OPT Professional Engineer Jobs

Professional Engineer jobs on OPT require STEM-designated roles in fields like civil, mechanical, electrical, or structural engineering. Most positions qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of work authorization. Employers typically sponsor H-1B visa after OPT, making engineering one of the stronger visa pathways for international students.

See All OPT Professional Engineer Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs841+
Top Visa TypeF-1 OPT
Work Type74% On-site
Median Salary$123K
Top LocationChicago, IL
Most JobsWestwood Professional Services

Showing 5 of 841+ Professional Engineer jobs

Marathon Petroleum
Process Safety Professional/Engineer
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Marathon Petroleum
Added 3d ago
Process Safety Professional/Engineer
Marathon Petroleum
Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Specialized Engineering
Compliance & Legal
Engineering (Non-Software)
Chemical Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Compliance & Risk
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Davey Tree
Senior Professional Engineer
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Davey Tree
Added 1w ago
Senior Professional Engineer
Davey Tree
Richfield, Ohio
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Project Management
Remote (US)
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's
10,000+

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wsb
Professional Engineer
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wsb
Added 2w ago
Professional Engineer
wsb
Burnsville, Minnesota
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
$85,000/yr - $115,000/yr
On-Site
4+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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State of Arkansas
Professional Engineer
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State of Arkansas
Added 2w ago
Professional Engineer
State of Arkansas
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Project Management
$85,943/yr - $127,195/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Horrocks
Professional Engineer – Water Resources
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Horrocks
Added 1mo ago
Professional Engineer – Water Resources
Horrocks
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Specialized Engineering
Civil & Structural Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
On-Site
2+ yrs exp.
Bachelor's

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Tips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Professional Engineer

Target employers with active H-1B filing history

Engineering firms that have sponsored H-1B visas before are far more likely to sponsor yours. Look for companies with consistent H-1B filings in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering roles through public Department of Labor disclosure data.

Confirm your degree field aligns with the role

STEM OPT extension eligibility depends on your degree classification, not just your job title. A civil engineering degree supports a structural engineering role. A general management role using your engineering background may not qualify for the extension.

Start your STEM OPT extension application 90 days early

USCIS recommends filing your STEM OPT extension application at least 90 days before your initial OPT expires. Late applications create gaps in work authorization that can disrupt active engineering projects and jeopardize your employment.

Get your Professional Engineer license process started early

Many senior engineering roles require a PE license. You can sit the Fundamentals of Engineering exam on OPT. Starting the licensure process early signals long-term commitment to employers and strengthens your case for sponsorship.

Be direct about your OPT timeline when negotiating offers

Engineering employers value clarity. When you receive an offer, raise your OPT end date and STEM extension timeline proactively. Most established engineering firms have handled this before and will appreciate the straightforward conversation.

Focus your search on firms with established immigration support

Large engineering consultancies and infrastructure contractors typically have HR teams experienced with OPT and H-1B processes. Smaller boutique firms may be willing but lack the internal infrastructure to move quickly when your status requires action.

Professional Engineer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions

Do Professional Engineer jobs qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?

Most do, provided your degree is in a qualifying STEM field such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering and the role directly uses that training. Your DSO must certify the connection between your degree and the position. Roles where the engineering component is incidental to general project management may face more scrutiny from your DSO during the evaluation.

How do I find Professional Engineer jobs that sponsor OPT and H-1B?

Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters roles by sponsorship willingness, so you can focus on engineering employers who have a track record of supporting international candidates. Searching general job boards makes it difficult to distinguish firms that actively sponsor from those that don't, which costs you time during a period when your OPT clock is running.

Can I work as a Professional Engineer on OPT before I have my PE license?

Yes. Most entry and mid-level engineering roles do not require a PE license, and OPT work authorization is not affected by your licensure status. You can work under a licensed PE's supervision, which is the standard path for engineers early in their careers. The PE license becomes relevant for roles requiring independent sign-off on engineering documents, typically after gaining four or more years of experience.

What happens to my OPT if my engineering employer goes through layoffs or a project ends?

Your OPT remains valid, but you must find new employment within 90 days of becoming unemployed. However, note that unemployment periods count against your OPT authorization and accumulating more than 90 days of unemployment renders you out of status. Engineering project cycles can create gaps, so it's worth having your next role lined up before a contract ends rather than relying on the full 90-day window.

Do engineering employers count internship OPT toward my 12-month limit?

Yes. Any authorized OPT work, including internships completed before or during your degree, counts toward your 12-month cap. If you used pre-completion OPT for an engineering internship, that time is deducted from your post-completion OPT authorization. Students who completed multiple co-ops or internships on CPT are generally unaffected, since CPT does not reduce your OPT limit unless you used 12 or more months of full-time CPT.