Environmental Remediation Engineer Jobs for OPT Students
Environmental Remediation Engineers on OPT work on soil, groundwater, and hazardous waste cleanup projects under STEM OPT extension eligibility, giving you up to three years of authorized work. Most roles require a degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a related field, and employers routinely sponsor H-1B visas given the specialized skill set.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery, and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
ROLE
We’re seeking an environmental engineer with a background in environmental site characterization and remediation to support the delivery of challenging projects for government and global private sector clients. Based out of the Phoenix, Arizona area, you’ll work with other scientists, engineers, subject matter experts, contractors, and project managers on exciting projects in which you will learn from others and pass along your knowledge. Responsibilities may include designing, performing site investigations including soil, soil vapor, groundwater, and surface water, working on remediation process systems, mine closure, supporting the development and management of SPCC and SWPPP programs, and technical report writing. Projects require thoughtful strategy development, leveraging technical expertise, and collaboration with clients and stakeholders. All projects must be delivered with the high safety, compliance, and quality standards expected by both Jacobs and our client. Our global team is here to provide you with the tools and support needed to grow your skills and career, as well as those of your colleagues. By driving consistency and innovation across projects, you'll help your team achieve client goals. Bring your positive attitude and strong, collaborative style, and together, we'll tackle complex environmental remediation challenges and solve our client’s problems. At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other. This is a position located in Phoenix, Arizona where you’ll be based out of the Phoenix office, with flexibility to work from home and project sites to meet project delivery goals while maintaining balance.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering.
A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience such as environmental site characterization and remediation, fieldwork methodology and procedures, and assessment and evaluation of data for various environmental media (e.g., soil, sediments, groundwater).
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Strong attention to detail for conducting field work and evaluating data.
Commitment to working safe and protecting coworkers.
Ability to obtain certification as a Professional Engineer.
* Ability to attain 40-hr HAZWOPER certification.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience overseeing subcontractors.
40-hr HAZWOPER certification.
Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams toward a common goal.
Passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and registration as an Engineer in Training or Engineer Intern.
COMPENSATION
- Base salary range: $69,500.00 to $105,000.00.
Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Job posted on February 02, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
INTRODUCTION
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery, and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
ROLE
We’re seeking an environmental engineer with a background in environmental site characterization and remediation to support the delivery of challenging projects for government and global private sector clients. Based out of the Phoenix, Arizona area, you’ll work with other scientists, engineers, subject matter experts, contractors, and project managers on exciting projects in which you will learn from others and pass along your knowledge. Responsibilities may include designing, performing site investigations including soil, soil vapor, groundwater, and surface water, working on remediation process systems, mine closure, supporting the development and management of SPCC and SWPPP programs, and technical report writing. Projects require thoughtful strategy development, leveraging technical expertise, and collaboration with clients and stakeholders. All projects must be delivered with the high safety, compliance, and quality standards expected by both Jacobs and our client. Our global team is here to provide you with the tools and support needed to grow your skills and career, as well as those of your colleagues. By driving consistency and innovation across projects, you'll help your team achieve client goals. Bring your positive attitude and strong, collaborative style, and together, we'll tackle complex environmental remediation challenges and solve our client’s problems. At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other. This is a position located in Phoenix, Arizona where you’ll be based out of the Phoenix office, with flexibility to work from home and project sites to meet project delivery goals while maintaining balance.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in environmental, civil, or chemical engineering.
A minimum of 2 years of relevant experience such as environmental site characterization and remediation, fieldwork methodology and procedures, and assessment and evaluation of data for various environmental media (e.g., soil, sediments, groundwater).
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Strong attention to detail for conducting field work and evaluating data.
Commitment to working safe and protecting coworkers.
Ability to obtain certification as a Professional Engineer.
* Ability to attain 40-hr HAZWOPER certification.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience overseeing subcontractors.
40-hr HAZWOPER certification.
Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams toward a common goal.
Passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam and registration as an Engineer in Training or Engineer Intern.
COMPENSATION
- Base salary range: $69,500.00 to $105,000.00.
Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Job posted on February 02, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as an Environmental Remediation Engineer
Target STEM OPT-eligible employers first
Environmental remediation is a STEM-designated field, making you eligible for a 24-month OPT extension beyond your initial 12 months. Focus on firms that have previously filed H-1B petitions for environmental engineers, as they understand the sponsorship process.
Highlight your technical specializations clearly
Employers in remediation need engineers with specific skills: groundwater modeling, Phase I and Phase II ESAs, CERCLA compliance, or PFAS remediation. Listing these clearly on your resume signals you fill a niche that justifies the sponsorship investment for hiring managers.
Pursue EPA or state agency certification early
Certifications like HAZWOPER 40-hour training or state-specific site remediation credentials strengthen your profile significantly. Employers are more willing to sponsor candidates who arrive credentialed, since onboarding costs are lower and you can bill to projects sooner.
Prioritize environmental consulting firms over general contractors
Large environmental consulting firms such as Arcadis, Tetra Tech, and AECOM have dedicated HR infrastructure for sponsoring international engineers. They hire in volume and have established legal teams familiar with OPT and H-1B timelines, reducing friction in the process.
Communicate your OPT timeline proactively
Tell recruiters your OPT start date and STEM extension eligibility in the first conversation. Remediation projects often run 18 to 36 months, so employers need to know your authorized period aligns with project delivery before they commit to sponsorship paperwork.
Connect your coursework to real regulatory frameworks
In interviews, reference specific regulatory frameworks you studied, including RCRA, CERCLA, or state voluntary cleanup programs. Demonstrating regulatory literacy tells employers you can contribute to compliance-driven projects immediately, which makes the sponsorship case easier to justify internally.
Environmental Remediation Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does environmental remediation engineering qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes. Environmental engineering and closely related fields like civil and chemical engineering are on the STEM Designated Degree Program List. If your degree falls under one of these CIP codes, you qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension after your initial 12-month period, giving you up to three years of OPT authorization total.
Do environmental remediation employers commonly sponsor H-1B visas?
Yes, particularly large environmental consulting firms and government contractors. Remediation engineering requires specialized knowledge in site assessment, groundwater modeling, and regulatory compliance that is genuinely hard to fill domestically. This specialization makes employers more willing to invest in H-1B sponsorship compared to generalist engineering roles. Browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to narrow your search.
What degree fields are accepted for Environmental Remediation Engineer roles on OPT?
Most employers require a bachelor's degree or higher in environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, geology, or hydrogeology. Some roles in site assessment or remediation design also accept environmental science degrees if paired with relevant lab or field experience. The degree must directly relate to the job duties to satisfy both OPT authorization requirements and the specialty occupation standard for future H-1B sponsorship.
Can I work on federal Superfund or government remediation contracts while on OPT?
It depends on the contract. Many federal environmental contracts do not require security clearances, so OPT students can work on them through a sponsoring employer without issue. However, some Department of Defense or sensitive site contracts may restrict non-citizen access. Confirm with your employer whether specific project assignments have citizenship or clearance requirements before accepting.
How early should I start the H-1B sponsorship conversation with a remediation employer?
Start the conversation before you accept an offer, not after. H-1B registration opens in March each year for an October 1 start date. If you join a firm in summer and your OPT expires before the following October, you may face a gap. Employers need enough lead time to file, so raising the timeline in your first few weeks gives HR the runway to act.
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