improve the world around us. As a company, we promise to always be responsive, transparent, and focused on results – for our people, our clients, and our company. We’re a people-centric firm, so it’s no surprise our greatest asset is our people. The impact this creates is an environment that encourages our people to grow and be creative with their talents. This approach builds a culture that is uniquely Olsson. It allows us to grow our people as we grow our business. This, in turn, creates a lasting impact on the world around us.
Job Description
Olsson is seeking a Project Manager III (Engineer-Project Manager) to join our Substation and Power Generation team. This role is ideal for a technically strong professional who has been leading electrical design efforts and is ready to take full ownership of project execution while continuing to contribute technically. The Engineer-Project Manager serves as both a technical leader and project manager, guiding design decisions, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and managing scope, schedule, and budget. This role emphasizes technical fluency combined with strong project leadership to support the successful delivery of complex power infrastructure projects.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the delivery of complex substation and power generation projects from planning through completion.
- Serve as the technical point of coordination on assigned projects, guiding design approach, reviewing technical content, and contributing directly to design as needed.
- Apply hands-on electrical and power systems knowledge to support project planning, execution, and problem-solving.
- Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
- Coordinate closely with engineers, designers, commissioning staff, and other disciplines to ensure technical alignment and quality.
- Translate technical decisions into clear project direction for internal teams and clients.
- Proactively manage project risks, scope changes, and financial performance.
- Serve as the primary client contact on assigned projects, fostering trust through technical understanding and clear communication.
- Support consistent project delivery standards, documentation, and quality practices across the team.
- Mentor and support engineers and project team members through technical guidance and project leadership.
- Collaborate with Group Leaders and technical leadership to align project needs with team priorities and long-term goals.
- Support proposal development and project planning efforts where technical insight is needed.
Qualifications
You are passionate about:
- Working collaboratively with others.
- Having ownership in the work you do.
- Using your talents to positively affect communities.
You Bring To The Team
- Strong communication skills.
- Ability to contribute and work well with a team.
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
- 8–12 years of experience supporting substation, power generation, or related electrical infrastructure projects.
- Strong background in technical design leadership, with the ability to contribute directly to electrical design and review.
- Demonstrated experience leading technical project teams and coordinating multidisciplinary efforts.
- Solid understanding of project management fundamentals, including scope, schedule, budget, and risk management.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to clients and project teams.
- Experience in a consulting or professional services environment preferred.
Additional Information
Olsson specializes in engineering and design, client advisory services, planning, field services, and environmental. Improving the world has been our mindset from the very beginning, back when Olsson first opened for business in 1956. And it will be our mindset for years to come.
As An Olsson Employee, You Will
- Receive a competitive 401(k) match
- Be empowered to build your career with tailored development paths
- Have the possibility for flexible work arrangements
- Engage in work that has a positive impact on communities
- Participate in a wellness program promoting balanced lifestyles
In addition, full-time employees will receive our traditional benefits package (health care, vision, dental, paid time off, etc.) and the opportunity to participate in a bonus system that rewards performance.
Olsson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage qualified minority, female, veteran, and disabled candidates to apply and be considered for open positions. We do not discriminate against any applicant for employment or any employee because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, disability, age, military status, or other protected status. Olsson understands the importance of privacy and is committed to protecting job applicants’ personal information. Pursuant to the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, the “CCPA”), this notice explains Olsson’s practices regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information for job applicants residing in California. Please read this Notice carefully to understand our privacy practices. For more information about the types of information we collect and how we use it in connection with your general access and use of our website, please review our general California Privacy Notice here.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Engineering Project Manager
Target companies with active H-1B filing histories
Employers who have sponsored H-1B petitions for engineers in the past are far more likely to support OPT and future visa transitions. Search Migrate Mate to filter for companies with verified sponsorship track records in engineering and project management roles.
Clarify your STEM OPT extension eligibility early
Engineering Project Manager roles typically fall under STEM-designated CIP codes if your degree is in engineering or a related field. Confirming this before applying lets you honestly tell employers you have up to three years of work authorization available.
Frame your timeline proactively in interviews
Employers often hesitate because they don't understand OPT timelines. Prepare a short, clear explanation: your current authorization period, when it expires, and your STEM extension eligibility. Removing ambiguity upfront reduces the most common objection hiring managers raise.
Emphasize cross-functional coordination experience
Engineering Project Managers oversee budgets, timelines, and multi-disciplinary teams. Employers weighing sponsorship costs want clear evidence of impact. Quantify outcomes: projects delivered on time, budget variance reduced, or team size managed. Numbers make the sponsorship conversation easier.
Prioritize mid-size engineering and infrastructure firms
Large engineering firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP have established immigration processes and sponsor regularly. Mid-size firms in construction, defense, or manufacturing also hire frequently and face less internal friction when supporting OPT candidates with strong project backgrounds.
Get PMP or relevant certifications before you apply
A Project Management Professional certification signals domain credibility and reduces employer hesitation about visa costs. Certifications like PMP, PMI-ACP, or a Lean Six Sigma credential strengthen your file and give hiring managers a concrete reason to invest in sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do Engineering Project Manager jobs qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
They can, but it depends on your degree field, not just your job title. If your undergraduate or graduate degree is in an engineering discipline listed on the STEM-designated degree program list, and your role requires applying that technical knowledge, you'll likely qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before accepting an offer.
How do I find Engineering Project Manager roles that sponsor OPT?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for this. You can browse Engineering Project Manager openings filtered by employers who support OPT work authorization, so you're not wasting applications on companies that won't sponsor. Most general job boards don't surface sponsorship willingness, which makes filtering by that criterion nearly impossible without a dedicated platform.
Will employers sponsor OPT for a project management role, or do they prefer citizens?
Many do, particularly in engineering-intensive industries like construction, defense, aerospace, and infrastructure. These sectors face persistent talent shortages in project management, which increases employer willingness to sponsor. Firms with established legal and HR processes for international hiring, including large engineering consultancies and federal contractors, are your strongest targets.
Does the E-Verify requirement for STEM OPT apply to Engineering Project Manager jobs?
Yes. If you're using the 24-month STEM OPT extension, your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a formal training plan with you. This applies regardless of job title. Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting an offer, since employers who aren't enrolled cannot legally employ STEM OPT students, even if they want to hire you.
What visa typically comes after OPT for Engineering Project Managers?
The H-1B is the most common next step. Engineering Project Manager roles typically meet the specialty occupation standard because they require at minimum a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field. Some employers also explore the O-1A for candidates with exceptional project records. Your employer initiates the H-1B petition before your OPT expires, so timeline planning is critical.
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